- PRESS BIOGRAPHY-

            Thomas Cary Overstreet, Jr. a/k/a TOMMY OVERSTREET, is a national and internationally recognized Country Music recording artist, songwriter, record producer, and music publisher.  His experience spans over forty years as a working professional.  He started his career at age thirteen in his boyhood hometown of Houston, Texas.

            Seasoning his talents over the next seven years, his professional career began when he performed with his late ‘Uncle’ Gene Austin (the first major recording star of the 1920’s and 30’s known for his rendition of “My Blue Heaven”, which sold over 8 million copies in 1927) throughout the United States.  After six years of touring with Gene, playing top showrooms and supper clubs, Gene encouraged Tommy to develop his own style in Country Music, and Tommy relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in 1967.

            Tommy introduced some of the new sounds impacting Country Music at the time.  In 1971 Tommy had his first major hit record!  His recording of “Gwen (Congratulations)” reached the number one spot in the United States, Canada, and even as far away as Australia, revealing how far his new sound reached out to Country Music fans.  Over the next ten years Tommy gained  twenty-six Top Ten hits to his credit, four Gold Records , and a tour schedule of star proportions crowned these years.  As a live performer, he had tremendous appeal headlining state fairs, rodeos, expositions, concerts, Las Vegas main showrooms, and the better clubs throughout the country.  In one calendar year Tommy performed 329 one-nighters in one year!

            Tommy is considered an innovator, breaking new ground by Country Music standards.  He was one of the first Country artists to appear on the famed Las Vegas Strip, starring in three major hotels as the Main Room Attraction.  He saw Europe in the early 1970’s as fertile ground for Country Music, and has since made more European Tours than any other Country artist...32 to date!  He has played to great crowds at major music halls of Europe, from Wembley Pool in London, to the Rhein-Main Halle in Frankfurt, Germany.  Tommy was voted the number ‘two’ favorite Country artist in Europe, preceded only by Johnny Cash.

            Tommy’s career in television has been consistent and rewarding since he has been a regular guest on every major Country Music show, plus the “Tonight Show”, NBC’s “Midnight Special”, ABC’s “In Concert”, the “Dean Martin Summer Show”, “Merv Griffin’s Live From Las Vegas”, plus many more.

            Tommy has traveled and performed in all fifty states, and every Province in Canada.  He has played every Music Hall, Fair, Rodeo, and outdoor concert of any size.  From Madison Square Garden in New York City, to being the first artist to ever perform in the Eugene, Oregon Performing Arts Center.  Tommy has truly been a dedicated professional.

            In June of 1985 Tommy moved his family to Branson, Missouri.  Tommy had been traveling on the road for so many years, he was anxious to once again break new ground in an area he felt held all the qualities of the creative atmosphere he loves so much.  Branson had been described to Tommy as “a cross between Las Vegas and  Mayberry!” and indeed it was more Mayberry at the time, but the challenge intrigued him.  He quickly became involved in the music community that existed in Branson.  He was the first  recognized music personality to move to Branson from Nashville, and he began working with the local talent helping them inject a professional style into their performances.  When other professionals who were friends visited Branson, or performed there, Tommy praised the area as a home place with opportunity to perform and work at home.  In doing so, Tommy again was an innovator in the change in Country Music!

            Tommy continues to travel extensively, perform on television, produce, write songs, and record.  Tommy is presently working on a new album, a new single, along with his other various music business interests, including the production of a 36 song album featuring the talents of over 29 Country and Gospel stars.  The album was released in January, 2003, titled, “36 Greatest Gospel Memories - A Loving Tribute To The World’s Greatest Gospel Songwriter - Albert E. Brumley”. Some of the stars who participated are: Merle Haggard, George Jones, Chet Atkins, Larry Gatlin, Porter Wagoner, Mel Tillis, Bill Anderson, Lee Greenwood, Crystal Gayle, Glen Campbell and Roy Clark.  The Lewis Family, Jeff and Shari Easter, The Inspirations, and The Florida Boys. A total of 7 Country Music Hall of Fame members.

            Tommy has moved to the Great Northwest and lives at the “Overstreet Ranchero” where he and his wife are raising two daughters, four horses…Bug, Shilo, Hickory & Snoopy, with 3 cats, Boots, Bella, & Edward. And our black Lab named Dino.

NEWS!