Thomas was born in Pikeville, Tennessee, United States and attended Humboldt State University.[2]
He started out playing the Arcata clubs in the early 1980s while still at university.[3] He was at an open mic night at an Arcata club and sang the Jackson Browne number "Something Fine", which marked the start of his performance career.[4]
In the early 1990s, he moved to San Diego, California.[2] His Blue... Not Blues album was released in 1991 and received favorable reviews, referred to by one reviewer as "a pleasant surprise".[5][6] His self-penned song, "I Sing the Blues", was a hit for Etta James.[7]
In 2008 he played at the Russian River Blues Festival in Sonoma County, California.[3]
In August 2016, Thomas appeared at the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival at Colne, Lancashire, England.[8]
