Tommy Allsup Bio

Tommy Allsup

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Inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

Abducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame

In a music career spanning more than 60 years Tommy Allsup has played on over 100 country chart toppers and worked with artists as diverse as Bob Wills & Texas Playboys, Buddy Holly & Crickets, Gene McDaniels, Walter Brennan, Roy Orbison, George Jones, Bob Luman, Tanya Tucker, Buddy Knox, Asleep At The Wheel, Ventures, Kenny Rogers, Jan & Dean, Paul McCartney, Mae West, Charlie Rich and Willie Nelson. Now aged 76 he's still gigging several months a year, displaying the guitar licks which have made him a true living legend and with no intention of slowing down.

Thomas Douglas Allsup was born in Owassa (7 miles north of Tulsa) , Oklahoma on November 24 1931; the 12th of 13 children. He was playing guitar in bands by the age of 12 naming Eldon Shamblin and TBone Walker as major early influences. Two years later Tommy bought a clapped-out tour bus which Bob Wills had used in the 1930's. At that time it was legal for 14 year-olds to drive to school in Oklahoma - but not elsewhere. Tommy recruited a car mechanic to service and drive the bus to gigs in exchange for free entry to concerts and introductions to the headliners for whom Tommy's band did the opening spot. Tommy filled the bus with friends; charging them a small fee. To supplement his booking fees he'd ask club owners for 5 cents of the admission price for each person he brought. After shows Tommy carefully planned the route home to first drop of all the male fans; then the unattractive girls; then the unwilling girls and finish up with the band, the driver and girls who were attractive and willing! Tommy graduated High School in May of 1950 and went on the road playing music.