Toby Lightman
Encyclopedia
Toby Lightman is an American singer-songwriter. Her first album, Little Things, was released in 2004 on Lava/Atlantic
. Her second album, Bird on a Wire was released in 2006. During her career, she has toured and performed with bands such as OAR
, Rob Thomas
, Jewel
, Gavin DeGraw
, Train
, Prince
, and Carbon Leaf
. Toby is managed by All Parts Move.
. At age 6, inspired by violinist Itzhak Perlman
, Toby began playing the violin
.
Lightman was a member of her high school orchestra
, and she started singing when a friend urged her to join a vocal workshop class. She has referred to her high school graduation as her “coming out” as a singer. In a solo performance Lightman sang a gospel version of Simon and Garfunkel’s
Bridge Over Troubled Water
. Due to the audience’s emotional response to her performance, Lightman decided to pursue her talents as a singer.
Lightman taught herself to play the guitar and while in school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
she joined the band Footsteps, which she has described as acting “as the social gathering for everyone home on break from college." During this time, Lightman remained a member of her college orchestra
, made guest appearances in Madison-based funk
bands, began writing her own songs, and performed at “open mic” nights
.
Upon graduating from college, she moved to New York City
where she recorded her one-track demo tape in rapper Wyclef Jean’s
Booga Basement and began searching for a recording contract.
In 2004, Ari Martin of Netwerk Management became Lightman’s manager
. After seeing Toby play a solo showcase for record executives and representatives, Jason Flom signed Lightman to Lava Records
, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records
.
Toby released her debut Little Things through Lava on March 30, 2004. The Album was produced by Peter Zizzo
. A second version of Little Things was released on July 20, 2004 that included a bonus cover track of Mary J. Blige’s
1992 hit single Real Love
. The song was released as the album’s second single and a music video
was filmed to promote the track.
In late 2005, Toby appeared on Lava Records
label mates O.A.R.'s
Stories of a Stranger
. On that album, which peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200, Lightman sang alongside O.A.R. frontman Marc Roberge on the track "The Stranger".
Toby was then featured as a VH1
You Oughta Know artist and as an MTV
You Hear It First artist. She also appeared on such shows as Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, CBS's Morning show Second Cup, ESPN's Cold Pizza, A&E's Breakfast with the Arts and various others.
Bird On A Wire, Toby's second record was released on July 25, 2006 on Atlantic Records
.
"My Sweet Song" from Bird On A Wire was featured near the end of the Boston Legal
episode, "Desperately Seeking Shirley" while also featuring in the closing scene of the Bones (TV Series)
episode, "The Maggots In The Meathead". It was also featured in the soundtrack to the movie P.S. I Love You. The song "Slippin'" appeared on ABC's Brothers & Sisters.
Lightman performs the opening theme to Fox Sports' coverage of the 2008 NASCAR
racing season with a song titled "NASCAR Love (Let's Go Racing)"
Toby released her third album, Let Go on her own T Killa Records label on July 15, 2008. The album is being sold through digital retailers like iTunes and amazon.com. The album will also be available for sale through the Home Shopping Network
. The song "Let Go" & "One Day" from Let Go will be featured in a series of commercials to air on HSN. The song "Let Go" has also appeared on ABC's Brothers & Sisters and Dirty, Sexy, Money. A new song "Color" is on a new benefit compilation that was released by the Hard Rock Cafe and the folks from World Hunger Year. Their compilation called "Serve 3". 3"http://www.antimusic.com/news/08/july/08Toby_Lightman_Shopping_Network.shtml
On June 5, 2010, Toby released her fourth album, Know Where I'm From also on her T Killa Records label. This album contains 11 acoustic versions of her previously released songs.
Real Love - #41 Radio & Records Contemporary Hit Radio
Lava Records
Lava Records is an American based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
. Her second album, Bird on a Wire was released in 2006. During her career, she has toured and performed with bands such as OAR
Of a Revolution
O.A.R. is an American rock band composed of Marc Roberge , Chris Culos , Richard On , Benj Gershman , and Jerry DePizzo...
, Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas (musician)
Robert Kelly "Rob" Thomas is an American rock recording artist and songwriter. He is the primary songwriter and lead singer of the band Matchbox Twenty. Thomas also records and performs as a solo artist...
, Jewel
Jewel (singer)
Jewel Kilcher , professionally known as Jewel, is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, actress and poet...
, Gavin DeGraw
Gavin DeGraw
Gavin Shane DeGraw is an American musician and singer-songwriter. He is known for his songs "Chariot", "Follow Through", "I Don't Want to Be" , "In Love with a Girl", and "Not Over You".-Early life:DeGraw grew up in the Catskills in South Fallsburg,...
, Train
Train (band)
Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. The band currently comprises a core trio of Patrick Monahan , Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood ....
, Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, and Carbon Leaf
Carbon Leaf
Carbon Leaf is a five-piece indie rock band from Richmond, Virginia that is known for their Alt-Country and Celtic / Bluegrass infused Indie Rock...
. Toby is managed by All Parts Move.
Biography
Toby Lightman was born in Cherry Hill, New JerseyCherry Hill, New Jersey
Cherry Hill is a township in Camden County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a population of 71,045, representing an increase of 1,080 from the 69,965 residents enumerated during the 2000 Census...
. At age 6, inspired by violinist Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman is an Israeli-born violinist, conductor, and instructor of master classes. He is regarded as one of the pre-eminent violinists of the 20th and early-21st centuries.-Early life:...
, Toby began playing the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
.
Lightman was a member of her high school orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, and she started singing when a friend urged her to join a vocal workshop class. She has referred to her high school graduation as her “coming out” as a singer. In a solo performance Lightman sang a gospel version of Simon and Garfunkel’s
Simon and Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel are an American duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They formed the group Tom & Jerry in 1957 and had their first success with the minor hit "Hey, Schoolgirl". As Simon & Garfunkel, the duo rose to fame in 1965, largely on the strength of the...
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Bridge over Troubled Water (song)
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" is the title song of Simon & Garfunkel's album of the same name. The single was released on January 26, 1970, though it also appears on the live album Live 1969, released in 2008. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 28, 1970, and stayed at...
. Due to the audience’s emotional response to her performance, Lightman decided to pursue her talents as a singer.
Lightman taught herself to play the guitar and while in school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
she joined the band Footsteps, which she has described as acting “as the social gathering for everyone home on break from college." During this time, Lightman remained a member of her college orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, made guest appearances in Madison-based funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
bands, began writing her own songs, and performed at “open mic” nights
Open mike
An open mike or open mic is a live show where audience members may perform at the microphone. Usually, the performers sign up in advance for a time slot with the host or master of ceremonies. These events can be focused on poetry and the spoken word, music, comedy, and the open format of open...
.
Upon graduating from college, she moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where she recorded her one-track demo tape in rapper Wyclef Jean’s
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
Booga Basement and began searching for a recording contract.
In 2004, Ari Martin of Netwerk Management became Lightman’s manager
Talent manager
A talent manager, also known as an artist manager or band manager, is an individual or company who guides the professional career of artists in the entertainment industry...
. After seeing Toby play a solo showcase for record executives and representatives, Jason Flom signed Lightman to Lava Records
Lava Records
Lava Records is an American based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
.
Toby released her debut Little Things through Lava on March 30, 2004. The Album was produced by Peter Zizzo
Peter Zizzo
Peter Eric Zizzo is a music producer, musician and BMI award-winning songwriter. Zizzo has authored hits for artists such as Celine Dion,, Jennifer Lopez, Marit Larsen, O.A.R, Jason Mraz, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, M2M , Sir Cliff Richard, Clay Aiken, and Howie Day...
. A second version of Little Things was released on July 20, 2004 that included a bonus cover track of Mary J. Blige’s
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
1992 hit single Real Love
Real Love (Mary J. Blige song)
"Real Love" is a 1992 hit single by hip hop soul singer Mary J. Blige. It was the second single off Blige's debut album, What's the 411?. Written and produced by Mark C. Rooney and Mark Morales and built off a drum sample from hip hop duo Audio Two's 1988 track "Top Billin'"...
. The song was released as the album’s second single and a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was filmed to promote the track.
In late 2005, Toby appeared on Lava Records
Lava Records
Lava Records is an American based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
label mates O.A.R.'s
O.A.R.
O.A.R. is an American rock band composed of Marc Roberge , Chris Culos , Richard On , Benj Gershman , and Jerry DePizzo...
Stories of a Stranger
Stories of a Stranger
Stories of a Stranger is the fifth studio album by American rock band O.A.R. . The album was released on October 4, 2005, and debuted and peaked at #40 on the Billboard 200....
. On that album, which peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200, Lightman sang alongside O.A.R. frontman Marc Roberge on the track "The Stranger".
Toby was then featured as a VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
You Oughta Know artist and as an MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
You Hear It First artist. She also appeared on such shows as Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, CBS's Morning show Second Cup, ESPN's Cold Pizza, A&E's Breakfast with the Arts and various others.
Bird On A Wire, Toby's second record was released on July 25, 2006 on Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
.
"My Sweet Song" from Bird On A Wire was featured near the end of the Boston Legal
Boston Legal
Boston Legal is an American legal dramedy created by David E. Kelley, which was produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television for the ABC...
episode, "Desperately Seeking Shirley" while also featuring in the closing scene of the Bones (TV Series)
Bones (TV series)
Bones is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the Fox Network on September 13, 2005. The show is based on forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology, with each episode focusing on an FBI case file concerning the mystery behind human remains brought by FBI Special Agent...
episode, "The Maggots In The Meathead". It was also featured in the soundtrack to the movie P.S. I Love You. The song "Slippin'" appeared on ABC's Brothers & Sisters.
Lightman performs the opening theme to Fox Sports' coverage of the 2008 NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
racing season with a song titled "NASCAR Love (Let's Go Racing)"
Toby released her third album, Let Go on her own T Killa Records label on July 15, 2008. The album is being sold through digital retailers like iTunes and amazon.com. The album will also be available for sale through the Home Shopping Network
Home Shopping Network
Home Shopping Network or HSN began in 1977 as a 24-hour/7 day a week home shopping television network televised via cable, satellite, and some terrestrial channels in the Philippines. HSN can also be shopped online at hsn.com...
. The song "Let Go" & "One Day" from Let Go will be featured in a series of commercials to air on HSN. The song "Let Go" has also appeared on ABC's Brothers & Sisters and Dirty, Sexy, Money. A new song "Color" is on a new benefit compilation that was released by the Hard Rock Cafe and the folks from World Hunger Year. Their compilation called "Serve 3". 3"http://www.antimusic.com/news/08/july/08Toby_Lightman_Shopping_Network.shtml
On June 5, 2010, Toby released her fourth album, Know Where I'm From also on her T Killa Records label. This album contains 11 acoustic versions of her previously released songs.
Singles
Devils And Angels - #38 Radio & Records Contemporary Hit RadioReal Love - #41 Radio & Records Contemporary Hit Radio
Albums
- Little Things (Lava Records)
- Bird on a Wire (Atlantic Records)
- Let GoLet Go (Toby Lightman album)Let Go is the third full-length studio album released by T Killa Music recording artist Toby Lightman.-Album information:Toby Lightman's third studio album, Let Go, was released on July 15, 2008. It was released with her own label, T Killa Music...
(T Killa Records) - Know Where I'm From (T Killa Records)
External links
- Official Site
- Toby Lightman feature on hardrock.com
- MySpace
- Toby Lightman on VH1.com
- Toby Lightman on MTV.com
- Toby Lightman collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive - Toby Lightman at OnCampusBooking.com