Nashville, TN (January 2010)- Grammy-award winner, guitarist, producer and songwriter Tom Hemby collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry for his third solo album, In The Moment (release date: March 2, 2010). With a core rhythm section featuring drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (Frank Zappa, Sting, Joni Mitchell) and bassist Nathan East (Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Stevie Wonder), the Nashville veteran has recorded fourteen songs that spotlight his contemporary jazz sound, instrumental prowess and signature arrangements.

In The Moment features a very special tribute to the international charity, Habitat for Humanity, titled “Can I Count On You.” Written by Robbie Nevil, this recording features such luminaries as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Bill Champlin, Christopher Cross, American Idol’s Mandisa and Melinda Doolittle.

“From the beginning, I wanted this project to be more than just another collection of songs,” says Hemby. “It became my wish to do something to make a difference in the world. So, to help raise awareness for the less fortunate and homeless through Habitat for Humanity, I thought of this particular song. It’s got a great groove and fiery energy, and the lyrics have a message dealing with the human struggle. My dear friend and legendary producer, Michael Omartian (Christopher Cross, Whitney Houston, “We Are The World”), helped round up this all-star cast. So, can I count on YOU to help the many misfortunate people in the world that deserve to have a roof over their heads?”

Another standout song is “Here & There.” Says Hemby, “My ear has always bent towards the out-of-the-norm, whether it’s a different harmonic progression, an odd meter, an unusual melody or a different arrangement or sequence of notes in a solo. I incorporated all those different elements here. It starts with a mysterious sounding synth that melts into a bed of odd-metered percussion, 11/8 and 9/8 every other bar, which sets a quirky counterpoint action in the melodies between the guitar and the bass. This composition is the defining musical mood of the project.”

With over 31 years of living in Music City USA, Hemby has a long list of achievements. Widely praised for his guitar playing, songwriting, and producing talents, Hemby is a Grammy winner and recipient of four Dove Awards, including “Instrumental Album of the Year,” for his debut album, An Acoustic Christmas with Tom Hemby. He has recorded with Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Peter Cetera, Faith Hill, Rob Thomas, and countless others. His compositions have been recorded by the likes of Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Dionne Warwick, Hank Williams Jr., and many others. He has performed live with everyone from The Judds, Chaka Kahn and Barry Manilow, to Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, George Strait and Yolanda Adams. Other credits include Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, two albums with BeBe Winans, Dove Award-nominee Dream, and the Grammy-nominated album My Christmas Prayer.

Other notable songs on In The Moment include:

“Third World Man” – “I’ve always been a Steely Dan fan. I was just playing around with this tune one day when a magical thing started to come together on guitar with some harmonics. I quickly realized that I was maybe on to something.”

“Seventh Heaven” – “Once again, my fascination for out-of-the-norm led me to compose this 7/4 metered tune. I grew up playing finger-style guitar and I’ve always loved the tone and texture of the nylon strings, so this Latin feel is the perfect backdrop to feature this instrument.

“Sub Aqua” – “I have long been a fan of Scott Henderson’s compositions and guitar playing. I have performed this song live for years and just couldn’t resist recording it for this project. Once again its fascinating chord progressions, intriguing melody, and celebratory groove struck a nerve.

“Geraldine” – “This composition by Russell Ferrante (Yellowjackets) may be one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever come across. I loved the idea of the haunting sound of a harmonica carrying the melody over a mellow bed of strings, piano and nylon string guitar. I don’t know who Geraldine was, but she must have been a woman of beauty.”

“The Necessary Blonde” — This is a magnificent composition by Gary Willis (Tribal Tech, Allan Holdsworth). It has a brilliant melody over some of the most sophisticated chord progressions. This is not one for the faint of heart to perform. It can definitely be a challenge for us meager minded guitarists who are attempting to explore and comprehend its introspective complexities.”

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

From Jay Graydon:
“Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a musical ride that will leave you with your jaw hanging down and your mouth wide open! Tom Hemby is clearly a guitarist virtuoso in so many styles! He is the best of the best! Great composition and arrangements with incredible sensitivity as to melody expression, incredible touch and tone, and outstanding solos that will knock your socks off! This recording is a masterpiece!”

From Steve Lukather:
“Well done!! Unreal. Fantastic! Beautiful touch, tone, phrasing, chops, taste.”

From Bill Champlin:
“Whenever Tom sends me an MP-3 in an e-mail, it usually means I’m going to stop everyone at my house from what they were doing and have them listen to the stuff. It’s as good as it gets.”

In The Moment releases on March 2, 2010. For more information log on to www.tomhemby.com. The album will be available at major online sites including iTunes and www.exaltmusicgroup.com.

Tom’s songwriting credits include songs recorded by artists: Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Dionne Warwick, Hank Williams Jr., Bruce Carroll, BeBe & CeCe Winans. Gaither Vocal Band, Michael English, and others.

Awards:

• A Grammy for producing CCM artist Bruce Carroll
• 4 Dove Awards, the latest for his solo acoustic project in 2004 which won “Instrumental Album Of The Year”

Live Performance:

Michael McDonald, Chaka Kahn, Marc Cohen, James Ingram, Edwin McCain, Yolanda Adams, CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Niki Costa, Trisha Yearwood, Deana Carter, Jo Dee Messina, Barry Manilow, BeBe Winans – musical director The “Simply Christmas” tour as principal guitarist with Amy Grant and Vince Gill, Tanya Tucker, Jackie Velasquez, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Keb Mo, Lynn Anderson, The Judds, George Strait, Kenny Rogers, and many, many more.

Production Credits:

The multi artist soundtrack of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion Of The Christ“, 2 albums for Gospel/R&B singer “BeBe Winans”, Grammy nominated “My Christmas Prayer” and Dove Award nominated “Dream”.

Tom also produced the latest solo project for singer/songwriter “Cheri Keaggy” which features a duet with “Marty Row” of “Diamond Rio” on a cover of Carol King’s “You Got A Friend”.

Recording Credits:

4 Him, Yolanda Adams, Garth Brooks, Bob Carlisle, Carman, Glen Campbell, Peter Cetera, Steven Curtis Chapman, Charlie Daniels, Michael English, Bill Gaither, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Englebert Humperdink, The Imperials, Wynonna Judd, Kenny Loggins, Barry Manilow, Mindy McCready, Michael McDonald, Brian McKnight, Stephanie Mills, Paul Overstreet, Twila Paris, Point Of Grace, Collin Raye, Jon Secada, Ricky Skaggs, Michael W. Smith, B. J. Thomas, Andy Williams, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Steve Winwood, Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty and many, many more

What Others Are Saying:

From Jay Graydon:
“Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a musical ride that will leave you with your jaw hanging down and your mouth wide open! Tom Hemby is clearly a guitarist virtuoso in so many styles! He is the best of the best! Great composition and arrangements with incredible sensitivity as to melody expression, incredible touch and tone, and outstanding solos that will knock your socks off! This recording is a masterpiece!”

From Steve Lukather:
“Well done!! Unreal. Fantastic! Beautiful touch, tone, phrasing, chops, taste.”

From Bill Champlin:
“Whenever Tom sends me an MP-3 in an e-mail, it usually means I’m going to stop everyone at my house from what they were doing and have them listen to the stuff. It’s as good as it gets.”

Album Reviews:

• The Grassroots Jazz Blog
• Guitar International Magazine
• Ultimate Guitar
• Drummer Cafe
• The Jazz HQ

For more info about Tom, visit his site at TomHemby.com.