Classically trained on the violin since the age of 6, and self-taught on the guitar, Toby Lightman was unaware of her vocal talent until her high school graduation, when she performed her first solo in front of a crowd of blindsided listeners. The crowd’s overwhelmingly tear filled reaction propelled her to buy her first guitar and write her first song. With only three penned songs, Lightman landed a major record deal with Jason Flom at Lava/Atlantic Records just one year out of college. Feeling strongly about carrying her classical and self taught musical knowledge into her new passion for songwriting, she dug down deep and wrote her first album in only 8 months.

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Toby Lightman’s debut album Little Things appeared on the “Billboard Top 100” in its very first week, and gave way to comparisons like Lauryn Hill, Sheryl Crow and Norah Jones. Her first single “Devils and Angels” which highlighted Lightman’s unique rhythmic guitar playing and blue eyed soulful voice, landed in the Top 20 on the Hot AC radio charts for over 30 weeks. Lightman received high praise from Rolling Stone, People, Billboard and various acclaimed sources, which led to appearances on Letterman, Carson Daly, Conan, TRL, CBS Morning Show as well as extensive touring with artists such as Rob Thomas, Jewel, James Blunt, Gavin DeGraw, Train, Marc Cohn, and a special evening opening for the legendary Prince, an artist that Lightman grew up idolizing. During their brief meeting, Lightman learned from Prince himself, that he saw her perform on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and could see her unique talent as a guitar player and singer. He encouraged her to break from the confines of the industry norms and continued to watch her career blossom over the years.

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As an independent artist, Lightman has gone on to have over 100 significant song placements in various films, tv shows and commercials such her recent placements on CBS’s The Rookie, Fox’s Monarch and commercials for the NFL and Montefiore. See full placement list. Lightman appeared as the first independent recording artist on the Home Shopping Network HSN, selling out her album Let Go within minutes. She could also be seen singing the theme song for NASCAR on Fox for 2 years. “After I left the confines of my record deal and the musical box that I was placed in, I wanted to explore and learn more about my own capabilities as a singer, a songwriter and a musician. So I just tried it all and had so much fun doing it!” Since becoming a mother, Lightman has gone on to have had the joy of writing many songs for the iconic PBS show Sesame Street; having her work sung by beloved characters as well as guest performers such as Kelsea Ballerini, Renee Rapp, and Rashida Jones.

 

Following in her idol, Prince’s, footsteps, Lightman self-produced her 6th studio album entitled AFTER ALL, which she released in November 2022. She taught herself how to navigate the studio standard for recording software, Protools, and began searching for her sound as a producer. Throughout this 4 year process of familiarizing herself with multiple instruments as well as digital programming, Toby truly found her voice. Utilizing her sultry vocals and soothingly epic productions, the album focuses on themes of womanhood; the trials of becoming a mother while struggling through infertility and loss. Lightman confidently sings encouragingly to herself through her own personal hard times, while reeling her listener in with messages of strength, support and comfort.  This album gave her the confidence to power on as a producer in an industry where only 5% of producers are women. Lightman now passionately encourages other women to find their own voice, not only as an artist, but as their own producer, through organizations like Balance the Mix and Move the Needle.  Lightman is currently writing and producing her next studio album to be released in 2025.

 

Lightman is currently the co-chairman of the Songwriters & Composers Wing for the Recording Academy’s NY Chapter and is also on the advisory council for SONA, Songwriters of North America.