The Katherine Golden Guitar winner has a serious message to spread as part of his Speak Up tour through school visits. 

Through his close relationship with the parents of Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett, Tom was inspired to write ‘Speak Up’, following the teenager’s sudden death after being relentlessly bullied. He released the single with fellow Golden Guitar winner, Sara Storer, raising money and awareness for Dolly’s Dream. 

The hit song reached No. 1 on the iTunes Country Music Chart. Tom will tour schools and communities as part of his national Speak Up Tour in early 2019 to promote the positive message behind the song and encourage people to speak up against bullying so no other family has to endure the tragedy the Everett family has faced. 

Through his work in raising awareness of the effects of bullying, Tom became involved in Dolly’s Dream. The organisation works to raise awareness of bullying and its effects, prevent bullying and to support victims of bullying. 

“We have had an amazing response from schools already wanting to be involved,” Tom said. 

“I will be sharing my story of growing up in drought on our family farm, and the challenges we have experienced in getting to where we are today, together with the Speak Up message on behalf of Dolly’s Dream. We hope to inspire students that anything is possible with the right mindset and hard work, together with being good people.” 

He’ll be at the Tenterfield Showground on Saturday, January 12 from 6pm; Goondiwindi Showground on Sunday, January 13 from 4pm, Glen Innes Showground on Thursday, January 17 from 6pm (this one’s a free event); and at Guyra’s Rotary Park on Friday, January 18 from 6pm during the Lamb and Potato Festival.

These stops are among a three-month tour which will take him up-and-down the Eastern states, bringing a piece of the Territory along with him.

“Many of these communities are in drought and need something to look forward to, to make them smile and allow them to forget about their worries for a couple of hours,” Tom said.

“We have made every effort to ensure the shows are affordable, particularly for families and we have been overwhelmed by the level of support from communities and councils wanting us to come to their towns.”

Tom is a horse and dog trainer and an all-round entertainer and loves to make audiences smile with his family-friendly performances.

“Combining the horses, dogs and music provides a real family-orientated event,” he said.

“There aren’t too many events where all age groups from toddlers through to retirees can enjoy the event.

“We hope to inspire our guests by sharing our knowledge and experiences in animal training to show how you can achieve great results by building a relationship around trust.”