Tommy Beavers dies at 74, Alabama drummer passed away in his sleep

The music community is in complete grief after the death of legendary drummer Tommy Beavers. Longtime drummer and singer Tommy Beavers passed away suddenly on October 30, 2023. Read on to learn more about the death of Tommy Beavers.

Tommy Beavers passed away:

It is with great sadness, that we announce the death of the two-time Grammy award Winner, Tommy Beavers who passed away at the age of 74.

Marv Tones posted about this sad news in the following social media statement that reads, 

My old friend Tommy Beavers died last night in his sleep at age 74, hope it was painless & quick. This pic is him & me in 2010 at my then-house with his Grammy Award, which he was immensely proud of. Played with him sometimes including a duo we did for a few months at Jan’s, also will never forget the 1 gig I did with him & Harmony in 2011. He had a good heart & soul & was a really smart guy & good at handling band business. He was also good with funny band names and my favorite of his was “The Well-Hung Arians”. I had known who he was since the late 70s, but I didn’t formally meet him until 1987 and we did some work in a studio that I co-owned. He won his Grammy playing with Asleep At The Wheel in 1994 & there are some YouTube clips of him playing with them at big gigs like Farm Aid. Every drummer in this town who got to see him in his prime will tell you that Tommy Beavers was the best drummer ever from Montgomery. R.I.P Beev, you pingy pangy damma drumma (he would know what I’m saying)

Tommy Beavers cause of death:

Tommy Beavers, Alabama drummer passed away in his sleep. In 2020, he was first hospitalized because of a severe cellulitis infection in his right leg.

Beavers battled an infection in his right leg for weeks at the hospital before being released home with antibiotics on December 5, 2020. Regretfully, Beavers’ infection worsened, necessitating another visit to the hospital for surgery on December 20. His health became better by time and he started to continue his musical journey. Unfortunately, Beavers passed away in his sleep on October 30, 2023.

A Gofundme campaign was started by Andy Norman to support Beavers. Norman stated, “I have started this fund raiser to help with my band mate and musical brother Tommy Beavers funeral expenses. Please give all you can, and know that all money, minus GoFundMe’s fees will go to Tommy’s wife Brenda to pay for Tommy’s final expenses. Thank you!!”

To support Beavers click on the link below: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tommy-beavers

Who was Tommy Beavers?

Beavers was the drummer for Lyle Lovett and the Asleep and the Wheel Band on the song “Blues for Dixie,” which earned him a 1994 Grammy Award in the country music group category. 

He has performed with the River Rats, Andy Norman, Bama Breeze, Kandu Band, and N’Kahootz in recent years. He has performed frequently at the Wetumpka VFW with various bands. 

Beavers played drums for the Shouting Stones during a concert hosted by the Montgomery Area Musicians Association at Lisenby’s Music Shop in Prattville. He also performed at the Talledega Speedway in Lincoln, AL. 

Beavers was such a talented drummer and an all-around nice person. He earned a Grammy while playing drums with Asleep At The Wheel, was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and his Grammy is on display there.

Tommy Beavers Career:

Tommy began drumming at the age of twelve. He was self-taught and developed an interest in piano and singing. He had his first real break as a musician with a group named “The Creoles.” This quartet was based in central Tennessee. In 1963, the band began touring the Southeast.

Tommy moved to Las Vegas in 1967, where he eventually got a place in the “Jumping” Gene Simmons Band. American singer-songwriter Gene Simmons gained notoriety in 1964 with his novelty track “Haunted House.”

He received a chance to perform at the Sands Hotel with Doc Severson’s backup band while he was a senior in high school. Thanks to this chance, he performed in Vegas with numerous other bands.

Tommy’s Bands:

Tommy performed in a band named “Colossus” from 1970 to 1972. He got a brief role in Clint Eastwood’s film “Dirty Harry” while performing with this group. Tommy would appear in a scene in a bar as a member of a band.

At the age of 24, he returned to Montgomery, Alabama in 1974. Tommy joined the band “Harvest” with a lot of friends. Tommy Shaw, a singer and songwriter, was an integral part of this band before leaving to join the rock group “STYX.” Harvest would open for several headliners, including “Blood Sweat and Tears,” England Dan & John Ford Coley, and the rock band “KISS” in 1975 at the Garrette Coliseum in Montgomery, Alabama.

Tommy Shaw left the band soon after, and Beth Nielsen Chapman replaced him as singer. The band then renamed themselves as “Harmony.” With time, the band would eventually break up.

As Tommy settled in Destin, Florida, he began performing there regularly and joined up with other individuals to launch a studio monitor business named “Truth Audio.” Jeff Cook of the country band “Alabama” is among the many who would support the business.

Tommy received an offer to perform with the band “Asleep at the Wheel” in 1991. Tommy would continue to play with this group until 1995. He won a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals while he was a member of this band. Tommy received two nominations; the second one was for “Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.”

Tommy proceeded to tour with the group, heading to England, Scotland, and Norway in tandem with the Texas Tornadoes and the Sub Dudes. In 2017, Tommy received an Achievement induction into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Condolences to Tommy Beavers:

David Heath Cowen posted,

Rest In Peace Tommy Beavers. It was an honor to get to play with this guy. I always enjoyed riding to our gigs together. He could make me laugh as hard as anyone. He was a great storyteller, a gentle giant, and a living legend. Even when his health took a turn, he was always cracking jokes. See ya on the other side brother.

Andy Norman posted,

Terrible news this morning, my longtime friend and bandmate, legendary drummer Tommy Beavers has died. No other info at this time . When info on arrangements is known, we’ll share it here. Please keep Brenda and his family in your prayers. This is a terrible loss to everyone . . Brenda Beavers

Becky Thompson posted,

Well my heart broke when I heard the news today… I had the pleasure of working with Tommy Beavers, one of the best drummers around, but most of all he was such a good person. He did what he loved till the very end. We will all miss you my friend!!! Please pray for Brenda and family.

Steve Camilleri posted,

Just got bad news about an old drummer friend of mine from my Destin Florida days. Tommy Beavers. He was a Grammy Award winning drummer with Western Swing Band Asleep at the Wheel. His playing was effortless smooth soulful and beyond ,Just magic. His drumming was inspirational. I’m so glad we became fast friends and keep in touch though social media throughout the years . I can honestly say he was a drum hero. Rest in Peace Tommy Beavers you will be missed sir. My condolences to his family and the Destin music family.

Becky Thompson posted,

Well my heart broke when I heard the news today… I had the pleasure of working with Tommy Beavers, one of the best drummers around, but most of all he was such a good person. He did what he loved till the very end. We will all miss you my friend!!! Please pray for Brenda and family.

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