Tom Gardner
Marital Status:
Married 18 years
Children?
I have 3 children, Daughters 16 and 13, son, 10
Grandchildren?
Oh God, did you have to include that!
Occupation:
Entertainer, children's music
Volunteer and Professional Activities:
Baseball, soccer, softball coach, etc...
Current hobbies and interests:
tennis, golf, writing music, maybe I'll actually build on this list once our kids get older, for now, who has time?
What percentage of your hair is visibly gray (is this a trick question?)
The easier question to ask is, “what percentage is NOT gray?”. I used to worry about, now I just hang out with old people and I feel young again!
If you had one year free of all responsibility and unlimited funds, what would you do?
Hermosa Beach, California- wake up late, sunshine, exercise, healthy food, total rejuvination, producing music in the afternoons and doing whatever occurs to me.
What are the most rewarding things that you have done in your life?
Trying to be a good father, teaching them to be the best they can be. Also, writing songs for children that could possibly make a difference in their life, especially my song about never smoking.
What rewarding things do you plan to do in your life?
I envision creating a non profit organization designed to prevent children from smoking. Raising money to get into schools in areas of the country that can't afford these valuable programs for their children.
What are your favorite non-family related things to do in your free time?
Playing tennis & golf, watching movies, visiting with friends
How would you best describe your idea of "being successful?"
Seeing your children doing better than you did.
What are your most vivid memories of your days in Ridgewood?
Cruising through town, mooning the long line at Espositos, looking for girls (as if that's ever worked!), summer night swimming at Graydon pool and hiding from the cops, Ridgewood football games (and the traditional burning of Freddie Fairlawn) and the after parties at the Fireplace, Mr. Burke's photo class and Mr. P's Graphic arts- Damien Stark falling twice for the funnel trick, rock climbing the clock tower and putting a bra on the clock so at 3:15 it looked like a woman, 4th of July fireworks on our roof across the street.
What achievement or activity are you most proud of in your life?
Changing careers at 40 and creating The Uncle Brothers' 3 CDs and watching it work and grow.
What single piece of wisdom would you like to leave for the next generation?
Listen to your parents, then do what you have do and do it better than we did.
(second piece of advice: don't judge us by the music from the 70's!)
How have you changed since high school?
OMG….Who has time to read all that! Everything but the positive attitude is a complete 180!
What else should we know about you?!
I'll let you know when I find out!