Tommy Crook, Jim Bates & Scott Musick

To say Tommy Crook is a remarkable player would be a gross understatement. More like incomparable, unsurpassed and peerless. But words fail to describe accurately the magic that is Tommy Crook. To hear him play is to understand that magic.

Heralded as the world’s best guitar player BY some of the world’s best guitar players is a high honor bestowed on Tommy. And deservedly so. Oklahoma born and raised, Tommy started playing at age 4 when his late father, Buck Crook, handed him his first guitar. In the more than 50 years that have passed, Tommy has rarely put the guitar down for long. He has perfected his playing into an unforgettable experience for those fortunate enough to hear him. Though influenced from many directions, his fingerpick style is his own, with bass strings occupying the bottom two positions on his guitar. Usually, Tommy’s only accompaniment is himself.

Tommy has performed on numerous stages across the country-concerts, festivals, private functions and club venues. He played on several USO tours in Southeast Asia during the late 60’s and early 70’s. He has played with some of the greatest – Chet Atkins, Merle Haggard, Leon Russell, J.J. Cale, David Gates, to name but a few. He released a self-titled album in 1989, produced and recorded by Grammy award-winning drummer David Teegarden. His style is drawn from many sources – country, rock, jazz, blues, with a little classical thrown in on occasion. His song list is vast in size and scope. His spirit is generous, his crowd appeal immense, his stage presence genuine.

Tommy Crook makes his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma with wife Glenda and 11-year-old daughter, Bonnie. In addition to performing, Tommy also teaches guitar.

Tommy Crook must be heard and seen to believe. Only then, can the magic really be known.

What some of the best say about Tommy Crook…

“Tommy Crook is the most unique and talented guitar player I have seen in my life. I first experienced Tommy over 20 years ago and have been turning people onto him since that time. His influence on guitar players from Tuck Andress to countless lesser-known virtuosos is considerable! Why hire a band when there is Tommy Crook”.
-Ray Benson- “ Asleep at the Wheel”

“He is a great guitar player. He is amazing”.
-J.J. Cale_

“My recollections of Tommy Crook are all positive. Fun, talented, animated and an unbelievable guitar player, he was equally gifted in rock & roll and country and I was proud to call him “my” guitar player in my band for a couple of years.”
-David Gates- “Bread”

Jim is one of the foremost and recognizable bassists in the Tulsa area because of his skill and experience in varied styles of music. He plays regularly with the Tulsa Philharmonic and the Okla. Sinfornia. Jim played nightly on the Same Jones television show with the Sonny Gray Trio and has played for popular local musical productions of Forever Plaid, Honky Tonk Angles and Forever Always the story of Patsy Cline.

In 1995 Jim was selected as a cultural ambassador to Russia as a part of a cultural exchange program. Jim teaches private students and is a bass and guitar instructor for both the University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University. Tommy Crook and Jim Bates have been friends and played together for over three decades.

Attend end Edison High in Tulsa where he had the opportunity to play in the state and national award winning Stage Bond band directed by Mr. Ashley Alexander.

Also during high school, he played with Tuck Andress, David Tanner and Pat “Taco” Ryan in a popular rock band. “Thunder & Lightning” While still in school he met and played some club jobs with the fabulous Tommy Crook. They were just a duo, but some nights. Jim Bates dropped by and sat in on Bass.

After high school, Scott moved to L.A. and kicked around with different bands and backed up whomever. One of his many recording jobs was soundtrack work for the Fat Albert cartoon show. When asked about it he said, “ I can remember only one of those songs. Actually just the Title, “Dope is for Dopes.”

Around 1979, Michael Been and Scott started “ The Call” and landed a contract with Mercury Polygram Records. The Call released several records and CD’s and did very well throughout the 80s. As it started to wind down in the nineties, Scott started playing with Kris Kristopherson. After a few more years of touring the US and Europe, family reasons brought Scott back to Tulsa.

Besides playing live music around town and making occasional trips to Nashville to record with various artists, Scott gives private lessons and has opened the “Musick” school at the Roy & Candy’s music store located on 6th St at Mingo.

Scott has also performed and recorded with:
Elvis Coslello, Peter Cabriel, Smokey Robinson, Harry Dean Stanton Johney Cash, Kris Kristopherson, Hoyt Azton, The Band Delbert McClinton, Chip Taylor, Deevid Cassidy, Pat Boone 2nd Chapter of Acts, Barry McCruire