Trivia

Joined The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) in 1962 as a band member playing saxophone and rose up to Assistant Music Director. When Carson retired in 1992, the band members lost a long-time gig. Newsom continued to play the saxophone, direct orchestras, and do musical arrangements for singers ranging from Beverly Sills to Kenny Rogers, and for orchestras such as the Cincinnati Symphony. He moved to Virginia after an earthquake shook his California home and continued to be active on the music scene in the Portsmouth/Virginia Beach area until his death.

Known as "Mr Excitement" as dubbed by Johnny Carson for his low-key personality and his drab brown and blue suits, in contrast to bandleader Doc Severinsen.

Released album "Tommy Newsom & His TV Jazz Stars" in 1990.

Played the saxophone.

Has a nephew named Jim Newsom.