Tommy was born the son of a carpenter, who owned and operated a bar in the small town of Lebanon, IN. He found his passion for country music listening to the jukebox. He jokes, “That was our full time babysitter. “Tommy recalls his favorite song at 5 years old was Charlie Rich’s classic “When We Get Behind Closed Doors.”
Later the family sold the bar and moved to Florida. That’s when Tommy began to hang out more with his Dad. At twelve years old Tommy was nearly six feet tall and could walk into most bars with no questions asked along with his Dad. Through his teenage years the music he listened to took a turn to outlaw country. Influences like Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams Jr. kept this rough and rowdy teenager living on the edge most of the time.
At the age of sixteen Tommy left home and began living and working on a large cattle ranch in central Florida. This is where he learned the cowboy way of life. A few years later he joined a local country band as their sound engineer and this is where Tommy’s passion for music took root. He began writing songs for the band and learning to play the guitar. The band started gaining notoriety and soon became a popular draw for the locals. Little did he know how these experiences would play a role in his future career and life.
Shortly after, the lead singer of the band decided to move to Nashville to pursue a music career. The band was in a fix now and left without a lead singer. One evening at practice, Tommy offered to fill in until they could find someone. To everyone’s surprise including Tommy, he was pretty good. A young 25 yr old who had learned the lyrics to all the songs from traveling with the band for years became the new lead singer. His musical influences soon began to show as he entertained the crowds with high energy and strong vocals. The band sky rocketed into one of Florida’s best known country bands known as “New South”. His down home humor and smooth country voice melted the hearts of the listeners and soon found its place on country radio. The self penned song “Why, Why, Why” put the band on the charts and opened the doors for larger opportunities.
Just about the time the band was about to peak, unexpectedly, Tommy met his future wife Michelle. This beautiful preacher’s daughter rocked his world and began teaching him a Godly way of life. For the first time ever he had some sort of guidance and surprisingly liked it. They began going to church together, having bible study and he began to pull away from the bar and club scene. Tommy eventually left the band. He didn’t want to hold them back from pursuing other bookings and opportunities in the clubs, and began pursuing a new direction for his own life.
In 1998, Tommy and Michelle got married and his career as a solo artist began with God leading the way. Using the country sounds that he grew up on, he started penning lyrics that would inspire others to live a good life, a life filled with family values and having Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. His venues changed from bars and clubs to churches, rodeos, fairs and outreach concerts. It was like he finally put a square peg in a square hole! His rich country voice, honest delivery and smile like none you’ve ever seen, helps him communicate well with his audience. This down home country boy with real life stories, a heart for God and redneck humor has captured the hearts of fans all over the world.
Tommy is now touring and appearing at more than 150 venues a year. He has become one of the most recognized Inspirational Country singers today. Tommy has shared the stage with country artists such as Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Daryl Worley, Little Big Town, Porter Wagner and Roy Clark. He has ministered along side Christian artists Guy Penrod, Del Way, Jason Crabb, Point of Grace, Chonda Pierce and Josh Turner. He has appeared on GAC, CMT, GMC, Sky Angel, Cornerstone Television, TCT Network and many more. Tommy has won 29 major Christian music awards, has had 14 #1 songs on the Inspirational Country Music charts and has been invited to perform on some of the largest stages and churches around the country.
With all that said don’t think that any of this success has gone to his head. Tommy is one of the most humble, helpful and ministry driven artists in the country. He and his wife Michelle have started a promotion company called “Beyond the Music Promotions” that helps inspiring new artists get started in the music industry.
“Faith, Family & Country Tour& is the name of Tommy’s last tour. His current tour is titled “Nuff Said.” Tommy’s mission is to give hope and inspiration to a world in need. He has a strong passion to reach the lost using the gifts God has given him. As Tommy would say, “It don’t get no better than that – Nuff Said.”
(Tommy Brandt Website)
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