John Schoenberger, Adult Album Alternative editor of Radio & Records, put it best: "Tom Sheehan is an artist that you need to know about."
Songwriter Tom Sheehan is to popular music what director Oliver Stone is to film. Tom's evocative songs are emotional and insightful, casting new light on familiar events, people and issues. And while certainly not the first to fuse social commentary with rock music, Tom does so from a unique perspective. His 19 North Records releases, Where You Are, Film at Eleven & Confession in the Back Room are not your typical pop music fare, blending melodic rock with cinematic lyrics.
Radio has embraced Tom's work. In fact, the single "It's Only Love" was the #2 Most Added song on the FMQB-A/C chart in its first week of release, peaking at #34 and at #17 on CMJ--a bonafide nationwide hit.
He is most at home, though, as a writer...an artist with a gifted vision...and a unique view of the world...an artist that you need to know about.
Film at eleven.
Tom Sheehan
John Schoenberger, Adult Album Alternative editor of Radio & Records, put it best: "Tom Sheehan is an artist that you need to know about."
Songwriter Tom Sheehan is to popular music what director Oliver Stone is to film. Tom's evocative songs find their roots in the news, human relationships and the world around us--with a very apparent point of view. His writing is emotional and insightful, casting new light on familiar events, people and issues. And while certainly not the first to fuse social commentary with rock music, Tom does so from a unique perspective--an insightful point of view tempered by experience.
Not surprisingly, Tom's 19 North Records releases, Where You Are (1998), Film at Eleven (2000), and Confession in the Back Room (2008) are not your typical pop music fare, blending hook-laden classic rock and blues music with evocative, cinematic lyrics.
Progressive radio has embraced Tom's work. At Adult Rock and Major College Radio, both Where You Are and Film at Eleven gained fast acceptance along side new releases by such industry heavyweights as The Wallflowers, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Mark Knopfler, Paul
Simon and Lenny Kravitz with over 120 Adult Album Alternative (AAA) and Major College radio stations playing the albums.
At Adult Contemporary (A/C) radio, the single "It's Only Love" from Film at Eleven was the #2 Most Added song on the FMQB-A/C chart in its first week of release, peaking at #34 on the FMQB-A/C chart and at #17 on CMJ--a bonafide nationwide hit.
Additionally, his first album, 1998's Where You Are, spawned two AAA radio hits: "Die Like Elvis," an infectious Memphis-blues rocker, and the ethereal title track which grew out of the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Both records also received substantial airplay in Europe.
The trade press has heaped critical praise on Sheehan, as well. The influential radio industry trade magazine, Gavin, said, "Sheehan's cinematic approach to the music is what makes it stand out. Each song is like a screenplay...well-crafted...melodic." Album Network, said "Just like the nightly news, Tom Sheehan delivers." And The Friday Morning Quarterback said, "Like a painter, Tom Sheehan uses his words and music to let you see the big picture. 'It's Only Love' is not your typical pop song, but that's what makes it stand out. But perhaps Sheehan's greatest gift is his ability to write without mincing any words. Don't over look this one."
Live, Tom's occasional solo acoustic performances present an intimate experience of the songs on Where You Are, Film at Eleven and Confession in the Back Room -- and always a few surprises. His live performances are in many ways even more powerful than the studio versions, with stripped down treatments that bring his insightful, and often chilling, lyrics to the forefront.
He is most at home, though, as a writer...an artist with a gifted vision...and a unique view of the world...an artist that you need to know about.
Film at eleven.