 Leslie Tom. Photo by Josh Vertucci.
Due March 23, Leslie Tom’s Ain’t It Something, Hank Williams is not your typical tribute record. It’s a 10-track reflection of Leslie’s own journey in life, intertwined with Hank Williams-inspired tales of addiction, love, heartache, and loss which spotlight the legend’s enduring emotional and musical impact. Ahead of the release, Tom graciously took the time to answer her Essential 8 and speak about the story behind Ain’t It Something, Hank Williams, B.A.H.G.'s, songwriting mentor Linda Koehl, and more.
Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? I have a songwriting mentor that means the world to me when it comes to every aspect of music but especially songwriting. Linda Koehl is my go-to songwriting partner when I'm working on a new album, stricken with a new song idea, or need someone to help finish something up I've started. I was introduced to Linda in 2006 after I finished my first album when I was green to songwriting and the ways of the songwriting world but had no fear and was full of ideas. The second we hugged each other I knew we were soul mates. We are the same person in every aspect of life... family-focused, ambitious, driven, hungry and never take "no" for an answer. We get together and can write songs until the cows come home. She means the world to me and I rely on her wisdom to help guide me through many aspects of my life and musical journey. Why did you chose to anchor the album with the songs you did? This album started as a filler EP and turned into a full length record after we started putting it together. We chose the cover songs we did because they are songs we've been playing in our live shows for two years so they were comfortable and polished. As I began writing for the record, I wanted to include songs about Hank, his life and family to make the record less a collection of cover tunes and more an album of songs inspired by Hank Williams and his music. What’s the story behind your album’s title? Ain't It Something, Hank Williams was the very last song we cut for the record and it almost wasn't included. We were looking for one more song and I found it from a song plugger out of Florida (she also sent me Sean Gasaway's "Mr. Williams" so I already loved the songs she had in her catalog). John Macy (producer) said, "I heard the best Hank Williams song I've ever heard about 40 years ago while I was in band on the east coast." The guy that sang the song is a guitar player named Harry Orlove and we mistakenly thought Harry wrote the song. After I contacted Harry about the song, he put a guitar vocal together and sent it to me to listen to and set me straight on who the songwriter was, Michael Chotiner. Michael now resides outside of D.C. and is in the technology business. Making the phone call to let him know I just cut his song from forty years ago was an awesome experience! He had no idea who I was or that I'd heard the song but was excited and complimentary of our version. We chose to use the song as the album title because it's the only one that accurately describes what the album is about without having to say, "This is a Hank Williams tribute album". What has been your biggest struggle so far? There is absolutely nothing easy about being an artist, songwriter and trying to keep a band busy. It's a 24/7 job full of thankless nights singing and playing our hearts out to empty rooms but when a song connects with someone and they feel it and tell us they feel it, all of the struggle and strife goes away. In my opinion, when a song resonates with a fan, we've done our job right.
How do you kill the long hours in the van?
John Macy is our designated driver when it comes to touring. I usually set up shop with a lap desk and work for hours upon end until we reach our destination. The guys will sleep, talk and listen to music. I really love being with them on the road. What’s your dream venue and why? Hands-down, without-a-shadow-of-a-doubt, the Ryman Auditorium. Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off? I have two "bucket list" or B.A.H.G.s (Big Ass Hairy Goals) I will accomplish. I want to play the Grand Ole Opry and make good on a promise I made my Dad in 2008 when I moved to Nashville. I promised him front row seats to my Opry debut and I plan to fulfill that promise some day. Secondly, I want to play a USO or Armed Forces Entertainment tour to entertain our troops. Have you met any of your heroes? If so, how did it go? I have mixed emotions about meeting my heroes. If I meet one of them and they aren't what I've made them up to be in my mind, then that dream of them is dead. That can be devastating so I'm cautious about seeking a few of those folks out. With this being said, I met one of my songwriting heroes at the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest last September in Florida, and it was literally a life-altering dream come true. Aaron Barker is a legend in the great state of Texas where I'm from, having written a slew of hits for George Strait. He, his wife Theresa and I bonded in two seconds when we met. They graciously allowed me to play some of my songs for them, which was as daunting as playing for any large audience I've played for over the years. I was petrified Aaron would think my songs sucked and it would have killed my confidence but I also knew I had the chance to play my heart out for him and get good feedback that would make me even better. The outcome was far greater than I could have imagined. He liked my songs and invited me to write with him, which I did last fall. It was a dream come true and perhaps more importantly, I have new friends for life. Website Purchase A portion of the proceeds from her PledgeMusic campaign will benefit Eli's Fund, an organization through the Texas A&M Foundation and the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (her Alma Mater) and provides financial support for active duty service men and women, medically retired veterans’ service dogs, and retired military dogs with veterinary medical bills at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. In addition, Leslie's grandfather, Milton Smallwood Alexander, was a tank driver in the 3rd Armored Division during WWII and Leslie has partnered with 3AD to contribute a portion of the album sales to their organization which exists to keep the history and the memories alive and well of all veterans that served in the division. . “My calling is to serve active duty military and veterans. I don’t take that lightly.”
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