The Tom Grassman Saga

Tom's musical journey began on as a classically trained pianist at the age of 7. Within a few short years he was performing and improvising at various school functions in his home town of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and just about anywhere that would let him play.

 

Growing up on his parents vinyl collection, The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Elvis, and The Beach Boys ruled the day, but in 8th grade he discovered his true passion was the guitar, and it was off to the races!

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His earliest guitar influence was Creedence Clearwater Revival. He devoured the entire CCR catalog learning every Fogerty riff and solo. Other significant influences were leanings into heavy classic rock - the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Black Sabbath. However, his taste in music is as wide as his passion for it including R & B artists like Sam & Dave or Otis Reading. Folk heroes The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul, and Mary. Bluegrass, Blues, Jazz, Funk, and Metal - It's all in there.

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Joining his first band at age 15, he quickly started to pick up the drum set which would come to play a big part in  his life years later. By age 18, now in Urbana, Illinois, he began playing nightclubs and parties with his high school band Electric Elephants. After a few years, and line-up changes, they became Third Stone and navigated the local cover band scene while writing and performing they're own songs. These original works would land them a recording contract with Hammerhead Records in 1993. The band made the college charts, toured America, and received international radio play. Young rockers on the loose.

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As hopes of super-stardom and riches began to wane, the desire to earn a living as a working musician took over, and two big changes were made. Tom would return to music school in 1996 - the same year he founded The Brat Pack (80's cover band). He worked his way through music school playing gigs with the band and as a solo performer, plus waiting tables. He graduated with an associates in Music Education in 1998, and immediately began teaching at Rosewood Guitar Store in Champaign, IL. He promptly quit his waiting job, and never looked back.

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The Brat Pack went on to become a Midwest powerhouse group setting attendance records almost everywhere they performed, including The Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas. Along the way were a few other bands including folk-rockers Two Rivers, as the drummer in the rock group Sick Day, and Live Karaoke Band which would go on to become the house band for The Chicago Blackhawks in 2010/2011. LKB performed at every home game to over one million people, and made it into Rolling Stone thanks a guest appearance by Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen. 

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In 2009, Tom founded another regional giant in the band 90's Daughter. The group would claim the "Best Band" award in the local reader's poll for 8 years straight, and continues to be the flagship of Tom's stable of music acts.

 

He would leave The Brat Pack in 2011 - the same year he purchased Boomerangs Bar and Grill in Urbana. Boomerangs immediately became a staple venue in the live music scene of Champaign/Urbana, IL.

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The Tom Grassman BAND was officially launched in 2019, but in reality the band has existed for decades as Tom performed around Central Illinois in various line-ups and/or solo/duo shows. As Tom puts it, "Bands come and go, but I'm never changing my name!"

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Other notable (and on-going) projects/merits include:

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Graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a BA in General Studies 2010.

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Graduated from Parkland College with an AFA in Music Education 1998

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Happily married in 2000 with two amazing daughters

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He is a founding member of Portal Entertainment Group which books events throughout East-Central Illinois.

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Founder of First Gig Rock N' Roll Camp for Kids in 2013 - a Summer day camp for kids ages 10-17. Currently operating in Danville, Champaign, and Decatur, IL.

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Opened for Motley Crue at University of Illinois' Assembly Hall in 1999 with Third Stone - inventors of "The Pyramid of Rock". Also opened for TOOL, Quiot Riot, Mudvayne, Foreigner, Buddy Guy, Molly Hatchet, Ludo, and LA Guns.

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In 2013, Tom did a Midwest tour as the drummer for Kyle Gass Band (of Tenacious D).

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Performed with The Boat Drink Caucus at Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner's Inaugural Ball.

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Performed at The John Denver Music Festival in Aspen, Colorado in 2018.

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Owner/Operator of Electric Pantyland Studios in Champaign, IL (Circa 1998-2003)