Biography

Jerry Tomlinson was born in Lubbock in 1951. Started playing guitar at age 13 and then found the blues at 18. His first gig was playing at the Pioneer Hotel in the basement lounge 6 nights a week for $5 a night with Don Burrows (Lonestar Fogmen), Robin Griffin, Leland Krebbs and life-long friend Steve Wilson. He moved around a lot in the 70s playing in Austin, Waco and all over New Mexico both in bands and as a solo. Returning to Lubbock in the 80s, Jerry formed a band with locals Jimmie Mason, Mark Philbrick, David Pearson and Jaime Moreno called the Groove Tycoons. In the late 80s Jerry played with Jesse Taylor in the Jesse Taylor All-Stars, which featured various Austin musicians as guests every week at the legendary Fat Dawgs in Lubbock. In 1991 Jerry hooked up with Mike Pritchard and Cat House Blues for 4 years and recorded the CD Cold Jealous Fingers. After that Jerry did a stint with Dangerous Dan and the Soul Patch band for several years. In 2010 Jerry reunited with Mike Pritchard, Bobby McDowell, Mark Philbrick and Jimmie Mason to form Ogallala Blues. As of April 2013, Jerry is currently on hiatus, working on a ‘new direction’ in his playing and resides in Lubbock with his beautiful wife of 21 years, Denise - and their two dogs Ruby and Poppy Jean.