For Tom Hickox [Twitter/Facebook], being an accomplished musician would seem to run in the family. He is the son of the late Richard Hickox (CBE), a Grammy-winning  conductor, and the mother of an orchestral timpanist. Had he had his way, though, he wouldn’t be making music today:  “I knew as a kid I couldn’t possibly compete with my dad, and I didn’t want to. … Really, I am untrained musician but I have a lot in my guts and in my ears that I picked up by osmosis.’ He’s soon due to showcase just what he’s picked up on his debut album, War, Peace and Diplomacy (due out before year’s end), and the lead track from it is a delicately beautiful song (and a free download) called The Angel of the North.  Hickox’s powerful baritone is backed by a plaintive organ, rolling percussion and, later in the song, a mournful cello line that does a lot to convery the emotion behind his songwriting. One wouldn’t know that he didn’t receive any formal training in music, because his venture out into the world of music is one of the most accomplished songs of the year. Keep an eye on him, folks – Hickox could have one of the best debut albums of the year on his hands.