After 25 years, 4 months and 26 days… it’s a wrap! I played my last public show with Robert Earl Keen on September 4th, 2022 at Floores in Helotes, TX. It felt weird packing my gear after the show, knowing it was the last time… the last time playing with these guys as a band, the last time playing these songs with Robert.
I am so appreciative of everything Robert has done for me (and the band) over the last quarter century… many amazing experiences, gigs, and venues. Getting us through the pandemic, the financial stability, the retirement account, the health insurance, and making sure we were taken care of on and off the road. Robert will continue producing his amazing Americana Podcast and will never stop songwriting and, I’m sure, we will continue to work together in the studio and on other projects he may have… just no more touring.
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That being said, I am now officially “back on the market” and I’m casting my net far and wide. So, if you need an experienced drummer for a show, tour or session… or hear of any openings or auditions for tours… or just want more information not covered on this site, please let me know via the CONTACT page.
I am available for individual gigs, sub dates, sessions (live or remote) and tours. I am also looking for new opportunities to produce artists in the studio and, who knows, I may start teaching again.
Please check out the BIO section of this website for additional background information, projects and experience….
and in addition:
~ I was Robert’s Music Director for over 5 years – charged with communication between Robert and the band / rehearsing new material and arrangements / archiving tempos, keys, background vocals and arrangements / producing loops and tracks to be used in the live show and studio / being the point of contact for other MD’s on award shows and special performances regarding keys, tempos, arrangements, charts, etc / prepping and rehearsing the music for special performances and guests artists – (including Ricky Skaggs, Lyle Lovett, Tyler Childers, Lee Ann Womack, among others) / prepping and rehearsing material for tributes to Nanci Griffith, Van Morrison and John Prine, as well as, our annual “Merry Xmas from the Fam-o-lee” tours.
~ I have been singing background vocals with Robert (live and in the studio) and lead vocals on the Xmas Shows for over a decade, and recently arranged some of the background vocal parts on the soon to be released “Western Chill”.
~ My passport is up to date…. in the past, I have toured Europe, Japan and Canada.
~ Additionally, I have my CDL and have been the “relief driver” on Robert’s tours since 2018, with a completely safe, incident free driving record. ( I’m not looking to drive full time, but I am open to driving relief on a tour, if needed )
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I will be updating this website soon, and I promise to keep you all posted on where I land, since this long chapter with the Robert Earl Keen Band has come to an end.
Keep checking in here – tomvanschaik.com – and on my socials… Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
All the Best,
Tom