Following the 3 S’s with Tom Wopat
by Lauren Brunjes
Every day we hear Brad talk about the 3 S’s. Many of you support and sponsor the station and even more of you share with your friends, family and complete strangers. Why? Because if something is really great, you can’t help but want to share.
I have spent the last eight plus years helping here at MITM… starting back in the days when Brad was all alone in a room in Roger Schlesinger’s office. Over the years my support role at the station has grown, but it all really started with sharing… and now, it is going to continue by sharing with you.
First and foremost, I am here because I love this music. The Great American Songbook is really the greatest music ever written. Thanks to my family, I grew up with a great appreciation for music in general. Music was how my parents met. Music provided us with our differences, whether it was Dad’s love of opera, Mom’s love of old school country, my brother’s love of pop and classic rock, my love of the oldies (50’s and 60’s… not what they call oldies now) or my grandfather’s love of the Great American Songbook. Each genre made us unique but brought us together. Of course, my grandfather won me over with Bing Crosby… Bing led to Robin and the Seven Hoods… which led to Frank, Dean and Sammy… need I say more?
But, despite our differences, Fridays were family night and in our house that meant two things; homemade pizza made by the whole family and eating it while watching the Dukes of Hazzard. It was through those family nights that I was first introduced to Tom Wopat and while I loved watching him on TV, it was hearing him sing for the first time that really had me hooked. I quickly became a country music fan. As I grew up, I continued to follow his career and I have since had the chance to hear him sing country, Broadway and the standards. Listening to his albums is one thing, but seeing him live is a whole other experience. The fun he has while performing live completely ups the quality and enjoyment.
In 1996, I had the chance to hear Tom perform with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra for their Halloween show. He did a medley of 3 songs; “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” “Old Devil Moon,” and “That Old Black Magic.” As soon as I heard him sing ‘Moon’ and ‘Magic’ I knew that the standards were the perfect genre for him. (Don’t believe me? Check out the performance here). Now that’s not saying he’s not great at country or on Broadway (he also writes great songs too), but there was just something about the way he did those songs that I knew he had to sing standards.
It wasn’t until four years later that Tom released his In the Still of the Night album. I bought it right away of course, but I didn’t know of anywhere to hear his music other than my CD which I thought was a shame. It wasn’t until 2002 that I found the Fabulous 570 (four days after Brad started broadcasting) and I thought this had to be the place to be able to hear Tom’s music. After listening for about two weeks and not hearing him, I thought I’d try requesting his songs. Much to my surprise, Brad answered the phone at 5 AM and while he’d kindly listen to me request “Let’s Fall in Love” by Tom Wopat, my request would be met regularly with “we’ll try to get to that.” Sadly… nothing.
After two months of this, I finally asked Brad, “Do you even have Tom’s album?” He admitted he didn’t so I went out and bought a copy to give to him in an effort to share “the Wopat” (as my husband refers to him) because I truly felt that more people needed to hear him and appreciate the talent that he is. (I leave the storytelling of how I supposedly gave that album to Brad to him).
I have supported Tom’s music for a long time by buying albums, concert tickets, Broadway show tickets and shared by introducing his music to friends, family and complete strangers over the many years, but this past summer I had the opportunity to complete the three S’s and sponsor Tom’s newest musical offering “Home for Christmas,” a Christmas album with John Schneider.
When I received the email regarding their Kickstarter campaign I knew there was no way I wasn’t going to be involved in some way because this, like MITM, was a project worth sponsoring. I talked it over with various members of my family who have all had to listen to me talk of the amazingness of “the Wopat” since I was six years old and they all were supportive and helped me successfully sponsor this project because they knew how much I believed in it. Thanks to them, I got to spend the afternoon driving around Manhattan with Tom in his Bronco. While it definitely wasn’t your “tourist” tour of NYC, it was certainly fun.
Just as I have supported, sponsored and shared the Martini over the years, I have also supported, sponsored and shared “the Wopat” with you. I encourage you to check out his newest album with John, or any of his albums, but even better… go see him LIVE! It promises to be memorable. And while you’re there, tell him Lauren (and MITM) sent you.
Now… get out there and Support, Sponsor and Share what you love!
 Tom with Lauren at |
 Tom with his Bronco |
To get Tom’s albums and more, visit his website store or click on one of the links below.
 Physical || Digital |
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 Physical || Digital |
 Physical || Digital |
 Physical |
 Physical || Digital |
If you buy one of Tom’s albums, drop me a note at lauren@martiniinthemorning.com and let me know what you think! And if you really like Tom’s singing as much as I do, vote for him in our annual Love Songs Poll!
Visit Tom’s website or follow Tom on Facebook and/or Twitter (@wopatofficial).
P.S.: Brad – aren’t you glad I gave you Tom’s CD?
P.P.S.: Tom – if you are reading this – Thanks for the tour, the talk, lunch and the years of great music with many, many more to come. I formally challenge you to a basketball game of Around the World next time you are in California.