Bill Small’s Blog

On a long drive last weekend, my girlfriend Julie pulled out some much treasured CD’s of live performances by our friend Tommy Elskes. Tommy’s been on our minds ever since. We’ve been listening to Tommy today as we go about our various Saturday tasks.

I met Tommy at the Saxon Pub in Austin in 1990. I was blown away by his voice. He was playing with his longtime friend and producer Stephen Doster. I’ll have to write a whole post about Stephen.

I’ve had the great fortune to share stages and microphones with Tommy over the years as well as make some beautiful noise in a few middle of the night living room throw downs. When you sit in a room with Tommy singing, it’s like there’s another person in the room. There’s Tommy and then there’s Tommy’s voice. It fills space. It transcends. It moves you. 

While living away from Texas in the early part of the decade, Tommy’s “King of Dixie” CD, produced by Stephen Doster, was never far from my stereo. It would bring tears of joy and longing to my eyes. It still does. This man’s voice calls to a deep part of my soul and if you haven’t heard him it’s way past time.

I found this video clip while surfing around today. Hope you enjoy it. It’s just a small taste of the hugeness that is Tommy. He’s also got a website at www.tommyelskes.com

If you see his name in a town near you don’t hesitate. Go to the show. You won’t be quite the same when it’s done.
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