Tommy Thomas is the real thing. He’s the genuine blues man with genes and talent to prove he rose up from the richest earth and deepest souls of the Mississippi Delta.

Denver does not evoke a setting for sultry southern tunes from the Mississippi Delta. Yet it is home to many relocated southern blues singers and musicians such as Willie Houston, Sammy Mayfield and Tommy Thomas.

In the 1930s, Five Points drew many blues and jazz acts to its lively clubs. Thanks to the many businesses relocating today along the streets of the bustling, shining and thriving Five Points, it continues to stand as a historic neighborhood keeping the traditions of the African-American culture and the music of Billie Holliday and B.B. King alive. Even the legendary Rossonian will rise from the ashes to be a legitimate entertainment destination again.

In the 1920s, 30s and 40s, blues and jazz entertainers came to Five Points to perform, then left the city. Not until the late 1940s and ‘50s did musicians start to relocate to Denver and the Five Points neighborhood. Many of the musicians came from the southern states, confirming what music writers and historians know: the Delta is the home of the blues. It’s where musicians were forged in the heat and rhythms of the southern churches, juke joints and roadhouses. There, gospel music and the blues were married into a distinct, sweet soul music with foot-tapping energy.

Tommy Thomas, Denver’s self-described hardest working blues man, was forged in the Delta. He brought his soul and talent to Denver at age 15.

Born in Vicksburg, Miss., his parents were Inetta and James Thomas, the singing duo known as ‘notorious gospel singers’ throughout the South. Thomas learned early in life to work hard, listen and make good use of his God-given talents.

The erratic lifestyle of Southern gospel singers packing 10 children can be described as nothing short of chaotic The Thomas children got rhythm but packed their own insecurities along the way. When Thomas came to Denver he was a mere teenager. His troubled childhood strengthened his willingness to become someone. It was in his blood. He was a singer, song writer and entertainer.

At age 53, Thomas says of himself, “I hit the floor every morning thinking” about how to market his music and his brand, Working Man Music, which consists of CD’s, T-shirts and caps. He is a networker and promoter extraordinaire, adding that most of all, “I love working and helping people. If I can give encouragement to any one it makes my day.”

He says, “If you want success you gotta go get it. I believe that energy is energy whether it is positive or negative, so why not make it positive?”

That positive outlook and drive comes from a man who arrived in Denver with a 4th grade education. Thomas admits he’s been in and out of school for years. He received a degree as a journeyman power linesman, but remembers the days when he was struggling.

“People take advantage of people without an education,” he admits.

Without hesitation he implores young people who want to become musicians and entertainers to get an education.

“My goal is to incorporate education and music,” notes the man who sees himself as a role model. “I’d like to be there for the kids seeking direction and draw from my life experiences to point them in the right direction.”

Thomas’ CD, You Put that Dog Ahead of Me from Rock House Records, has been receiving airplay through out the United States, Europe and Canada since 2006. He has been hailed as part of the best new blues band by national blues magazines for his original songs written and composed with Denver’s Roy Roberts and Sammy Mayfield. Thomas is regularly compared to Bobby “Blue” Bland, O.V. Wright, James Carr and Little Milton Campbell.

The blues scene is good in Denver, according to KUVO radio station music director Arturo Gomez (Denver Post 2007).

“It is very much alive and well,” Gomez assures.

And, Tommy Thomas is doing his part to keeping it rockin’, rollin’, movin’ and jumpin’.

Tommy “The Working Man” Thomas is opinionated and stands by his strong priorities in life. As a seasoned performer, he exudes raw happiness on stage and tells the world, “My real love is entertaining and the relationship I feel with the audience. Giving makes me happy, especially when I see people leaving my shows with a smile on their face. It is therapeutic for me. We all have gifts and talents we can share.”

His experiences at the school of hard knocks constantly remind him, “People need people. Don’t ever let any one stop you in your growth for caring about other people.”

Still working hard, Thomas is keeping his word to his daughters and 12 grandchildren. His three daughters will sing back up on his next recording. And the hard knockin’ blues man seems proudest of the fact his daughters are musically inclined, and he can help them make their dreams come true.

Thomas will be on the Denver free summer concert circuit. Catch his sweet soul music at the Millennium Harvest House in Boulder on June 10, Green Valley Ranch Amphitheater on July 4, Crescent Amphitheater in Greenwood Village on August 5, and Summerfest Blues and Brews on Old South Pearl Street on August 9.

Tommy Thomas has a motto: “No matter how old you are, if you believe in yourself you can achieve whatever you want.”

Get your funk and a lethal dose of soul this summer at a Tommy Thomas concert. You’ll love the love and music he shares.