New Artist Spotlight: Trent Tomlinson
By Gary Voorhies
© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Trent Tomlinson has demonstrated tenacity pursuing his dream to be a Country singer. He continued pushing despite his father's misgivings about the music industry and after several songwriting deals went sour.
Tomlinson grew up in Kennett, Mo., the son of a former college basketball star plus, the local high school basketball coach and biology teacher. His father groomed him to become a basketball star, but at 6 foot 2 inches tall, Tomlinson felt that was out of reach.
He was more drawn to music and found a place for himself with other young, local musicians.
Before long he was sneaking out to play music in the bars in his home town. In his junior year of high school he appeared on The Nashville Network talent show "You Can Be A Star," eventually losing the Grand Championship by less than a point.
After a short stint in college, Tomlinson moved to Nashville, and wrote songs recorded by Blue County, Emerson Drive and Sara Evans among others.
He landed several publishing deals, which gave him ample time in the studio to produce demos and find his sound, but each deal dissolved when the companies had business woes.
When he landed at the Cal IV Entertainment music publishing company, he began to come into his own and was soon signed to Lyric Street Records. Tomlinson co-produced his March 7 debut album, Country Is My Rock, with HillBilly and Leigh Reynolds. He wrote or co-wrote all eleven tracks on the CD, including the debut single, "Drunker Than Me," penned with Ashe Underwood.
Today, even his father is among Tomlinson's supporters. "At one time he thought it was all a pipe dream," Tomlinson said. "Now he's calling with song ideas."
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
Who is your musical hero? "Merle Haggard."
What CD is on your stereo? "Waylon Jennings' Honky Tonk Heroes."
What do you sing in the shower? "Just about anything. Actually, I do a lot of songwriting in the shower, coming up with lyrics and song ideas."
What is your pet peeve? "Traffic."
Which mode of transportation do you prefer - planes, trains or automobiles? "Cars, especially my four wheel-drive Chevy pickup."
On the Web: www.trenttomlinson.com
April 18, 2006
© Chapman Baehler
