Tom Principato has divided his 25-plus years as a guitarist/singer between his hometown of Washington, D.C. and Boston. While in Boston, Tom was leader of the legendary band Powerhouse, an East Coast phenomenon that released an album Night Life to much acclaim. He also did a one-year stint with Geoff Muldaur and recorded an album I Ain’t Drunk with the band Geoff Muldaur & His Bad Feet in 1980.   

Returning to Washington in 1981, Tom did stints with Billy Price & the Keystone Rhythm Band, Big Mama Thornton, Sunnyland Slim, and The Assassins with Jim Thackery, former guitarist with the Nighthawks. Tom appears on two albums with the Assassins, No Previous Record (1986), and Partners In Crime (l987), which won a “WAMMIE” Award from the Washington Area Music Association.  

In 1984 Tom began a solo career, notably recording a live album with the late Washington guitar legend Danny Gatton titled Blazing Telecasters, released in 1990 and considered for a Grammy nomination. Since 1984 Tom has released 14 albums. 

The band has toured clubs and festivals extensively in the U.S., Canada, and Europe including Norway, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Finland, Italy, Sardinia, Spain, Majorca, St. Croix, Greece, and Turkey.

In addition to winning First Place in the WHFS/Harmony Hut “Guitar Talent Hunt” in 1980, Tom has won a total of 19 Wammies. 

In 1986, Smokin’! won three Wammies for Best Blues Album, Best Male Vocalist-Blues, and Best Blues Intstrumentalist.  In 1987 Tom won four Wammies for Best Artist/Group-Blues, Best Male Vocalist-Blues, Best Instrumentalist-Blues, and Best Recording-Blues for The Assassins’ Partners In Crime album.  

In 1988 Tom won three more Wammies; Best Blues Recording for I Know What You’re Thinkin’…, Best Artist/Group-Blues, and Best Instrumentalist-Blues. Tom also won Wammies for Best Instrumentalist-Blues in 1992, 1995, 1996, and 1999.  

In 1989 Tom and band were one of 26 bands chosen for the “Miller Genuine Draft Band Network.”  

Tom’s 1992 Recording Tip Of The Iceberg was co-produced by keyboard player Chuck Leavell, who has played with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros. Band, and Sea Level.  

In 1995, the title track from In The Clouds was considered for another Grammy nomination.  Tom’s 1999 release Live and Kickin’, recorded live in Ocean City, Maryland and on Slovenian National Radio, garnered WAMMIE awards for Best Duo/Group, Best Instrumentalist and best Blues Recording. This CD features Tom’s current performing band… John Perry onbass and vocals and El Torro Gamble on drums.  

In 2000, Tom released the all instrumental CD, Not One Word…, featuring nine originals plus a cover of War’s “Slippin’ Into Darkness.”  In 2001, Tom released Live in Europe 1988, with the classic Tom Principato Band of Steve Wolf (bass) and Clark Matthews (drums).  Released in 2002, Fingers on Fire reatures 1978 jazz performances recorded with Pete Kennedy and special guest Steve Wolf on bass. It includes 8 live tracks recorded at Washington DC’s Cellar Door club when Tom and Pete opened for the legendary Danny Gatton’s Redneck Jazz Explosion.  

Tom’s newest CD is House On Fire, his first studio roots and blues CD since 1995’s Really Blue. Tom’s regular band of John Perry and Joe Wells is augmented by Tommy Lepson (B-3) and Cesar Vanegas (congas), with a cameo appearance by Kevin McKendree (piano) from Delbert McClinton’s band.  

Tom has signed endorsement agreements with Fender Electric Guitars and Fender’s “Squier” brand, Ernie Ball strings, Seymour Duncan pickups, and Fulltone effects pedals.  

Over the years Tom has performed with many great musicians, and some real legends, including: Freddie King, John Lee Hooker, Big Walter Horton, Muddy Waters, Buddy Emmons, James Cotton, Albert Lee, John Sebastian, J. B. Hutto, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Sunnyland Slim, Lonnie Mack, Paul Butterfield, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carey Bell, Dr. John, and Big Mama Thornton.  To learn more about Tom Principato, visit www.tomprincipato.com. 

As for guest artist Don Oehser, in addition to fronting his own groups such as The Scoundrels, Don has played and/or recorded with Catfish Hodge, bluesman J.B.Hutto, D.C. rock-a-billy legend Billy Hancock, Nashville singer-songwriter Amy Silver, roots-rocker Evan Johns, and jazz/swing bands Night & Day and Swingspeak.  He is also a member of the amazingly talented trio, Singin' the Bones, with his wife Laura First and friend Susan Spangler.

For those who love blues, jazz, country, or rock and roll, this show should not be missed.  For those who love to dance, come on out and strut your stuff. If this show doesn't rock, nothin' will! 

This RiverHouse Concert will take place Saturday, March 12th at the Bunker Hill Antiques Mall, 144 Runnymeade Rd, Bunker Hill, WV.  The Bunker Hill Antiques Mall will be open all day the day of this show so RiverHouse guests may come early and peruse the amazing collection of antiques and collectibles before the concert.  Browse through 35,000 square feet of period furniture and collectibles, from Star Wars to advertising, rare books to sports and civil war memorabilia, dishes and glassware to unique one-of-a-kind items.  For questions concerning the Antiques Mall, call Monica and Bill Bowen at (304)229-0709 or visit www.bunkerhillantiques.com.

Reservations are recommended for this show.  To make reservations contact Cheryl Mansley-Ford at 304-876-2690 or river_house@... (notice the underscore between "river" and "house" in the email address). Tickets may be picked up and purchased at the door beginning at 6:30pm at the Bunker Hill Antiques Mall, after which the potluck dinner will start at 7:00pm followed by the concert at 8pm. Concert admission is $10/person.  Guests should bring an indoor chair, a dish or two to share, and their own non-alcoholic beverage.

For more information about the RiverHouse Concert Series, contact Cheryl Mansley-Ford by phone at 304-876-2690, (C) 304-702-0554 or via email at river_house@...  (notice the underscore between "river" and "house" in the email address) or visit www.riverhouseconcerts.com.  For questions the night of the concert, call Cheryl's cell at 304-702-0554 or the venue at (304)229-0709.