Tom Richardson hails from Victoria's south-west coast, where he picked up a guitar at 10 and taught himself bottleneck and lapsteel slide. His infectious personality and onstage presence combined with furious, bluesy slide guitar, powerful deep voice and foot stomping rhythms, result in a new brand of toe tappin’, bum shakin’ acoustic blues.
Winner of the 2008 ‘Maton’ Best Young Performer at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, 2007 Apollo Bay Music Festival Young Performer of the Year, and the 2004 and 2005 Australian Busking Championships, Tom has performed festivals such as the Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC), Australian Blues Music Festival (NSW), Queenscliff Music Festivals (VIC), Blues on Broadbeach (QLD), Bridgetown Blues Festival (WA), Peats Ridge Festival (NSW) and Apollo Bay Music Festivals (VIC). After appearing at the 2008 Blues on Broadbeach festival.
Tom has also just been identified as one of the country’s most promising emerging artists, being short listed for the 2009 APRA Professional Development Awards, from a field of over 700 applicants.
“A musician with individual strength and diversity, with a distinct musical personality in both playing and writing. The future holds great things for this talented young man” - John Durr - Founder and Director, Black Market Music
“Each of the performers were unique and impressive in their talents but the best was saved for last with a performance from Tom Richardson. He was energetic and fast-paced, providing a fabulous climax to a memorable night” - Yasmin Paton – Blues Train Reviewer, Geelong Echo Newspaper