'Courting A Musical Dream'

Singer/songwriter Tom Fuller's lifetime-in-the-making, independently released debut CD may be called 'Chasing An Illusion', but he's already reaping some very concrete rewards thanks to the ongoing airplay success of its first hit single “Back Again.” The song, which begins in a trippy, ambient folk mode before exploding into a powerful and compelling electric rocker, is about never giving up and finding one's way back to his or her true love — a perfect metaphor for Fuller's own musical journey.

It's also one that's resonating clearly with Adult Contemporary listeners across the country. “Back Again” recently cracked the Top 15 of the AC charts of the prestigious industry print and online publication FMQB, sharing chart space with numerous major label superstar pop and rock artists, including Coldplay, Howie Day, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Backstreet Boys and 3 Doors Down.

'Chasing An Illusion' was produced by Nashville based hit maker Rick Chudacoff, who has worked over the years with legendary artists like The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and Allison Kraus.

Though all of the other 11 tracks on the eclectic, emotionally involving collection have similar hit single potential — the dreamy, harmonic, very Beatlesque “Dare To Love” (the second single from the CD) is scheduled for imminent release — Fuller believes his sudden success is due to trusting his own instincts and creative muse rather than specifically trying to contrive a #1 hit.

Chatting recently with Tom, and mentioning that his press states that this new independently released debut CD had been a "... lifetime-in-the-making," I first wondered why this project had indeed taken so long to come to the fore? "I HAD TO LIVE IT FIRST! :)"

For the Average Joe who may not have heard of you and was thinking of buying your 'Chasing An Illusion' CD, how would you yourself describe your sound? "RETRO ROCK, TENDER BALLADS, AND EMOTION INSPIRING TUNES."

Your album title 'Chasing An Illusion' is an interesting choice, but perhaps it originates from a more personal standpoint for you? "MAYBE/MAYBE NOT. REALLY IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE SONG ITSELF AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A COOL USE OF WORDS THAT WOULD MAKE PEOPLE THINK."

And with the artwork and album title very Jester-orientated, I'm wondering if this specific type of clown mostly associated with the Middle Ages is a secret passion of yours? "NO, BUT THE ARTIST CIRO MARCHETTI IS BRILLIANT AND I THOUGHT HIS WORK FIT THE MYSTICAL VIBE OF THE MUSIC. IT WAS MEANT TO BE WHEN I MET HIM AT AN ART SHOW IN FLORIDA."

If there was one track on 'Chasing An Illusion' that truly encapsulated Tom Fuller at his musical and lyrical finest, which one would it be? "WHEREVER YOU MAY BE. IT'S VERY HONEST IN ITS SIMPLE MESSAGE. I THINK IT TOUCHES PEOPLE."

Please tell us more about Star and your work with the The Humane Society therein "I HAVE HAD STAR SINCE SHE WAS 6 WEEKS OLD. THE HSUS THING WAS A NATURAL BECAUSE I LOVE ANIMALS ANBD BELIEVE IN HELPING OTHERS THRU "PETS FOR LIFE". I DO WHATEVER I CAN TO HELP."

Your Beatlesque track 'Dare To Love' is quite the sound, but was it always meant to come across in such a musical manner? "ABSOLUTELY. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD A SPECIAL VIBE. DARE IS A CLASSIC TOM TUNE. I LOVE THE LAYERED PARTS. IT'S AN AWESOME SONG LIVE TOO."

Just for fun, and taking the titles of a few of your album tracks, please let us know:

'Back Again' - OK, if you could come back to this world as an animal in your next life, which would it be ... and why?! "THE FAMILY YELLOW LAB. THEY HAVE IT MADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

'Missing You' - What or who do you miss most in life ... and why?! "MY GRANDPARENTS. I WISH I SPENT MORE TIME WITH THEM BECAUSE I WOULD PROBABLY UNDERSTAND MY PARENTS BETTER.:)"

'Chasing An Illusion' - Since childhood is there a dream or illusion you've been chasing ... and will you ever achive it? "I DREAM ALL THE TIME AND TRY TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE. ABSOLUTLELY.:)"

What '80s (and possibly cheesy!) pop/rock song would you love to cover today if asked ... and why?! "'FREE BIRD.' IT'S A COOL SONG I CAN RELATE TO."

Lastly, I like Penguins ... do you?! "OF COURSE, I THINK THEY WOULD MAKE A GREAT PET!"

Thanx again for doing this for us today, and we wish you all the best for the future. "THANK YOU VERY MUCH. TF"

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Tom's brand new CD, just answer this easy question: Fuller, a naturally gifted guitarist, bassist and keyboardist, says he was a garage band kid while growing up in which city's suburbs?

Send me your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these great new and AUTOGRAPHED CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before July 1st with your answer and the subject title 'TOM FULLER SIGNED CDs' to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net