Life long bluegrass musician Tom Morgan passed away at his home in Morgan Springs, TN on September 26. He was 92 years of age.
Though he was born and lived most of his life inTennessee, Tom first came to the attention of the bluegrass world when he was stationed in the Washington, DC area serving in the Air Force from 1952-1972. There he had the distinction of being the first bass player with The Country Gentlemen before becoming the regular bassist with Red Allen and Frank Wakefield & The Kentuckians. During this time he also played guitar with Buzz Busby. With these artists he was heard regularly on the radio in Virginia, DC, and Maryland.
Morgan also developed a reputation in DC as a master luthier, known for his high-quality banjo necks, F-hole autoharps, and mandolins. Many bluegrass stars brought their instruments to him for repair and maintenance, something he continued to do when he moved back to Tennessee upon retiring from the military…