Blind Tom was a real Mozart-like prodigy. He could play two or three songs at once. He even played for royalty.
In a very rare visit with others outside his house, LeRoy Wiley Gresham, the diarist of growing fame in The War Outside My Window, watched and wrote about Blind Tom playing the piano.
"Blind Tom, the musical prodigy, is now here and shows in the city hall," he observed on Nov. 23, 1861. "Mother and Father pronounced Blind Tom a perfect wonder," " he added a few days later.
His parents took LeRoy to down to the City Hall see him perform on Nov. 30. "I went to see Blind Tom on yesterday and was perfectly astounded at his skill. He played Home Sweet Home according to the Hoyle FC." [This has something to do with scales; if you know more, tell us!]
Read more about Blind Tom HERE.
Enjoy.