Tom's Musical Timeline 1974-2023

A list of everything else musical that's not already covered!

Thom aged 13 with his grandparents - Winn & Tom Sr.

Fall 1974 – At the age of ten, my clock radio is left on at night to help me sleep, I fall into slumber with Elton John (Philadelphia Freedom and Bennie and the Jets), Helen Reddy (Angie Baby, I am Woman), Ozark Mountain Daredevils (Jackie Blue), Thelma Houston (Don’t leave me this way), and Minnie Ripperton (Lovin’ You) I also began to discover music on TV, through the shows American Bandstand and Soul Train. 

Dec 1974 – My family visits a family friend, acoustic guitarist Jerry Risser of Brantford, where he has built a studio in his basement. I’m too shy to sing on the microphone, but my mother does.  Jerry had just issued a Christmas album of instrumental music performed on his acoustic guitar. My father Bill Ryerson and uncle Norm Winegarden contributed to the visuals for the LP booklet. 

1975 – A neighborhood friend of mine, Nick Nosko, was really into music as well, and he and I begin to attend a regular repertory theatre that shows music related movies such as Woodstock, Gimmi Shelter, Imagine, Concert for Bangladesh, Ladies & Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones, Live at Pompeii, and Tommy.   

April 1978 - I sing in front of other people for the first time! In Grade Seven I had a huge crush on Tracey Mawson, and she, myself and her best friend Karen Lagerwerf watched the Kindergarten class during recesses and lunch. On one occasion I took a toy frog, jumped up on one of the tables, and sung Johnny Rivers hit "Slow Dancing," to the two girls. I actually changed the lyrics to "Slow Dancing, just me and my frog." For some reason Tracey never did warm up to me. Her loss!

June 1978 – ‘The Pittsburgh Stealers’ is a big hit for the Kendall’s; and after my successful debut in front of Tracey and Karen, I suggest to my parents that I sing the song with my sister for the London Fair singing contest. They say, “That’s a great idea Tommy, but who would your sister sing with?” Needless to say it didn’t happen. (And I'm still more famous than my sister!)

May 1979 – My 1^st cousin Mike Winegarden introduces me to the music of Cheap Trick, Kiss, AC/DC, and Supertramp. Although Mike is my first cousin, I consider him the brother my parents never had. 

August 11 1979 - At the Lucan Fair I heard an awesome instrumental song coming from one of the rides. I asked the guy operating the ride what it was and he said “Child’s Anthem,” by Toto. He jotted it down on some paper for me, and I bought the 45 on my next trip to London.  Other 45’s I bought around this time were “I don’t like Mondays” by the Boomtown Rats, “Star Wars Theme” by Meco, and both “Close Encounters of the third kind theme” and the “Star Wars theme” by John Williams. I began to build up a solid collection of 45’s.  

Fall 1980 – I join my high school choir, where the Choir Leader comments on my ‘lovely soprano voice.’

Spring 1981 – I dream up the imaginary band ‘Nova’ and design album covers and song titles in school. I write lyrics for the song ‘Images of Man.’

Aug 14 1981 – I get my 1968 Chev Impala on the road and meet up with old friends Danny Stevens (who plays me a Dayglo Abortions LP) and Nick Nosko. We go to a party and enjoy some hash and beer.   

Feb 1982 – As the result as a relationship break-up, (Jackie Rosch) I begin to write more emotional lyrics, my newest song is called ‘Out of this world.’ I sing all my early songs onto cassette tapes, creating the lyrics as I sang, and then transcribing them after I had finished. There are about 20 ninety minute tapes created like this.  

June 25 1982 – Upon hearing ‘Tainted Love,’ I immerse myself into the band Soft Cell. Several of my friends and I jam out the song on piano, spoons and bongos. 

Jan 1 1984 – I proclaim myself a serious contender to make music my career.    

Oct 1984 – My first band, ‘The Con-Feds’ with acoustic guitarist Gabor Fabian in Thunder Bay, ON. As well, I really want to blow my college grant on a brand new Korg synthesizer. Thankfully my wife Belinda talks me out of spending $4,000 on a keyboard I didn't even know how to play! 

Mar 4 1985 – My second band, ‘The Dead Puppies’ formed with several college buddies. We have a punk-country, acoustic sound. We eventually release two CD's, a single and a video on YouTube. 

Aug 18 1985 – Meet up with Nick Nosko again, and we jam out some tunes with his brother Alex who’s a drummer. I sing and Nick plays electric guitar. We do a whack of B.T.’s and create some very cool and spacey music with stream of conscious vocals. The next day I hang out with my old neighborhood pal Danny Stevens and catch up over the past 4 years.

Sept 24 1985 – On my 21^st birthday at the Inn Towner Hotel I meet the band “The Cheer” who say I can come up on stage and sing with them, but I was too shy. (Or not drunk enough!)

Sept 30 1985 – I meet legendary British musician Roy Harper at the Inn Towner in Thunder Bay, attending each of his two shows.

Oct 11 1985 – At the Inn Towner I see “The Extras”, a great band from Toronto who dedicate their hit ‘I can’t stand still’ to the Dead Puppies!

Feb 5^th 1986 – The Dead Puppies disband after their third recording session, which results in the cassette of Pathological Profile and the CD Sky Skrapping. 

Feb 25 1986 – I meet Canadian superstar Burton Cummings after a concert in Thunder Bay. He signs a copy of his debut 1976 album for me. 

Mar 4 1986 – Meet synthesizer player Gerald Seaman, who scores our college films, and as well he and I record two original songs, ‘Never Never’ (April 1st) and ‘Going Down’ (April 5th) as H-bloc. Going Down was written and recorded in four hours. 

April 23rd 1986 - I'm supposed to auditon for a Kitchener band as lead vocalist, but no one is at the band room when I show up. 

April 25th 1986 - During my placement with Cable 4 in Kitchener, we taped the live performance of IZOD, who did an original set, then came back as Judas Priest. We also shot two promo videos for them. The venue was the Corenet Strip Club, which was pretty eye openeing in itself! 

Feb 7th 1987 – I enter ‘Going Down’ in a London music contest using the name of Thomas Dorian, and my stage name is mentioned on the radio in the honorable mentions on March 8th 1987 on FM96.

April 25th 1987 - I see my short film "Shoulder To Shoulder" play on The Super Channel while visiting my parents. Gerald Seaman performed and composed the music to the film. He was the same musician who played all the instruments on 'Going Down.' Even though I never did anything with my film education, it was prety neat to see my film on a national station. After graduation in April 1986 I was placed with Cable 4 in Kitchener, ON for three weeks. They helped me transfer my film from 1/2 inch video tape to VHS, and assited me in preparing my entry, so that was appreciated. 

July 1987 – I join the choir at Trinity United Church singing countertenor. 

Oct 1 1987 – I take a poetry writing course with noted Thamesford poet Beryl Baigent. 

Oct 14 1987 - My first poetry reading, I read 'October.' 

Nov 20 1987 – Through my 1st cousin Mike Winegarden, I meet Jeff Healey at the Bomb Shelter at the University of Waterloo.

Nov 23 1987 – Nick Nosko calls me about music, as we last jammed about two years before. We meet and he likes my original lyrics. We decide to form a five piece band initially called 'The Houdini's,' and then later, ‘Cosmic Accelerator.’ Nick - Keys, Guitar, B.V.'s, Dave - Guitar, Paul - Bass, Carey - Drums, Thom - Lead Vocals. We jam on and off until January 25th 1988 and then call it quits; my third band. I kick in $100 for the band room. 

January 10th 1988 - I try working with Ingersoll keyboardist Jim Taylor, but he thinks I'm just out to steal his original songs. 

May 28 1988 – Try to record my original song ‘Heartstrings’ in London with my drummer cousin Mike Winegarden & guitarist Gary Walker in London, ON.  The sessions crash by 8 pm because of my lack of confidence in myself and the song. (The song is never recorded) 

August 27 1988 – I record ‘Memory’ from Cats (Song by A.L. Webber) at the Woodstock Fair singing booth.  I had planned to record more songs, but it was $30 a shot. (Forever unreleased!) 

Oct 10 1988 – I lead the congregation at Trinity United Church before service with three songs, the first of which is ‘Morning has broken.’ This is my second live solo performance, and first since 1978. I'm now 24 years old. 

Dec 21 1988 - Rob Hayden Box answers my ad about a keyboardist, but it doesn't pan out. 

January 28 1989 - I meet with Lydia Forrest at her place in London, ON, to work on some originals, including 'The Quiet Room.' She was a pop keyboardist/vocalist who had just quit her band. Our first session was fruitful, but then she went back to her band, and that was all she wrote. 

Feb 22 1989 - Work with paino player Eunice Edna Wilson, and I leave 'Heart Strings' with her. 

Feb 23 1989 – With Norfolk County legend Bob ‘No-Show’ Harris I cut three original songs under the moniker of ABS Absolute. (I end up writing a book about Bob's life in Nov 2022)

Feb 26 1989 – I sing a duet with eighteen year old choir-mate Shauna Franklin during church service. 

Mar 12 1989 – I meet Ingersoll bassist Steve Shelton, and we 3 spend years trying to get a band together. We do record a couple of tracks. When things are looking up, Steve is killed in a single car accident on March 15^th 1992, at the age of 21.

May 2 1989 – I audition for the Ingersoll death-metal band Macification, who at the time was known as Terminal Conflict. I wasn’t their man, and they released a commercial recording before I did, in May 1992. Unfortunately two of the five band members were killed in a car accident in July 1993.   

May 20 1989 – A.B.S. Absolute try to record a four song EP featuring ‘Stained’, ‘Stand on it,’ 'Satin,’ and 'Take Me Back (To Freeman Station)' at drummer Brian Walker’s in Ingersoll, ON but No-Show Bob Harris is a, believe it or not, a no-show. These four songs were written by Bob and I. Steve and I end up recording a new original song, "Water." 

June 22 1989 – I buy an inexpensive keyboard (Yamaha VSS 200) hoping I can learn it as an instrument. I find it hard to sing and play at the same time. I record as ‘Jean Thomas’; ‘Such Fast Friends,’ ‘Mistakes I’ve made, ‘Water II’, and ‘Don’t know why,’ using Mike Straw’s (of the Universal Press) singing machine. 

Aug 1989 – Steve W. Shelton and I practice two new songs ‘Dancing in the Churchyard’ and ‘Waiting for the Aliens’ at Shelton Sound, Ingersoll, ON. (They are never recorded)  

Sept 5 1989 – Steve and I meet Moe Berg, the lead singer of the Pursuit of Happiness at Dr. Rockett’s in London.  Moe is overwhelmed at how excited I am to meet him. 

Oct 30 1989 – Steve and I meet Jeff Healey at Dr. Rockett’s in London, chilling out in the Green Room. 

July 4 1990 – I record four original songs with singer/acoustic guitarist Jeff Garbutt-Logan under the moniker of Counterpoint. I originally met him in December 1989. His mother, Genevieve, calls me a 'Rock 'n Roll Dreamer.' She's probably 11 years old than me. 

Nov 12 1990 – Steve and I meet Ingersoll producer Bob Brown, who we hope to record with. Bob and I work on some of my songs, namely ‘A New Faith,’ ‘All I want to do is love you better than anyone else,’ and a few months later, ‘Dance.’  

Jan 3 1991 – Jeff, Steve, and I jam some originals for the first and last time.

Mar 13 1991 – I meet Jeff Healey for a third time, this time at Lulu’s in Kitchener, ON, with Mike. 

April 5th 1991 - Jeff Garbutt-Logan and I form "Big Boom." We do some home recording and tape his version of my song "The Quiet Room." 

June 19 1991 – Steve and I meet Ivan Doroschuk and the rest of Men Without Hats at Kipling’s in London. We hang out on the tour bus for an hour, taking some video of us trying to act cool drinking their beer. 

Nov 1st 1991 - I come up with the concept band 'Sacrificial Lamb,' and try to interest Bob Brown; he however is tied up with other projects and overtime at work.

Nov 4 1991 – I found Mouton Music Canada to publish and distribute my original music. 

Jan 7 1992 - Steve Shelton joins 'The Turds,' a local cover band featuring Bob Brown, (guitar), Ditch Sonders (acoustic), Dog Sonders (drums), and Bob Booth (guitar). I hang out to watch the practice sessions in a barn, but I'm never asked to join in. 

Feb 8 1992 – First Session by The Dead Puppies is released on cassette. Catalogue Number ‘Vision 001.’  This is Tom’s official debut release at the ripe old age of 27. 

Mar 8 1992 – Steve and I see Jeff Healey perform at the University of Western Ontario, in London. Only weeks later Steve is killed in a single car accident with a woman he’d just met that night.  ABS Absolute and Counterpoint go on hiatus as bands. I also lose contact with Jeff Garbutt-Logan. 

Mar 29 1992 – Trinity Choirmaster Andrew Bourne and I decide to create music together, writing lots of original music and performing it in church.  

May 23 1992 - I meet Woodstock poet Stan Nadar who has a column in the Woodstock paper. He picks a poem of mine to print in the paper. 

June 14 1992 – My first solo live performance singing an original song, ‘Faith in Love,’ age 27.   

June 27 1992 – My first published poem, ‘The Truth Inside.’ 

July 21st 1992 - I form the duo 'Ryerson-Dunn' with guitarist Bill Dunn. It goes nowhere. 

Aug 23 1992 – My second solo performance at church with an original song, ‘The Narrow Way.’

Sept 10 1992 - My second poetry reading, I read 'Experience.' For some crazy reason, I'm too shy to sing amongst the strangers in the crowd. To counter my shyness, I pose in the nude for an art class on September 23rd 2016 at the age of 52. I have no reason to be shy now. 

Sept 16 1992 – I begin to sing karaoke with my cousin Chris McLean to improve my confidence, range and stage presence.  I go five times before I decide people prefer to cheer on drunks who can’t sing over people who give it their all. My high-point was singing Imagine. 

Nov 16 1992 – Andrew Bourne and I cease working together on music. 

Dec 8 1992 – I form my fourth band, Euphoria, with Stu Jeffery, Rich Godden, Robb Hoyland, and Kurt McRae. 

Dec 26 1992 - My second poem is published in the Woodstock paper. 

Jan 27 1993 – I quit Euphoria after I learn they were using a different vocalist (Rob) behind my back between our practice sessions. Kurt McRae carries on with Broken Blue, and I check out thier debut gig that fall. 

Feb 13 1993 – Meet synthesizer player Roman Zebik, who was also featured on the Big Brothers Telethon, and hope to recreate the sounds I made with Gerald Seaman in H-bloc seven years before, but the idea of working together fades, fast.

Feb 14 1993 – My first commercial release, ‘Pathological Profile’ by ‘The Dead Puppies,’ originally recorded in 1986 with brand-new post-production, track order, and artwork by Stan Antone and myself. 

Feb 19 1993 – I form ‘A Date With Judy’ with guitarist Stan Antone.  The name comes from Elizabeth Taylor’s second film, as the first, National Velvet was already used.  Within a week we add guitarist Rod Patry and drummer Chris Daminato. 

Feb 28 1993 – A Date With Judy perform 6 songs (1 original and 5 covers) live for Shaw Cable TV as part of their Big Brothers Telethon. 

Mar 13 1993 – I buy a bass and hope to learn it with a ‘how to’ book I bought. I have trouble singing and playing at the same time, but I give it a go, writing ‘Save Me’ in the process. 

Mar 28 1993 – The live video of ‘A Certain Sacrifice’ by A Date with Judy is shown on Shaw Cable. The bands first ‘live’ performance and an original song featured on TV too! The band raised $104 for Big Brothers. 

July 1993 - Pathological Profile by the Dead Puppies is reviewed by the National Chart magazine in Canada with a very positive review!  Now the country is listening to my music, “An excellent example of Canadian sound experimentation.” 

Aug 8 1993 – A Certain Sacrifice is released as a commercial single by A Date with Judy. The B-side is a Stan Antone composition and vocal, “She left me for another woman.” 

Aug 9 1993 – My very first radio airplay, ‘Breathe’ by the Dead Puppies gets played on CHRW 94.7 during the show “Night Flight” by D.J Dave Butler. This was just one of the prerequisites in order to join SOCAN.   So much easier to joi these days. 

Aug 26 1993 – My first live show in a band. A Date With Judy play two shows at the Woodstock Fair, the second of which is taped for a 40 minute TV broadcast later in the year. Bass player Lee Brett is brought on board to spare me any embarrassment at the live show. 

August 1993 - I design the Mouton Music Canada logo, Ivor the Ram, while working at the Record Works. This logo is used from 1994 to 2019 and is cleaned up by artist Rhonda Franks at that point. 

Sept 17 1993 – A Date with Judy record 10 different takes of a new track, ‘Ringlets,’ for a FACTOR grant application. Recorded live to VHS at Vandelinder Studios, Ingersoll, ON. The band consists of Tom (Keyboards & Vocals), Stan Antone (Guitar), Nelson Vanderlinder (Bass), and Chris Daminato (Drums). The band gets passed over for other independent artists like Sarah McLaughlin, 54:40, Kim Mitchell and Moev. 

Sept 24 1993 – Woodstock Fair ’93 by A Date with Judy is released on video. This is an edited 40 minute concert which is shown on Shaw Cable several times later in the year. 

Nov 1^st 1993 – Stan and I become members of SOCAN, the Canadian royalties group. Once we start playing some gigs, we begin to see some royalty money flow in.  

Nov 4 1993 – Shaw Cable airs ‘A Date with Judy – Live!” on TV. 

November 1993 - My friend from 'Dr. Disc' in London,  guitarist Brian Ward, has his band 'The Gandharvas' signed to Watch Music, and he plans to quit the music store after Christmas. I'm so jealous he got signed and can quit his day job. The band release three CD's before breaking up in 2000. Brian was about the same age as Steve Shelton. 

Dec 9 1993 – Shaw Cable airs ‘A Date with Judy – Live!” on TV for a second time.

Dec 21 1993 – A Date with Judy play their first indoor gig at Huddy’s Place (The Woodstock Shrine Club). The band is backed up by the rhythm section of local band ‘State of Mind.’  It was a pretty awesome evening for this twenty-nine-year old! I was well supported by my family, my Mom and Dad were there, as well as my aunt Anne and her son Danny, as well as my cousin Mike Winegarden. 

Jan 10 1994 – The Complete Recordings by the Dead Puppies is issued on cassette. (29 tracks) Premier issue cassette includes lyric booklet and notes in a cardboard sleeve. (Box Set) Catalogue Number ‘Mouton 007.’ 

Jan 19 1994 – A Date with Judy become Saint Judy and begin work on a debut tape with producer Bob L. Brown from the Beehive in Ingersoll. Tom was introduced to Bob through Steve Shelton back in 1990. The name of Saint Judy comes from a Marc Almond (Soft Cell) song. 

Jan 25th 1994 to March 1st 1994 - Thom attends a song-writing course put on by Jack London (Flinsenburg) and meets Kylie Joe Masson. The class writes 'Classified Love' which Jack has marketed the shit out of with no luck. He gives Thom a copy of the song in 2016. 

Mar 25 1994 – Saint Judy issue their debut cassette, ‘Introducing,’ produced by Bob L. Brown. The tape is manufactured professionally by Paul Anand Music (PAM) in Toronto. This is the very first Mouton Music Canada release t feature the logo of Ivor the Ram. 

April 3 1994 – Stu Jeffery (Euphoria) joins Saint Judy and Stan exits. The band develops a more progressive rock sound.

April 22 1994 - I get my first practice room, $100 a month at 380 Dundas Street. We refer to this as the Slumlord Rom. We have this room until Oct 1996. Stan is booted out of the band for being too loud! 

June 1994 – Saint Judy play the ‘Pig and Jig’ at Trinity United Church in Ingersoll, their debut gig with the new line-up. 

July 25 1994 – A Date With Saint Judy by Thomas Ryerson is pressed on CD by PAM.  My very first CD consists of A Date with Judy – 10” Bootleg Vol. 2 and Saint Judy – Introducing - Catalogue Number ‘Mouton 010.’  Sluggisha Tapes in Florida use this CD to make cassette copies for distribution in the USA sold as a ‘Best of,’ Catalogue Number ‘Sluggisha 148.’  

Aug 24 and 27 1994 – Saint Judy play the Woodstock Fair, Stan Antone acts as the soundman. The song are now long and moody, Stu’s Pink Floyd influence prevails. 

Sept 18th 1994 - Our band room at 380/382 Dundas Street in Downtown Woodstock is broken into, and literally everything is stolen in the room, from our amps to the naughty posters on the walls. We notify the police, but it's through the streets we get our stuff back. Bill from the laundrymat neogoiates a deal in which we pay him a finders fee, and we get pretty well all our stuff back. The slumlord adds stronger locks on the alleyway doors, and we add betetr locks on our doors. It was an interesting week to say the least.  

Oct 20 1994 – I suggest to the band we change our name to Owen, based on a children’s book my kids enjoy reading, ‘Owen the Mouse.’  

Oct  25 1994 – Chris and Stu quit the band, and are quickly replaced by Robb Hoyland (Euphoria), Adam Arsenault and Stan Antone.  Owen is now a 5 piece rock band.  

November 7 1994 – Owen record a 6 song demo – Losers get the last laugh, Rock Star, I don’t know, Owen’s Story, Beautiful Day, & Pay your way. (Rock Star was planned to be the debut Owen 7” single until the events of Jan 14^th 1995.)    

Jan 14 1995 – Robb, Stan and Adam leave Owen after wanting to change the band to a punk driven sound. Jeremy Chambers and I continue as Owen, while the other three settle on ‘Almosthere’ as their band name.  The band’s debut single will be ‘Rock Star’ while Owen’s will be ‘Slacker Anthem.’

January 15 1995 – Owen – 5 Song demo  – Has to be, Slacker Anthem, Mary’s Baby, Stoned, & Link – producer Bob L. Brown picks the best three to record in his studio. He chooses Has to be, Slacker Anthem and Stoned for the debut single. The single is issued in early May 1995 and takes Campus Radio by storm!

May 27 1995 – Slacker Anthem is reviewed in Billboard, “Another novelty item, but this one is aimed directly at older kids who are too lazy to care. Ontario based pop/rock trio casts its clever and amusing lyrics into a flurry of fuzz-guitar riffs and skittling drums.”

June 5th 1995 - A&M Records USA contact me regarding Slacker Anthem. Buck stops there.  

July 21st 1995 - Ignition Records contact me regarding Slacker Anthem. Buck stops there.  

Summer 1995 – Owen perform the Lo-Cal tour, hitting campus radio stations and playing live. Our song ‘Guilty’ becomes a regional hit earning some serious royalties.  

September 20th 1995 - TVT Records contact me regarding Slacker Anthem. They wanted to hear us play live in a cl;ub setting. I don't even have a band. Buck stops there.  

Oct 17 1995 – Owen attempt to record the songs ‘Implode,’ 'Change,' and 'My friend Jerome,' with the line-up of myself, Doug Hainer, Jeremy Chambers, John Speechley and Steve Doughty at MOTH studios, Huntingford, ON, with production by J. Williams Jr.) This track was kept by the studio and never released, and it was decided to turf Jeremy, John and Steve, and replace them with Andrew Hainer and Steve Wright. 

Nov 9 1995 - Cholera is formed with Doug Hainer in Woodstock, ON. The idea of the band is to carry on the spirit of The Dead Puppies. This band goes on hiatus after the release of their debut CD, Sky Skrapping in June 2008.

Nov 28 1995 – Owen is completely rejuvenated with new members Doug Hainer, Andrew Hainer and Steve Wright. They are ready to kick ass!  Rock and roll baby! 

March 19th 1996 - Owen's debut gig at the Bros. Bar in Woodstock. It's a sold out show and the band kicks ass! Steve had a video of this performance for years. We last watched it in July 2008, but then it mysteriously disappeared. 

March 23 1996 – Owen plays a four song set for thirteen people at the Ryerson House Party in Woodstock and it goes over well.  The basement never rocked so hard!

May 1996 - Mouton Music Canada signs it's first outside artist, Sounds Of Science. (Albert Wubs)

May 16^th 1996 – Owen play the Embassy in London, ON, as part of Indie night. About two weeks later I go in and talk to Tyson (the manager) about an opening spot for somebody.  Tyson suggested Scratching Post, an up and coming London band. I said. “Do you think we’re compatible?”  He replied, “Maybe not.” And that was how I blew things with the Embassy. Scratching Post was featured on the 1995 CHRW compilation, “London Underground Three.” 

May 20 1996 – Owen play Lee’s Palace in Toronto, ON, a very memorable gig which is recorded.  

June 7th 1996 - Albert Wubs, who records as S.O.S. (Sounds of Science) is the first person other than Thom Ryerson to be signed to Mouton Music Canada. It is planned that his 2nd cassette, 'Mayhem in the Machine,' will be issued on Mouton. (It isn't)   

June 9 1996 –Owen record ‘Small Town’ & ‘Surreal’ at Sound on Sound, Waterloo, ON, produced by Nelson McCrossen.  This is the first time the band have felt relaxed in the studio.  

July 14 1996 – Owen record ‘I’m not your toy’ & ‘That power over me’ at Sound on Sound, Waterloo, ON, again produced by Nelson McCrossen. The sessions are smooth as silk.   

Aug 24 1996 – The Hard Rock Indie Comp CD is issued by Acid Cane Records; (200 copies) 16 songs by 8 bands. The bands are Angerkain, Storm without Cease, Spitunnel, Brownwater, Owen, Acid Mud Flower, Relik, and Mr. Machete. The two Owen songs are Surreal (3:35) and Small Town (3:52). Both songs by T. Ryerson/D. Hainer. Catalogue Number ‘ACR 001.’

September 24 1996 – Owen’s farewell gig at Goodtime Charlie’s in Woodstock, and my 32^nd birthday.

Oct 25 1999 – My family and I meet Weird Al Yankovic after his concert at Centennial Hall in London, ON.  

Nov 14 1996 - I wrote the article, "The death of a rawk band; Owen 1994 - 1996," for Scott Stringle's local fanzine. Owen is on ice for the time being. 

May 29 2000 - Rockin' Bobby Harris is the second outside artist to be signed to my label, Mouton Music Canada.   

August 12 2001 – Living in Fear is formed with Stan Antone, James Howe and Dave Lundrigan, in Woodstock, ON.  My first new band in five years. 

November 23 2001 – Living in Fear’s debut gig at The Polish Hall, Woodstock, ON, and produced by Stan V. Antone. The band headline and go on last, it’s a good night had by all.  The band break up the following January. 

Dec 11 2001 – My daughter Cournty and I see Bif Naked, Swollen Members and Project Wyze play at the Drink in London. Adam Arsenault (ex-Owen) was now playing guitar for Project Wyze, (1996-2003) until he split that band in two just like he did with Owen back in ‘94. Adam now works in construction in Toronto. 

April 8 2002 - Living in Fear fold. Tom's new band is called 'Force 10.' 

April 23 2002 - I change the direction of my career from music to Stand up Comedy, getting a feature article in the Woodstock paper on June 21 2002 when I crash a Yuk Yuk's routine in Woodstock. I make more money in my year of stand-up than I do in music or writing! (Until recently) 

Nov 4 2002 – My daughter Cournty and I see Philip Glass perform live at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. Afterwards there is a question-and-answer session with him and director Atom Egoyan. Afterwards, I’m the first to rush the stage and have them sign CD covers.  

March 28 2003 - As a comedy act I open for Greg Morton with a solo 45 minute set which goes over well. In 7 1/2 months I earn $725.00 in comedy. However, this is the end for me, much to my regret, my wife and her family take president over my comedy career. 

May 2003 - Christian Science is formed from the ashes of LiF with Stan Antone. The band got stickers made and secured a show at Good Time Charlie's in Woodstock (Battle of the Bands). Their appearance was cancelled due to a lack of bass player and drummer. The planned debut CD was called ‘Take it,’ but it never came to be; the project fell apart without so much as making a note. DOA November 2003. While in England in August & October 2003 Tom plastered the stickers all over the places he visited. The stickers included the Mouton Music website address. 

May 2004 -  The Mouton Music Canada website is closed to try and save some money. It was operational for about four years.   

April 5 2005 - Pathological Profile by the Dead Puppies is re-issued & promoted at Post-Rock venues on cassette after Tom gets into Godspeed You Black Emperor! 

Aug 9^th 2005 - The Fancy Dancers are formed in Woodstock, ON. Members include Stan Antone.  

February 2006 – I decide to create a CD of my hits under the Fancy Dancers name, having a CD burner on my computer. This opens a whole new playing field for me and I issue ‘I was never your age.’

September 1st 2006 - Lakeshore Records contact me regarding the triple CD 'Travelogue' Soundtrack. They say the licensing would be an expensive nightmare. Buck stops there.   

Aug 3rd 2008 - I sign up with "Pure Volume" to promote my music. 

Aug 8th 2008 - I write to i-Tunes asking them how I can get my music on thier site, and they put me onto CD Baby.  

Dec 12 2008 – I sign up with CD Baby in the USA, first with Pagan Love Songs by The Fancy Dancers. CD Baby allows me to upload music and release it digitally to exclusive partners such as iTunes, Amazon Music and Google Music. A Pandora’s box is opened for me, and over the following five years I issue my catalogue over the internet. I'm still with CD Baby after fifteen years & counting. 

March 8^th 2010 – After almost nine years I return to the stage at Crabby Joe’s Woodstock, ON in the Heart FM talent search.  Stan and I perform two songs as The Absolute Beginners. We are out of our depth as the seniors of the contest, and the three judges rake us over the coals. I'm berated for having my lyrics printed out on the floor, because I should know my own lyrics? How many bands use teleprompters? It was a lame experience anyway, having my old boss judge me? 

March 23^rd 2010 – We play the Groove Kitchen, Cambridge, ON.  

Aug 5^th 2010 – We play Museum Square, Woodstock, ON. Several videos from this performance are up at the Mouton Music Canada page on YouTube. 

Aug 26^th 2010 – August 29^th 2010 - The Absolute Beginners  play five shows during the Woodstock Fair, all of which are recorded via video. We earn $250 for our trouble and plan to release the edited concert under the title of Cosmic Luminance.

Aug 25^th 2011 – Stan and I play the Beer Tent at the Woodstock Fair as Witness for the Prosecution. 

Nov 27th 2011 - The 3rd Author's Book Fair in Port Dover, ON. Tom sang three selections from his poetry and lyric book, 'Carnal Wreckage.' He turned some heads when he sang the songs 'A-Capella.' This was the same book that earned him his first published review in a newspaper. This is Tom's last live performance until 2017 and he returns to the stage with cousin Mike Winegarden. 

June 2013 - I create the 'This is Owen' blog to inform the world what the band was all about, and where they are heading. As Neil Diamond says, "We're headed for the future." 

Oct 18th 2013 - I talk to former Owen guitarist Doug Hainer about shooting a video for Slacker Anthem which was released as a digital single in 2011. He is completely frigid on the idea.  

March 21st 2014 - I hear AC/DC's debut single from 1975, 'Love Song', and decide I want to cover it under the name of Thomas Thomas, and shoot a video. Albert Wubs is very happy to play the synthesizer for me. Months later I give up on the project when I realize what a nightmare it will be to get the proper rights for the song. 

April 22 2014 - Choose Life – (Digital CD) by Owen is issued. This is also issued as a physical 18 track CD available for $15 by e-mailing Tom. This is the debut Owen CD, 19 years after the debut single 'Slacker Anthem' was issued. 

July 28th 2014 - I return to the original idea of shooting a video for Slacker Anthem and recruit Stan Antone, Eric Walther, Steve Wright and myself to shoot the video with funds raised from an Indiegogo campaign. Owen will reunite for the video launch in October 2014, after an 18 year break.  

August 18th 2014 - The indiegogo campaign begins to raise $3,000 for the video shoot. We get our first band press in the Woodstock Sentinel-Review for the first time in thirteen years. Damn cool! (Unfortunately we only raise $25!)

Oct 20th 2014 - Owen reconvene at Tom's house for their first practice in 18 years, Robb Hoyland - guitar, Stan V. Antone - bass, Steve Wright - drums, and Tom Ryerson - vocals. They rock the house for hours and Stan gets some stuff on tape which end up on the 2nd Owen CD, 'Everything,' issued in 2018. 

June 16th 2016 - Mouton Music Canada represents a third artist outside of Tom's music circle, namely the late Terry Sumsion. Other artists that follow are Marsha Malamet, Gary Austin, Charlie Louvin, Judy Lynn Gregson & Tobacco Roads, The Canadian Rhythmaires, Ruth Ann, Gerry Risser, Roger & Norma Quick, Clear Cut and Parker Dean. 

Nov 4th  2017 - The Gunner's Club, Lower Level, Brantford, ON. The Country Cousins with his first cousin Michael Winegarden. Tom sang two originals, 'Stained,' and 'Stand On It,' while Mike sang two covers, including a Fred Mckenna tune. This is the first time in 29 1/2 years the two cousins have made music together!

Nov 10th 2017 - The St. George Legion, Tom sat in with Dave Souliere and sang "The City Of New Orleans" and "Five Hundred Miles." Definitely a better night than the Gunner's Club. This was Thom's most recent live experience. 

Nov 20th 2018 - After 27 years in existence, Mouton Music Canada finally joins SOCAN as a registered publisher, and within a month have 36 songs signed up with publishing rights.  

Dec 18th 2018 - With the release of the two Bridgeman Family Christmas singles, Mouton Music Canada now boasts 43 digital releases on the internet over a ten year period.

Nov 16th 2019 - Mouton Music Canada has issued 93 releases from 1992 to 2019, both in physical (CD, vinyl, and cassette) and digital formats. 

March 12th 2021 - Mouton Music Canada submitted Thom Ryerson's 2020 CD Social Distancing as a nominee for the '21 Juno Awards in the category of Best Adult Alternative Album of the Year. Unfortunately it wasn't selected. We shouldn't have been surprised, but it was a fun dream while it lasted. 

May 22nd 2023 - Thom Ryerson & The Carving Knife is formed with Thom on vocals, Stan V. Antone on guitar, and Steve Wright on Drums. Of the 17 planned practises, the band is able to only do seven because of Steve's hectic schedule.

July 30th 2023 - Thom and his first cousin Michael Winegarden begin recording Thom's Christmas CD, which will come out on November 1st. This is the first time in almost 6 years the two cousins have made music together!

August 10th 2023 - Steve Wright leaves the band due to his own personal commitments.  

August 13th 2023 - Thom and Stan play the Richmond Tavern in London as Thom Ryerson & The Carving Knife. The six people who pay to see the band seem to enjoy it.