23. ”A Bunch of Everything Combined” - Tommy Jackson, house band leader

What can you do if you're wanting performing arts in a fairly isolated community of 4,000 people?  You can either go somewhere else that has it, or create it yourself.  The town of Elkin, NC renovated its Reeves Theater in 2017, and asked Tommy Jackson if he would create a house band to be featured performers with their own shows as well as provide backing for guest artists.  What does this have to do with the pit?  Well, aside from the crossover of skills, it was Tommy's theatre experience that gave him a major piece of the blueprint for how to do this as well as his direct connections for getting this gig in the first place.  We talk a lot about the house band, but also his theatre experience that ranges from music directing and playing keyboards for productions of shows like Chess, Chicago, and Aida, playing Jerry Lee Lewis for The Million Dollar Quartet, or his own humble beginnings as a child dancer in The Nutcracker.

Tommy is also a songwriter.  You can check out his music at https://jacksoncleary.wixsite.com/tommyjackson and the Reeves House Band at https://www.facebook.com/thereeveshouseband/, and the Reeves Theatre itself at http://www.reevestheater.com.

Follow the podcast on Twitter or Instagram @LifeInthePitPod.  Reach out with a message through www.davidlanemusic.com/podcast.