TOMMY GILMORE

        Tom was born in Pennsylvania in 1911 and was determined to learn to play the banjo like Eddie Peabody. Somehow he was able to purchase his first banjo and his Mother became so frustrated with his practicing that she sent him out of the house to play. His daily routine was to practice under their old apple tree. He left home at an early age with his banjo and in 1935 Tom ended up on KMOX radio where he played with Wade Ray. In 1936 he moved on to Shreveport and played on KRMD with "Buddy Jones and his Cowhands."
        Probably the most notable band that Gilmore played with was in 1936 with "Shelly Lee Alley and his Cowboys" on XEPN radio in Negras, Mexico. His next move was to San Antonio, Texas where he recorded on Brunswick Records. Later in 1936 he played with Buddy Reeves and His Westerners on KFRO radio Longview, TX.