top of page

Tom The Suit Forst in the Norwalk Hour: Retired sales executive trades in C-Suite for center stage


NORWALK — After two decades in the corporate world, Tom Forst had had enough.

So when his wife told him they’d finally paid off the last of their children’s college tuition, his response, naturally, was, “I’m quitting.”


That was eight years ago. Back when he had a tight haircut and wore a full suit to work every day. Back when the idea of playing music full time was nothing more than a daydream supplied by a memory.

With the blessing of his wife, Forst gave his six months notice — as it turns out, you don’t just “quit” when you’re the regional vice president of sales at Cox Communications — and returned to a life he always knew he’d find again someday.

“I think if I have a message it’s that you should never give up on your dreams,” Forst said. “The dream was always to start again. It never occurred to me that being older would be a problem, and it hasn’t been.”

Forst, now 65, will release his first solo album, “On Fire,” Jan. 14. Produced by Grammy-winning guitarist, producer and songwriter Paul Nelson and recorded at Norwalk’s Factory Underground, the album features musicians from the Johnny Winter Band, Popa Chubby Band, Allman Brothers Band, Saturday Night Live Band and Steven Colbert Band.

copyright 2016 Heart Connecticut Media

Martin Barre Acoustic Performance at the Factory Underground



Martin Barre and his band will be performing an intimate acoustic session at the Factory Underground on October 17th. Tickets are for sale for $40 and all that attend get to meet Martin and also receive a copy of his new cd. Tickets available at http://martinbarrefactoryunderground.brownpapertickets.com


Tom The Suit Forst Signs with Factory Underground Records, New Album "On Fire" Slated for



Factory Underground Records has announced that it has signed on to release the album "On Fire" from blues rock guitarist Tom The Suit Forst. Produced by Grammy Award-winning guitarist Paul Nelson of the late Johnny Winter Band, "On Fire" is a mix of down-home Americana, hard-driving blues-based rockers, and some cherry-picked classics. The album will be released in September 2016 on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, and 60 retail and streaming platforms around the world. Showing the world that it's never too late to follow your heart and dreams, and proving that you're never too old to rock and roll--Tom The Suit Forst is an undeniable force of nature. Preparing to release his brand new ten-song blues-rock album with far more energy than many musicians half his age, The Suit, as he is called by fans, friends and family, is 65 years of age. Eight years ago, Thomas Forst was a corporate Vice President at Cox Communications Group, until he decided to quit his top-management position and pursue a full-time career in music. He packed up his 401K, turned in his key to the executive wash room, and hit the road road running-guitar case in hand. He has never looked back. "I had always played music of course, but never had the time to pursue it seriously. I was married, raising three children, and television advertising had become my world. But then one day I walked in the house and saw my wife paying the bills. I asked her why she looked so happy and she said that she was paying our last two college tuition bills. I immediately called my boss and told him I was quitting. That was the day I decided it was time for my music."

bottom of page