Tom Hicks

Do you remember your first line dance instructor? That’s something very special because most people actually do remember their first instructor and also the first line dance that they were taught, especially if it was a good experience for them. I remember how and why I started line dancing. It was with Hicks and Company. I had never even heard of line dancing when I saw Tom Hick’s dance team perform at a fair. I was mesmerized by them and knew from that moment on that I wanted to do that too! Eventually I did join his troupe, first by performing on his dance team and then becoming one of his regular instructors. For quite a while I traveled with Tom’s team and worked jobs that ranged from dancing in grocery store isles to performing in Atlantic City. Tom Hicks inspired me, taught me about dancing, performing, teaching and gave me insight on how to put it all together. Tom even dubbed me with the name Hot Pepper. Sadly, the dancing world lost Tom June 11th, 2001. Because he was a forerunner for line dancing in New Jersey. This is my personal tribute to Tom Hicks.

Tom was a pioneer in country dancing and his unique methods and techniques for instructing are still used by many dance teachers today. His natural charm and fun loving spirit made dance easier and more interesting to learn. His style of breaking down the dance steps into easy to learn segments enabled both advanced and beginner dancers to have fun while they learned fast and effortlessly.

Tom began his dance career as a diversion, after a fire destroyed his home and belongings. He and his then wife, Mary, turned to Country Western dancing and soon became well known as performers, competitors and instructors. Many dancers may remember Tom teaching regularly at the Yellow Rose in Manville, McCann’s Country in NYC and the Old Bridge adult school starting out under the name of “Just A Couple of Hicks”.. He started a performance group called Leather and Lace. He wrote original choreography and they performed his routines at nursing homes, fairs, and were a featured act at a welcome home show for the troops of Desert Storm aboard the USS Intrepid in NYC. Soon his passion for dancing became a full time job and the Hicks and Company Dance Troupe was born, employing as many as 35 instructors and DJs. Hicks and Company taught throughout the state including Oakleys in Princeton, The Whiskey Café in Lyndhurst, The Country Dance Barn in Hamilton to just name a few. His performance group also grew and were invited guests at the popular television show called Club Dance, Dance Lines, The Wild Horse Saloon, Great Adventure, several Atlantic City Casinos, Catskill and Pocono’s dance weekends and on stage appearances as the opening act for several famous country performers.

Tom’s talent soon got him hired as a dance coach on the popular soap opera, One Life To Live for a country western dance scene. He did so well that they invited him to dance on camera for the show. He was also hired to coach contestants of a Miss America Pageant for a line dance routine. He even made a dance appearance in the movie Jeffrey.

Tom has touched the lives of so many people in the country western world. I was impressed by his large following at the club Connexions in Boonton, where he taught most recently. Everyone has the same comments about Tom, how much they enjoyed being around him and how special he could make you feel. His smile and twinkling eyes could charm and put at ease the most apprehensive dancer.

I consider myself lucky that I have many wonderful memories of Tom that can always bring a smile to my face. I’m sure many of my readers can sit back for a moment and reflect on special moments of their own that they shared with Tom. A little thing that he used to like to do was switch the letters around in words. For instance, if he was going to start a dance lesson he would get the class to relax and tell them it would be easy, A Ciece of Pake! I remember how much I used to enjoy watching the Hicks and Company troupe members letting loose and having fun doing dances like the Tush Push. He had lots of cool sayings like “Spin and Smile, you're on your own”. And at the end of the night he always played Happy Trails.

Tom also had many interests and contributed to many charities outside of country dancing. One of these groups was part of his church, called the CARE team. It was dedicated to helping people suffering from addictions. A member of the CARE team would light a candle at the beginning of each service as an inspiration to help lead those suffering from the darkness of depression and despair to the light of recovery and show them that someone cared. Tom made a speech at one of the services on what a profound effect the lighting of that candle had on him. He ended his speech by saying that “something as simple as a candle flame can make a difference in someone’s life.” Tom made a difference in many of our lives. I would like to quote from Tom’s life’s partner and friend, Randy Stark. At the end of the eulogy that he gave to Tom he said: “Tom has truly been that candle flame in my life. As you leave here today think of Tom and think of that candle. Give somebody a hug, a smile, a friendly hello because that is what Tom would have done. Make someone feel that they are special, be someone’s friend. Tom has made us all special and brought us together. He loved each and every on of us. The next time you light a candle think of Tom and the wonderful things that he has brought into our lives. Think of the countless people that he has touched. Think of The Dance … take some chances and enjoy life, live it to the fullest as Tom would have done. Most of all, in Tom’s own words, Don’t ever let that candle go out…something as simple as a candle flame can make a difference in someone’s life.”

From Tom’s favorite song, The Dance, by Garth Brooks: “Life is better when left to chance. I could have missed the pain, but I’d of had to miss the dance”.

Tom danced!