Music can touch a place in our hearts differently for everyone. We all have different experiences in life and love. Songs can activate our memories, desires and imagination. The soulful melodies of Kyle Thomas can tug on your heart strings like no other. My heart didn’t know the treat it was in for when walking into the Commodore Grille this winter. All Kyle needs is his guitar and soft voice to make your heart feel like it’s ready to float out of your chest. You will remember moments of love you hadn’t thought about in years and long for breathless moments over and over again. I sat down with Kyle after the show to learn about his start in music, influences, the decision to leave Ohio and move to Nashville, faith and future plans.
Q. Take me back to the beginning of your career, tell me how you found your love and talent for music and decided to make it a career aspiration?
A. “I grew up playing music and I jumped around from bass to electric guitar, trombone and keyboard. I was involved in choir and musical theater in high school. Then I got away from it and played football in college. We had a fellowship of Christian athletes, they heard I played music and asked me if I would start leading worship. I fell back in love with music then. I started writing music and decided I wanted to do it for a career.”
Q. How did you make the decision to move to Nashville?
A. “I’m originally from Ohio and after I graduated from West Virginia University I moved home for a year. I got a band together and did some regional touring. I finally decided if you want to be the best you got to be around the best. This is where (Nashville) the industry is for what I want to do, so I had to take the leap and come down here.”
“I finally decided if you want to be the best
you got to be around the best.”
Q. Who’s your biggest musical influence?
A. “Growing up through middle school my parents didn’t let me listen to anything but Christian and Gospel music, so I was heavily influenced by that. Once I started seeing some other music like classic rock while I was learning electric guitar, Steve Perry of Journey influenced me on vocals. A lot of my influences growing up were Motown and 70’s music with that funk, good vibe and harmonies. Along with The Temptations, Ben E. King and The Drifters. Then I started listening to some soulful stuff like John Mayer and Dave Matthews.”
“From my inspiration I want to try to do
something different, that’s really authentic
to me and who I am.”
Q. How would you describe your inspiration and musical style?
A. “When I moved back I did a lot of country because it was the easiest to get booked for. I am a country music fan, but to be authentic to myself I would say I’m more soulful and Jazz kind of musician. From my inspiration I want to try to do something different, that’s really authentic to me and who I am.”
Q. What do you enjoy or look forward to most about writing, recording or performing music? Tell me more about the process.
A. “I love going into a room and creating, a lot of times it can be a release to write about whatever is going on in your life. It can also be cool to help someone else, I’ve had a lot of situations where people are working on albums and they have something they’re going through they want to write about. So it’s unique to help them through those situations and be able to write a song we’re both proud of…. It’s cool to play rounds with guys you write with then sometimes rounds will be with nobody you know and it’s cool to get an idea of what they do and network with them.”
Q. What is a memorable experience for you in your music career and how has it impacted you?
A. “I’ve got to play some cool shows like open for Craig Morgan and play at the house of blues and Hard Rock cafes in different places. It’s really cool to have people sing your songs back to you. More than anything it’s inspiring to me when you write something with someone that you really love jamming to. It’s cool to create something you love. You can write a hundred songs and not like any of them, but then there’s that one you do. My inspiration is to continue to search for that song that’s going to be meaningful to me.”
“You got to chase after what you love and once you decide to do it, it’s like anything else. You have to treat it like it’s more than a 9 to 5 job because you can never clock out.”
Q. What advice would you give to someone who may have a dream in music, but is struggling with taking the steps to make it a reality?
A. “If it’s what you want to do, just believe in yourself and go for it. There’s going to be people that ask what’s your plan? You’re not always going to have a plan; it’s an uncertain career path. You got to chase after what you love and once you decide to do it, it’s like anything else. You have to treat it like it’s more than a 9 to 5 job because you can never clock out. It’s practice, write, and reading helps a lot lyrically. When you are ready to do it, you have to be in a city like New York, Nashville or LA to write and network with other writers that can feed your creative process and help you grow.”
Q. Can you tell me some of your exciting plans for 2018? What long-term goals do you have for your career?
A. “I plan to get a group of songs together and get in the studio. I’m meeting with publishers, so my goal is to hopefully be signed. More than anything write songs that are true to myself and I’m proud of.”
Kyle needs your support is recording his new music so we all can enjoy! Please support him in anyway you can by visiting: https://www.gofundme.com/kyle-thomas-ep or https://venmo.com @kylethomasofc
To hear Kyle’s new projects and upcoming shows visit http://www.kylethomascountry.com and follow him on social media:
Photo Credit to https://www.facebook.com/kylethomasofficial
Farm Girl With Curls 