As a youth he attended many church festivals featuring the famous .Frankie Yankovic and was captivated by the man and his instrument. At age 11 his parents purchased a 120-bass Silvertone model through the Sears-Roebuck catalogue and he began taking lessons from Mr Anthony La Coco.

At age 14, Tom along formed a trio with a saxophone and washboard player. The trio played at local dances, weddings, receptions and festivals. Adulthood brought on work, family and time constraints and forced Tom to put the accordion aside for a few decades.

In 1999 while attending a Labor Day celebration in West, Texas Tom got to talking to Norm Seton  and the discussion rekindled his interest in the accordion. Shortly thereafter Tom joined the Houston Accordion Club.

Tom is now retired and living in League City, Texas with his wife Barbara and loves to play his accordion every chance he gets. He likes all types of music ranging from Polka's to Jazz.