Tom Volcheck, Entertainer
Hi Folks !!
Where to begin with an introduction ? I have lead a storied life of adventure and music, usually all at the same time ! While many choose a career, I decided long ago, that I enjoy way too many pursuits to limit myself to one, so, here's a snapshot of my life to give you an idea of the rounded experiences I bring to this new focus, Production and Promotion.
Industrial/Academic Career
Tom Volcheck:
Johnsburg Central High, class of '81
DeVry Institute of Technology, Grad. '84, Electronic Engineering
Community College of the Air Force, '97, Emergency Management ( 2 year)
Countless credits: Senior management, psychology, English, Geology, Military specific diplomas
20 years experience in Industrial Automation, instrumentation. ( Pfizer, General Electric, Finch Pruyn, Albany Molecular Research)
10years experience in High Voltage Electrical generation and distribution ( Albany Molecular Research, Pfizer, US Army)
2 year political appointment as teacher for Alternative Education ( Johnsburg CSD)
Military Career:
I began in a rather bizarre way.....I was the Luthier and electronics repair man for the Hilton Music store chain....but completely overwhelmed with work. So on a lunch Break decided to join the Air Force....then went home and told my 1st wife....She wasn't too happy to not be consulted ....Oh well...I didn't care anyway !!
So, after basic training and tech school for a year in Colorado I was assigned to Eglin AFB in Florida as an Electronics Calibrator/Repairs....PMEL...Won many awards for leadership and performance with the finest being pictured below, the chance to fly in, and fly a T-38 over the Gulf of Mexico.....very cool time for me.
So after My Active Duty Air Force Days, I continued with NY Air National Guard where I cross trained to Emergency Management ( Disaster Preparedness ) and Chemical Warfare ( NBC) and served another 9 years through Desert Storm. After a break to play more music, I decided that I was still capable to serve and enlisted in the NY ARMY National Guard.....oh boy....back to basic at 45yo...awesome....but, wouldn't trade a second of the pain for anything !!
SFC and Mrs. Volcheck.....
Musical Career:
This one could get lengthy ! A picture is worth a thousand words....here's some chronological pics from over 35 years
of a musical life !
Its gotta start somewhere ! I am about 11 yo in this pic (Ironically I actually look like this now !) this old L5 was hanging in my Pops Bar, and as a wee lad, I would see guitar players come in and be treated like a king while they were playing it.....ok...I want to learn too !! The old man told me that " you can go to a party, OR, you can learn to play that damn thing and BE the party....." I chose well.....This old guitar hangs in my studio right now.
My Sister became a fine pianist and we formed a duo " Dogtown Duo" which we later renamed the Bartman Valley Band.....I was roughly 19 yo in this photo, performing at the Inn on Gore in North Creek NY.....Still wear that same hat !!
Kept a pretty busy performance schedule while also serving in the Active Air Force. This duo w/ Eric Fischer (Now in Cleveland) was extremely popular on the panhandle of Florida. We had an awesome time !! This picture was at the International Trade Center in Mobile Alabama and followed an equally cool night at the Mobile Country Club.....Eric is an awesome musician who now performs weekly in Cleveland OH.....During this Era, I generated my first Album " All by Myself" which is still popular today.
After moving back to the Adirondacks, around '92, I had a little back yard party and jam. After asking an old friend if he wanted to play, we formed Adiradical Blue. As a duo, we played many years and waaaay too many places, however, upon writing an albums worth of music, we needed a touring band. Pictured here is " Adiradical Blue and Friends" we later streamlined to a 4 piece and toured heavily in the local region. This band generated the Album " Adiradical Blue and Friends"
This was in Braubach Germany.....I was performing solo weekly at a local resort and met a family from Germany. A couple years later they hired me for a 2 week tour along the Rhine river area to include Lorely. the tour ended with this performance at the base of Marksburg Castle for new years eve 2000....What you can't see is my white allstars....gotta have a sense of humor !!
Northern Lights, Clifton Park NY.....with the Back 40 band, warming up for Justin Moore and Eli Young band.....packed house that night !!!! Standing room only.....What a great show with great musicians !!
Playing a little guitar at Rosies bar in Landstuhl Germany....as my second trip to Germany with a guitar in hand, I marveled at how these folks knew very little English, but knew every song I played in perfect English....Great people and Great times !! I was with a group from West Virginia and you can bet we all sang " Country Roads" ....
great night performing with Local Jazz legend Frank Conti !! Andy Leombruno on percussion....
With the Steven L. Smith band at the Carrol Theater in Chestertown NY
Little gathering of great friends.....pictured is the late (seated on left) David Coleman and myself on right. Dave was the bassist for the legendary Nat King Cole....he can be heard on the recording ( The Christmas song...Chestnuts roasting on an open fire) Dave was my dear friend, and gracious, quirky man who was either playing his thumb piano at the train station , or looking for a place to smoke weed....He is dearly missed but never forgotten !!
Live Free Fest......Watertown NY......Crazy time for sure !!!
Waynestock, North Creek NY.......Always a great time and a great cause !! Support the North Country Hardship Fund whenevr you can !!!!
Little Jam and Drinkin' time in the deep woods of West Virginia ! Beside me and my guide to these moonshiners, is Anna Grace Wilson....Signed by Sony records and now touring with Billy Ray Cyrus' former band.....Wow.....not sure how much Shine you can drink and still play....But we were on a mission to find out !!!
Sturgis SD.....with my whiskey Walker shirt on, guitar in hand and a bit of the Crather in me.....bring on the Harleys !!!
With my Pops girlfriend from WW2....Liege, Belgium....I've played in a million places and had some wild times (still do !) But....no greater pleasure than to visit Yvonne and Marcell with my guitar, and sing to her in French....Since she is the reason I learned to speak French !!
More Memories being made everyday !!!! Stay tuned !