Thom Hoglen
About
I have spent many years on stage, and in the studio, performing as a support artist for acts including Plain White T's, Blues Traveller, Dia Frampton(The Voice, Season 1), nevershoutnever, and even The Platters. Music, to me, is a vital part of life. I have given lessons on various stringed instruments for several years, and I am thrilled at the concept of being able to connect, learn, and grow beyond geographical boundaries.
I was the touring and studio bassist for The Carter Hulsey Band, before relocating to my hometown of West Plains, Missouri, where I have been a stringed instrument instructor at West Plains Music for five years. I have collaborated with many musicians over the years, including Lennon Bone, producer and former drummer of Ha Ha Tonka; Kansas City-based artist, Clay Hughes, for which I performed bass on many recordings; singer/songwriter, Sebastian Martinez, for which I recorded bass for his incredible EP, Sandburg; and many others. I studied string bass at the University of Central Arkansas, which led me to my first studio recording experience at the age of 18 with songwriter and producer, Mark David McGinnis.
Teaching Style
My approach to teaching you will be far from a one-size-fits-all method. Music intruction books, as a foundation, make me shudder a bit. You are you. You are unique. So. once we establish fundamentals used in a wide range of styles, the real fun begins.
Music is very subjective. You may like a lot of styles, or you may want to "zero in" on a style you are passionate about. I want to help you hone that passion, hone your skills, and set a path to achieving your musical goals.
Credentials & Affiliations
After graduating high school in 1999, I spent my freshman year of college at the University of Central Arkansas, studying string bass. While my stint with the university’s orchestra was brief, I found solace in the UCA Big Band. That was a formative time for me, not only as a bassist, but as a musician, in general.
The relationships I developed in that time led to my first studio experience. Mark David McGinnis, a producer and songwriter, was looking for a bassist to finish tracks for an album, Mr. Bones. While the project was small, it solidified my love of recording and building songs.
I returned to West Plains, MO, and began a career in radio, while continuing to collaborate with various regional musicians. I performed regularly at a community arts center, where I met and performed many times with Marideth Sisco, best known as the velvety, haunting voice throughout the soundtrack of the movie, Winter’s Bone. I also performed regularly with Lennon Bone, a dear friend, and former drummer of Ha Ha Tonka. We continued to collaborate on many musical projects, spanning years. His involvement with Element Studio in Kansas City has led to collaborations with other artists as well, including Clay Hughes, Sebastian Martinez, and even a jingle pitch to the Coca-Cola Company with recording artist, K.Flay. While the pitch was deemed a “close second”, it sadly never made it into production.
My continuing radio career took me to Joplin, MO, where I met singer/songwriter Carter Hulsey. I became part of the Carter Hulsey Band, which resulted in my first tour. We performed many times as a supporting act for nevershoutnever, as well as Plain White T’s, Blues Traveler and Meg & Dia, which featured Dia Frampton, who went on to become the runner-up on the first season of The Voice.
When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I again returned home to West Plains, where I met my wife, and began a family. I continued to collaborate with musicians on various projects, and then became a stringed instrument instructor at West Plains Music. I currently teach about twenty students. Over the years, my students have ranged in age from 5 to 75. Teaching a wide variety of ages and skill levels has given me a new perspective on music, and has given me insight on how to teach on varying levels. While I had always aspired to be on stage or in the studio, I find teaching new musicians to be truly enriching.