Biographical Information

Tomy Wright's Musical Inspirations:

Influenced by multiple musical styles, in particular Boston's 60/70's folk scene, Tomy Wright embraces the contemporary folk genre as his vehicle of artistic expression.  Having served 30 years in the military, he musically and professionally maintained "a foot in both camps," with concurrent, long-term publication subscriptions to Rolling Stone and The Army Times.

A world traveler and recent Marylander, Tomy penned what the Baltimore Sun called "a loving ode to a slow road" supporting successful grassroots efforts to ensure Frederick County's gravel road legacy. He also achieved national airplay on  NPR's Car Talk (show #0321) with his "I'm Gonna Get Me a Car." 

Tomy developed his musical appreciation early on from his parents who shared their love of a wide range of music from Puchini, George and Ira Gershwin to Lerner and Lowe, Ray Charles to Jim Nabors, the Ink Spots to Mahalia Jackson, Harry Belafonte to Lawrence Welk.  His mother had him play in a rhythm band in Kindergarten.  His first instrument was the violin, he played for 8 years.  They all regularly attend the Boston Symphony and Pops and on Saturday mornings his mom would take him to the Youth Symphony.

He remembers receiving and playing a Christmas gift LP of Country Pop classics of Glenn Campbell, Rodger Miller, and Eddie Arnold et al, over and over; and also hiding Meet the Beatles under his bed, having spent his haircut money on that purchase.  He picked up the drums on his own wanting to be Ringo Starr and jammed along his very different record collection of Beatles, Yardbirds, Rolling Stones, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Cream, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Johnny Winter (just to name a few).

So in the late 60's was it any wonder when his mom said, "He loves those dirty blues.  We don't listen to that music!" hoping for a different outcome.  But didn't they discourage him, they even encouraged his musical friends to come and play in the basement.  At least they knew where he was and who he was jamming with.  And we're thankful!

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