We had the pleasure of interviewing multi-talented artist Tommy (C. Thomas) Howell, who has just released his debut record American Storyteller on all major streaming platforms. While best known for his iconic acting performances in movies and TV shows such as The Outsiders, E.T., Red Dawn, and The Walking Dead, Tommy is now venturing into the world of music as a singer-songwriter. In this interview, we’ll dive into his latest creative endeavor and get a glimpse into another side of his career.
What was the inspiration behind your album title, “American Storyteller”?
It made a lot of sense. When I heard it, I was like, “That’s it. We’re going with American Storyteller.” That’s what I want to do with my artwork, tell stories. I’ve spent pretty much 40 years telling stories and working with great storytellers, and I was so excited to transition that to my music. It’s a big part of why I wanted to become a musician. I was really interested in taking that two hour story format that I had studied for a long time doing movies and transitioning into this two minute format with my songs.
What is one of your favorite memories you’ve made since launching your music career?
We opened for Tanya Tucker in Tulsa. That was an epic, epic night for so many reasons. First of all, just going out in front of close to 4,000 people was just incredible. But, the time she spent with me and my band and our families backstage telling us stories and taking pictures and high-fiving us and really making us all feel comfortable was not only a highlight of my music career, but of my entire career. It was just such an amazing experience to share with my friends and then to be embraced by Ms. Tucker.
I want to carry that torch. I want to be approachable and I want to be able to exchange that moment with the people that come and see me. I tell everybody who comes to my show that they may have come to see me, but I come to see them and that’s the exchange. When you have an experience with somebody that you think is cool and you walk away with your friends and you say, “Man, we just took a picture of Tanya Tucker and she was super cool!” and everybody just feels great about that. You realize, if somebody feels even half of what I felt in that moment when they come to my show, when they meet me, then God bless.
How have you been balancing the pursuit of your music career with your acting career?
The way I look at it, it’s been a long time coming. I don’t know if I would’ve been ready to do what I’m doing now at an earlier age. It feels like I have been training my whole life for this moment. I got into music because I wanted to make a film about an old cowboy that records an album that has a lot of success. Then instead of embracing the music business, he decides to walk away from it and continue training his horses and being a cowboy. I grew up in a rural environment and I could handle all the horsemanship that would come with the film. But I couldn’t play the guitar. So I sat down wanting to play the guitar and then it became such a bigger part of my life. It became my life. It sort of took the shackles of Hollywood off my feet and gave me wings. Now I can pick and choose the roles that I want when I want, and that has made me a better actor because when I go to work now it’s on my terms and it’s the roles that I’m excited about.
What is your favorite song to play during your set and why?
I really enjoy “Cold Dead Hands” a lot, and I really enjoy “Raised By Wolves”!
Any dream venues or bucket list goals for this year?
City Winery is hosting my residency, Backstage with Tommy Howell and Friends. It’s a 24-week, 48-show beginning May 13, 2023 and running through November 18, 2023. We’re bringing in top notch artists and actors. It’s going to be a great place to come and listen to stories and ask questions to the people that we all grew up watching.
I loved those old variety shows like the Johnny Cash Show. They brought out their friends and were always doing skits or reenactments or singing songs together. It was an hour that flew by that I could sit there with my family and really enjoy. I wanted to recreate that, and I thought, “Well, let’s do it live.” And what a better place than the City Winery where you can have a meal and have a drink and watch a great show?
And you’ll be performing each night!
Yes! This residency was an opportunity for me to do a large amount of work musically in a short period of time. We’re going to do 48 shows in six months. When we get on the other side of that, I feel like my band and I will be totally transformed. I’m looking forward to that.
How does it feel to be able to be more yourself as a musician, versus when you’re acting?
It’s so freeing because as an actor you spend a lifetime playing other roles and hiding behind makeup and wardrobe and screenplays and all that. When you’re writing your own album, you really are exposing your own soul. It’s so gratifying to have that exchange where you write a song and you sing it for somebody and they enjoy it or they know the lyrics or somebody covers it. I remember the first time I saw somebody covered one of my songs, I almost cried!
Tell us about your awesome band!
I’ve really been surrounded by some cool people in Nashville. My producer, Dean Miller, whose Daddy is Roger Miller, or Sweepy Walker (Harmonica), whose Grandpa was the famous Billy Walker from the Opry. These people have been able to really teach me through their years of experience and I’ve been soaking it up and trying to learn and grow as much as I possibly can.
Listen to American Storyteller
Connect With Tommy Howell
For more information on Tommy Howell, visit https://www.tommyhowellmusic.com/.
