Tom Miller and the Gift of Music
By Michele Murphy
The gift of music, and a legacy of legendary performances, that’s what SLV local Tom Miller says the Santa Cruz community has given to him over the past four decades, during which he has lovingly curated an astonishing array of musical acts at some of the area’s most beloved music venues.
Currently booking musical talent at Michael’s on Main, Tom began his career not far from there in the mid-70s, found his way up to the SLV for a long stretch, and has now come full circle, back to MOM, doing what he does best and fostering fantastic memories along the way, for local music fans, and for himself.
Tom planned to migrate to California from the east coast where he grew up, and after reading about the Haight Ashbury scene while studying at Penn State, he felt drawn to Northern California. Music informed his decision on where to land. After reading in Rolling Stone that Neil Young’s band (The Ducks) would play in Santa Cruz, Tom made a mental note that “Santa Cruz must be a pretty hip place,” finding his way to this area and to a career filled with colorful characters and interesting exchanges.
Already a thriving music community when he arrived, Tom immersed himself in the scene, and with experience tending bar, it wasn’t long before he found his way into O.T. Price’s Music Hall. Within a year he was helping to promote shows and find acts, eventually diversifying the talent pool from country western bands to all types of music. Miller said, “We needed to become a venue for the entire community.” This philosophy has been his roadmap to success. Hosting every kind of musical group imaginable, from Sonic Youth to legendary artists like Willie Dixon, Doc Watson, Albert King, John Lee Hooker, The Red-Hot Chili Peppers, Hot Tuna, Koko Taylor, O.T. Price’s became the hottest live music spot in town. Working for Lovelight concerts and Backbeat Productions booking large events, Tom also spent time at another famous venue called Palookaville, before migrating up to Henfling’s in Ben Lomond where he spent over a decade booking acts from around the world. From there he went to the legendary Don Quixote’s Music Hall where he continued to book world class acts that packed the venue night after night.
Tom insists the live music community in Santa Cruz is one of the most unique in the world, which made it possible for him to present all kinds of music from everywhere, whether it was throat singers from Tuva, a Celtic band from Ireland, or a rock opera, people come out. He credits club owners, who have devoted their efforts and energy into running music venues, for providing space for live music to occur. He points out that we live in a college town that’s always had great radio stations that support local bands and touring artists alike, giving them the exposure they need to become beloved favorites that people come out to see over and over again.
Tom Miller didn’t choose this career, it chose him; he’s a music lover from way back. He says that the most important skill to being a successful booking agent is simply loving what he does; he lights up when he talks about all the artists he’s booked and the exciting things he’s doing now.
He says the hardest part about his job is seeing a great band have a slow night, and the best thing is when people really love a band that they didn’t know anything about before going to see them. Looking back, he says the Santa Cruz music scene hasn’t changed much since his early days, it was inclusive and diverse then, as it is now, and continues to give him the gift of folks reveling in great music.
Michele Murphy is a singer-songwriter who has lived in the Santa Cruz area since 2005 when she migrated West from Buffalo NY to the beautiful San Lorenzo Valley. An avid music lover, she is entrenched in the local music scene both as a performer and a fan.
Featured photo: Tom Miller | Photo by Michele Murphy
