250 Songs By Stompin’ Tom Connors

Originally Published: June 27, 2005

Well, finally folks, HERE IT IS! The One Book that so many Stompin’ Tom fans have been waiting for. The Book that contains All the Words and Chords to practically every song I have either personally written, co-written, or traditionally arranged as well as recorded over the last 40 years. I say ‘practically every song’ because I may have missed one or two that I recorded on the now obsolete 45 rpm singles in Timmins, Ont. when I was first getting started. Nevertheless, I think this book with over 250 songs is probably, up until now, the most extensive song collection ever compiled on any one song writing artist, and they’re all under the one cover. It took quite a while but I’m finally glad it’s done.

The many people who have written me over the years, asking for song lyrics, will also be glad it’s done, no doubt. From now on, when ever they play an album, all they have to do is pick up the book and sing right along, whether the song is a well known one or not. And of course the chords are there also for anyone who sings and plays an instrument and wants to have a little fun. That’s what a lot of these songs were written for; Having Fun.

So Let’s Party! – Stompin’ Tom Connors

Before The Fame – Autobiography – Book 1

Originally Published: October 6, 1995

Well, by now almost every Stompin’ Tom fan must have one of these. This the Official autobiography written by Tom, and with the help of John Farrington. It became the No.1 seller in Canada and sold over 50,000 copies nation wide. It is no longer in circulation but StompinTom.com has kept a few aside in case there are a few fans out there that have yet to purchase it.

There isn’t a Canadian who doesn’t know him. They know him because he once wrote a song about their home town, or about the beautiful country we live in. They know him as a man who loves Canada as much as anyone who has ever lived here.

But what do Canadians really know about the man they call Stompin’ Tom, the Canadian Legend?

In this unforgettable memoir of his first thirty-one years, Tom Connors tells the real story behind the man in the black hat: born to an unwed teenager in Saint John, New Brunswick, he was hitchhiking with her by the age of three, begging on the streets by the age of four. Life in two orphanages and a foster home was followed by hard years on the road after Tom ran away at the age of thirteen. But always he had his guitar, his songs, and a dream…

“Straightforward, lucid…a great read.” – Saturday Night
“An inspiring look at the life of a man whose recognition is long overdue.” – The Ottawa Citizen
“This is a story of the triumph of a human spirit.” – Quill & Quire
“A must for any Canadian country music fan’s library.” – Country Music News
“A heartfelt, often achingly sad account of a childhood spent in poverty, squalor, loneliness and dejection.” – The Vancouver Sun

And The Connors Tone – Autobiography – Book 2

Originally Published: September 8, 2000

In his first bestselling volume of memoirs, Before the Fame, Stompin’ Tom Connors told the story of his harsh childhood: begging on the streets at the age of four, surviving orphanages and a foster home, and running away at thirteen with his guitar, his songs, and a dream.

In Stompin’ Tom and the Connors Tone, the man in the black hat continues his amazing story: from his emergence as a Canadian legend to the present. He relates the story of his “break” in the early 1960s when, short on cash in a Timmins, Ontario bar, he was offered a deal by the bartender: if he played some songs, his beer would be free. Soon his music hit the airwaves, record labels were beating down his door, and he was asked to appear in major shows; his first on the same stage as Hank Snow.

Tom talks about his music, and the hundreds of songs that resonate with Canadians from coast to coast, including favourites like “Sudbury Saturday Night,” “Bud the Spud,” and “The Hockey Song.” But despite his popularity, Tom has had to battle producers, agents, and radio networks to get his message across. A passionate Canadian, Tom tells of how he questioned the integrity of the Canadian music industry and, in 1979, held a press conference and returned all his Juno Awards as he felt there was a lack of support for Canadian artists. In 1986, he formed his own record label, A-C-T Records, to raise the profile of Canadian musicians.

Along with plenty of tales of his hijinks on the road, and of the colourful people he has met in his travels, from prime ministers to lumberjacks, he also shares the intimate story of his love life: his initial attraction to Lena, his wife of twenty-six years, their nationally-televised marriage, and their son Tom Jr. Lively, opinionated, alternately funny and deeply compassionate, this is a chronicle of an extraordinary life as only Stompin’ Tom can tell it.

“This book is a gem for Stompin’ Tom Fans.” – Winnipeg Free Press
“This book is like the man himself and his music…likeable, funny and warm.” – The Edmonton Journal
“As fine a storyteller as he is a songwriter…a delightful read.” – The New Brunswick Reader
“A must for any Canadian country music fan’s library.” – Country Music News

The Hockey Song

Originally Published: September 15, 2016

The most iconic song ever written for the game of hockey comes to life through one of the greatest shinny games imaginable, illustrated by Governor General’s Award-winning artist and cartoonist Gary Clement.

As Stompin’ Tom Connors says, “It’s the good old hockey game, the best game you can name.” And in this charmingly illustrated book for all ages, the classic song played at hockey games around the world is imagined as a shinny game on an outdoor rink in the middle of the city that starts with two players and soon grows to include the whole community. Clement’s colorful illustrations unite young and old, men and women, and girls and boys of all races, all wearing fan paraphernalia from every team you can imagine. “The puck is in! The hometown wins! The good ol’ hockey game.”

Hockey Night Tonight!

Originally Published: January 9, 2002

This was the second book by Ragweed Press. Once again Brenda Jones makes great illustrations for the Hockey Song. The children are really gettin’ into that song.

Bud The Spud

Originally Published: 1994

Ragweed Press issued this children book in 1994, this time Brenda Jones of P.E.I took her creative abilities and put them to Bud the spud. It ended up being a great book for the kids. The Ragweed series of Stompin’ Tom songs may be available soon in the Stompin’ Shop.

My Stompin’ Grounds

Originally Published: October 1, 1992

This is one of a few Children books released with five of Toms songs inside, along with many illustrations that the kids will enjoy. The pictures were drawn by Kurt Swinghammer published by DoubleDay Canada in 1992. Hopefully it will be coming to StompinTom.com soon. Keep an eye out.

Stompin’ Tom Connors Show

Originally Published: Early 1970’s

This book was manufactured by Boot Records in the early seventies to give to the people that bought tickets for the concerts. It explains about Tom and his achievements up to 1973. It also has a biography about Tom and his band members at the time. Bill Lewis, and Gary Empy, they were called the “Rovin’ Cowboys”.

Canada’s Country Music Stars

Originally Published: 1972

This book was released by Boot records in 1972 to help promote Canada’s country music artists. Within the book was bios and pictures of people like Gordie Tapp, Bud Roberts, Gene MacLellan, Anne Murray, Hank Snow, and of course, Stompin’ Tom Connors. There isn’t many of these around anymore either.

Story & Song

Originally Published: 1975

Later in Toms career, around 1975, after he had a number of albums out on the market from Boot Records, Tom released another more in depth song book along with a story that was written by Toms friend Steveador Steve. It is in the planning that Tom is going to write a new song book in the next year or so.

Folio No.1

Originally Published: 1970

This is the first song book Tom made. Had a collection of lyrics and musical notes to some of Tom’s Hit Songs. Along with illustrations.