With the release of his latest CD "Shake My Hand", singer/songwriter/slide guitarist Tom Gillam has added another chapter in a very exciting and critically acclaimed career.
Born and raised in southern New Jersey, Tom spent his formative years playing in and around the New Jersey / Philadelphia area with a variety of mildly sucessful bands.
Fast-forward to 1997: Gillam, on the advice of a friend, teamed up with producer and longtime friend Joe Carroll to embark on his solo career. The result was Tom's 1998 release, First of All (Brickhouse Records). What followed in 2001 was the critically acclaimed Dallas (Gotham Records). Tom then recruited members of his touring band, Tractor Pull, and hit the road.
Tom took time out from touring to record what would eventually become Shake My Hand (95 North/Haydens Ferry Records). The cd was released in November 2004 and quickly rose to the top of The Americana Radio Chart, peaking at #4 and staying in the top 20 for 20 weeks. the CD also received stellar reviews from publications like No Depression and FMQB (see sound and vision section of site) Shake My Hand earned Tom a Best New/Emerging artist nominee from The Americana Music Association as well as being asked to be a presenter at the annual awards show from The Ryman Auditorium.
Tom has been touring much of the year with Tractor Pull, but during the breaks he and Joe Carroll produce other artists, while keeping an eye on a 2007 and the release of Tom's next record.Due summer '07.

Career at a glance:
- 1998 releases First of All. Light regional touring. Hired as pre show opener for Garth Brooks, Tom Petty, Shania Twain, Dave Matthews, Bruce Spingsteen, Lynyrd Skynyrd.
-2001 releases Dallas to stellar reviews
-Dallas breaks top 30 of The AMA Radio chart. Makes first US tour. Plays shows with Wilco,Son Volt, the Yayhoos, Tift Merrit, Old '97's, Slaid Cleaves,Radney Foster etc.
-Performs live on WSM Opryland Spotlight Program.
-Appears on Michael Nesmith Tribute record "A Loose Salute" covers The Girl I Knew Somewhere.
-Performs Live on Billy Blocks Western Beat 5 times, live from Nashville TN.
-11/04 releases Shake My Hand
-Tours US in support .
-Appears on Capt. Beefheart Tribute CD "Mama Kangaroos" Tractor Pull appears as backing band for Mia Johnson doing a cover of "Crazy Little Thing"
-Makes 3 appearances during SXSW for the second year in a row.
-Plays shows with Ray Wylie Hubbard, Joe Ely, Hayes Carll, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Randy Rogers Band, Jim Lauderdale, The Lost Trailers, Dave Insley, David Olney, Grayson Capps, Jeff and Vida, Joseph Parson, Ben Arnold, David Allan Coe, Jack Ingram, Walt Wilkins, Micky and the Motorcars, Cory Morrow, Reckless Kelly, Bill Kirchen, Michelle Shocked, 2 Tons of Steel etc.
-Appears on final Stargazer Lilly CD and final performance from World Cafe Live in Phila.
-"Shake My Hand" receives over 20 positive magazine and internet reviews, with stellar reviews from No Depression and The Friday Morning Quarterback.
-"Outside The Lines", the first single from "Shake My Hand", appears in an episode of CMT's reality tv series- "The Ride"
-Spends 20 weeks in the top 20 of The AMA Radio airplay chart, peaking at #4 for 5 weeks. Averaged over 400 spins per week for 20 weeks.
-Reaches #1 on Root Music Report's Roots/Country chart, besting veterans Willie Nelson and Allison Krauss
-Reaches #2 on Roots Music Reports Overall top 100
-Hits #5 on the Euro Americana charts.
-Appears on "Fins, Chrome and the Open Road-A Tribute to the Cadillac" Tom writes an original song entitled "Ride"
-Spends over 5 weeks at the #4 position on XM Satellite Radio's Cross Country Chart. Performs 1 hour live on Jesse Scott's Cross Country Program.
-Appears live across the US on various radio programs, including XM, KNBT and The Living Room Series.
-Appears at KNBT Radios Americana Jam and Music and Wine Fest from Gruene Hall, New Braunfels Texas. Benefitting St Judes Ranch for Children.
-Break top 70 of the AAA radio charts.
-Nominated as Best New/Emerging Artist by The AMA. Also nominated, Mary Gauthier, Hayes Carll, The Duhks, and Martha Wainright.
-Presenter at AMA Awards and Honors Show from The Ryman Auditorium. Taped for Broadcast on GAC. Show is covered by GAC, BBC2, XM and Sirius Satellite Radio and CMT.
-Showcases during AMA Conference in Nashville TN. Plays 3 Shows during the Conference.
-Tours Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and France with Joseph Parsons for entire month of October 2005. Appears on the famous "Rockpalast" TV show.
-"Shake My Hand" finishes #28 in Top 100 of The Americana Music Associations Radio Spin list, with 6300 spins. The results were tabulated from 11/28/04-11/29/05. To date "Shake My Hand" has over 11,000 spins nationwide.
-12/28/06 Begins preproduction on new cd for 2006.
-12/31/05 Plays Gruene Hall & Saengerhalle In New Braunfels Texas w/ Cross Canadien Ragweed, Two Tons of Steel,Wadw Bowen
-2/1/06 Begins recording @ Treehouse Studios w/Producer Joe Carroll
-3/15/06 Makes several appearances @ 2006 SXSW Festival, including "Roots,Branches w/ Ray Wylie Hubbard on KNBT Radio.
-3/21/06 Suffers 3 Heart Attacks in between flights from Austin to France
-5/13/06 Makes his Amazing comeback at a benefit to help with medical expenses
-5/15/06 Heads out on the road, w/ his band Tractor Pull for a 2 week run of the south.With shows in North Carolina, Texas and Nashvile
-5/21/06 Makes 2nd appearance @ KNBT'S "Americana Jam" @ Gruene Hall. Shares the bill w/Joe Ely,Marty Stuart,Buddy Miller,Radney Foster,Robert Earl Keen etc.
-6/1/06 Heads back to Studio for mixing sessions.
-6/18/06 Finishes adding tracks to the upcoming Joseph Parsons Project "The Fleury Sessions" on Blue Rose in Germany
-7/15/06 Finishes up overdubs for upcoming 4 Way Street CD. Replaces the departed Jim Boggia.
-7/31/06 Finishes mixing upcoming release.
-9/20/06 Plays at The Americana Music/No Depression Party Showcase with glimmering reviews(@ Mercy Lounge in Nashville TN.)
10/2/06 Heads to germany for 6 week tour supporting Joseph Parsons.