by Kim Walls

Leaping from the Deer Park stage to the dance floor, the Rockett 88 Blues Band guitarist continues playing as he climbs on tables, bar stools, and finally the bar. He strums his guitar over and behind his head. As he makes his way back to the stage the lead singer, Mark Kenneally, announces, "That was Tommy Conwell folks, let's give him a big hand.

Conwell, with his Buddy Holly haircut, grey snake skin shoes, and baggy black pants, throws a warm, lopsid­ed grin to the cheering crowd. Conwell has been playing with, this band for almost a year. Traveling the eastern seaboard from New York to Baltimore, they average three to four performances a week. Last week, however, they played six nights. "It was like a dream come true," said Conwell. "That's all I ever wanted to do with my life."

Leaving his house at 5 p.m. and not returning until 6 a.m., Conwell admits the hours are long but he says the work is not hard. "In the middle of a gig Mark will turn to me and say, “It beats working. That's our big slogan."

Conwell says be owes a lot to Kenneally for asking him to join his band. "All you need is a chance and then you can make it or blow it," Conwell said. According to his roommate, Brian O'Neil, Conwell's suc­cess is well-deserved. "Tom­my really paid his dues," O'Neil said.

Conwell ponders for awhile, trying to count the number of bands he has played with, then shrugs and admits he really can't remember. He does, however, remember the best gig he has ever played.
"It was with a `doo-wop' group called the Cherokees," he recalled. "The crowd was enjoying themselves thoroughly. It was beautiful and it couldn't have been bet­ter." The best gig in Newark, Conwell says, is in the Deer Park. "People who go there are definitely interested in having a good time."

In high school ConweIl dreamed of becoming a jazz musician. Playing with the Delaware Jazz Ensemble, especially for Phil Wood and Dizzy Gillespie, was a "great experience" for him but he confesses that he has lost some interest in jazz. "I still want to play jazz, but blues is really what I want to do now. I aspire to be an all-round musician. There are so many avenues of expres­sion in music. I want to try them all," Conwell explained. 

Schoolwork, Conwell said, takes a "real serious dedicated effort. I like school. The lifestyle can't be beat, but I know I'll never do anything more with it." Conwell continued, "I got music in me and that's all I have. It's a gift." Conwell hopes to gain a reputable position in the music world. "I want the respect of other musicians so when they need a guitar player they will call me. I just want to work a lot, like six nights a week, and reach people with my music. Then, I'll be happy."