Tom Bukovac | |
|---|---|
 Tom Bukovac atWacken Open Air withAnn Wilson 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1968-12-20)December 20, 1968 (age 56) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock,Country |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Spouse | |
| Website | thesessionman.com |
Tom Bukovac (born December 20, 1968) is an American session guitarist and producer. He is also a popular YouTube personality with over 100,000 subscribers. He is a five-time winner of Music Row's Top Ten Album All-Stars award in the guitar category, in addition to being awarded the Academy Of Country Music's Electric Guitar Player of the Year in 2021, Guitar Player of the Year in 2010, 2014, and 2010, and he won Top Guitarist of the Year in 2008.
He was born inCleveland, Ohio, and raised in nearbyWillowick, Ohio. He has been a Nashville-based musician since 1992.[1] He previously owned 2nd Gear, a used music consignment shop in South Nashville.[2]
Bukovac began playing guitar at age eight.
He moved to Nashville in 1992 to pursue a career as a guitarist.[1]
Bukovac has played on hundreds of albums, including projects byDan Auerbach andThe Black Keys,Hermanos Gutierrez,Glen Campbell,Gwen Stefani,Kid Rock,Morgan Wallen,Ann Wilson,The Struts,Steven Tyler,Stevie Nicks,Bob Seger,John Oates,Joan Osborne,Vince Gill,Dave Stewart,Joss Stone,Hank Williams Jr.,Sheryl Crow,Don Henley,Carrie Underwood,Richard Marx,Rascal Flatts,Keith Urban,Willie Nelson,Martina McBride,Faith Hill,Kenny Loggins,Reba McEntire,Blake Shelton,LeAnn Rimes,Florida Georgia Line,Lionel Richie, among many others.[3]
Bukovac has toured withAnn Wilson (2022 - Fierce Bliss Tour),Joe Walsh (2017) –Tom Petty andthe Heartbreakers 40th Anniversary Tour[4]);Vince Gill (2016);John Fogerty;Faith Hill;Trigger Hippy;Wynonna Judd;Tanya Tucker, and others.[5] Bukovac is currently a member of The Jim Irsay band.
In 2014, Bukovac produced Trigger Hippy's self-titled album, which was released byRounder Records. Featured on this album alongside Bukovac are Joan Osborne,Jackie Greene,Steve Gorman (ofBlack Crowes) and Nick Govrik.[6]
In 2021, Bukovac released his first solo album, Plexi Soul, an instrumental record featuring his guitar playing, produced by Chris McHugh and recorded and engineered and mixed by Shannon Forrest @ REELRECORDING1
In addition, Bukovac released the Trip The Witch instrumental record in 2021, along withDean Deleo fromSTP. The record includes a track called Saturn We Miss You, with a vocal performance byJon Anderson ofYes.
On May 1st 2024, Tom and fellow Nashville guitarist Guthrie Trapp released In Stereo, recorded (at least in part) at East Nashville's Cabin Studios.
In 2010, Bukovac married songwriter/artistSarah Buxton. They have two children.[1]
Bukovac and Buxton divorced in 2020.
On March 20, 2020, near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bukovac started the YouTube video series "Corona Lessons," which included 22 volumes. On April 8th of the same year, he launched a new series, "Homeskoolin'," which includes nearly 400 volumes as of January, 2025. Bukovac says all the videos are recorded with an iPhone in various locations throughout his home in Nashville, as well as other locales.
Music Row Magazine Awards[7]
| Year | Category | Result |
| 2005 | Top Ten Album All-Stars, Guitarist | Winner |
| 2006 | Top Ten Album All-Stars, Guitarist | Winner |
| 2007 | Top Ten Album All-Stars, Guitarist | Winner |
| 2008 | Top Ten Album All-Stars, Guitarist | Winner |
| 2009 | Top Ten Album All-Stars, Guitarist | Winner[citation needed] |
Academy of Country Music Awards[8]
| Year | Category | Result |
| 2004 | Guitar Player of the Year | Nominee |
| 2005 | Top Guitar Player of the Year | Nominee |
| 2006 | Guitar Player of the Year | Nominee |
| 2007 | Top Guitarist of the Year | Nominee |
| 2008 | Top Guitarist of the Year | Winner |
| 2010 | Guitarist of the Year | Winner |
| 2012 | Guitarist of the Year | Nominee |
| 2014 | Guitar Player of the Year | Winner |
| 2016 | Guitarist of the Year | Winner |
| 2021 | Guitarist of the Year | Winner |
