Bill Toms profile picture

Bill Toms

BILL TOMS

About Me

Pittsburgh native Bill Toms is the reincarnate troubadour. His songs are stories he paints about the human condition, in all its frailty and triumph. He touches the listener’s soul, speaking the language of rhythm, blues, soul, and country, while offering a peek at the light. His gifts of music and storytelling, paired with his creative compulsion for songs that burrow deep into the soul, have his dedicated fans continually coming back for more. Bill Toms' guitar skills were recognized early on. He 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. The Houserockers 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 19 years of playing guitar 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.Even though playing with the Houserockers was a full time gig, Toms continued to pursue his own musical career. He formed his own band, Hard Rain, in 1997. His engaging style and gift for songwriting, combined with his consummate musicianship, evoke the deepest emotions from his listeners. His songs pay homage to the little guy, the dreamer in us all. He weaves tales about lovers, boxers and working stiffs, saints and sinners - the soul who sees the light but can't quite bask in its glow. Bill Toms’ solo performances have taken him all over the United States and Europe. Some of the headline artists Bill has opened for include Marshall Crenshaw, The Kennedys, Steve Forbert, and Ellis Paul. In addition to his four studio CD's and one EP, he has a new CD/DVD scheduled for release in April 2008. Upcoming projects also include: Bill Toms’ Annual Thanksgiving Benefit Concert (2007- Darfur) (2006-ALS), December 2007 solo European concert tour Summer 2008 US/European tour with his band, Hard Rain.DISCOGRAPHYWith Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers: “Rock and Real” - Rounder Records, 1989 “Swimming with the Sharks” - Rounder Records, 1991 “End of the Century” - Razor and Tie, 1992 “American Babylon”- Razor and Tie, 1995 “Coming Home” - Big Star, 1997 “Down the Road Apiece, Live” - Schoolhouse Records, 1999 “True Companion” – Schoolhouse Records, 2003With Bill Toms and Hard Rain: “Paradise Avenue” - Schoolhouse Records, 1997 “My Own Eyes” - Moondog Records, 1999 “This Old World” - Moondog/Schoolhouse Records, 2001 “The West End Kid” – Moondog Records, 2005Bill Toms Solo: “One Lonesome Moment” - Out of the Rain Records, 2002..
www.layoutpimper.com

.. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- CDBABY LINK for BILL TOMS AND HARD RAIN: The West End Kid --
.. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- CDBABY LINK for BILL TOMS AND HARD RAIN: Paradise Avenue --

.. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- CDBABY LINK for BILL TOMS AND HARD RAIN: This Old World --

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/2/2006
Band Website: billtoms.com/
Band Members: Bill's band, Hard Rain features Tom Breiding, Scott "Scooter' Tamulinas, Bernie Herr, Phil Brontz... Bill plays quite a bit as a solo performer as well.
Influences: The Band, Chuck Berry, The Clash, Hank Williams, The Replacements, Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Woody Guthrie, T. Bone Walker, James Brown, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Otis Redding, Bruce Springsteen, Ramblin Jack Elliott, Leadbelly
Sounds Like: Harry Funk ~ Washington Pa Observer-Reporter: Though he can rock with the best of them, Bill has another musical side, exploring the folk tradition of Americana with an introspective pen.

Record Label: AmeriSon Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Jobs

After reading Zekes new entry at www.billtoms.com, I wanted to get these thoughts down. Jobs.. I remember a few years back, reading about the Rolling Stones. Someone asked Charlie Watts, after 40 year...
Posted by Bill Toms on Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:34:00 PST

To Evolve

We live in the most diverse country in the world, yet bigotry still rises from the seeds of man to contaminate our heartland.The idea that we should embrace our differences (this is what makes America...
Posted by Bill Toms on Sat, 31 May 2008 07:51:00 PST

The Reward

First of all, let me say 'I love my wife'. For over twenty-six years we have been together. There have been ups and downs and hard times and good. But love has always been there.OK, saying that, we ha...
Posted by Bill Toms on Thu, 15 May 2008 05:35:00 PST

Spirits, Chaos

Woody Guthrie said to write what you see. He seen hardships fall heavy on friends and family as well as experiencing them himself. He witnessed hatred and fear and brutality. Woody Guthrie understood ...
Posted by Bill Toms on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:50:00 PST

Chasing Freedom

The chase for freedom is ongoing. We use the word ’freedom’ pretty often in our society, but do we really understand what it is? Things I think about.. The word freedom is used to describe...
Posted by Bill Toms on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:27:00 PST

Spirits, Chaos, and a Troubadour Soul

On April 15, my new CD, ’Spirits, Chaos, and a Troubadour Soul’ will be released nationally. I will have CD’s for sale before that at the shows.. I would like to thank all the good f...
Posted by Bill Toms on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:56:00 PST

Acid Relief

I invited Zeke Caresani to write a column on my web site. My idea, as he agreed was to have an another view point on music, politics, social commentary, and other subjects partaining to my music as we...
Posted by Bill Toms on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 08:18:00 PST

I am

The oil company's can't get meI only drive myself crazyNo car, or motorbikeI'll stand close to the fireWhen I'm coldThey can buy as many politicians as they wantDoesn't mean a thingI get no miles to t...
Posted by Bill Toms on Sat, 26 Jan 2008 06:28:00 PST

My Choice

From the Rust Belt Chronicles:When I choose my friends I -Surround myself with people who are selflessSurround myself with people who are respectfulSurround myself with people who give with nothing ex...
Posted by Bill Toms on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 07:40:00 PST

Grapes of Wrath and stuff

In the John Ford movie, 'Grapes Of Wrath', the ex-preacher character that John Carradine plays says he lost "The Calling". I go back to this movie every once in a while and find something new every ti...
Posted by Bill Toms on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:59:00 PST