Meet Tom Taylor of Murfreesboro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Taylor

Tom, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in a musical family, with a dad that played guitar, as well as an older brother that picked up the instrument. I started on guitar at around age 10, and found a love for especially playing bass lines. It was at the age of 9 that I made my decision to follow Jesus. I’ve definitely found it to be a process: I am a continual work-in-progress to be what God created me to be. It wasn’t until the age of 25 that I started seriously writing my own original music. From the very beginning, my faith and my music were intertwined. Shortly thereafter, I made the decision to take a leap of faith, and moved to Tennessee to further pursue my calling. With a wife, and a little boy not quite 2-years-old at the time, we made the major move from Washington State. I released my self-titled debut album in 2008, after a brief stint playing bass for a Nashville-based, Maroon 5-style band. I played some shows around the East Coast, but in the Summer of that same year, me and my family were in a traumatizing car accident on my son’s third birthday. None of us sustained serious injuries, but going through such an experience far away from our families was especially difficult; so after my first-ever television appearance in Atlanta at WATC-57, we returned to Washington State. I always knew I would possibly return, but it would be a number of years, and many trials later. My second album was released in 2010, and I stayed busy writing and releasing an album a year through 2017 (2011 saw two albums release). After the release of “I Will Trust” in 2017, there was a 4 and 1/2 year gap until the next album. It was first projected for release in 2019, but life’s trials and circumstances delayed its completion. One such trial was the hard drive containing the nearly completed album beginning to fail, followed by a bout with vertigo. Then shortly thereafter, a separation ultimately leading to a failed reconciliation attempt, then divorce. In December 2020, I found my way back to Tennessee, and have been here ever since. I finally completed my delayed project in late 2021, which became an album of 16 new songs titled “Heart On My Sleeve.” In 2022, it won “Album of the Year” from the WVIU Music Awards: my first-ever award! This was an especially great blessing, given the trials and the time it took to complete the project. Since its release, I put out a love songs compilation featuring 16 ballads written and released through the years, followed by a series of singles. Nashville has opened up more opportunities to co-write and collaborate, which I love to do for the connection with others, as well as for the amazing songs it brings forth.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve definitely faced a lot of discouragement over the years. It’s not an easy road as an musician/artist, but one that I’ve found is well worth the challenges. It’s a calling and a passion, and my best way of conveying what I want to say to the world.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My music is influenced by artists I knew and loved growing up. I use a lot of “Beatle ingredients,” as I put it, when I write songs; even in my country-leaning material. You’ll hear elements of rock, country, folk, jazz, and CCM throughout my catalog. The lion’s share of my music is Christian, but I also love writing ballads. I consider all of my music, whether singing to Jesus or singing a love ballad, to be from a Christian perspective.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was always painfully shy. I loved computers, video games, and of course, music. I would spend hours sitting at my computer, programming or playing games, or on the floor in front of my record player listening to music. I always had a vivid imagination, and would imagine my own albums, and even sketch out album artwork at times. It’s been a dream come true to write and release my own music!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tomtaylorministries.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomtaylorministries
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tomtaylorofficial
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/tomtaylorministries
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@tomtaylormusic