Factory Underground Welcomes Powerhouse Rock Vocalist Derek St. Holmes of Ted Nugent Band

Factory Underground was pleased to welcome to the studio today one and only power rock vocalist Derek St. Holmes, who came by for some pre-production planning with guitarist Paul Nelson. Derek who has sang with the Ted Nugent Band since 1975, on such albums as Ted Nugent (Epic Records 1975), Free-for-All (Epic Records 1976), Cat Scratch Fever (Epic Records 1977), and Double Live Gonzo! (Epic Records 1978), has also recorded with Michael Schenker, Vanilla Fudge, Paul Reed Smith, and Brad Whitford of Aerosmith. We look forward to working with Derek and Paul in the future - two incredible musicians.

From left to right: Kenny Cash, Ethan Isaac, Derek St. Holmes, Paul Nelson, Amy Holomokoff, and Marc Alan

Two-time Grammy Awards winner Paul Nelson has performed and/or recorded with Johnny Winter Band, Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, as well as his own Paul Nelson Band. His fiery style of guitar playing is a mix of classic blues, blazing country, and chops-for-days hard rock. He is currently touring the country to support his latest solo album, "Badass Generation."

Tom The Suit Forst New Blues Rock Album "On Fire" Now On Apple Music and iTunes

Now available on Apple Music, iTunes, and from all major retail and streaming sites around the world is the new blues rock album "On Fire," from guitarist and singer-songwriter Tom The Suit Forst. The digital album, previously released on CD in Q4 2016 through the artist's web site www.TomTheSuitForst.com, was produced by Grammy Award-winning guitarist Paul Nelson. The album features the song "Going Home" for which a video was produced and released on Vevo and You Tube in December.

The album also features the song "Women of the World" with a new video going to You Tube on January 21, 2017, in commemoration of the Million Women March on Washington DC. The song asks the question of how much better off the world would be if women had a chance to run things. The lyrics were written by the late Gary Youell, a long time friend of The Suit. The video is to be dedicated to Gary, who like Tom Forst, a long time ardent and passionate supporter of women's rights.  

"On Fire" on Apple Music iTunes

"On Fire" on Spotify

Tom The Suit Forst in the Norwalk Hour: Retired Sales Executive Trades in C-Suite for Center Stage

NORWALK — After two decades in the corporate world, Tom Forst had had enough.

So when his wife told him they’d finally paid off the last of their children’s college tuition, his response, naturally, was, “I’m quitting.”

That was eight years ago. Back when he had a tight haircut and wore a full suit to work every day. Back when the idea of playing music full time was nothing more than a daydream supplied by a memory.

With the blessing of his wife, Forst gave his six months notice — as it turns out, you don’t just “quit” when you’re the regional vice president of sales at Cox Communications — and returned to a life he always knew he’d find again someday.

"I think if I have a message it’s that you should never give up on your dreams,” Forst said. “The dream was always to start again. It never occurred to me that being older would be a problem, and it hasn’t been.”

Forst, now 65, will release his first solo album, “On Fire,” Jan. 14. Produced by Grammy-winning guitarist, producer and songwriter Paul Nelson and recorded at Norwalk’s Factory Underground, the album features musicians from the Johnny Winter Band, Popa Chubby Band, Allman Brothers Band, Saturday Night Live Band and Steven Colbert Band.

Known as “The Suit,” Forst hasn’t given up his corporate identity entirely. Though a little more eccentric, his face framed by shoulder-length gray hair and classic Chuck Taylor’s on his feet, he still dons a suit jacket everywhere he goes. Some are more flamboyant, decorated with elaborate embroidery, and others are classic, well-fitting and subtle.

His 11 track blues-rock album also features the songwriting of Forst’s longtime friend, the late Gary Youell of Norwalk, whose suggestion that Forst cut a song about a world where women have taken over was the inspiration for a single Forst plans to release in January called “Women of the World.”

“He came to me and said, ‘The world is such a mess. What if women took over the world instead of the good old boys?’ And that’s how we came up with this song,” Forst said.

The father of two daughters, he said the song was also informed by their experiences as women of the world, as well as the glass ceilings he saw in the corporate world.

Read More: Tom The Suit Forst in the Norwalk Hour