Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Lohrmann.
Hi Tom, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Raised by professional vocalists, my musical journey was set in motion long before I was born — it’s woven into my family’s DNA.
My parents met playing in bands along the east coast, especially in and around the Washington D.C. area. But the story runs deeper: my grandfather, a World War II veteran, sang in barbershop and church choirs, while on my mother’s side, my great-great uncle Johnny Puleo became one of the most celebrated harmonica players of all time. He blended musical talent with slapstick humor, performing on The Ed Sullivan Show, in major films and TV programs, and even appearing briefly in the Beatles’ Help! in 1965. His showmanship and originality made him a beloved figure in American musical comedy throughout the mid-20th century.
So from the start, music was entrenched in life’s everyday rhythm. I grew up singing in church and school choirs, learning harmonies by ear with my father, and experimenting with instruments alongside my siblings. My brother and I started writing original songs and playing in garage and basement bands with neighborhood friends, ultimately leading to us performing under the name Sonic Nights, touring up and down the east coast in our late teens and early twenties.
During this time I became just as fascinated with the behind-the-scenes, actual business side of the industry. I managed a recording studio with my brother, launched several music blogs, and even employed college interns that received course credit for their work. I was creating my own full-immersion crash course in music business, taking online classes through programs at UCLA and working with several boutique agencies to interview hundreds of artists at industry events like NAMM and Vans Warped Tour, learning how artists built their brands, sustained their careers, and navigated the intense challenges of the industry.
In 2014, I moved to Nashville, a decision that changed everything. Over a two year period, I finished my business degree, worked multiple industry internships and jobs, dove headfirst into touring life as a bassist/vocalist, and began collaborating with local producers and songwriters in studios across town. From there, momentum grew, ultimately leading to a first pivotal moment as a sideman in 2018 when I performed on NBC’s TODAY and CMT with Tegan Marie. Since then, I’ve played major festivals like Stagecoach, CMA Fest, Country Thunder, and Windy City Smokeout, and toured across North America, Australia, and New Zealand with artists like Cooper Alan, Riley Green, Maggie Baugh, and Alexandra Kay.
Parallel to music, I’ve grown a career as a strategist — helping independent artists, startups, and small businesses with everything from branding to marketing to product development. That work has given me a whole other layer of creative fulfillment, as seeing other people’s dreams come to life means so much to me as well. Everything I’ve done has led me to a place where I get to blend creativity and business, passion and purpose — and I’m still building every day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all — and truthfully, I don’t think I would’ve grown into the person I am today if it had been smooth. The road’s been full of twists, tests, and moments of deep uncertainty and confusion. Touring for over a decade has brought some of the most exhilarating highs of my life — moments on stage and on tour that I’ll remember forever — while also pushing me to the brink physically, emotionally, and spiritually more times than I can count.
People tend to see the highlight reels — the tour posters, the packed venues, the snapshots from the road — but not the 4 a.m. lobby calls, 18-hour drives, the resulting sleep deprivation of managing multiple time zones, or the physical toll of lugging gear through inclement weather or sweltering heat. They don’t see the scramble for food options in the middle of nowhere, or the days when you’re running on three hours of sleep but still need to be dialed in for soundcheck, press, or the performance itself. Even foundational normalities like working out, sleeping well, or getting clean become logistical challenges. You’re constantly adapting.
That’s just the surface. And that’s considering everything is going well! There are also those quieter, heavier moments — lying awake in a hotel room or a tour bus bunk, feeling the weight of everything you’ve missed: birthdays, holidays, weddings, even funerals. Because emotionally, it’s even tougher. Dating feels nearly impossible. Relationships strain. Friendships fade. And you learn the hard way that not everyone can — or should — walk this journey with you. I’ve lost people I cared deeply about simply because they couldn’t handle this lifestyle – even when I tried my hardest. There have certainly been times where I’ve lost parts of myself, trying to make everything work for everyone else, neglecting myself in the process.
Along the journey it’s extremely easy to doubt whether any of it will actually work out. Obviously you hear a hell of a lot of skepticism growing up. While my parents were incredibly supportive in many ways, they also knew how unstable and emotionally taxing a life in entertainment could be. So I carried a lot of that fear and skepticism — that maybe I was chasing something impossible, or that I didn’t belong. I poured a lot of time and energy into building other people’s visions — managing artists, co-founding startups, and consulting for brands — all valuable experiences — while pushing my own creative voice deeper into the background, leaving me only fulfilled on a singular level.
The real turning point came when I moved to Nashville. That wasn’t just a change in location — it was a personal commitment to stop holding back. I promised myself I would show up, fully, and consistently. I committed to my craft. I began surrounding myself with people who genuinely inspired and pushed me. I stopped waiting on or needing to justify my dreams to anyone else, ultimately realizing that waiting for validation or for the “perfect moment” was just another form of procrastination. I stopped chasing some abstract version of “success” and instead focused on creating, connecting, and contributing to something real.
Since then, I’ve learned that success is rarely instant (even when it looks like it is) and the path is almost never direct. It’s built in the quiet, unglamorous hours: practicing late into the night, showing up early for rehearsals, writing even when you’re uninspired, taking the gig that no one will see but that helps you grow, saying yes in unfamiliar situations, and trusting that every step forward — even the most painful ones — are a major part of the larger story. It’s rarely easy, and it’s never perfect — but it’s real. And the grit and growth of a meaningful struggle always means more anyways.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m a connector — whether with an audience from the stage, with a collaborator in the studio, or with a client during a creative strategy session. Or even a random person on the street, in a random restaurant, in a random city…every interaction comes with it new and unique possibilities.
As a touring musician, I’ve been fortunate to work in a wide range of genres, primarily within country, pop, and rock. I’ve played everything from intimate songwriter rounds to large festival stages, and I pride myself on being someone artists can trust — not just to play the right notes, but to show up with heart, professionalism, excitement, and intention.
In the studio, I specialize in songwriting, vocal arranging/production, and bass, while collaborating with other artists to articulate their stories in a way that feels authentic to them. There’s obviously a place for chasing trends, but I care much more about helping someone sound like the truest version of themselves. That’s what makes a work of art timeless.
Beyond music performance and production, I’ve carved out space as a strategist, helping creatives and entrepreneurs refine their messaging, build strong visual identities, and grow sustainable businesses — a strategic lens I carry into everything I do in the music world as well.
I believe what sets me apart is the combination of creative sensitivity and business acumen that I possess. I understand both sides of the industry — the art and the infrastructure — and I genuinely enjoy helping people bridge the gap between their creative vision and their career goals. I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built along the way — the artists’ careers I’ve helped launch, the songwriters and producers I’ve introduced, the communities I’ve become a part of, the projects that reach “release day” – all moments where together we get to say, “Look what we did!”
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Nashville is its heartbeat — the sense of community, creativity, and southern hospitality that runs throughout everything. This is a city built on mutual collaboration and connection, and I’ve felt that deeply ever since moving here. Whether it’s through a writing session, a spontaneous, impromptu performance with friends, or simply running into someone inspiring at a coffee shop, there’s this constant exchange of energy and encouragement. It keeps me grounded and motivated. And its resilience — wow. The city itself has been through a lot, especially in the last fifteen years, experiencing several natural disasters and multiple terrorist attacks during the period. I’ve been here for a lot of those years and have seen first-hand how people not only come together in the midst of tragedy but to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of their peers. It’s really something to behold.
Of course, like any fast-growing city, Nashville has its challenges, and believe me, they’ve got plenty. The vast development within every area has led to rapidly rising costs and growing pains. Neighborhoods change quickly with long-time locals pushed out or overlooked. Traffic has gotten exponentially worse, infrastructure is strained to a hazardous level, and the city’s character is at serious risk of being diluted by rapid commercialization. And while Nashville has always been dangerous, it seems as if everyday interactions between citizens become even more tense with consistently looming threats of redistricting and re-zoning.
Despite all this, I still believe in this place. I believe in the people. And I believe in showing up — both as an artist and as a neighbor — to help keep the soul of this city alive. Each week I serve on a volunteer effort with an organization here in town, as I’m grateful for any opportunity to give back to this city that’s given me so much. It continues to teach me that even in my toughest times I have so much to be appreciative of. It also helps me stay connected to the people and communities that exist beyond our music industry bubble. Knowing that we’re helping people in real and tangible ways — whether that’s through meals, supplies, or simply support — keeps everything in perspective and reminds me that success isn’t just about achievements or accolades, but about the impact you can make on others when you show up with love and consistency.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tomlohrmann.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomlohrmann
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomlohrmann
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3e6OYRf6ZZyNEnNmtN0K7a?si=2Py4CGUZTn67f3GsH590FQ&nd=1&dlsi=65db3248643a4d49
