We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tommi Jo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tommi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
My name is Tommi Jo and I am a songwriter and performing artist. I began my music journey from a very young age, singing from the time I could speak. I found artists a young girl from the early 2000s would like, such as Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus (throwback to the Hannah Montana days). I think a first step in any craft is finding an inspiration that grows into a passion.
Growing up, I always wanted to learn to play guitar and write music. I asked my parents for lessons, practically begged, but I was already involved in too many activities that kept me busy. Eventually one day, I decided I was going to pick up a guitar and just learn for myself. I learned my first chords from Guitar Tabs playing my favorite songs at the time. Then, I began to write.
Let me tell you, those first songs were ROUGH! But I discovered with each song I wrote this feeling of accomplishment and my soul being bared to whoever would listen to my completed work. Soon after, I began private lessons with a man named John DeFoore. DeFoore trained songwriters such as Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert, and I was eager to learn everything I could from him. Working with DeFoore, my songs took on new challenges lyrically and melodically. I was instructed to write songs from the perspective of inanimate objects, stories about times in history, and limits to the number of syllables used in a song. These challenges caused me not only to grow as a songwriter, but to also grow in my empathy as an artist looking at the world from so many different points of view.
I graduated high school and continued my music journey at Dallas Baptist University. Being refined by songwriting and music business classes, as well as my peers, I wrote and produced my first album, an EP by the title Nice to Meet You. At this point in my life, I found myself burnt out on music and writing and took a break for a couple of years. Everything came to a screeching halt, however, when my dad very suddenly passed away in the fall of 2022. To process this deep loss, I did what I was not sure I would ever do again: I picked up a guitar and wrote. I wrote all the time, songs about grief, joys, fantasy, and reality.
Looking back on my music journey thus far, there are several things I could have done to speed up the process. I could have written more, more often and more thoroughly. I could have listened to more diverse artists to grow in my own artistry. I also could have not taken the break I did when I found myself feeling tired, but pushed through when the challenge of my own self doubt crept in.
The skills I find most essential when it comes to songwriting, in many ways have nothing specific to do with music at all. Perseverance, humility, and confidence have played the largest role in my walk as an artist. For example, I make myself write one song every week (at least). There are some weeks where I feel uninspired and uninterested in picking up my guitar, but I write anyway. I used to make the excuse that I had “writer’s block” to DeFoore when I took lessons from him. He would always tell me there was no such thing as writer’s block. I just had too many ideas floating around in my head, I needed to pick one and commit to writing about it. Humility comes when other artists want to invest in your music. When I write a song, in many ways it feels like a part of me. When others share their thoughts, it can feel a lot like they are criticizing me as a person. Instilling a separation between my work and myself has encouraged me to continue writing, as I do not feel like I am not good enough. Last, something I have learned recently is to have confidence in what I do. This may seem counterintuitive to humility, but hear me out. Life is all about balance, and there are times to be confident, times to be humble, and times to be both simultaneously. Part of being an artist is learning to master this balance to further facilitate growth.
The biggest obstacle that has always stood in my way is myself. When someone would reject something I had written or I had a long streak of songs that weren’t any good, I found myself giving up way too easily. I eventually had to decide: do I write songs because I enjoy it or because I am trying to make other people happy? It wasn’t until I fell in love with songwriting a second time, after my dad’s passing, that I realized it truly has been my heart all along and I needed to get out of my own way to write.
Tommi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m an Americana performing artist and songwriter with a deep passion for crafting music that resonates with the beauty and complexity of life. My journey with music began in middle school, and it has been a transformative path ever since. Inspired by my father, who was not only my biggest supporter but also my best friend, my music has evolved into a powerful outlet for processing emotions and connecting with listeners.
After a brief hiatus from music following my father’s passing in fall 2022, I returned to songwriting with renewed vigor. This period of reflection helped me discover my true artistic identity—one that embraces the beauty of the world and the magic of imagination while remaining grounded in reality. My work is a fusion of heartfelt lyrics and evocative melodies that aim to help listeners heal and grow.
I take immense pride in every song I write, as each one is a personal reflection and a piece of my soul shared with the world. What sets me apart is my dedication to creating music that not only celebrates the beauty of existence but also acknowledges and processes the more challenging aspects of life. In addition to this, I feel I have the unique ability to deeply empathize with others and often find myself writing songs about the lives of the people around me. My goal is for my songs to serve as a source of comfort and inspiration, allowing listeners to find solace and strength in their own journeys.
I am incredibly grateful for the support from my fans. Seeing them at live performances, singing along to my lyrics, and truly connecting with my music is one of the most rewarding experiences as a songwriter. It’s a testament to the power of music and the special bond it creates between artist and audience.
For those who follow my work, I want them to know that their support means the world to me. Every performance and every song shared is a testament to the connection we build through music. My art is a celebration of the world’s beauty and the magic that resides in each of us, and I am honored to share that with anyone willing to listen.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A significant lesson I had to unlearn was the need to be the best in the competitive landscape of the music industry. Growing up with parents who were full-time musicians, I was deeply aware of the industry’s competitive nature. This drove me to constantly compare myself to others, striving to outshine every artist I encountered. This relentless pursuit of excellence eventually led to burnout in 2020.
The lesson I needed to unlearn was the idea that success in music depended on being the “best”. I realized that true fulfillment and success come from being authentically yourself in your music. While it’s natural to be inspired by other artists, the key is to embrace and celebrate your own unique voice. This shift in perspective has brought a sense of peace to my creative process, allowing me to view challenges not as failures but as redirections. By focusing on genuine self-expression rather than competition, I have found a more enjoyable and sustainable approach to my music, remaining committed while nurturing my passion.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspects of being an artist occur at two distinct moments in the songwriting process. The first is when I play through a song for the first time, however clumsily. It feels like a tree blooming within my soul. In that moment, I often step back in disbelief, thinking, “I can’t believe I wrote that.” Even with songs that might not turn out perfectly, the sheer fact that I’ve created something new—something that didn’t exist before—is incredibly fulfilling.
The second rewarding moment comes when I share my music with others and witness their deep appreciation. Whether it’s someone reflecting on a specific lyric that resonated with their own experiences or fans singing along at a live performance, it’s akin to them tasting the fruit from my metaphorical tree. Seeing others connect with my music, understanding and enjoying its nuances, is profoundly satisfying. These two experiences—creation and connection—are the driving forces behind my perseverance as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tommijomusic.wixsite.com/pepk
- Instagram: tommijomusic
- Facebook: Tommi Jo
- Youtube: Tommi Jo
- Other: Spotify/Apple Music: Tommi Jo
