Rising Stars: Meet Tom Curtis Jr.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Curtis Jr.. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Curtis Jr., short for Tom Curtis Jr., began teaching himself to play guitar and sing 19 years ago as a passion for music took flight. In 2004, Tom challenged himself with songwriting and the process transformed into a coping mechanism, releasing emotions and feelings typically difficult to embrace personally. The exploration of understanding the mind and gaping world of music grew deeper as time advanced and the dream enveloped into reality.

With newly developed writing and recordings, Curtis Jr.’s sound evolved through the accompaniment of band members and expressions leading to local FM exposure. The sounds of Curtis Jr have graced Australian Radio, performances in Nashville, supporting Norm MacDonald at a comedy lounge in Denver, New York City, as well as 2016’s SXSW Festival in Austin. After a failed relationship and dui in 2018, Tom received the news that original member and guitarist, Peter Massaro, had died unexpectedly. A second chance at life was born through the darkest of expressions at this time and the real Curtis Jr. came to life. Since rebuilding everything, In the last year alone beginning April of 2021, Tom has quit drinking, married the love of his life, recorded an album, built a website, and founded an organization known as Shopen Mic which helps musicians grow honestly with full intentions of strengthening music scenes and building community while providing original music showcases with well-seasoned veterans of the stage, intertwined with a first-come/ first-served open mic providing opportunities to new and young artists who can share the stage with these talented legends and learn from them while connecting and networking. On top of that, over 600 Curtis Jr. songs now exist spanning multiple genres. After endless hours of work, Curtis Jr. has a show in store for the world.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In 2018:
– Failed longtime relationship
– Dui
– Guitarist passed away

– Drinking. Couldn’t hang the same anymore and was slowing me down more than I realized. It developed into a comfort zone being a full-time musician and part-time bartender.

– Quit drinking in early April 2021. I have never been more clear and motivated for working hard and making life happy/ achieving greatness since making this amazing decision. It’s time to win life. I still bartend weekly and gig in bars almost every night of the week. Quit cold turkey and jumped into the fire to become as naturally comfortable as possible, as quickly as possible. There are many amazing nonalcoholic beer selections now that helps out big time having enjoyed the different flavors and options of beer in the past.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I do everything myself for Curtis Jr. including:

– I write all of the songs and music for the Curtis Jr.

– I have two full-length albums coming out this summer that are completely different from each other. I have recorded all of the parts on said albums myself including all of the instruments.

– I’m the lead singer, I taught myself guitar in 2003, piano in 2006, bass in 2007, and drums following that.

– I have over 600 original songs mainly filling the Rock/ Pop/ Alternative format but also following The Beatle’s motto where every song is its own story, character, and flavor granting them access falling into even more genres such as Folk, Funk, Blues, Jazz, R&B, and Old Country leading to the Classic Rock guidelines with disciplined writing and evolution.

– I built my own website (Curtisjr.net) and also taught myself graphic design and create all of my own artwork and flyers.

– I have also started an organization/ business called Shopen Mic back in February 2022 which has multiple branches including:

+ Shopen Mic
– A mix of an original music showcase featuring well-seasoned professional artists intertwining with a first-come/first-served open mic providing opportunities to new and young artists who can share the stage with these talented legends and learn from them while connecting and networking.

+ Shopen Designs
– Musician & Artists Graphic Designs (web and merchandise designs)
– Musician & Artists Promotions (flyer and promotional designs)

+ Shopen Productions / Shopen Records
– Musicians & Artists: Recording, Bookings, Development, and Management.

(https://curtisjr.net/shopen-mic)

– I also perform cover music for Public Bars & Restaurants, private establishments, and private house parties/ events including: birthdays, weddings, retirements, baptisms, communions, engagements, bridal showers, etc.

– I cover 400 + bands from the 1950s to modern-day spanning all genres.

– I will be relocating/ performing in Key West for the 2022 Summer.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My wife and my family. The opportunity to bring happiness and honesty to others each day. Hard work and consistent work ethic. Well-rounded/ centered mindsets towards the betterment and growth of humanity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://curtisjr.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CurtisJr.music
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Curtisjrofficial
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TCJRMUSIC
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/tcjrguitar
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/curtis-jr-springfield
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/3jKNcKiwWjB6Gbxd8
• Other: www.Reverbnation.com/Tomcurtisjr

Image Credits
Tom Curtis Jr. Jason Nawn