Tommy From DSM
- Thread starter IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life
- Start date
Every town has its Tommy. Iowa sports are his life. It's our chance to take a deep breath and practice patience. Be kind.
I always liked Tommy. He sounds a little gruff but has some good observations and I enjoy hearing what he has to say!
I love the guy. To me he is a true Iowa Icon.
It makes me feel bad that he feels compelled to hang up so quickly on Sound Off. I hope he knows many fans hold him in high regard.
Sound Off isn’t complete until Tommy from Des Moines calls.
It makes me feel bad that he feels compelled to hang up so quickly on Sound Off. I hope he knows many fans hold him in high regard.
Sound Off isn’t complete until Tommy from Des Moines calls.
Des Moines Rag did a story on him 15-20 years ago. Find him amusing.
Haha, what? I have nothing against the guy, but I've never heard much in the way of real observation/analysis from him.
Back in the 90's Hayden Fry made a special effort to meet up with Tommy in person.
I heard he's been banned from calling Kirk on his weekly radio show.
I've met him I'm guessing he's in his 70's. Short in stature. Thought I heard he has/had some health challenges. Hayden told me he applied for a job on his staff (over 25+ years ago). Do you all remember "Zinger" from Burlington on the call in show in the Fry era? You could always count on Tommy and Zinger to call in. It was pure entertainment.
The old Fry call in show was far different than the KF show. Much more open. Zabel would openly rip callers and people went after Fry at times. Hard to believe now, but it happened.
I would regularly listen to Soundoff and coaches show years ago. Seldom listen anymore. Loved Zabel on soundoff in old days.
MANY years ago I was in Younkers on Merle Hay looking at some Jeans - and all of a sudden I heard this voice that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. It was Tommy 100%. You could pick out that unique voice ANYWHERE. And yeah - he looked like he was 100 at that time.
No kidding? Was there a pic?
Dolph told me one time that he's a very distinguished looking man.
I'd love to read the article if somebody can find it from the files.
Yes there was a picture and it seemed like he was in his 50's then. I googled it and have not been able to find it. Not sure distinguished is the word I would use. Seems like Tommy and Smiley the button man have been around forever. I went to girls State softball and there is Smiley. Ran into Smiley at football season opener this year.
I don't know Smiley or a thing about him. Hope I'm not embarrassing myself.
I wonder if Rick Brown would know how to get that article. I can't remember a time in my life without Tommy and I'm in my 60's.
Hopefully someone else can help us out. I know there are posters who know him.
I recall he was going to have him another famous caller on the sidelines. Seems to me that might not have happened, but I don't recall for sure.
I met him once. Was behind him in line at the visitation for Pete Taylor. I knew the second I saw him that it HAD to be Tommy from Des Moines. He looked exactly as I had pictured him.
I picture him as looking like Johnny Paycheck just before he died, with oxygen tubes sticking out of his nose.
I picture him as a tall thin man with a full head of white hair and a slightly angry look on his face.
I like to picture my Tommy in a Tuxedo T-Shirt.....
My Tommy goes with the power look.
Same here. Maybe it was because I was younger, but the old Soundoff with Mike Newell and Larry Cotlar was something I would listen to in it's entirety. The one now on 1040 with Travis Justice totally sucks. He's not a Hawk and seems like a contrarian in nature. Also is very inappropriate at times on the morning show. The call in show on 600 AM with Trevor Bollers, Lew Montgomery, and Andy Peterson is excellent and they often find things to criticize so they are far from Hawk Homers even though you know they are rooting for Iowa.
Anthony Bourdain with shades and a cigar?I picture him as a tall thin man with a full head of white hair and a slightly angry look on his face.
I’ve been in this man’s house when he lived on the south side of Des Moines.I picture him as a tall thin man with a full head of white hair and a slightly angry look on his face.
I never he knew he lived in DSM.
For whom did he work and when was that?
How were his drugs?
He lived off SW 30th and Park Ave. I worked for his brother at a couple bars. I believe Johnny had a couple bars previous to meeting him. He was writing his book in late 80s Son of a Gun, I believe was the working name. Unique guy, one of a kind. Any other questions, I can not confirm or deny. His brother Frankie was in plane crash with Rocky Marciano.
I never he knew he lived in DSM.
For whom did he work and when was that?
How were his drugs?
