Tommy Raye Rodriguez started playing piano and singing in 1969 at the age of 4. Teaching himself music every moment he could, he soon picked up drums, guitar and bass as well. Tommy was 8 years old when he had his first public performance in his hometown of San Antonio. In his high school and college years Tommy pursued an intensive study of classical piano with many of the best music professors and won the top competitions in the state.
Tommy began performing professionally throughout South Texas in 1980. Playing clubs, corporate events, parties and weddings, he amassed one of the largest music repertoires in the country and mastered the ability of reading and winning his crowd (an ability he partly credits to entertainer music and funny man Andy Kaufman). Working them into a roar of admiration, he satisfied audiences no matter what their age or music liking. One of Tommy’s highlights through the 80’s was playing piano for Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Bo Didley.
Working as a musical director for the Polygram and Sony record labels through the 90’s he played shows across the country with various national recording artists including .38 Special, Natalie Cole, Richard Marx and Eddie Money. In 2000 Tommy brought his music show to Hollywood, spending a year performing at Universal Studios CityWalk. In recent years he’s been in show line ups with Dionne Warwick, Darius Rucker and Huey Lewis and The News. He has also been recognized as the “Face” of Howl At The Moon Dueling Piano Bar on the Riverwalk San Antonio where he has been a featured performer since 1996. Tommy’s television credits include worldwide appearances on Club MTV, The Pat Sajak Show and The Billboard International Music Awards live from Caesar’s Palace where he played piano for Spanish megastar Franco De Vita.
When COVID 19 shut down Tommy’s professional livelihood in 2020 it didn’t shut down his never ending passion and continued desire to provide impeccable music service under any and all condition. And therefore he created PianoGram and introduced “Ark One”, the first and only fully mobile and moveable Class A digital stage music production with baby grand included for drive by celebrations and socially distanced outdoor events featuring T. Raye in the musical drivers seat. His natural talent, improvisational humor and attention to every detail of the performance has made him a favorite of clients, agents, brides and fellow musicians for over 35 years.
When he’s not giving his spectators everything they want and more, Tommy lives for his home and Family life in the deer infested northwoods of Bexar County Texas where he builds memories daily with his kids Olivia, Lillian, Caroline and River.