A Gospel Sing at a local church in Eagle Lake, Florida introduced six-year-old Tommy to the world of Gospel quartet music; but that night, as he watched, wide-eyed, the incomparable piano mastery of Wally Varner, Tommy knew his calling in life was to work toward emulating Varner's keyboard brilliance. After the concert, Tommy shared his newborn passion with his father, who bought Tommy a piano. In Fairchild's words, " . . . I sat down and picked out "Jingle Bells" one note at a time. It is obvious to anyone who knows me that I never learned to play as well as my hero who, incidentally, became a lifelong friend, but a career in music did develop for me."
And "develop"
it did. In the early '50's, Fairchild played guitar and piano in a band with
his father until his first shot at being a part of what he fell in love with
at age six, Gospel quartet music. The group was 
the
Happy Rhythm Boys, and included Harold Larrimore, Don Taylor, Pete Sumner
(Donnie's brother), and Tommy Fairchild. Immediately following his high school
graduation in 1954, he joined Clifford Thompson and the Travelers Quartet
in Macon, GA as pianist and baritone singer, along with Don Taylor. But, later
that year, and for about three years, Fairchild performed with the John Daniel
Quartet in Nashville (tenor John Daniel, lead Troy Daniel, bass Tony Hunt,
pianist Whit Curtis, and Fairchild-first singing baritone, then adding the
responsibility of pianist when Curtis left the group).
In 1957,
Fairchild became the baritone singer for the Florida Boys Quartet during Glen
Allred's sabbatical; but 1958 became a milestone year in Fairchild's career.
Tenor Smitty Gatlin, baritone Ron Page, bass Herman Harper, and Fairchild
(covering both lead and 
piano)
became the Oak Ridge Quartet. That name had been used earlier by Wally Fowler,
but since the name had lain dormant for a few years, and with Fowler's sanction,
the group assumed the name. The following year brought Willie Wynn as tenor,
and SmittyGatlin switched to lead, freeing Fairchild to concentrate his energies
on honing his piano skills and arranging the group's music. In the '60's,
the group changed its name to the Oak Ridge Boys, and rose to legendary status.
While the Oak Ridge Boys continue to enjoy worldwide recognition, it is interesting
to note that, for well over two and half decades, another Fairchild has been
at the keyboard, Tommy's son Ron.
James
Blackwood convinced Fairchild to assume the position of Pianist/Arranger/Musical
Director for the world famous Blackwood Brothers Quartet in 1971. That era
of the Blackwood Brothers' renowned contribution to Gospel quartet music is
highly regarded as the group's most memorable. Many believe Fairchild's musical
ingenuity and creativity were largely responsible for the group's numerous
Grammy and Dove Awards during that time.
Fairchild
appeared on several major television shows, including the Tonight Show with
Johnny Carson, the Merv Griffin Show, the Johnny Cash Show, the Dinah Shore
Show, the Barbara Mandrell Show, the Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder, and Hee
Haw. 
He
also appeared in a movie. He played at the Billy Graham Calgary Crusade, and
at the New York World's Fair. While a member of the groups with which he performed,
Fairchild recorded on several major labels, including RCA, Warner Brothers,
Chess/Checker, Cadence, and Starday. He also recorded on several other labels
as a session musician playing piano and guitar with many Country and Gospel
artists in Nashville.
Tommy Fairchild has won numerous Grammy and Dove Awards, has performed in 60 foreign countries, was twice inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, won the Singing News Fan Award, the Living Legend Award, and was inducted into the Piano Roll of Honor. He has played at the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, in both houses of Congress, and for the Supreme Court. He has received several "Keys to the City" and similar awards and recognitions from around the world, such as "Kentucky Colonel."
After
so many years on the road, in 1989 Fairchild established himself as a hot
property in the Ozarks. Fairchild recalls, "In the Eureka Springs, AR/Branson,
MO area, I played six or seven days a week, but I was in my own bed every
night for the first time in my professional career." October 15, 2004
began a new chapter in this already-full book; Fairchild married lifelong
friend, Sandra Blackwood Goodyear.
Tommy now tours with the incredible Country/Gospel Quartet Spoken 4, arranging and playing the piano--exactly what audiences across the country have grown to love for so many years. Visit Spoken 4's website and check out their schedule. The next time Spoken 4 is going to be near where you live, you owe it to yourself to make sure you're there. Tommy Fairchild has been a musical favorite for over five decades, and you will be blessed if you get the chance to see him do exactly what has made him a legend--LIVE!
Hope to see you there!