Tommy Baldwin was among the first generation of rock ‘n rollers gracing the REM label, but historically has been overshadowed by his peers in the musical collective memory of Lexingtonians. Nevertheless, his debut single in 1960 can stand toe-to-toe with any contemporary regional release and remains on want lists of collectors around the world (including my own). This is a brief bio and hopefully it can be improved upon in the future with more photos and better information, but I love Tommy’s music and offering what I can. Enjoy! [2021 Shawn Chambers / Lexingtunes]
Thomas Lee Baldwin was born into a large family in Legg, West Virginia, on December 20, 1936. With at least six siblings, it would have certainly been a lively affair. Although it is unclear when the family moved to Lexington it was evidently post World War II as younger brother and future bandmate James “Moe” Baldwin was born in West Virginia in 1943.
Upon graduating from Bryan Station High School, Baldwin went to work for Western Union delivering messages by bicycle. It is easy to imagine him cruising around businesses in the bustling downtown, perhaps even to the 300 block of North Limestone where Bob Mooney had just opened the doors on his recording studio.
Mooney had a partnership with Jack Rains in the beginning days of REM and it was during this time that Baldwin made not just his personal debut record but also the first record for the label as well.* Typical of the times Mooney opted for the slower “Since You’ve Been Gone” as the A-side cut, but history has a way of gravitating to the B-side rockers and there is no exception here.
“I Know” was penned by younger brother Moe and the junior Baldwin blasts right into it with a burst of the keys with Tommy quickly joining in with a wonderfully casual Southern just-woke-up-in-time-to-rock delivery. Beyond Moe on piano, The Mella Fellas backing band was strong with local guitar legend Kenny Whalen delivering one of his signature solos over the thumping drums of Donnie Higgins while Bill Hale dropped bass lines behind Tommy’s rhythm guitar.
That is not to say “Since You’ve Been Gone” is not a solid cut. The vocals written by Tommy again features prominent piano by Moe with a much bigger input this time from the backing vocal group the Blazers – a trio consisting of Glen Ritchie, Ronnie Marcum, and Shelton Sparks.
Despite being typically billed as just “Tommy Baldwin” on local appearances the eight-piece ensemble would have been a real stage squeezer and crowd pleaser. The tour circuit was the usual sock hops and University of Kentucky fraternity and sorority dances. A bit further afield was a trimmed down version with Whalen, Higgins, and Moe backing Tommy at the Indian Fort Theater for the annual Berea Homecoming celebration – a promotion arranged by Jack Rains. There is at least one contemporary account of a television appearance as well.
Jack Rains and Tommy made a fast friendship and shared a common love for gospel music. In short order, Rains had struck out on his own to found his eponymous label – the first of many he would control over the next several decades. Tommy delivered two self-penned gospel cuts for the Rains label in 1961, but Whalen’s picking and Tommy’s inability to control his cool cat vocal inflections imbue a spirit of rock in there as well. The A-side “In My Mansion Over There” could have just as easily been a period rockabilly cut if not for the obviously devout lyrics. The flip “He Is Your Saviour” boasts a more traditional gospel sound.
His marriage to Clara in 1963 and a need for a steady income took precedence over music as a career choice and Tommy found work at Raytor metal manufacturing before beginning his long custodial career at UK. Baldwin never gave up gospel music singing often as a member of the Lafayette Church of the Nazarene. He also sang with the King’s Witnesses and His Witnesses and was often accompanied by brother Moe on piano – some things never change.
Tommy’s REM two-sider was rediscovered by European collectors and found a new audience in 1989 on the White Label LP “Bob Mooney and REM Records” and “I Know” also appears on the 2001 CD compilation “Keep On Rockin’” on Sweden’s Centhy label.
Tommy Baldwin passed away in 2010 at age 73. His brother James died at age 75 in 2019.
Discography:
REM 301 Since You’ve Been Gone / I Know 1960
RAINS 102 In My Mansion Over There / He Is Your Saviour 1961
*Note – Jack Rains also released #301 on REM, the same number used by Baldwin’s issue but as these were custom presses the matrix on Baldwin’s would seemingly confirm his predating Rains’ release.
This is a great article. My mom & Tommy dated before he married my dear friend Clara. I didn’t know about his life before Clara. At Lafayette church he sang in a local group with my pawpaw called the Joytones.
My Uncle! I would love to have these records. Really enjoyed your music. You were a big part of my growing up years. Love and miss you. Great story!
Also my uncle. It’s so exciting to know this. Didn’t realize the testimony that he had. Thanks, for sharing.