I Wouldn't Count On It: Confessions of an Unlikely Folksinger

by Tom May

Tom Mayhas been a folksinger/guitarist/songwriter/performer for nearly fifty years. He has recorded fourteen albums of original material, and produced various CDs for other artists. His touring has taken him to every state in the US—as well as to most Canadian provinces and to Europe. He has headlined concerts with symphony orchestras, been featured at music festivals across North America, and opened shows for Gordon Lightfoot, Willie Nelson, Alabama, and many others. In 1985, he began producing the nationally syndicated radio program, River City Folk. He also founded and directs "Winterfolk" in Portland, Oregon—an annual concert now in its thirty-second year of raising funds for Pacific Northwest residents in need of food and shelter.

Tom’s journey has truly been a “Life in Song”—a joyous romp in a challenging, competitive corner of the arts. Full of amusing stories, interesting geography, bungled romances, and excellent wine, this is a book to be savored by anyone who enjoys a story of “making it” in the music business—a process that means vastly different things to different folks—and having fun along the way. Tom’s dedication to music that makes a difference has never faltered, and it shines through in this peripatetic tale.

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2020

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read, detailing Tom's life on the road, piecing together his history of countless shows from coast to coast while also promoting the music he loves so much through his nationally syndicated radio show, benefits and festivals. Tom has shared the stage with the likes of Gordon Lightfoot, and has brought several others to the forefront of the genre by featuring them on River City Folk and events like Winterfolk, in Portland, Oregon. I've been following Tom for a little over 20 years (so not even half of his long, storied career) and this book really helped tie a lot of the pieces together I have learned from him over the years through conversations and the lyrics of his songs. The book details a life that is filled of the challenges of making a living on the road as a folk singer and song writer, and the surprises he found when he least expected them. If you care about folk music, want to learn about what it was like to make a living on the road, or are wondering about the story behind his songs, get this book. You will not be disappointed