Thom Bresh

Thomas Charles Bresh (February 23, 1948 – May 23, 2022), sometimes spelled Tom Bresh, was an American country music guitarist and singer. Active from the 1970s, Bresh charted multiple singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Biography Bresh was born on February 23, 1948, in Hollywood, California, as the son of country singer Merle Travis. As a child, Bresh began acting in films and recording his own music. He also worked as a movie stuntman at the Corriganville Movie Ranch.

In 1963, he was a member of the rock and roll band The Crescents featuring Chiyo when they recorded an instrumental track, "Pink Dominos". Producer Kim Foley issued this as a 45 rpm single with "Breakout" on the B-side. "Pink Dominos" peaked at No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1964.

He then released a solo single about D. B. Cooper which was withdrawn due to controversy over its subject matter.

Starting in 1972, Bresh recorded for Kapp Records. His first charted single, "Home Made Love", made number six on the Hot Country Songs charts in 1976. Record World magazine published a positive review of Portrait, calling the album "versatile" and noting the variety of musical influences. Included on Portrait was a cover of "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)" which featured Bresh performing thirteen different impersonations. and made a guest appearance on the TNN special A Salute to the Country Greats. As a producer, he has been employed by country legend Jerry Reed, classical guitarist Valerie DuChateau, and Merle Travis. As a videographer, Bresh has shot, produced, and edited projects for Hank Thompson, Lyle Lovett, Brooks & Dunn, George Jones, Tanya Tucker, Merle Haggard and Jerry Reed.

Bresh was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2021. He died in Nashville on May 23, 2022, at the age of 74.

Discography

Albums Year Album Label Comment 1976 Homemade Love Farr Records – FL-1000 1977 Kicked Back ABC Dot – DO-2084 1978 PortraitABC Records – AB-1055? Bresh and Brody Live!Double B Ent. 0051w/ Lane Brody1993Son Of A Guitar Pickin' ManBelle Meade Records – BMCD-193? Next GenerationBelle Meade Records – BMCD-4941992, 1993 Live & Pickin'!Belle Meade Records – BMCD-195, DCM Digital Records – DCM100ca 1995 The World's Greatest Guitar Pickin' Entertainer In The WorldLegend LR-109live album, enhanced reissue of BMCD-195, feat. Buster B. Jones1999 Wires To The WoodDCM Digital Records – DCM1012001 Guts & Steel [Groovemasters vol. 5]Solid Air Records – SACD2025w/ Buster B. Jones2002 Down & Not Too DirtyBresh Entertainment?2011? @ Home?ca 2013? Guitar Boy?2018? Time?

Singles Year Single US Country US AC Album 1976 "Homemade Love" 6 — Homemade Love "Sad Country Love Song" 17 37 "Hey Daisy (Where Have All the Good Times Gone)" 33 — 1977 "Until I Met You" 57 — Kicked Back "That Old Cold Shoulder" 48 — 1978 "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)" 78 — Portrait "Ways of a Woman in Love" 74 — "First Encounter of a Close Kind" 84 — singles only 1982 "When It Comes to Love" (with Lane Brody) 77 — 1983 "I'd Love You to Want Me" — — "Somebody Like You" — —