(CelebrityAccess) — CelebrityAccess has learned that respected Canadian music industry veteran Tom Tompkins, former President of the Canadian Country Music Association, has died after a battle with cancer.
A Toronto native, Tompkins began his career in radio at Calgary’s CKXL Radio before going on to work at stations such as CJAX-FM (Edmonton), CFGM-AM (Toronto), CHAM-AM (Hamilton) and CJAY-FM in Calgary.
During his long tenure in Canadian radio, he was twice recognized with the Record’s Country Program Director of the Year and won the Canadian Country Music Association as the Country Music Person of the Year in 1994, 1997 and 1998.
Tompkins also ventured into artist management, overseeing the careers of Canadian country stars such as Tracey Prescott & Lonesome Daddy
Tompkins has served on the CCMA Board of Directors for 15 years and was the President of the organization from 1991 to 1992 and then again from 1994-2000 and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.
After stepping away from radio, Tompkins partnered with fellow ex-broadcaster Gene Daniel to book concerts in British Columbia.
“Tom Tompkins was a Canadian country music original,” says Larry LeBlanc, senior writer with CelebrityAccess. “A fireplug of aggression and humor with a passion and knowledge of music unsurpassed. Over the decades he held executive programming posts at multiple Canadian country radio stations and he also headed the Canadian Country Music Association. I first met him in the early ’70s when he was a top Calgary, Alberta rock DJ before he transitioned to be one of the most visible and outspoken figures in Canadian country music. He also was a concert promoter of note in Western Canada in his later years.”
Information about survivors and a memorial service were not available at time of publication.
