Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Bill Toms joined Pittsburgh’s legendary band, The Houserockers, as lead guitarist in 1987. The band’s meteoric rise into the professional music scene enabled Bill to tour the United States and Europe repeatedly.
While with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers he opened for and played with a long and impressive list of notables, such as The Band, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat and Stevie Ray Vaughn. During his 20 years of playing guitar, co-writing, and singing back-up vocals for the Houserockers, Toms recorded six studio albums and one live concert album. In 1995, the acclaimed CD, “American Babylon,” was recorded and produced by Bruce Springsteen.
Bill Toms’ solo performances have taken him all over the United States and Europe. In addition to his previous six studio CD’s, one “Live” CD, and single EP, his latest record, the Will Kimbrough produced, “Memphis” was released to international critical acclaim in 2011.
Table of Contents
5:42 – If you had to describe yourself as a band, song or genre, what would it be?
8:06 – How did you get started in the business of music?
15:01 – Looking back at your career, what stands out to you as your proudest moment?
20:37 – What’s been one of your biggest failures?
31:40 – Top 4 takeaways to support your success in the music business
If you had to describe yourself as a band, song or genre, what would it be?
As a person, which has nothing to do with what I do as a musician, I would say jazz. I’m restless like jazz. My wheels are always turning, and that is jazz music, there is always something different going on.
How did you get started in the business of music?
Just like everybody else, I got started as a kid. I loved music, and when I grew up in the 1960’s, music was rich. I had older sisters, and they listened to all the hits of the day. I remember Motown and soul music. That’s how it began for me, I was always able to escape through music. As I got older, I found out that I could actually play the guitar if I really tried.
But before that I played trumpet. I took the lessons they offered at school. My father was a horn player, my mother and sisters played the piano–there was always music in the house. It was expected that when the school offered you lessons, you would choose an instrument and go with it. I chose the trumpet.
I did that and when I got to be a teenager, I realized that the guys that had the guitars were the ones getting the girls. It was as simple as that!
Looking back at your career, what stands out to you as your proudest moment?
Looking back, I probably have a few. Memphis–just making that record, I was proud of that. It was a vision that I had that came together. And Will Kimbrough was such a talent that he was able to see that as well. We got so much out of that. I can look at that record and say that couldn’t have done any better.
I can also look back at the record with Bruce Springsteen, and the first time I played with him back in 1995. Just meeting him for the first time and doing a soundcheck and getting up on stage and playing with him. I felt an overwhelming sense of relaxation, if that makes any sense. I felt really relaxed playing with him. Playing with someone that good, and that brings so much passion to the music, brought more of it out of me.
What’s been one of your biggest failures?
Being naive to the business of music. When we were young, there was no one there to show us publishing, for example. I think when you are young, you see music through the eyes and radio-speakers of the hit-makers.
As I’ve gotten older, I’m much more inclined to be honest with myself and how I see music. There is a lot of great music out there. If you are honest with yourself about making music, that is the reward. It’s not about how much money you are going to make.
Top 4 takeaways to support your success in the music business:
- Artists must learn your craft by doing. That means getting in front of people.
- Utilize what you have in front of you that is free, i.e. social media.
- Direct what you are “selling” to the appropriate audience. If you are a blues band, don’t go play in a country bar. Find your audience, and rope them in.
- Songwriters need to learn how to write lyrics by listening and reading. Always listen to people, and always have a book handy and keep your nose in it.
The best ways to reach Bill Toms:
On the web:
http://www.billtoms.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Toms/231167060651?ref=br_tf
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/billtoms
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