Tom Wagner

Keyboards/Vocals

Hi. I assume since you've clicked on this link, for some reason, you want to know more about me. It's not a terribly compelling story, but since you clicked.......I remember growing up in a house filled with music. I have 3 older sisters, all of whom played the piano and 2 of which, played guitar. My grandmother on my mother's side was a concert violinist until she had a family to raise, which brought an end to that. My mom has always loved music, and you can still find her dancing at some of our gigs, while my dad has to be dragged there. (I'm thinking deep down he really loves it, but just doesn't want me to know). I've been lucky to have their support over the years. My love of music started early. My friend Joe and I used to try to “harmonize” to Dave Mason and Jethro Tull songs, or what ever was popular on the radio at that time, on the playground at St. Therese School in Southgate, Ky. Years later, Joe and I would start a couple of bands together. In 1980, I joined my first band. It was a southern rock band called River City . We played a couple of bars and some parties, but like most bands, it was over before it really began. But out of that experience, I was hooked on playing. After that, I was involved in starting Black Smith, which lasted a couple of years, playing local clubs, and then T.J.T., playing mostly acoustical venues. In May, 1986, I was invited to be the keyboardist for a newly forming band called St. Valentine. Playing in St. Valentine was a blast, playing The Barrelhead and other local clubs for so many of the people that I still see today. While playing in St. Valentine with Larry, Jerry, Jeff, Kevin and Greg, I met another great band with a bunch of great guys called Fast Forward. A while after I left St. Valentine, Larry, Jimmy, Jeff, Dave and Tony asked if I'd be interested in joining Fast Forward…..I was honored to be asked, and after 14 years with this band I can honestly say, with all of the ups, and a few of the downs, I wouldn't trade the experience of knowing and playing with these guys for anything. I also have to tell you about my family. They are very supportive. I have a fantastic wife, Tracey, with whom I've been happily married for over 20 years, and 4 great kids, Hannah, Jason, Logan & Brandon, in an absolutely wild and crazy household. We're having a blast watching them grow up. And like the house I grew up in, there is music.

Tom

The Fast Forward Band has evolved over the years and now includes: Joe Schomaker, Todd Chumbley, Dave Stautberg, Tom Wagner, Larry VanDruten and Jeff Butler.