Biography
Pittsburgh, PA
While it’s hard to put
a finger on any one sound that defines “American music,”the compositions of Bill Toms are as close a template as any. The Pittsburgh native, along with his band Hard Rain, delivers a sound that takes the greatest of America’s most beloved genres and melds them into a poetic representation of the best the country has to offer.
Toms launched his musical career in 1987 as lead guitarist of Pittsburgh’s legendary band Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, During that period, he opened for and played with such legendary names as The Band, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Little Feat, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. While playing guitar, co-writing, and adding backup vocals for the Houserockers, Toms and the band recorded six studio albums and one live concert album. In 1995, The Houserockers released American Babylon, which was recorded and produced by Springsteen himself.
As a solo artist, Toms has opened for the likes of Buddy Guy, Levon Helm, Marshall Crenshaw, The Kennedys, He’s plotting a string of regional east coast dates to support Good For My Soul, as well as a full
European tour in 2021.
“Bill Toms is a poet, a soul-shouter and guitar slinger with one foot in the gutter and an eye on the heavens above. And man, does he front a great rock n' soul band!” - Will Kimbrough (Nashville)
Contact:
Ira Planer –management: ira@redkats.com
919.349.0942
Bill Toms -billtomsmusic@gmail.com
412.303.3867
Publicity: Mike Farley/Michael J. Media Group/608-848-9707/ mike@michaeljmedia.com
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Members:
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Sounds Like:
Gary Clark Jr., Robbie Robertson, Dr. John, Little Feat, Springsteen, Joe Tex, The Blasters, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas.
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Influences:
Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Rolling Stones, Howlin Wolf, Chuck Berry, The Replacements, Tom Petty, The Clash
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AirPlay Direct Member Since:
08/30/17
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Profile Last Updated:
08/14/23 13:17:31