Tom Brooks Foote was born in Houston, TX early on January 1, 1953. It just so happened that he was the first baby born in Houston that year and as a result got his picture printed in the Houston Press. He was named for his uncle, SSgt Tom Brooks Foote, who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was killed in action over Germany in 1944. Tommy, as he was called from birth, loved country music early on, following his dad, John, who loved country music with a passion his whole life.
Tommy began playing the drums in high school in the early '60s and while attending college at Southwest Texas State, (now Texas State University) Tommy was one of the founding members of a band called Stoney Ridge. The band later became Ace in the Hole, but they needed a lead vocalist, so they posted a wanted ad on a school bulletin board seeking auditions. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in history in 1975, Tommy briefly stepped away from the band and returned to Houston. A few months went by, when "the boys" called urging his return to the drums, as they had auditioned a new singer who was "going to make them all famous"; George Strait, and as they say: the rest is history.
Tommy played a pivotal role in George's career - In 1983, he put down the drumsticks and became his Road Manager, ensuring the smooth operation of the band's tours and performances. Tommy remained dedicated to his role for 48 +years, until his passing on April 29, 2024, leaving behind a legacy in the world of country music. Tommy loved San Marcos and made it his hometown after college, where he had many treasured friends and spent time with his family in Wimberley, Tx. Tommy was known for his loyal support and generosity to his alma mater, but his true passion was baseball and his beloved Houston Astros team! His favorite pastime was watching the Astros from his recliner, talking baseball stats or attending games in person, not to mention all the World Series Victories! Tommy served on the Christus Santa Rosa San Marcos Foundation board for 10 years, facilitating the musical talent for the annual fundraising Galas. Tommy worked with many clubs and dance halls in Texas booking their talent, Mo's place in Katy, TX held a special place in Tommy's heart.
Tommy is survived by his sister, Joan Foote Jenkins, his niece Jessica Anderson and her husband Casey Cannon, his nephew John Travis Jenkins, his wife Whitney and the grandnephews he adored: Brooks & Bennett Jenkins. He is also survived by his longtime girlfriend Ann Guilford, three stepdaughters from a previous marriage who he always considered "his girls" and remained committed to them and their children until the end: Lisa Burleson, Ashley McKellar and Jessica Tessmer. Many Cousins, Lifelong Friends and his entire Country Music Family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday June 13, 2024 @ 1:00 p.m. for friends and family, at the San Marcos Academy Chapel, reception following, 2801 Ranch Rd. 12 San Marcos, TX 78666
In lieu of flowers, A memorial scholarship fund has been established at Texas State University to honor Tommy's memory and contribution to Texas Country Music;
The Tommy Foote Memorial Scholarship Fund for recipients in, "Texas Country Music History". Our hope is that this endowed scholarship fund will bless the lives of many future Texas State musicians and carry on Tommy's love for History and Texas Country Music. Our desire is to keep Tommy's legacy alive at Texas State and beyond. Donations can be mailed to: Texas State University Development Foundation, 601 University Dr. San Marcos, TX 78666.
Arrangements are under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home, 2001 Ranch Rd 12, San Marcos, TX 78666. For more information and to sign the online registry, please visit thomasonfuneralhome.com.
From Musicrow.com:
Tom Foote, Longtime Road Manager For George Strait, Passes
Longtime road manager for George Strait, Tom Foote, has passed away. His passing tragically comes a little over a month after Strait and his band suffered two losses on the same day when his longtime manager Erv Woolsey and his fiddle and mandolin player Gene Elders both died.
Foote first met Strait back in 1975 when his band posted a flyer looking for a singer at Southwest Texas State University. Strait, an agriculture major just back from a stint serving in the Army, auditioned, and the rest is history. The band became Strait’s Ace In The Hole Band and he and Foote became lifelong friends and business partners. As former drummer for the band, Foote transitioned to Strait’s tour manager in 1983.
“We were a bunch of kids back then,” Foote told the Lexington Herald Leader in 2010. “I was 23 and I think George was 24, maybe. We were playing local beer joints and dance halls and really did that for the better part of six years until he got his record deal with MCA. In fact, until George had his record deal, we had never played outside of Texas. It was a really great time. Some of my favorite memories were when we first started.”
Foote had other ties to the music business as well. His uncle was writer Horton Foote, best known for his screenplays for To Kill A Mockingbird and Tender Mercies.
“We lost another one of our good friends and a huge part of our musical journey yesterday,” Strait wrote on Instagram about the loss of his dear friend. “Tom Foote, our one-time drummer and long-time road manager for around 48 years, suddenly passed away at his home after our rehearsal. The band and I were with him most of the afternoon and he was great. Just doing what he loved to do which was making sure we were taken care of. 2024 is taking its toll on the Ace in the Hole group. We’re all heartbroken to say the least. Rest in peace brother Tom. You will be hugely missed. I’ll see you down the road amigo.”
From Texas State University:
Tommy Foote endowed scholarship at TXST to benefit students of Texas music history
George Strait and Tommy Foote during a 2013 music tour.
The scholarship will be awarded to TXST students who are studying Texas music history or are members of Bobcat Country.
October 3, 2024 by Jayme Blaschke
Shane and Courtney Fraser have established an endowed scholarship through the Center for Texas Music History at Texas State University in memory of Tom Brooks “Tommy” Foote, longtime road manager for country music superstar and TXST alumnus George Strait.
The Tommy Foote Memorial Scholarship in Texas Music History will be awarded to Texas State University students in the College of Liberal Arts who are studying Texas music history or to students who are members of Bobcat Country, a student ensemble dedicated to celebrating Texas heritage through performances of both classical and contemporary country music. Foote, a TXST alumnus, died on April 29.
“Tommy Foote spent 50 years in the music industry and served as George Strait’s original drummer in the Ace in the Hole Band. Later, he served as his tour manager for over four decades,” said Courtney Fraser, a longtime friend of Foote’s. “He always remained true to his roots and never lost sight of where he came from. He loved his community, family and friends.
“He lived in San Marcos and held his alma mater, SWT—now Texas State University—in high regard. Tommy was always going above and beyond, raising money for good causes and helping those in need,” she said. “His legacy will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew him, and the mark he made in this world can never be erased.”
Foote was an enthusiastic supporter of the Center for Texas Music History since its founding in 1999. He served on the center’s advisory board for years and helped promote the center in many ways. Among Foote’s greatest pleasures were the regular guest lectures he would give to TXST music history classes in conjunction with the Center for Texas Music History.
Through this scholarship, the Center for Texas Music History strives to ensure that Foote’s legacy continues in perpetuity.
For more information, contact University Communications:
The tragedies continue to accrue for George Strait’s musical family and crew in 2024, with one of Strait’s long-running right-hand men passing away after losing two other important members of his entourage earlier in March.
Tom Foote goes so far back with George Strait, it was Foote who helped hire George in 1975 to front the San Marcos, TX band called Stoney Ridge. Foote founded Stoney Ridge with bass player Terry Hale, steel guitarist Mike Daily, Ron Cabal on lead guitar, and singer Jay Dominguez at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, now known as Texas State. They played mostly honky tonk and Western Swing covers.
But when singer Jay Dominguez left the band, a search went out for a new singer. An agricultural science student at Southwest Texas named George Strait answered a flyer, and became the new frontman. Foote briefly left the band after graduating college, but returned shortly after it reformed as the “Ace in the Hole Band” behind Strait, which still backs the country legend to this day.
The Ace in the Hole Band’s first official gig was on October 13, 1975 at the Cheatham Street Warehouse, with Ted Stubblefield on drums. But Tom Foote quickly replaced him later that year. Along with playing drums, Foote was also the de facto manager of the band, booking many of the gigs, and handling the logistics.
“We didn’t even know what success was in the music business or how to get it,” Foote once said of the group’s early years. “But the first time I heard George sing, I thought, ‘Well, this my chance to find out.’“
Tom Foote would remain Strait’s drummer until 1983 when he was replaced by Roger Montgomery. But Foote stayed on as Strait’s official road manger—a position he held all the way until his death on Monday, April 29th. Foote wasn’t feeling well at a rehearsal on Monday, and was later found dead. No cause of death has been given at this time.
“I was never the greatest drummer in the world. I could play a good Texas shuffle and a good Bob Wills tune, but I’d always done the business and the booking,” Foote once said. “I always enjoyed the business end, so it’s worked out.”
Tom Brooks Foote was raised in Houston, and graduated from Bellaire High School before moving to San Marcos for college. Foote came from a creative family. His uncle was playwright Horton Foote, famous for the 1962 screenplay for To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as for writing the 1982 award-winning country music film Tender Mercies starring Robert Duvall.
Tom Foote’s death comes after George Strait’s business manager Erv Woolsey passed away, as did long time fiddle and mandolin player for the Ace in the Hole Band, Gene Elders, both on March 20th. Foote had recently traveled to Nashville to pay his respects to Woolsey.
Steel guitar player Mike Hale, and bassist Terry Hale are the only remaining original members of the Ace in the Hole Band.
George Strait released the following statement about the death of Tom Foote:
“We lost another one of our good friends and a huge part of our musical journey yesterday. Tom Foote, our one-time drummer and long-time road manager for around 48 years, suddenly passed away at his home after our rehearsal. The band and I were with him most of the afternoon and he was great. Just doing what he loved to do which was making sure we were taken care of. 2024 is taking its toll on the Ace in the Hole group. We’re all heartbroken to say the least. Rest in peace brother Tom. You will be hugely missed. I’ll see you down the road amigo.”
