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Thommy D. RoadDawg
Born in the BIG APPLE and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Thom has logged in over 42 years
in the music industry. As a player, Thom is the solid backbone of any rhythm section, as well as a certified Luthier, Audio
Tech and authorized Repair Tech for Fender & Gibson musical instrument companies.
By 18, with the help of a great manager (Carmen DePalma) and The Telian Talent
Agency (NY), Thom's own band (THE HIGH SOCIETY) was working the "Hullabaloo TV Show" circuit. Doing R&R
revival shows, Thom's band shared the stages with Chuck Berry, Bobby Lewis, WolfMan Jack, Dick Clark, Bo
Diddley, Bobby Sherman ("Here Comes The Brides" TV show), and The Ohio Express. During this time, valuable
contacts were made at NBC (30 Rock), Atlantic Records/ATCO, and their affiliates.
His career has taken him throughout the continent of North America and around the
Pacific Ocean (2 USO tours to Guam, Wake Island, Indonesia and Japan). He has backed up and opened for many of the 'Greats'
and 'Legends' in the business, to include: The Drifters, The Ink Spots, The Platters, Buddy Guy,
Pine Top Perkins, R. B. Greaves, Hubert Sumlin, Rick Derringer, Steve Morse, Vinnie
Martell (Vanilla Fudge), Rick Roberts (FireFall), (opened for) Carlos Santana, Hadley Caliman (Santana),
Sandy Gennara (Pat Travers, Davey Jones) and even Gary Coleman.
Since coming to Florida, he has also enjoyed producing and managing shows for Molly
Hatchet, Atlanta Rhythm Section, T.G. Shepard, Kitty Wells, Spirit, and Loretta Lynn's
daughter Cissy Lynn & The Coal Miners band, as well as his long-time affiliation with Keith, both
as a friend and as an 'Accelerator'.
Skip Harley
I
started playing drums in 1966 while in the 6th grade. I wanted to
play guitar and sing but fate had its way and I ended up on a drum kit. My first
influence was Ringo Starr of the Beatles, soon after my ears were opened up to a
new powerful drumming style by a fellow named John Bonham in a band called Led
Zeppelin. My life would never be the same. Although I listened to many other
drummers in my life Mr. Bonham made the biggest impact on my playing
style.
After learning my craft and becoming more proficient
I
spread my wings during the late 1970s thru the 1990s and played the southeast
Florida rock circuit doing concerts and recording albums with Spellbinder, Hi
Flyer, Stash, The Hoods and J.R. Sims and the Returns. I also collaborated with
free lance artists and other groups doing studio recording session work.
While playing drums with these groups, we
also shared stages and played concerts with The Edgar Winter Group, Leslie West,
Pat Travers and Molly Hatchet. I retired
from music in 1992 after moving to the Ocala area but resumed playing in
2006. Now
I’m proud to be part of the driving rhythm section for the
Accelerators!
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