THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 26, 1995 TAG: 9504250103
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Banker by day. Blues musician by night.
That's Thomas Lee Parker, known locally in the music world as Guitar Tommy. He's a study in contrasts - a NationsBank executive who enjoys surfing the Internet, he's also a happy man when he's jamming with fellow musicians or playing gigs in area clubs.
``It's a totally different image,'' he says of his two careers. People are ``very surprised'' to find out what he does.
A local, who grew up in Norfolk, he returned to the area after getting an English degree from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and working for a few years in Boston.
A musician since childhood (he played trombone in junior and senior high school), he's had the opportunity to go into music full time and travel with a band, but, Parker laughs and says, ``I like a steady income and food on the table.''
Full name: Thomas Lee Parker.
Hometown: Born in Blackstone; grew up in Norfolk.
What brought you to the Beach? To start a banking career and to return to warm weather after eight freezing years in New England (four years at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and four years working in Boston).
Birthdate: June 30, 1947.
Occupation: Mainframe data processing since 1973. Currently technical systems engineer for Integrated Banking Applications at NationsBank.
Nickname: Guitar Tommy.
Marital status: Single.
Children: None.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Spending an entire afternoon at Birdland Records checking out new and reissued blues CDs, then going up the street to Zach Calles' house to play some Hawaiian and Tahitian music with him. We were guitarists in a Polynesian floor show band a short time back. Zach actually is from Hawaii. I was known as ``Komiki from Fiji.''
Last smart thing you did: Followed my dad's advice regarding a car.
Last dumb thing you did: Passed up a killer deal on a Macintosh laptop computer and docking station.
Favorite meal: Anything, especially anything my mom cooks up!
Favorite movies: Spike Lee's ``Mo' Better Blues,'' the very first Richard Pryor comedy concert movie ``Live in Concert.''
Favorite song: ``Gold Tooth Woman'' by local performer Pudgy Hill.
Last book read: ``Silicon Snake Oil'' by Clifford Stoll.
Hobbies: Jamming blues and Hendrix with local musicians around town and on-line network surfing.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would make myself practice guitar a lot more.
Secret vice: Hot spicy foods late at night.
Favorite restaurant: Scandals with Mike, Susan, Eileen and Theresa.
Your favorite night on the town: Starting around 7 p.m. playing hard-driving, no-nonsense urban blues with the Blues Xchange (Jackie Merritt, Sandy Martin, Liz Williams, Robert Hart) in the open air at the oceanfront on the beautiful 24th Street Stage, followed by a meal at the Jewish Mother, then a jam session at Toons or Scandals with ``Godfather of the Blues'' William Gilliam and Glenn Foster, Jimmy Williams and Sergio Bottoni.
Favorite TV shows: ``60 Minutes,'' ``Fresh Prince,'' ``Tonight Show.''
Favorite sport: Los Angeles Raiders football.
Last vacation: New Orleans last April with a group from the local Nat'chel Blues Network, for the weeklong Jazz Heritage Festival. Fun overload!
Worst job: Summer job repairing pins at a bowling alley on Colonial Avenue in Norfolk.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Most recently playing a key role in a successful transition at work. Also, winning a Battle of the Bands with the Blues Xchange. By the way, we've been together for 11 years. Our very first gig was Harborfest 1984.
What would you like as your epitaph? ``I Didn't Wake Up This Morning'' (old blues joke). Seriously, ``At Peace with God.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
Tommy Parker
KEYWORDS: PROFILE BIOGRAPHY by CNB