Biography
Tom Prasada-Rao, the Baltimore-based singer-songwriter, blends a highly rhythmic acoustic guitar technique with soulful vocals and meticulously shaped lyrics. Active as a favored performer throughout the Washington, D.C. region since the early 1990s, he has steadily broadened his audience nationwide. In 1994 he received a WAMMIE award for Best Male vocalist - folk traditional, while Billboard magazine hailed him as the most compelling presence to emerge in the singer-songwriter genre.
Born to Indian parents then residing in Africa, Prasada-Rao spent his childhood in Washington, D.C. He began violin lessons at seven and later turned to piano; during high school he adopted the guitar specifically to surmount his shyness and make new friends.
After completing studies in England and India, he resettled in the Washington, D.C. area and performed with the local ensembles Mantle and Traveler's Crossroads. Working alone as a singer-songwriter, he has forged a distinctive voice by merging pop, R&B, and world-music influences.
His efforts culminated in 1993 with victory in the New Folks competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. Alongside fellow winners Tom Kimel and Michael Lille, he assembled the singer-songwriter supergroup Shepas, which has undertaken occasional tours across the United States.
Beyond his extensive performing schedule, Prasada-Rao has lent support to several politically engaged organizations, among them The Committee for Creative Non-Violence, Art With A Heart, and The Midwest Flood Victim Relief.
Born to Indian parents then residing in Africa, Prasada-Rao spent his childhood in Washington, D.C. He began violin lessons at seven and later turned to piano; during high school he adopted the guitar specifically to surmount his shyness and make new friends.
After completing studies in England and India, he resettled in the Washington, D.C. area and performed with the local ensembles Mantle and Traveler's Crossroads. Working alone as a singer-songwriter, he has forged a distinctive voice by merging pop, R&B, and world-music influences.
His efforts culminated in 1993 with victory in the New Folks competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. Alongside fellow winners Tom Kimel and Michael Lille, he assembled the singer-songwriter supergroup Shepas, which has undertaken occasional tours across the United States.
Beyond his extensive performing schedule, Prasada-Rao has lent support to several politically engaged organizations, among them The Committee for Creative Non-Violence, Art With A Heart, and The Midwest Flood Victim Relief.
Albums
Singles
