Tom’s inspiration for learning guitar was watching American Bandstand when he was 5 years old. His parents, not sure of his dedication, held out until he was 10 before he was allowed to take lessons. About that same time, he started his vocal career with the children’s choir at church. His first band, the “Vibratones” made a name for themselves mostly for their sassy red neck ties and their drummer’s fluorescent  drumsticks. Spurning electric Rock music coincident with Dylan’s groundbreaking appearance with the Band, Tom organized “The Folk Generation”,an acoustic folk group directly influenced by the second great Folk Scare of the late ‘60s. The college years were spent as a solo act engaged in a singer/songwriter/premed act. After a brief hiatus, due to the distractions of a day job, Tom returned to acoustic music in 2001, buying his first dreadnought and diving into the realm of flatpicked guitar. Mandolin was added to the armamentarium in 2005. The Ong's Hat Band is Tom’s first music project since 1975. He’s set aside his leisure suits but maintains his passion for the eclectic mix of tunes that Ongs Hat is known for.

John Mahony has been playing music since taking up the accordion at the age of 7. He has been playing guitar for over 40 years, largely as a finger-style guitarist exploring the
blues, ragtime, swing and jazz continuum. Over 20 years ago, he turned his attention to the fiddle, taken with traditional Appalachian (old-time) music. While plumbing the depths of old-time he took up clawhammer banjo, a pleasure that continues to today. During the '80's, John performed in a guitar/clarinet duet with Dave Lopresti and later held down the guitar duties of the Mitch Tabas Trio (featuring Mitch Tabas, see below) and in the '90's was a founder and fiddler of the old-time band, The Rorschach County Ramblers. During his time  on the fiddle he never lost sight of other styles of music and has been applying his love of fiddle to jazz and classical music. Besides playing in Ong’s Hat, John is also a violinist in the Ambler Symphony Orchestra in Pennsylvania and plays fiddle and  clawhammer banjo in the Irish band, No Irish Need Apply. John recently wrote a string orchestra accompaniment for a song performed by the Ambler Symphony Orchestra. At the 2010 Philadelphia Folk Festival, John took first prize in the Martin Guitar/Vintage Instruments Guitar Contest. John’s musical education included jazz guitar with Joe Federico, jazz violin with John Blake, Jr. and he is currently studying  theory, composition and improvisation with Chuck Anderson.

A diverse bassist for  more than 30 years, Mike switched from electric to upright bass 16 years ago. Although initially playing rock and punk, he soon pursued interests in other styles of music, including, classical, electronic, jazz, rock and world genre. After studying with the late Robert Riccardi and Craig Thomas he embraced orchestral repertoire through community orchestras. A chance meeting  after an Ambler Symphony rehearsal with John Mahony, started a wonderful journey
of musical tangents, The Ong’s Hat Band. Continual learning and exploring music through introspection has led to studies with Chuck Anderson and becoming the sound engineer for the band. He is currently playing with The Mike James Band, Philharmonia of Southern NJ, and the Sound of Swing big band. He still finds time to accompany singers of various stripes in the South Jersey
area.

Mitch Tabas began playing violin at the age of 9 when he was too afraid to ask for a trumpet. After beginning orchestral pedagogy with Frank Myrick and Esther Jamaiz, he has since taken lessons with Matt Glaser (jazz & swing); Richard Greene (bluegrass); Junior Dougherty (Texas swing); and Douglas Jasik (jazz). He is currently studying jazz and ballad playing with well known Philadelphia street musician Charles Townsend. Past performances with bands include: Slippery Elm with Michael Pilla (Phila. Folk Fest 1975); Roger Sprung (Newport RI, 1976); the TUCC chamber group (Mozart Oboe Quartet- 1977); County Line with Skip Heller and Brian Herder; Quilt Square Dance Band- (Philadelphia Folk Fest 1983-1989); the band Acoustics with John Ciarrocchi (1996); the Bobo Max Band2005-06 (electric blues); and the Mitch Tabas Trio (featuring John Mahony, see above) 1986- 1989. Mitch also plays Irish music with the Delaware County band, IRISH MIST,now celebrating its 25th year. Competitions include: Round Top PA (1st place,
bluegrass, with the King Brothers - 1986) and the Galax Fiddlers Fest, VA (1972, 985- old time) Mitch’s most memorable musical moment was playing a fiddle break onstage when the late Stanley Green, Philadelphia bon vivante and man-about-town, intoxicated with the music, leaned over Mitch to say “I’m going to make you a star.” You be the judge. Mitch lives in Narberth, PA.