Bill- I'm looking forward your show at The Saint in Ashbury Park on March 30th as well as to you guys coming to the NC Hops and Roots Fest down here in NC on Memorial Day Weekend!!

An Excerpt from Ira's Blog:

A year starts out with many promises and at the end of that year one looks back to see how one measures up to those lofty goals. Looking back at the past year’s resolutions, there are some that I’m proud of (since this is a music site, I’ll keep these resolutions mainly to the music resolutions and not family ones), starting off with pairing up Bill Toms and Will Kimbrough in January to record what turned out to be a great CD, Memphis. I’ve never been through that process from start to finish and it was fascinating!! Starting off with acoustic one off recordings by a great songwriter, bouncing ideas around as to how they fit together and if there is a commonality about them, coming up with a treatment, then hearing those songs come to life after being introduced to a great band and a producer of Will Kimbrough’s stature.

It was a typical snowy week when we did the recording in Weirton, WV right outside of Pittsburgh, PA at Studio L, a house of engineer extraordinaire Rick Witkowski. It was like going back to college, shacking up in a house full of guys who were music geeks!! I’d go to see accounts during the day, usually using Will’s or Bill’s van, while the band recorded live tracks, then come back at night, cook dinner for the band, while having a cold beer and listening to fantastic music. After dinner we’d go downstairs and I’d watch them do overdubs, stay up late talking music... and then I’d get up and do it over again. I was able to stay for 4 days, the band for 5 and, while I’m sure it was old hat for these guys, it was an awesome learning experience for me!! Most memorable for me, outside of actually watching the sessions at night, were the moments I’d be upstairs doing follow up work after returning from visiting accounts, and hearing the music going on downstairs from these professionals... many was the time I’d have to tip toe ( so I wouldn’t mess up the recording) down there because it was so good, I just had to see what I was hearing!! The rave reviews were so nice to hear after watching all of the sweat which went into that process... incredible.. watching a piece of audible art being created and having it move other people!!! Way to go guys!

See you there!

Thank you for the recent birthday wishes and kind guestbook posts.. Just wanted to let all know, you can listen to "Memphis" as well as "West End Kid" on Pandora radio. Just put in Bill Toms or Bill Toms and Hard Rain. Thanks again my friends.. B

Happy belated birthday to you, Bill. Hated to, but had to remove "Memphis" temporarily from the car these snowy/icy days, to stop my son from opening the sun roof to raise his and my hands again. Getting him to stop, otherwise, is not an option. Take care, jt

Hey Bill. I completed my set of Hard Rain CD's with Memphis at Xmas and I want to say thanks for another superb collection of songs. Hold on and I've made Peace Now are chillingly fabulous. I am hoping to make it out to Berlin later this year having failed to make it to Italy last year. I have got to see your band Live. Good luck to you all in 2012.

Bill –

Just wanted to say THANKS for another awesome year of incredible music! “Memphis” is truly one of your greatest works – every time I think you’ve hit your peak (e.g., "Spirits, Chaos, and a Troubadour Soul") you blow us away with your latest effort!

Your willingness to play “I’m Getting Closer” for the congregation at my first Mass earlier this year was so very special and moving – one of those moments in life that my family and I will always cherish! Also, I couldn’t hope for a better mentor for my son – musically and personally – you have had such a wonderful impact on him!

Don’t ever doubt that your music, your words, your spirit, are touching lives and inspiring souls! Sure, it is always great to rock-out at Frankie & Georgie’s and you & Hard Rain deliver the goods in more ways than one. . .but your gifts go far beyond an entertaining night at the local club.

In the words of Red Auerbach. . .“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Thanks for washing away the dust from our souls, Bill. Warm wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. During this season of “gift-giving” I am most grateful for the gift of your friendship and your music!

I can’t wait for what you’ve got in store for 2012!

Was at your show at Lismore Pub, Faenza, Italy (Oct 16). Awesome! I have discovered a great band and seen a unique artist. Your latest CD is running rentlessly on my car stereo since then. Really hope you're gonna be back again next year. Thanks for a soul-touching nite. All the best.

Great show last night, Bill! Listened to Memphis on the way home this morning, just had to say it's awesome! Love the bluesy take on this one...Hope that you, Joyce, the kids and grandkids have a great Thanksgiving! I always look forward to kicking off the holidays at Cefalos!

YOU HAVE MY KIND OF MUSIC BUT HAVE NOT AS OF YET BEEN ABLE TO CATCH YOU LIVE BUT AM GOING KEEP TRYING TO CATCH ONE IAM SO SORRY I HAVE TO MISS THE ONE THE DAY BEFOR THANKS GIVING.ILL KEEP WATCHING FOR ANOTHER IN CARNEGIE CAN I GET ANY OF YOUR CD'S OTHER THAN AMAZON? SO HAVE A GREAT SHOW NEXT WEAK TELL MY CUZ SCOTT SO LET ME KNOW WHERE I CAN PURCHACE THE CDS GOOD LUCK AND HAPPINESS MARGE