ION INDIE MAGAZINE November 2014, Volume 6 | Page 59

“Experience” is the word for these guys. Tommy "Roxx" has opened for such major acts as MOLLY HATCHET, MARSHALL TUCKER, FOGHAT, BLACKFOOT, 38 SPECIAL, DAVID ALLEN COE and many others. Even more impressive are the artists who have joined in and performed with TOMMY ROXX on stage. The list includes ARTIMUS PYLE and LESLIE HAWKINS of LYNYRD SKYNYRD, PHIL STOKES of PURE PRARIE LEAGUE, CC DEVILLE of POISON, TOMMY ZVONCHECK of BLUE OYSTER CULT and others. Needless to say, these guys have been around. TOMMY ROXX’S sound is thick and fluid, more Rock than Country. It contains an amazing blend of guitars and keys that fill a room or arena, powered by a thumping bass line and a perfect powerful beat. Tommy's vocals are a finishing touch that leave you with no doubts that you are seeing and hearing what is a very polished, very Southern, Rock band. The guys play a pretty full schedule performing at some of the region’s top events, and have a very big following, which includes the nation's largest biker community of which I am part. Everybody knows, we bikers love Southern Rock. I had a chance to interview Tommy Douhat, and here's what he had to say: ION: Tommy, I love your mic stand. I understand that it was made for you personally to fit your style. Tell me about how can someone get one done for them? A little plug for the guy that did it. Tommy: My mic stand is one of a kind. It was custom made for me by SHAWN LOWERY of “Mr. Sawbladehead Designs”. My girlfriend PEPPERMINT PATTY commissioned him to create it for me as a surprise birthday present in June of this year. ION: You are surrounded by some incredible musicians. Tell me about how you assembled such a talented group. Tommy: I really don’t have an answer for that, other than that over the years, God has blessed me with better and better musicians as I grew into my stage persona. I have been told I have a magnetic, charismatic personality. I have had an amazing string of musicians in my band over the past decade. ION: You've been doing this for a long time. What are some of your greatest memories or maybe even funniest moments in your career? Tommy: Some of my greatest moments include having real life Rock Stars sit in with me over the years such as: Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame members Artimus Pyle, drummer for the original Ronnie Van Zant’s LYNRYD SKYNRYD and Leslie Hawkins on of Ronnie’s original Honkettes, CC DeVille of POISON, Tommy Zvoncheck of BLUE OYSTER CULT. Playing to a crowd of over 7,000 people in Daytona this summer who came solely to see the band I had put together perform (there were no other acts on that bill). Writing and recording my very own songs and producing my first official CD. ION: I know you do a lot of big shows with your tribute project NUTHIN’ FANCY, but what are your plans moving forward with your original project? Tommy: I LOVE doing the NUTHIN’ FANCY shows because I love the original LYNYRD SKYNYRD so much. However, my real love, my true dreams and desires, are to find a talent agent or promoter who loves who I