Oscar Thomas “Tommy” Detamore Jr., passed away on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 70. Tommy was born on September 8th, 1955, in Charlottesville, Virginia, to Bertha and Oscar Thomas Detamore Sr.

Tommy grew up on Carter Mountain overlooking the historic Monticello, where his father and Uncle owned an apple orchard farm. His love of music began at an early age when his mother gave him piano lessons. He graduated from Albemarle High School, where he was involved in music, and later in 1978 he earned an associate degree in education, graduated cum laude from Piedmont Virginia Community College. While his musical journey began with guitar and the saxophone, it was the pedal steel guitar that would ultimately become his signature sound and define his remarkable career.

Tommy studied pedal steel guitar with the legendary Buddy Charleton and moved to Texas in 1981 to pursue his professional music career. One of his first Texas musical experiences was performing with band called, A Little Bit of Texas. There he became lifelong friends with Lee Mounger.

Tommy also began playing steel guitar with Darrell McCall, and in 1982 he joined Moe Bandy’s band. During his seven years with Moe. Tommy traveled extensively and performed on of some country music’s most recognized stages and televisions programs, including the Hee Haw, Nashville Now, New Country, and New Country.

Over the course of his career, Tommy performed and recorded with an extraordinary list of artists, including Ray Price, Johnny Bush, Ronnie Milsap, Jim Lauderdale, Clay Blaker, Sunny Sweeney, Doug Sahm, Augie Meyers, Dallas Wayne, Bill Kirchen, Tanya Tucker, Dennis Quaid, Micky Dolenz, Jesse Daniels, The Texas Tornados, Raul Malo, Robert Earl Keen, Redd Volkaert, Gary Nicholson, Gary P Nunn, and many more. Tommy even join a few of them on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, Austin City Limits and Sandy’s favorite was watching Jim Lauderdale and Tommy perform at the County Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tommy’s music took him to some remarkable places and events. In 1988 Tommy accompanied Moe Bandy as he performed for then future president George H.W.Bush on the campaign trail. Then in 1997, Tommy performed with Clay Blaker at the 53rd Presidential Inauguration for President Clinton. Tommy was honored to played steel guitar for George Strait’s charitable fundraiser events. His 4th of July dates were always Sandy’s favorites!

In 1991, Tommy founded Cherry Ridge Studio in Floresville, Texas, where he became highly respected as a producer, recording engineer, musician, and mentor. His remarkable ear and knowledge of music made him a trusted collaborator for artists from across the country and generations of country, western swing, Americana, and roots music. One of Tommy’s later musical partnerships was with rising Texas country artist Ty Meyers. Tommy produced Ty’s first 8 songs, helping shape the young artist’s early sound and career. Three of those songs are on Ty’s album The Select and two have gone on to reach Gold, status and one Platinum.

Tommy’s accomplishments were recognized throughout the music industry. He a member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, received the Academy of Western Artist’ Record Producer of the Year award in 2008, was honored with the Hero of Western Swing award shortly before his passing, and was named 2025 Steel Guitarist of the Year by the Texas Country Music Association. Tommy earned a Grammy nomination for Best County Instrumental performance for engineering Bill Kirchen’s track “Poultry in Motion” in 2001.

While Tommy’s professional accomplishments were extraordinary, those who knew him best will remember much more than the music. Tommy was a generous teacher, mentor, storyteller, Drama Papa, and friend. He had an incredible ability to bring people together and was always willing to share his knowledge and experiences with musicians coming up behind him. His influence lives on through the countless artists he encouraged, the recordings he helped create, and the musicians who carry something of Tommy.

Tommy loved The Lord. Tommy was very active in church and played guitar and steel guitar at San Antonio Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas where he received the Spirit Builder award. Tommy served as Pastor of Music at Floresville’s Oak Hills Community Church and play for First Baptist Church in Floresville, and Life Church in La Vernia, Texas. Tommy was always ready and will play for the Lord. So, the last 8 years that is what he did. It might have been a Cowboy church, a non-denominational church, or any kind of church, it didn’t matter what kind of church, so long as it was for The Lord, he was in. Sandy enjoyed seeing him serve the Lord and watching him do so for 41 years. Their son Thomas witnessed how a family should serve the Lord. Together as a family, they built a life filled with music, laughter, family, adventure, countless memories. To his friends and musical family, he was one of a kind, someone whose talent was matched by his humor, generosity, loyalty, and unmistakable personality.

Tommy was proceeded in death by his parents, Bertha and Oscar Thomas Detamore Sr., and his sister Kathy Detamore.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sandy Detamore; his son, Oscar Thomas Detamore III; and an extraordinary community of family, friends, musicians, artist, colleagues, and students whose lives and music are better because Tommy was a part of them.

We ask for your continued prayers for the family during this difficult time. We also hope you will join them on Thursday, November 5th, at 1:00 pm at Texas Pride Barbecue in Adkins, Texas for a Memorial Celebration Tribute honoring Tommy.

The Celebration will be emceed by Sunny Sweeny and will feature Cherry Ridge Studio musicians John Owens, Ronnie Huckaby, John Carroll, and Töm Bätts, along with special guest, including Moe Bandy, Jim Lauderdale, Clay Blaker, and many more special artist and musicians whose lives and music were touched by Tommy.

Tony Talanco, owner of Texas Pride Barbeque, will serve as location host. Family and friends are invited to arrive at the beginning of the celebration to join Sandy, Thomas, and the family in prayer. Pastor Mike Clements will lead the prayer before the celebration begins. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Samaritanspurse.org.

Tommy may no longer be sitting behind his steel, sharing a story, or making everyone in the room laugh, but his music, and the memories he created will continue to play on in the hearts of all who loved him. His music will play forever, and Tommy Detamore will never be forgotten.

Galatians 5 22:26