Tom Hipps

...in fact, it already has!  My latest album, Spiritfruit, was officially released on Friday, November 29 and is already selling well and earning very favorable reviews.

Like this one by Peter Welle, Blogger/Musician: "After long months of recording in his home studio, singer-songwriter Tom Hipps makes a welcome return with Spiritfruit - his tastiest batch of carefully-crafted pop confections. Like Jeff Lynne’s work in ELO, Hipps’ music is colorfully produced, lush with backing harmonies and stacked with…

I've just published the first installment of my new blog series, The Rock & Roll Gospel! Once a month, I'll highlight iconic song lyrics and examine what the artist may have been trying to convey; how those lyrics actually illustrate an important life lesson; and parallel verses from Scripture. The first installment features some deeply moving lyrics by John Lennon, and how they may have given insight to his spiritual condition. On the post page, there's also a signup sheet... just enter your name and…

Now that the crazy whirlwind of summer (playing up to 20 shows a month!) has wound down, I've been able to spend more time working on my upcoming album, Spiritfruit. I've got about 6 tracks completed. I feel it's the best work I've done, and I can't wait to share it. I'm recording and producing this one in my home studio, a first for me. I hope when it's released, you'll pick up or download a copy, then let me know what you think! 

Winter in a state like Minnesota can be a slow and somewhat tough time for us working musicians. There just aren't as many opportunities to perform as there are in nice weather. Summertime lends itself to additional opportunities, like restaurant patios, marina bars, company picnics, music festivals, city celebrations, etc.  I made it ok through the winter, in fact I enjoyed the additional time off to write, record, and enjoy my cozy house, but now I'm gearing up for a very busy summer. I've already booked…

I've never been a prolific songwriter. I'm not cranking out a tune a day... in fact, sometimes a month will go by without any concrete creative output. Being that live performance is currently my main source of income, I focus on that first, and write/record when I can. But I do manage to produce a song here and there, and eventually they add up to an album's (or EP's) worth of material. Of course, the reality of the music business is that the traditional "album" is not the dominating music medium it once…

I love this time of year.  As a Christian, no matter how stressful this season can be, with all its parties and shopping and overeating and bad driving conditions and commercial greed and overplayed Christmas songs on the radio... I'm still able to sit in my living room at the end of the day, with only the lights of the Christmas tree glowing, and relax and rest in the fact that Jesus came into the world over 2,000 years ago and still gladly gives his peace to those who will only ask for it and then open…

I bought my first Tom Petty album in 1980. It was Damn the Torpedoes, his latest at that time. I loved what I heard... songs like "Refugee", "Here Comes My Girl", "Don't Do Me Like That" and "Even the Losers" had a somehow raw-yet-at-the-same-time-polished sound to which I gravitated. As a new songwriter, I wanted to create music like he did. And I liked his attitude... strongly opinionated, but not forceful or rude. In fact, he was quite the laid-back dude. And he loved The Beatles, and he loved Elvis…

So here I am, over a year and a half into my return to self-employment as a musician. To say I'm thankful for the way things have gone would be an understatement. I've been blessed with the freedom, and financial provision, to work at what I love, and I don't take it lightly. I had, of course, hoped and prayed things would turn out, but this summer has been CRAZY beyond expectation! I played 18 shows in July and am booked for 18 this month (August). I'm getting to travel to all sorts of different places…

I've worked hard over the winter adding venues to my list of places to perform. Happily, my summer is booked fairly solid (53 shows booked through the end of September), though I still have some dates I'd like to fill... if you've ever thought of hosting a House Concert, talk to me! It's the new 'thing' in parties. Generally, what happens is, a number of people kick in a certain amount per person to hire a music artist to come and perform in the house, or outdoors, or whatever setting they choose (within…

...that actually loves winter! I've heard a couple of people in the last few days say they're ready for spring. I'm like, "I'm ready for another blizzard!" I think cold air is refreshing (to a certain extent)... freshly fallen snow is gorgeous... the world seems quieter. Having said all that, as December turns into January turns into February, and March rolls around, I'm as ready as anybody for warmth and budding trees and sunshine. But here's a thought: If you're feeling a bit of cabin fever, a little…