I got an early taste of the music biz when my band of fellow 9th-graders scored a gig playing at a GoodYear Auto Service Center for a crew of beer-drinking mechanics at the end of their shift. As the first song concluded... silence. Until a guy named Roger hollered, "Tune yer ___ing guitar!" After that auspicious beginning, and lots more after-school rehearsal, our band THE RITZ eventually forged an identity as one of the region's top acts. Our first single, "Face to Face", released when we were still in high school, scored airplay on 4 radio stations (hey, it was a start) and became a juke box favorite in pizza parlors and teen centers. Years of touring followed, entailing thousands of shows all over the US and Canada (I got stories!). I have also appeared as a vocalist on several other artists' recording projects, various specialty CD's, and have even done a few advertising jingles. My songs were featured in the film Staring at Headlights, I've written showtunes for Chicago's Second City Theater, and my music has been featured on NBC-TV (KARE-11, Minneapolis). I appeared as lead vocalist on the 2002 Target Corporation CD Praise & Worship Christmas (32,000 copies sold) and am the recipient of a Billboard Musical Achievement Award. Still, my greatest achievement is simply having been able to entertain, encourage and enrich other people by sharing the musical gifts with which I've been blessed.
I released my first solo album, Everybody & Their Brother, in 2002. My sophomore set, Then Went the Demons, was released in 2006 and my songs have gotten airplay on radio stations all over the world. Pretty cool.
You can catch me performing in: solo acoustic shows; my duo COSTELLO & HIPPS; the TOM HIPPS TRIO; my classic/standards band TOM HIPPS & THE SHAKERS; or in my all-original folk/rock band FROM ORDINARY, depending on the venue and type of event. I also take great pleasure in occasionally serving as a guest music worship leader at various churches, and my associations with the MACV (MN Assistance Council for Veterans), the Crossroads Chapel at the MN State Fair, and other charitable causes and ministries.
I am currently releasing a series of digital singles, which has thus far included the titles "Waiting For You", "Generous", and "Music, That Is". My music is available at select music stores, iTunes, CD Baby and most other major online retailers.
One of the turning points in my life & career: I underwent a kidney transplant 17 years ago. After being diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, I lost my health, my singing voice, and my hope for a bright future. My sister donated a kidney and God performed a miracle (that's what he does). I got a second chance, and I'm trying to make the most of it.