Today we’d like to introduce you to Lain Tomlinson.
Hi Lain, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Music is in my blood. From an early age, I was going to gospel singings, watching my dad and his quartet perform old Southern Gospel songs. Before long, I was up in the church choir myself, singing my heart out.
I’ve always loved music, but that love deepened when I joined the choir in middle and high school. Two teachers, Charlie Mason and Joe Bullock, ignited something in me. Their passion for music was contagious. That passion led to my first solo performance outside of church: “The River” by Garth Brooks on Senior Night. I was hooked.
I double majored in Mathematics and Vocal Performance in college. Under the guidance of Dr. Michele Paise, I discovered parts of my voice I didn’t know existed. Around the same time, I started a band with some friends called Whitetail Junction. We became local favorites—playing car shows, tailgate parties, and community events.
After a short break while living in Texas, I returned home with a renewed focus and released my first single, Looking at the Stars, in 2019, just before the pandemic paused everything.
In 2022, I recorded a full album with members of the Kenny Rogers band. That record gained thousands of views and radio spins, and in 2023, I met my wife Emma. Through her, I connected with hit songwriters Anna Lisa Graham and Wood Newton, who asked me to record Thankin’ Strait. I released it in April 2025, and it’s already picking up momentum on country radio.
Since then, I’ve played county and state fairs, churches, benefits, and even opened for Tracy Lawrence. The journey’s been full of unexpected blessings, and it’s just getting started.
Today, I’ve got a baby girl on the way, a packed show schedule, and a heart full of gratitude for what’s ahead.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but I believe God designed it that way. One of my first and biggest struggles was stage fright. Getting up in front of people to perform used to terrify me — my knees would literally knock together from nerves. That fear still creeps in every now and then, but I’ve grown more confident in myself and my music.
Other struggles are typical of anyone pursuing a passion: doubts, fears, disappointments, and even some burn out. Some of those were internal, feeling like I wasn’t good enough or if the effort was worth it. Others were external challenges like the pandemic or the struggle to grow an audience as an independent artist.
Through it all, prayer and perspective have kept me grounded when it comes to these struggles. I believe that music is a gift from God, and I try to use it to uplift, encourage, and witness to as many people as I can. It doesn’t mean that the struggles disappear, but it does mean that I’m not facing them alone. I’m thankful for that, and also for Emma, my family and friends, and my fans for their support. Realigning my mindset has made all the difference.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a country singer-songwriter based in Tennessee, and I love playing faith-rooted, family-friendly country music. My style blends traditional country sounds with storytelling, Southern gospel music, and definitely some 90s nostalgia. No matter where I’m at performing, my goal is to create music and an environment that moves people. Sometimes that means stirring emotions, but it can also mean getting people get up and dance!
What I’m most proud of is my authenticity. I try my hardest to be the same person on stage that I am off stage, and I try to let my performances and songs reflect that. I’m especially excited about my latest single that I mentioned earlier, “Thankin’ Strait.” When I heard that song for the first time, I knew it was a perfect fit, and watching it gain traction on country radio has been a real blessing.
What sets me apart? I’m not just here to entertain, although I love doing that. I’m here to encourage. I want people to leave my shows feeling better than they did when they walked in. In today’s world, that’s a big feat sometimes. But whether I’m playing a fair, a church, or a restaurant, I try to bring light, honesty, and heart to the stage.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk taking is scary, but it’s absolutely necessary for growth.
In my music career, one of the biggest risks I took was releasing that first album and hosting the release party. The songwriting was personal, and putting them out there made me feel vulnerable. I wasn’t sure how people would respond. We expected maybe 150 to 200 people to show up to the release party (and that was being optimistic). 350 people came! It showed me that sometimes the scariest moves can be the most rewarding.
Outside of music, I’ve taken some big leaps as well. I worked as a college math professor for several years, and I left that security to eventually become a Data Scientist at a local community bank. It felt like a huge risk at the time, but it’s been a great decision professionally.
In 2022, I also accepted the call to pastor Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in East Nashville. Shepherding a church brings its own kind of weight and responsibility, and it’s pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.
In each of these cases, whether music-related or not, the decision to take the risk came after a lot of prayer and seeking God’s direction. It was scary at the time, but in every case where I’ve taken a risk, it has deepened my faith, refined my purpose, and reminded me that you can learn whether you succeed or fail.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.laintomlinson.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/LTomlinsonMusic
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LTomlinsonMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LainTomlinsonMusic
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@laintomlinsonmusic
