Tommy O'Donnell was born in Normal, IL but spent his early years in Austin. His great uncles, Bob & Frank O'Donnell, were professional jazz guitarists in Philadelphia and taught Tommy's father to play guitar. His paternal grandfather was a fiddler and his maternal grandfather played sax in sweet bands. A '64 candy-apple red Fender Jazzmaster was Tommy's first guitar, one that he still uses. It was at a jam session that he first encountered bassist Clay Thompson.