Career
A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, he died from injuries suffered in a Jeep crash on April 28, 1980, at the age of 30. Caldwell composed several of their songs and played bass, percussion, guitar, as well as contributing backup vocals, though he sang lead on "Melody Ann" the only song on which he performed lead vocals. His last performance with the band was on April 18, 1980, ten days before his fatal accident.
The performance is captured on the 2006 release, Live on Long Island.
Another brother, Tim Caldwell, also died in a traffic accident one month before Tommy, on March 28, 1980, at age 25. The Charlie Daniels Band"s 1980 album Full Moon is dedicated to Caldwell.