Tommy Jacobs & The Rhythm Kings

Trio from area releases first record. Another group from the Brantford area has its first Canadian release on Thunderbird Records, (As the 10th act) and will soon be making its television debut; Tommy Jacobs and the Rhythm Kings. Tommy, the leader and lead vocalist, was born and raised on a small farm in Port Dover. After a few years of playing music locally, he took off, as many do, for the magical lure of the country music capital of the world, Nashville, TN. He toured the US with some well known bands for a few years, making several appearances on every country musicians dream stage, The Grand Old Opry and WWVA, Wheeling, WV, and was a regular, front and backstage at Tootsie’s Bar in Nashville. But his true love and roots were always in Canada. Tommy’s first record is entitled ‘Memories never quit,’ (f/s Don’t put off until tomorrow) both written by himself and quite appropriate to his lifestyle as a well traveled musician. It was produced at Thunder Sound, Toronto, by Bill Sedden. The other equally important members of this trio, are Cy Newman of Brantford and Ron O’Mally of Simcoe. Cy is the Lead Guitar and Fiddle player, and adds the smooth harmony. He is also a featured part of the group’s show, and is well worth seeing, as he performs his fiddle antics upside down and backwards on stage. Ron O’Mally is the bass player of the trio, and is a feature of the show with his rich baritone voice, both in lead vocals and harmony. This is also the very first Thunderbird record cut at Thunder Sound, after six months at the Mercey Brothers Studio in Elmira. (January 17th 1976 - Brantford Expositor)

Thomas Walter 'Tommy' Jacobs was born in 1936, and was raised in the Port Dover area. He and his band played the Simcoe area all through 1976 and into 1977. Sometime over '77 he broke the band up and later recorded a solo record which included the two songs he cut with Thunderbird plus one written by Thunderbird alumni Bob Ruddy. (Beer Beer Beer)

In 1978 Tommy jumped from Thunderbird to Triple Three Records and put out a 10 track album, with all the songs being published by Howard Willard & Garry Hillman Publishing, PROCAN.  The album's backing vocals were done by Jack Lewis, Norma Lewis, Bob Silverthorn & Dennis Clement.  The backing band consisted of Dennis Clement – Bass, Lead, Rhythm, Hayden Marsden – Percussion, Johnny Givens – Fiddle, Allen Fralick – Steel Guitar, Kenny Moulton – Piano, Dave Souliere – banjo.  Recorded at Grant Ave Studios, Hamilton, ON. Executive  Producers - Howard Willard & Garry Hillman, Produced by Dennis Clement, Engineers – Jerry Lester, Ed Roth, and Johnny Free.  

The bass on the album was actually played by Ken Johnson, but he was so unhappy with the result he asked Dennis to use his name instead.  Tommy was living in Brantford the time the above record was put out. 

Dennis Clement, Hayden Marsden and Grant Stevens were part of Jan Steven’s band, Black Whiskey, and she may have lent them out to Tommy for this album.  

Dennis Clement was a cousin of Jim Allison’s, as was Johnny Givens who had also been Jim and Marlene's adopted son. Dennis Clement also worked for Gerry Risser in his music shop on Colborne Street in Brantford.   

Kenny Moulton joined Crystal Creek in 1982 with Grant Stevens, Brian Proper and Ken Johnson. 

Bob Silverthorn of Whisky Hollow may have put Tommy onto Grant Ave Studios, as this is where Whisky Hollow recorded their 2nd album, 'Lively Country,' which was eventually issued in April 1979. 

Towards the end of 2016 the author was able to talk to Tommy on the phone for 2 hours. Tommy's story is detailed in the yellow book, That Brant County Sound!