Oasis Music opened 43 years ago in a small strip mall off Route 44 in Smithfield. Owner Tom Nimmo named the store after the band he was in at the time (a different band than the one you’re probably thinking of). He has since dedicated his life to music, drumming, and his family. He is now planning to ride off in the Sabian sunset of retirement, closing the store and teaching current students from his home. “Tom was my first drum instructor at Oasis Music back in the early ’80s,” says John DiGiulio, drummer for Gloria Gaynor and Little Anthony and the Imperials. “He was and is a big influence on who I am today: the musician/drummer who tours the world, performing behind some of the greatest music artists of our time. I always loved Tom’s teachings, not just of drums, but of life. When Oasis Music would get new drum gear, he would always let me and any of his students take it home and try it out. He trusted us all as if we were his family, knowing well that we respected him.”
I first met Tom in the summer of ‘94, about to head into high school. I was referred by DiGuilio, who was moving to New York and could no longer be my teacher. DiGuilio had nothing but great things to say about Tom, which was apparent upon the first impression. He remained my teacher for the next four years before he referred me to Cloutier to continue my studies. Freshman to senior are important, formative years and Tom was there weekly with a smile, a cigarette, and many dad jokes. He was patient and understanding, never mentioning the times I clearly wasn’t prepared for a lesson. “Tom was a good teacher and would break down parts to its simplest form,” says Jeff Nolin of The Defectives and The Degenerates. “He would work with you over and over until you get it down.”
He helped me buy my first name-brand drum set, a nine-piece Tama that the seller set up in the middle of the store while he and my mom haggled over a price. I don’t remember how much we (ie: my parents) paid, but I remember Tom’s armchair-quarterbacking after the fact, feeling that we should have gotten a better deal. That same day, he unknowingly taught me an incredible lesson that stuck with me since. I bought a 17” Zildjian K cymbal from him. I threw crumbled-up cash on the counter and saw the disappointment in his face as he showed me the proper way to hand people money. “Oasis Music is the place that my bandmates and I, at the time (Rob Champagne & Gabe Newman), went for our early lessons,” says Gregory Rourke from Professor Routes, and owner of the Parlour. “Tom and his staff were always very welcoming and supportive. We all are still in touch with our teachers. We all went to Berklee College of Music. I bought my daughter’s drum set from Tom a few years back. The store means a lot to generations of musicians in this state. Education, commitment, passion, and fun were all part of the journey. Tom was always honest and sold quality instruments for a very fair price; all he ever wanted was the best for his students and customers. It is definitely the end of an era.” I immediately went to Oasis upon buying (again, parents, but this was a high school graduation present) a Premier Genista set; I was excited to show him the birch with teal lacquer finish. He told me that the set is furniture and to take good care of it. Over 25 years later, that set is still in great shape and has been backlined all over New England. “Tom’s ability to understand, teach, and most importantly truly care/love his students is what makes Tom not just an amazing teacher, but also an amazing man, mentor and, most importantly, friend,” says Rob Champagne.
I had a long gap of not playing in bands in my 20s. I started taking lessons again to give me a reason to play drums once a week. These “lessons” were different from the ones I took years ago. There was no book reading or anything to prepare. We just got together, talked, and played drums for an hour. We would take turns playing through songs and just having fun. This went on for two years, until I joined The McGunks, who (still to this day) practice weekly. “I started taking drum lessons with Tom in 1989,” says Randy Cloutier of The James Hunter Group, The Temptations, and Trinity Repertory Company. “I was working full time, so I used to go to his house for lessons because I was not able to get to Oasis Music during regular business hours. I had played the drums for 10 years but never had any formal training, however, I knew I had a lot to learn. Once I started lessons with Tom, I realized how little I knew about playing the drums. With Tom, lessons were always so fun! I’ve witnessed Tom teaching a 4-year-old and a 60-something-year-old, and everyone in between, always with great enthusiasm. I would say Tom’s love for his two sons, Tommy and Tony (he spoke about them often), was an inspiration to his teaching style, especially the younger students. ”
I would go in and visit from time to time, which led to me spontaneously buying two drum sets and purposely buying smaller items. We’d each take a recliner and talk while he had a classic show playing on an old television. Tom was a teacher through influence. He was patient, encouraging, and never judging. Observing the way he treated people had more of an impact on me than the rudiments and grooves he would teach. Though he ran a business, he was never out to make a buck. He was transparent with his pricing, would cut deals, and allow people to take equipment home and pay a little at a time. His friendly demeanor put him on a first-name basis with everyone. His humanity was even more of an inspiration than his teaching abilities and drumming skills. Tom has accomplished so much at Oasis Music, and he’ll be able to lock the doors for the last time proud of the fact that he spent his career teaching drummers, mentoring musicians, and inspiring people who walked into his shop. “I just remember when the movie School of Rock came out and I recall thinking to myself that I was fortunate to grow up with my own School of Rock,” says Tony Nimmo, Tom’s son and member of The Soapbox Saints and The Highlights. “So many people say they’d love to play music but never had a chance to get into it. Not me, it was all around me, and I’m absolutely grateful for it.” •
Oasis Music is having a 50% liquidation sale at 223 Putnam Pike in Johnston. Call 401-231-7440 for hours.
