Tom
King was the best backup guitarist I knew. I first met him at his music
store in Morgantown, West Virginia. He sold me my first decent banjo,
a Fairbanks & Cole serial number 50, made around 1890. Tom was a good
friend to everyone and generous to a fault. He was an expert at repairing
instruments. But he'd spend two hours on a banjo repair and only charge
$10. Even though he was an excellent instrumentalist on guitar, banjo,
and mandolin, Tom preferred to play back-up guitar, and was the most popular
back-up man in West Virginia. He told me "I'd rather make someone
else sound good than to step out front myself." He was a regular
teacher at Augusta and elsewhere. He loved to go to the various festivals
from the time he was a teenager. He had such a pleasant temperament, that
everyone liked him. Tom always seemed to have a smile and a good word
for everyone. Unfortunately, Tom battled depression, and in the summer
of 1993 he lost that battle. He played for one last time with his old
friends at Augusta, visited one last time with his dad and friend John
Morris. He is sorely missed.
Tom left a legacy in his guitar students, on the recordings of those he played back-up for, on three tapes of his own, and in our hearts.
Gerry Milnes, Tom King, John Morris
Photo courtesy Gerry Milnes
Tom's Recordings:
