Topic: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

Hi,

I'd like some feedback on my playing if anyone had time. I am 18 and from Hertfordshire (UK) and recently had a number #1 in the UK iTunes Blues Charts for about a week with my cover of Everyday I Have The Blues (search Tom Croysdill on iTunes) and there's also a YouTube video of this performance (found on my website).

Apologies for the singing! The Live track was my first time (ever) singing on stage.

Also I have a new track out which is the first of my own songs to be released available for free on my website - tomcroysdill .co.uk or my SoundCloud - /tomcroysdill (for some reason I'm not allowed to post links)

Thanks
Tom

18 Year Old Blues Guitarist from Hertfordshire (UK) -
www.tomcroysdill.co.uk
www.soundcloud.com/tomcroysdill

2 (edited by BansheeUK 2014-06-02 10:01:59)

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

Hi Tom,

Cool way to make you entrance to the forum - welcome aboard by the way - that's some nice tone you've got there on the playing. Vocals were far from horrendous; way better than mine would ever be, standing on a stage or not, don't worry too much, they'll come along in time.

Keep at it and hopefully we'll hear more from you before too long.

Tom's performance:-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJFjxU6oP2A

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

BansheeUK wrote:

Hi Tom,

Cool way to make you entrance to the forum - welcome aboard by the way - that's some nice tone you've got there on the playing. Vocals were far from horrendous; way better than mine would ever be, standing on a stage or not, don't worry too much, they'll come along in time.

Keep at it and hopefully we'll hear more from you before too long.


Thanks very much for the welcome, I've been lurking around the forum for a while now and decided I should finally make an account! Thanks for the feedback, it's very beneficial for me to hear comments from people that don't know me because then I know I'm on the right tracks and my friends aren't just being supportive!
Yeah, I'll be starting to study music in London and hope to form my own band (possibly the Tom Croysdill Trio) and then perform lots there so fingers crossed things go well!
Thanks again for the feedback and support

Tom

18 Year Old Blues Guitarist from Hertfordshire (UK) -
www.tomcroysdill.co.uk
www.soundcloud.com/tomcroysdill

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

Hi Tom andenjoy the company. I'll listen to the link when I have time and get back to you. big_smile

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)

5 (edited by BansheeUK 2014-06-05 09:10:57)

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

The very best of luck with your studies and of course if you put a band together. Try and find that suitable balance between studying and performing as there's no better "classroom" than standing on a stage in front of people, whether its 6 or 60 or 600; so long as somebody listens, that's what makes it worthwhile.

No doubt you've checked on the "Players Under 21" thread on this board; there's a wealth of talent, styles and experiences to swap notes with and who knows, maybe a potential jam or 3.

Keep us informed as you go on.

Mike

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

Very good performance Tom!
You sound great !

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

Sounding good, Tom smile  The voice is fine, you just need to train it a bit more (Joe did a lot of work with a voice coach to get to where he is today). I see you've just started a FB page - that's a great way to spread the word about what you're doing. I've just been the first person to Like it, so now you need to put some info on it!

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

Welcome to the board, Tom!!  I thought that you sounded great!!

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

PSmith1946 wrote:

Hi Tom andenjoy the company. I'll listen to the link when I have time and get back to you. big_smile

Thanks for the welcome and the interest!

BansheeUK wrote:

The very best of luck with your studies and of course if you put a band together. Try and find that suitable balance between studying and performing as there's no better "classroom" than standing on a stage in front of people, whether its 6 or 60 or 600; so long as somebody listens, that's what makes it worthwhile.

No doubt you've checked on the "Players Under 21" thread on this board; there's a wealth of talent, styles and experiences to swap notes with and who knows, maybe a potential jam or 3.

Keep us informed as you go on.

Mike

Thanks so much for the support, yes I'll hopefully be able to perform lots with the trio so I'll keep you all updated with dates to see if any of you could make it.
Thanks again, I really appreciate it

gary wrote:

Very good performance Tom!
You sound great !

Thanks very much for the feedback!

GMac wrote:

Sounding good, Tom smile  The voice is fine, you just need to train it a bit more (Joe did a lot of work with a voice coach to get to where he is today). I see you've just started a FB page - that's a great way to spread the word about what you're doing. I've just been the first person to Like it, so now you need to put some info on it!

Thanks very much for the comments, yeah I'm hoping my voice will improve, I performed JJ Cale's Call Me The Breeze the other night with my friends and that seemed to go well. Yes, I only set up the page about a week ago and haven't told anyone yet (hence no likes!) thanks very much for the first 2 likes. I'll be telling people and writing some posts in a few days once mine and my friends exams are over or else no one will see it.
Thanks again for the support, means a lot

xland wrote:

Welcome to the board, Tom!!  I thought that you sounded great!!

Thanks for the welcome and the feedback, much appreciated!

18 Year Old Blues Guitarist from Hertfordshire (UK) -
www.tomcroysdill.co.uk
www.soundcloud.com/tomcroysdill

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

Sorry to revive this post with something quite pointless, but as GMac said I have a Facebook page now and have begun posting stuff so that's one way for you all to keep updated with my music stuff!
If you search 'Tom Croysdill' on Facebook you'll find it. Please feel free to like the page and share it!
Thanks

18 Year Old Blues Guitarist from Hertfordshire (UK) -
www.tomcroysdill.co.uk
www.soundcloud.com/tomcroysdill

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

Not bad at all. You have the potential for a good voice, quality vocal coaching is imperative. If you are looking to try and make a career out of this. Then don't get too hung up on the blues label (especially in the UK) and don't be frightened to push the boundaries (unless you want to play pubs your entire life). Best advice I can give you is to get a solid young rhythm section, keep them loyal and interested. These days its seem to be all about the front man, you get a decent band behind you and people notice and appreciate it. Covers are a good way to catch people attention but try to make them your own. I am sure others will disagree but I am basing this on good experience.

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

Finally made time. Great performance. Keep  it up and you should do fine. Don't apologize for the voice. I can't sing and play at the same time no matter what. big_smile

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

TomCroysdill wrote:

I'd like some feedback on my playing if anyone had time. I am 18 and from Hertfordshire (UK) and recently had a number #1 in the UK iTunes Blues Charts
Apologies for the singing! The Live track was my first time (ever) singing on stage.

No apology necessary Tom .. sounded great!

Keep up the good work .. I look forward to ur progress!

Best of luck!  cool

The BonaMaritimer .. All Dials To The Right!

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

mbcl wrote:

Not bad at all. You have the potential for a good voice, quality vocal coaching is imperative. If you are looking to try and make a career out of this. Then don't get too hung up on the blues label (especially in the UK) and don't be frightened to push the boundaries (unless you want to play pubs your entire life). Best advice I can give you is to get a solid young rhythm section, keep them loyal and interested. These days its seem to be all about the front man, you get a decent band behind you and people notice and appreciate it. Covers are a good way to catch people attention but try to make them your own. I am sure others will disagree but I am basing this on good experience.

And get a manager with 100% faith & commitment.  That's some good advice from Martin, and he knows from experience.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: #1 in iTunes Blues Charts at age 18

mbcl wrote:

Not bad at all. You have the potential for a good voice, quality vocal coaching is imperative. If you are looking to try and make a career out of this. Then don't get too hung up on the blues label (especially in the UK) and don't be frightened to push the boundaries (unless you want to play pubs your entire life). Best advice I can give you is to get a solid young rhythm section, keep them loyal and interested. These days its seem to be all about the front man, you get a decent band behind you and people notice and appreciate it. Covers are a good way to catch people attention but try to make them your own. I am sure others will disagree but I am basing this on good experience.

Thanks very much for the feedback and comments, really appreciate it. I'll take that all on board.
Tom

PS/ For now, I'm putting the Blues label on myself (and proud!), however the next song I'm working on (no lyrics yet) isn't at all Bluesy so I'm already branching out a bit more.

PSmith1946 wrote:

Finally made time. Great performance. Keep  it up and you should do fine. Don't apologize for the voice. I can't sing and play at the same time no matter what. big_smile

Thanks for checking back and for the feedback, hopefully the voice will get better over the next few years. I've been listening a lot to Doyle Bramhall II's music recently (Eric Clapton's second guitarist) and his singing style is quite different so I'm hoping that will start rubbing off on me.
Thanks again
Tom

Buzzy wrote:
TomCroysdill wrote:

I'd like some feedback on my playing if anyone had time. I am 18 and from Hertfordshire (UK) and recently had a number #1 in the UK iTunes Blues Charts
Apologies for the singing! The Live track was my first time (ever) singing on stage.

No apology necessary Tom .. sounded great!

Keep up the good work .. I look forward to ur progress!

Best of luck!  cool

Thanks veery much for the support, thanks. You can stay updated with my info on my Facebook page (Search Tom Croysdill) or my website tomcroysdill.co.uk

BansheeUK wrote:
mbcl wrote:

Not bad at all. You have the potential for a good voice, quality vocal coaching is imperative. If you are looking to try and make a career out of this. Then don't get too hung up on the blues label (especially in the UK) and don't be frightened to push the boundaries (unless you want to play pubs your entire life). Best advice I can give you is to get a solid young rhythm section, keep them loyal and interested. These days its seem to be all about the front man, you get a decent band behind you and people notice and appreciate it. Covers are a good way to catch people attention but try to make them your own. I am sure others will disagree but I am basing this on good experience.

And get a manager with 100% faith & commitment.  That's some good advice from Martin, and he knows from experience.

Thanks for the repeated feedback, yes I would like a good manager with Blues-related experience, perhaps not for a few years though, I'm not sure how I'd pay them yet!
Thanks again
Tom

18 Year Old Blues Guitarist from Hertfordshire (UK) -
www.tomcroysdill.co.uk
www.soundcloud.com/tomcroysdill