Stompin Tom's Profile

Picture courtesy of www.Stompintom.com used with permission

Opry North

Name: Charles Thomas Connors

Age: 65 - (Happy Birthday Tom!)

Birth date: February 9th 1936

Birth place: St John, NB

Home town: Skinners Pond, PEI

Resides in: Southwestern Ontario

Pets: N/A

Group name: N/A

Instruments played: Guitar, Fiddle, Harmonica

Started performing at age: 16

Most memorable performance: Singing 'The Hockey Song' at the closing of Maple Leaf Gardens on February 13, 1999.

What do you do to relax: Read Books

Finished CD's: 45

Cd's for sale: - Full list is found here: https://castle.on.ca/stompintom/stompinshop/music.asp

Promoter : Rocklands Talent & Management, Peterborough Ontario

P.O. Box 1282

Peterborough, ON K9J 7H5

Tel: (705) 743-7354

Fax: (705) 743-8847

email: rockland@ptbo.igs.net

Contact: Brian Edwards

Record Label: E.M.I Music Canada

3109 American Drive

Mississauga, ON L4V 1B2

Tel: (905) 677-5050

Fax: (905) 612-8016

Website: www.stompintom.com

   Stompin' Tom Connors. When you say that name to anyone in Canada it's instantly recognized, whether they've been lifelong fans
of his unique Canadiana music or not. It immediately brings to mind two images. One; of a lean figure (usually in black, his colour of choice) topped off with a distinctive black cowboy hat (that has been a mainstay since he was just 14 years old). And two; a large fluttering Canadian flag, bright and proud in the sun. That this is true has been evidenced by the recognition he's received in his later years by many of those government and educational institutions that abound in our country, accessible to everybody, just like Stompin' Tom himself.

   With his 65th birthday taking place on February 9, 2001 (something I was reminded about, thanks Tom Jr.), I'm sure that Tom's next few years contain anything but retirement. He's just had his second book released, the autobiographical sequel "The Connors Tone" to his first best selling book of a couple of years ago, "Before The Fame". That it takes two books to tell his life story should
tell you that this is no couch potato, and these are not small books either. This man has had some life! Not always peaches and cream either - not a lot of 'Leave It To Beaver' stuff here (yes, I know that's an Americanism, but The Beachcombers wasn't around back then) and he tells it like it is, no sugar coating anything (even when he comes off looking less than dignified). But if you want an honest, straight forward, heartwarming and, at times, hilarious recounting of the life of one man who just happens to be loved by hundreds of thousands of people then these books are something you must have. I read an enormous amount of stuff and I loved
reading Tom's words. They made me feel I was there, and I think my favourite story in "The Connors Tone" is the story of Tom's one and only audition in a suit. When you read that one, get ready to laugh out loud.

   Tom's complete and detailed stories make recounting his life here absurd, so I'll just do a brief recap. He was born in Nova Scotia, separated from his mother and raised in orphanages and foster homes until he was adopted by a Prince Edward Island family. At 15 he left home to cross the country hitchhiking and eventually (after a few years) ended up in Ontario's far north. When he stopped in
to the (prophetically named) Maple Leaf Hotel in Timmins he was a little short for the beer he'd wanted, so the bartender Gaetan Lepine (who would be a lifelong friend) suggested he could sing for it. And so started the career of the man who would be named "Stompin' Tom" for his unique stage presence. He's described everything he can remember and in an interview hoped his mom would be pleased, saying "She can be a little fiery." Well, we knew it had to come from somewhere. But for someone who has not had a free ride and who has not been treated with the courtesy I feel he should have been during many periods of his life, he does
not have that intolerance to others that many would have adopted by now. He's also quoted saying "I don't think there's anybody I don't like. I may not like your belief. I may not like what you do. But I'll find something about you to like - it's no good the other way." And he really feels that way. Many times in his descriptions of situations where he's been made to feel like the gum on the bottom of your shoe he will say something admirable about the person he'd been dealing with, something they do well that he will still acknowledge regardless of the fact that, as a nice person, they stink. He's a big man, no matter how small they treated him.

   Personally, Tom's been blessed with many, many friends who have stuck by him and will always be there for him. He has a beautiful wife, Lena, who has been by his side since November 2, 1973 (and who married him despite his first words to her
described in his second book - I laughed till I had tears in my eyes). And they have a son, Tom Jr., who has been a source of never-ending pride and who has always been included in the sometimes hectic world that Tom Sr. lives in. No nannies and long separations (when possible) for this family, the luggage and the family always go together, with Dad driving. To measure success by fame or money isn't always accurate. I think it's the number of people who know you, like (or love) you anyway, respect you and what you think and will be there to offer a hand when you're walking uphill in the mud. Tom has no fear of the next rainy season, let's put it that way.

   In recent years Tom has been the recipient of some honours that he felt sure were 'mistakes' at first when he heard about them. He even describes calling their offices to make sure they really meant him. (Let anyone dare to say that this man has lost touch with the people; it hasn't happened yet and it never will.) In May 1993 Tom was presented with a Doctorate of Laws (Honoris Causa) LL.D by St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. In June of 2000 he received another Doctorate of Laws from the University of Toronto. These two honours resulted in his being quoted by the press, "This is a wonderful thing for people like myself who have never had a formal education but succeeded through doggedness in a profession that's very competitive." Tom spent his 'high school' years of life trekking across the country and is said by his contemporaries to be very well read, loving a good discussion
whether the subject is politics, religion, history or philosophy. And if there are any out there who may 'sniff' at those awarded 'Honourary' degrees, all I have to say is go and eat your sour grapes in the corner. It's been my experience that many of those with
the 'bought and paid for' pieces of paper that say they're smart don't have the common sense of any of these self made folks and never will.

   Also in 1993 Tom was presented with an award of a different kind, from the Periodical Marketers of Canada and The Foundationfor the Advancement of Canadian Letters. This award was the Authors Award for Leadership (and this was for his songwriting, so we can imagine what his books will bring on). In November of 1996 Tom was presented with the Officers Medal of The Order Of Canada by Governor General Romeo LeBlanc at a ceremony held at Rideau Hall. Fitting reward for a man who has said, "To me, Canada Day is every day." This has been followed by the announcement in October of 2000 that Tom was to receive a Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement for 2000. Described as befitting Canadian artists of "extraordinary talent and accomplishments who have dedicated their lives to enriching the cultural life of Canada." There. Can you see it again? That vision described in the first paragraph, the figure in the cowboy hat with the flag flying in the sun?! You betcha!

   When we were looking at profile subjects for February, which is the one year mark for us here at Opry North, we knew we'd be doing Canadians. And when you think of country music, especially Canadian country music, who's the first person who comes to
mind? (If you didn't think Stompin' Tom, shame on you!) Who else would it be, but the one person who is so undeniably proud of his country and refuses to bend to conventional behavior and 'go with the flow'?! This man has done a heck of a job for this country and become a much loved figure to hundreds of thousands of regular folks, who pack every show he performs. He's brought the east to the west, the north to the south and salutes the people who fish, who log, who sing, who drink and who love this country the way he does. He is fully aware that the 'establishment' that controls the mainstream doesn't approve of his 'kiss your own butt' opinions of their ways of doing things, and they've never helped one little bit in his rise to 'legend'. And he doesn't care still. But the people he sings for, the people who pay their taxes, go to school, go to work and have a love for where they were born, or raised, or live now, love his standing up for what they feel too. And I'm one of them. Thanks Tom.

   To understand exactly how Tom feels about this country of ours, you have only to look at the titles of his songs or his albums. "My Old Canadian Home", "A Proud Canadian" (a compilation album), "Believe In Your Country", "Blue Berets", "Canada Day, Up Canada Way", "Land Of The Maple Tree".

   To see his respect and appreciation for those who's work makes our world go 'round, check out these ones. "Algoma Central No. 69", "The Peterborough Postman", "Fire In The Mine", "The Canadian Lumber Jack", Poor Poor Farmer", Song Of The Peddler", "Handy Man Blues" and of course, "Big and Friendly Waiter John".

   To put some places he's known and loved on the map (yes, he did it before the popular "Bobcaygeon" song of recent years) we've been given the following. "Streets of Toronto", "Sudbury Saturday Night", "Roll On Saskatchewan", "Tillsonburg", "Prince Edward Island, Happy Birthday", "New Brunswick and Mary", "Manitoba", "Isle of Newfoundland", "Alberta Rose".

   And to prove that he likes to have fun and has one heck of an imagination he's given us the next bunch. "Bud The Spud", "The Ketchup Song", "The Snowmobile Song", " The Hockey Song", "The Moon Man Newfie", "The Bug Song".

   For those who've inspired him, who's talent he's respected and who's memory he'd like to live on, he recorded these tributes. "Don Messer Story", "Tribute To Wilf Carter", Lady, k.d. lang", and "Rita MacNeil, A Tribute".

   And I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

   Stompin' Tom is a man who has helped out more unsung talent in this country than any other single person. He supports them through encouragement, through innovative ideas and, if necessary, in financial ways too. He has had a vision of the way things
SHOULD be for Canadian artists, but isn't, and has been very vocal in his opinions that our artists shouldn't have to go south to expect success. And he's right, 100%. So why do they? That's a good question, and one that has been around for over 25 years. When the technological giants of the 80's began to lure our young people away to lucrative positions in their southern based headquarters there was a huge outcry, in the print media, on the radio and on television. Even the various levels of Parliament expressed their dismay. And that was fine. But when one man, a performer, expressed his support for the CRTC ruling about 30% Canadian content in broadcasting and his disappointment that without it, our artists would have little or no chance of getting any exposure he was shunned, completely and totally. Is this crap? Absolutely!

   In the entertainment world, particularly in music, the main source of exposure for an artist is being played on the radio. And in Canada, we have the CANCON law that was mentioned above, stating that 30% of every broadcast hour must be Canadian content.
Now, look a couple of paragraphs above this one and read those song titles again. Can there be any question that these songs aren't 100% CANCON? So, why is it that you don't hear them on your local country stations (unless you live near a small, independent or university run station - they have their own minds)? Now look at the fact that Tom tours across this country, back and forth, to capacity crowds. Those crowds are us. So, by not playing what WE like, are these stations doing us any favours by shunning someone who doesn't deserve that slap in the face? NO! And I resent someone telling me what I have to hear, because they've decided what it's going to be. Put like that, do you think Tom's wrong in his stand? And should he be punished for that? Think about it.

   For those who will say that Tom's vocal talents aren't 'to their taste' I have to agree that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if these same people are fans of say, Bob Dylan, Yoko Ono or the late Curt Cobain I have to say "Huh?" I myself think Tom's vocals are fine, very natural and something we're all able to sing along too without straining to be Pavarotti (or John Barry). I've read one report compare Tom's voice to "Woody Guthrie with a bad cold", and I think that's way off the mark. I know I've enjoyed the video of "Margo's Cargo" whenever I've been able to see it on CMT, and if more of Tom's songs were provided on video I know we'd see more of him. There's an idea!

   In his long career Tom has met people from every corner of this country. He's even been mobbed by Canadian school children while on holiday in England. He's met Premiers, bureaucrats and The Queen and Prince Philip. He's met musicians from every level of success and been on television many times. And this is a man who is not too impressed with the 'country music' of today, because he says it's full of love triangles and the like (and he's right, I can think of about 4-5 right off the top of my head). He's been the subject of tributes from other musicians too, like Kim Mitchell's cover of a Stompin' Tom hit, or the punk (believe it or not) tribute called "Stomp on Wood". He's got a fan in Wayne Gretzky, and says, "...it was music to my ears to hear them calling my Hockey Song, hockey's national anthem." He loves board games, card games and croquet. A regular guy in an irregular world, he looks at his large number of young fans and has remarked that being depicted as the 'renegade' has made him appealing. And noticing that the musicians following behind are adding their own Canadiana into their material, he's mused, "So maybe it's all finally coming together." I hope it is Tom, and we'd owe it all to you. God Bless!

   We would like to thank Tom Connors Jr. for his help with this profile, and Stompin' Tom for being such an inspiration to
anyone who feels that they don't have a right to stand up for what they believe in. Yes, it is possible!

Written by: Kim Jamieson

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