Tommy West releases first single

Tom Harrison (Vancouver Sun)

Published: January 28, 2017

Updated: January 29, 2017 3:08 PM

Filed Under:

The Province > Entertainment > Local Arts

Tommy West. For Tom Harrison story.

Tommy West is thinking big and moving fast.

By this time next year he figures he’ll have had a series of hit records in the country genre and will be headlining his own concerts.

That begins today (Jan. 30) with the release of his first single, Test Of Time.

An unapologetically sentimental look at his parents lasting love, Test Of Time is refreshing in its honesty. It is typical of Tommy West’s songs in that its sincerity is believable.

He quit an amply paying job as a pipefitter foreman, installing air conditioner and heating units, seven months ago to pursue what had been a sideline singing and playing solo. He turned his back on security and took a leap of faith into the less certain world of  writing and performing music full time.

“It was December (2015) that I woke up , saying ‘I’ve had enough.'” he recalls. “I knew that I had  to get serious about this.”

In a short time, and at great personal expense, he started writing songs, formed a band, developed an image and a concept appointed his wife, Heather, to create a website, consulted a lawyer, Bob D’Eith, hired a publicity firm, Last Tango, teamed with a producer, Award-winning Tom McKillop, and made an EP’s worth of songs, of which Test Of Time was among the first.

“I didn’t have a plan,” he remembers waking up jobless and wondering how he was going  to, in his word, “reinvent” himself. “I’m going to do it properly,” Tommy concluded. “I knew I had to learn the business.”

So, with eyes and ears open, he listened to advice and suggestions and took in the lessons of the music business.

“Whether right or wrong, I just had to do it,” he concludes. “I’ve surprised myself.

“Anything I want to do, I have to do at this level,” Tommy adds, holding a hand up above himself. “Or else I can’t do it.”

To that end, Tommy West has created his own record label, Easy Hours, which will release his records, and to go out on the road. At the risk of sounding trite, it is the realization of a dream.

“Music has always been part of my life,” he says. “I used to go to bed thinking I’m onstage singing.”

And so began his own test of time.

tharrison@postmedia.com

At the Giovanni Bastone Foundation’s 4th annual gala for childhood cancer research, Tommy’s blend of melodies and passion for his music set the tone for a fabulous evening.  Tommy connected with the audience when he drove home classics from Blue Rodeo and the Eagles, and left them wanting more.  Anyone who listens to Tommy appreciates that he has deep respect for the artists he covers.  The original music that he writes and performs has evolved from his West Coast roots, and classic rock influences. Not only is Tommy a great artist, but he’s also a pretty decent guy. He has been a long-time partner with us in our efforts to find a cure for childhood cancer and he has donated many hours of his time to our cause.   

Deborah Nicols

Tommy  is one of the most generous, kind and thoughtful performers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  When I first approached Tommy to pitch the idea for a benefit, Hear The Hunger, to raise money for LUMS, an organization that feeds and cares for Vancouver's Downtown East Side most vulnerable and marginalized citizens, he did not even hesitate to answer yes when he was asked to perform....in fact, he was volunteering his help before the presentation was complete. 

Tommy has a knack for choosing songs that suit his voice and music that moves his audiences to their feet, whether their swooning over a ballad or grooving to west coast country.  His enthusiasm is infectious and it's impossible not to have a good time when he's on stage.

It's been nearly a year since the benefit and people are still talking about his performance that night.  I'm pretty sure that at least half the women in the audience may just have a secret crush on him....including my own Mom and Sister.  Without his hard work and dedication the night would not have been nearly the success it turned out to be.  

Deena Easton

http://www.lasttangoproductions.com/2017/02/tomy-west-charts-2-weeks-in-a-row-on-dmds-top-10-most-active-indie-chart/

Tommy West Band charts 2 weeks in a row on DMDS’ Top 10 Most Active Indie Chart

Posted by Yvonne Valnea on Feb 10, 2017

Within the first two weeks of release to Canadian Country radio, the Tommy West Band debut single ‘Test Of Time’ charted two weeks in a row at #3 on the DMDS Most Active Indies Top 10.

http://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/02/06/top-yangaroo-dmds-music-tracks-week

Tom Harrison of the Vancouver Province writes “Test Of Time is rooted in sentiment. All of Tommy’s songs are uncontrived; their sincerity believable. They’re what sets him apart.”

http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/local+arts/tommy+west+releases+first+single/12806561/story.html

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