About Tom Hofer
Tom Hofer grew up in a musical family. His dad, Kenny Hofer started his band in 1942 and played his last engagement the night before he passed away in 1986.
Tom began singing in the band when he was 3 years old and was playing trumpet with the band at the age of 10. He became a regular full time band member when he was 11. Tom’s mom, Maxine started playing electric organ in the band about a year later.
It was truly a family organization.
Tom started taking lessons on trumpet when he was 9 years old. In school, he participated in concert band, jazz band, marching band, concert choir and show choir. Tom took lessons on electric organ and this was the beginning of his keyboard playing. He quickly was playing keyboards along with trumpet in his dad’s band.
Throughout the last 50+ years, Tom has had the pleasure of playing regularly with a number of bands including: Kenny Hofer Band, Dave Dighton Band, Frank Buhr Band, Jerry Beauchamp Band, Stetson Country, Western Justice, GTO (Good Time Oldies), The Marshall County Hangmen and currently Tom Hofer & the Iowa Playboys.
Tom was honored to be included in all star bandleader shows in Eastern Iowa for many years. Bandleaders that also played for these shows included: Leo Greco, Johnny Ketelsen, Dave Dighton, Dale Thomas, Frank Buhr, Lyle Beaver, Ken Paulson, Dick Miller, Don Wachal, Willis Daugherty and Bob Daniels.
There have been a number of opportunities through the years for Tom to fill in or set in with many fine bands. These include: Lyle Beaver & the Brass Notes, Dale Thomas Band, Jim Hyatt Band (Colorado), Lyle Beaver Trio, Rivieras, Can’t Hardly Playboyz (Texas), Gil & Patsy McNaughton, HAL Cats (Caribbean), Clarksville Station, Kountry Rebels.
During his lifetime in the music business, Tom has entertained all over the midwest as well as Texas, Colorado, Hawaii, Europe and the Caribbean. He has had the opportunity to meet and work with some of his musical heroes and icons. Those include Mel Tillis, Hank Thompson, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Ray Benson & Asleep at the Wheel, Ronda Vincent, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Dale Watson, Justin Trevino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dan Seals, Amber Digby, Leona Williams, WS Holland, Big Sandy & his Fly-Rite Boys, Boots Randolph, Bennie Wheels & Walkin’ The Line (Johnny Cash Tribute) to name a few.
Tom still entertains regularly at fraternal organizations, ballrooms, clubs, fairs, town festivals, wedding receptions, anniversary dances, private parties, retirement communities, radio and television events and just about anywhere that music and entertainment is needed.