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
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
