Tom Gary – 2024 INDUCTEE
In 1992, the Central Iowa Blues Society (CIBS) was founded by Des Moines native, Mr. Tom Gary, also affectionately know as “The Blues Professor.” Tom also founded the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame in 1999, which became a program of CIBS. Tom, who passed in May of 2019, left a wonderful legacy to Blues music by tracing its rich, historical roots through those who brought this genre to central Iowa.
His academic credentials consisted of teaching degrees related to art and history; both of which he actively taught at Buena Vista University, Grandview University, and Des Moines Catholic Schools.
Tom wrote his Master Thesis at Iowa State University entitled The Rise and Fall of Center Street 1945-1972, which contains the profound history and cultural contributions of local Afro American residents who were the unquestionable progenitors, introducing both Blues music and its “kissing cousin” Jazz to central Iowa. Center Street was ground zero for Delta Music, and in some respects, Des Moines’ own “Beale Street.”
Tom’s credentials, as a musician, consisted of locally performing as a trained keyboardist who founded the decades old Thursday Night Blues Jam located at 1501 Grand Ave. This venue continued through three different owners and three different names: The Grand Avenue Lounge, The Grand, and lastly, Blues on Grand. He also hosted the open jam at the Hull Avenue Tavern, Des Moines’ oldest bar.
He was an active musician in The Tom Gary Blues Project, Bad Boys of the Blues, and The Backstage Boogie Band. Tom also performed with countless local musicians, many who are inductees into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame.
Recordings include:
- “Sweet Sweet Woman Blues” from Iowa Blues Compilation IV, Hot Fudge Music, 1997
- “Roberta” with Dennis “Big Daddy” Kain from Blues For Baghdad, 2004
- “Mr. Crump’s Blues” with Dennis “Big Daddy” Kain from Blues For Baghdad, 2004
Furthermore, Tom founded the Blues Army, whose stated purpose was:
To save the Blues! We are all about promoting local Blues musicians, and finding the history of Des Moines Blues venues. Our long term goal is to be a positive force in the community; to rebuild the local Blues scene and to look for more long term solutions to the Blues and for Blues performers.
He also hosted the live Bluesman Podcast, interviewing local musicians and broadcasting live archived recordings of Blues music that spanned some 25 years in Central Iowa. In addition, Tom led The Iowa Blues Showcase series of live shows at the Iowa Historical Building.
Tom Gary possessed a rare gift as he bridged the world of the Music Academy and the world of Delta Music; the latter whose talents formed the very tap root of all American popular music as they migrated through the Southern Diaspora in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
His legacy “Kept the Blues Alive” and continues to live on through the Central Iowa Blues Society to this very day.
You may access and read Tom Gary’s thesis at the link below!
