Tommy McDonnell, also known as "Pipes", is a musician who grew up on the streets of New York City's East Bronx. His mother Florence, a singer, actress, and professional dancer, introduced him to the joys of performance at an early age. His father Tom, who's ambition was to be a music arranger, ended up becoming the Charlie Parker of the carpentry world in order to support 7 kids. 

By the time he was ten years old, Tommy began studying drums and by age 15 he was already performing in established bands. In 1988,  Tommy decided to step out from behind his drums and with the help of  producer and friend Joe Ferry embark on a singing career that met with instant success. Tommy was a featured singer on many albums including The SOS All-Stars, Syndicate of Soul, and with young guitar virtuoso Gil Parris.

Tommy's resume includes: recording and performing with "The Original Blues Brothers Band", The National Symphony, The Pacific Symphony, The Dallas Symphony, The Pittsburgh Symphony, The Super Bowl, The Hollywood Bowl, The David Letterman Show, Saturday Night Live, and was a featured singer in Universal Pictures' "Blues Brothers 2000", with Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, Blue Lou Marini, Alan "Mr. Fabulous" Rubin, Steve Cropper, Matt Guitar Murphy, Duck Dunne, Paul Schaffer. Tommy has also shared the stage with such greats as BB King, James Brown, ZZ TOP, Eddie "Knock On Wood" Floyd, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Lou Rawls, Isaac Hayes, Gary US Bonds, Koko Taylor, Travis Tritt, Grover Washington Jr., Bo Diddley, Sam Moore, Wilson Picket, Jewel and Al Green.