Tender was born, Thomas Anthony Polman, on July 22, 1953 in the Bronx, NY to George and Beatrice Polman.

His interest in music began at an early age. It was not uncommon to find Tender listening to neighborhood doo-wop stars, Dion and the Belmonts as they rehearsed in his apartment foyer. One of his earliest recollections is sitting on the stoop with his cousins Chicky, Dennis and Larry singing "Bird Dog" by the Everly Brothers. It was evident that music would play an important role in this youngster's development.

In 1963 the Polman family settled down in beautiful, colonial Westfield, NJ, a quaint suburb of NYC. It was here that it really all began for Tender. With stacks of assorted hit records by the Beach Boys, Ricky Nelson, and the Four Seasons continually blaring from his second floor bedroom, the stage was set for the ultimate defining moment.

It came on Sunday, February 9, 1964 when Tender, along with 73,000,000 other viewers, witnessed The Beatles' first performance in America on the Ed Sullivan Show. They were unlike anything that came before, and their infectious brand of rock 'n' roll, coupled with their unique look, inspired Tender and a few other neighborhood boys to start their own band.

Tender's professional career began in 1965 at the age of twelve, singing and playing drums with neighborhood group, The Teen Tones. It was during this time that Tender taught himself to play guitar and piano, and began writing original songs at the age of fifteen. He continued playing drums for various groups through out his high school and college years, covering The Who, The Rolling Stones, Cream, and of course, The Beatles. In 1978 Tender stepped out from behind the kit for the first time to play guitar and front The Sound. The experience and confidence he gained as group leader paved the way for what was to come.

Commercial success came in 1981 with The Bouncing Balls, a group Tender formed primarily to perform his original music. The Balls' first single, "My Girl" was well received, but it was their follow-up, "An American Anthem" which generated enthusiastic response from both audiences and industry insiders alike.

The independently produced music video of this upbeat, patriotic powerhouse received extensive airplay on MTV, HBO and other national video outlets. In addition to his musical contributions, Tender served as executive producer for the project.

In 1984 Tender embarked on a solo career, performing in small bars, taverns, coffee houses, and for private, corporate and college audiences. For the next thirteen years he worked all over the NY/NJ metro area, earning a devoted following. Tender's world was about to be rocked with a second defining moment.

During a New Year's Eve 1997 performance Tender met the woman of his dreams, Kathy Norwine. He and Kathy began dating, which prompted Tender to move to Alexandria, VA to be nearer. Kathy, a gifted singer and musician in her own right, and Tender formed a partnership in more ways than one. Together they collaborated on writing and recording a children's music CD, "Build a House (and Other Stuff, Too)." Two of the songs, "Build a House" and "Insect Safari" were named as winners in the prestigious John Lennon International Songwriting Contest for the years 1998 and 1999 respectively. Tender uses his given name, Tom in his stage act with Kathy.

Tender continues to perform solo gigs but he also has the distinct privilege to work with some outstanding musicians in a duo, trio, and multi-player line-up.

For more information on these great musicians, or the rock 'n' roll icons who continue to influence his work, please visit our Links page.