Tom Gray

A professional cartographer would most likely be someone who knows exactly where they are all the time. If, on the other hand, an example was required of someone who never knows where they are, some experienced musicians would suggest a bass player. Tom Gray is an example of the two professions coming together, with wonderful results for bluegrass society as well as for the National Geographic Society, which has continued to employ him over the years, sometimes gushing about his musical activities in a sidebar. Of course in the "yee-haw!" world Gray is particularly known for his affiliations with the Seldom Scene and the Country Gentlemen. Add to that a long string of other sideman and guest affiliations and the result is a discography that might even dominate a household cache of old National Geographic issues. Despite this massive testament to his personal accomplishments, Gray sometimes gets mixed up with several rock musicians with the same name. The bluegrass bassist has no connection with the British alternative rock combo Gomez, nor the Atlanta indie rock veteran who wrote at least one hit for Cyndi Lauper. Bassist Gray has backed up female vocalists, however, including Linda Ronstadt as well as the wonderful duo of Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard. Gray's day seemed to dawn when he replaced Jim Cox in the aforementioned Country Gentlemen in 1960. Thus was born a line-up of Eddie Adcock, John Duffey, Charlie Waller and Gray that many fanatics of this genre believe represents one of the best small combos to ever pick a lick. The relationship with Duffey continued in the following decade with the Seldom Scene, considered one of the most influential bluegrass bands of the '70s. Philosophers who believe that only full-time musicians effect change of that magnitude...