Papa Thom and The Elderly Brothers

5 years ago Papa Thom teamed up with Warren Mandau an amazing seasoned musician and together they have done many public and private concerts. Together they are called The Elderly Brothers. Their musical chemistry is unique and their on stage banter is rather entertaining.

Papa Thom has shared the stage with the likes of Gordon Lightfoot and Valdy and therefore his music and writing shares that love of Folk Roots.

 

From 2008 to 2012 he travelled across Canada in the dead of winter cooking Shepherd's Pie in various soup kitchens where he would invite the media and local politicians to attend as a means of raising awareness of the issues of homelessness, addictions and mental illness. 

 

Papa Thom began his musical adventure over 50 years ago, playing the clubs and coffee houses of Toronto and then crossing the ocean to spend a year in Europe. He played gigs in sunny Spain, North Africa and in Holland where he was warmly received as the 'Canada Kid'. An original tune, Bush’s Inn went to #3 on Dutch radio stations.

While his chosen genre of music is best categorized as folk, Keith "Papa" Thom is an accomplished singer/songwriter in numerous styles. He’s a natural on guitar with fingers flowing effortlessly over the frets. His voice is strong, diction clear, and range impressive. Of particular strength, though, is his lyrical brilliance. As a songwriter, Keith applies verbs, nouns, and adjectives to music scales like a master artist applies brush and paint to canvas. His literary work generally happens with ease.

 

“I write about life, about people – what they do, how they feel. I guess I analyze a lot of what I see and hear and then try to make sense of it all through a song.”

Capital News 2013