Tom Newlin grew up in Downingtown, PA and became interested in music through family influences at an early age.  Every family get-together would see relatives gathered around the piano or guitar singing hymns or popular songs of the day.  

By the age of 8, Tom was playing the saxophone and singing in choirs at church and school.  By Junior high Tom had found a love for Rock n’ Roll and was heavily influenced by bands such as Chicago, The Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton, Yes, and many more.  He co-founded and fronted the band North Star in Junior High School and would see them playing high school, college, and community events for the next 10 years.  

Upon finishing High School, Tom started to study guitar with the late Mike Rubin and playing the local club circuit with the band Cheshire including T’s Little Pub in Downingtown and Stanleys in Gap.  Tom also gave private guitar lessons at Donohue’s Music Shop in Thorndale Pa.  Guitarists such as Jeff Beck and Steve Morse became big influences.   

Joining the band Fanfare, Tom played the South Jersey shore circuit at such notable places as The Penalty Box, Phil & Eddies Surf Club, The London Ale House, The Menagerie, Satellite Lounge, and the legendary Tony Martz.  Adding vocals, guitar, and saxophone to an already amazing group of musicians helped secure Fanfare’s legacy as one of South Jersey’s premier rock bands of the time.

Tom then joined the band Jemini hitting the local club circuit performing their original brand of power chord rock & roll.  Original recordings were done at Studio 4 In Philadelphia and Studio West in Kansas City Kansas.   Tom shared the spotlight with song writer Paul Waltz, guitarist Rick Gurtizen, drummer Joe Colagreco and keyboardist Jim Mobile.

Tom then formed the cover band Rapscallion with singer Heidi Montoro Eagles and drummer Jim Mobile performing at local clubs and community events. Going back to his roots he then co-founded the folk-rock group Lenora Lane, performing their original compositions at many of the local music venues. 

Then came The Aponic Blue which was an original blues rock group consisting of family members that performed in the Philadelphia area including Reverb in Reading Pa, and The Legendary Dobbs and The Trocadero in Philly to name a few.  

Tom rejoins Heidi Montoro Eagles and Jim Mobile along with bassist Carlos Lummus and keyboardist Martha Chan to form the cover band Revel performing songs from artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Carol King, Eric Clapton and many more.  

Tom plays Gibson, Fender and Martin guitars, Conn saxophones and Hohner harmonicas. 

My interest in music began early on as a child, where the family turntable was constantly in motion and impromptu living room “dance parties” were a common occurrence. I was highly influenced by the Rock & Roll of my older siblings and a mother who loved all music, including Musicals and Opera. 

My talent for singing was recognized when I was in Junior High School, where I was chosen for the school choir and also smaller vocal “breakout” groups. This continued through High School and under the direction of a local legend and mentor, Meistersingers Director, Gerald Daghir, who took an interest in my voice and arranged for me to begin singing for weddings. I was also chosen for a smaller and more prestigious group, The Belletones & Redmen, which performed around the community and beyond.  The highlight of my school vocalist career was performing a solo in the Washington Cathedral, which was an invitation only event. 

Being seen as a serious vocalist gave me the confidence to continue performing throughout my adult years, establishing myself as a professional soloist singing various genres of music for community events and religious ceremonies. I also led the music program for Vacation Bible School for several years and continue to participate in the church choir whenever possible.

Rock & Roll, however, was always my greatest passion and within a few years after graduation I was asked to join Rapscallion, a Rock & Roll Cover Band, that included Lead Guitarist/Vocalist, Tom Newlin and Drummer/Back-up Vocalist, Jim Mobile, playing mostly local club venues and events. Our music was influenced primarily by Rock & Roll with Motown, Disco/Electronica and Alternative music sprinkled in.  We played for a few years before our lives took us in different directions. Tom, Jim and I have now circled back around to current day where we have formed the band Revel, together with talented Bass Guitarist, Carlos Lummus and classically trained Keyboardist/Guitarist, Martha Chan. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do what I love once again!!!

I currently work as a Human Resources Director and hold a BA in Retail Business Management & Marketing from Concordia University.    

Martha Chan is a pianist, composer, conductor, and teacher from Downingtown. She earned a B.A. in Music Education/Piano Performance from Concordia University, Irvine (CA), and a M.M. in Piano Pedagogy as well as a M.A. in General Psychology from West Chester University (PA). 

Martha currently serves as organist at Messiah Lutheran Church, Downingtown, and has worked as a handbell director for nearly a decade. She is a much-sought after piano teacher in Chester County, and currently teaches weekly piano lessons to over 40 students. 

Jim’s music career started at age 6 when his teenage brother’s band began rehearsing in the family’s living room leaving a set of drums easily accessible.

In grade school he was required to study piano for a least one year before being allowed to study drums and continued studying both through elementary, middle, high school and college.

During his high school years, his teachers regularly sent him on gigs with older musicians (his dad had to drive him to these performances until he was old enough to get his driver’s license) which provided opportunities to learn ‘on the job’.

During his HS years he played in many local bands and community jam sessions while also pursuing his classical music training ultimately attaining’ Best HS Percussionist’ in the state of Pennsylvania by the PMEA Association.

While at West Chester University, he performed in and occasionally conducted the WCU Percussion Ensemble which performed many shows along the east coast and California. Jim holds a B.S. in Music Education from WCU

He took time off from university studies to travel the east coast with a 50’s-60’s Show Band playing drumset, singing and creating musical arrangements.

He was an original member of the Paul Waltz Band and took care of studio recording engineering duties of early releases while also mixing other performers in Philadelphia area clubs and performance venues

Since the mid 1980s, Jim has continued to perform for a myriad of theater shows, community based performing groups and local gigs as well as conducting a church choir, traveling across the country providing his audio mixing talents for music & international sporting events and sharing his love of drumming & audio technology with many students, several of which have gone on to their own successful music performance and teaching careers

Jim thrives on providing a solid rhythmic foundation upon which the Revel artists can discover and display their talents.