I am Toby Lightman, a singer, songwriter, producer, mother, wife, friend, and guitar-playing girl! I grew up classically trained on the violin, which led me to singing and teaching myself the guitar. I wrote three songs on a huge Fender acoustic, and crazy enough, those songs led to a record deal with Lava Records. I went on to have amazing experiences, including touring with artists like Jewel, Rob Thomas, Train, and Prince!! I also performed on late-night shows like Letterman and Conan. When I left the label, I had a blast exploring my voice by singing the NASCAR theme song for Fox, performing on HSN, and going on to have over 100 placements of my songs in different films and TV shows.
I am lucky to have a career that spans over 20 years, and I feel like every day, I am just getting started. Over the past few years, I taught myself to produce, after always working with male producers like Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynn) and Patrick Leonard (Madonna). I didn’t feel understood and really wanted to find my own voice. It took me four years to find the sounds I liked, the software, the instrumentation, etc. That experimenting became my last album After All (2023). It came together during a time that was very vulnerable for me as I was trying to get pregnant, and it was difficult. I didn’t want to share those feelings with the male producers I knew, so I decided to produce them myself.
Producing has given me so much confidence in myself, and I am proud to say that I am a female producer. Now, I want to empower other women to find their own voice! This is what my latest single is about. “Higher” is the anthem that I needed and need to this day. A song to empower us to be the best that we can be… now… in this moment. We are older and wiser, and better, no matter your pronoun. We all needed to be lifted higher. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
Listen to “Higher” HERE
Tell us about the inspiration behind your new music.
My new music is inspired by my life as a woman and as a mother to two amazing little boys. I know a lot of friends around me are making big decisions that can lead to big changes. We are not done growing and learning. We are actually better at what we do now than we were when we started our careers. These new songs are the positive and empowering energy that I need, and hopefully, there are others out there who also want to listen.
What was the songwriting and recording process?
I find that as I get older, the songs are coming more frequently. I used to co-write a lot, but my days are way more fluid now. I write a song every week, at least. There’s a lot of inspiration around me, from my kids, to my life, to my friends. Learning how to produce on my own has given me the freedom to be there for my children in these early years, so I wait for the song to come, and then I pounce.
What do you hope your fans/listeners take away with them when they listen to your music?
I hope listeners feel inspired to go and get what they want in life for their own happiness. Not what others think, but what THEY need. I always worried about what my family or friends would think. Writing these songs at this phase of my life has shown me that true happiness only exists inside your soul. I hope these songs become the good company that you want to keep. I know they are for me!
When did you first pick up the guitar, and what drew you to that instrument?
I first picked up a guitar right after I graduated from high school. I had just sung my first vocal solo at my graduation and got such an overwhelming response, so of course, like the shy kid that I was, I decided to never sing out again! HA. I thought that if I taught myself the guitar, I could write songs and sing them alone. Looking back, I think I needed to support my newly found voice. The guitar is now a part of my being. It’s hard to sing without it!
Speaking of instruments, what brand(s) do you play and why?
I have been fortunate to have had a few guitar endorsements over the years when I was signed. My first guitar that I bought was a vintage Taylor with a sharp cutaway. I went on to play those for years until I was approached by McPherson. I LOVE those guitars and still have a few, but when I found the Gibson LGs, I knew I was set. They are the perfect size for me, and I’ll take a Gibson any day!! Feel free to tell them!
Who are some of your musical influences?
Too many! Prince, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Aretha Franklin, Etta James. The list goes on.
Will you be touring in support of your new music?
I hope to in the fall of 2025 when the full album is released! But first, “Higher” released on April 11!
