Get ready for a show in the round as Wollenberg Records and the Manor Complex present The Richard Cortez Show on Thursday, May 19. There will be many gay and gay-friendly local —and not so local—talents working the stage that night, including Washington D.C.’s Tom Goss. The gay singer-songwriter’s music has been compared to the laidback, optimistic style of Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson.
Get ready for a show in the round as Wollenberg Records and the Manor Complex present The Richard Cortez Show on Thursday, May 19. There will be many gay and gay-friendly local —and not so local—talents working the stage that night, including Washington D.C.’s Tom Goss. The gay singer-songwriter’s music has been compared to the laidback, optimistic style of Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson.
Goss said that his influences include Mraz and Johnson, and also David Gray, Damien Rice, Ben Folds and Alexi Murdoch. He hit the DC coffeehouse circuit in 2006 and released two full-length CDs (“Naked Without” and “Back to Love”), two EPs (“Rise” and “The Politics of Love”), a live DVD (“Live At Terry’s”) and four music videos — two of which rose to the number 1 and number 2 viewer-choice spots on LOGO. The talent has always loved being on the road and has played nearly 500 shows in 100 cities nationwide. His latest CD is called “Turn It Around.”
He has a unique backstory. The native of Kenosha, Wisconsin spent his high school and college years as a wrestler. He worked as a teacher until he made the move to Washington, DC in 2004 to enter Catholic seminary. It didn’t go as planned, and he decided not to become a priest. He decided that he could still spread a positive message, but through music.
“I’m inspired by people,” Goss explained. “I’m inspired by people on a day-to- day basis. I travel on the road and hear so many amazing stories and I feel really honored to be in the position to do that. I like meeting people and I like hearing their stories and like seeing how they tick and handle love, loss and tragedy. . . all those things.”
Goss is especially inspired by love — he married his lover, Mike, in October 2010. Goss said it’s hard to be apart from Mike because he misses him when he is away, but they both love their jobs and have a lot of trust in eachother.
“We’re both lucky to do what we’re doing,” he said. “No one wants to hamper the other’s dreams.”
Goss said that Mike is his biggest fan.
“He believes in me more than I believe in myself,” he said. “Without that [support] I don’t think I could do what I do.”
Always wanting to make a difference, Goss has released songs and videos in support of marriage equality and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT). The video for the song “Lover,” which is currently in rotation on LOGO, tells the story of a soldier killed in Afghanistan while his husband waits at home, and stars servicemen who were discharged under DADT.
Goss also takes time to leads and raise funds for a DC nonprofit called Charlie’s Place that provides free meals, clothing and social services to the homeless.
When asked what the audience should expect from a performance by him, Goss said, “People should expect something intimate. My show and what’s important to me is storytelling and singing the songs. I think these days we are so inundated with entertainment. I think I like to tell stories and really connect with people on a deeper level.”
“It will be a night of storytelling and intimate music that they will be a part of instead of watching from a distance,” he added. “Get out to the show — it’s going to be awesome.”
This will be Goss’s first time performing with local talent Richard Cortez. The two plan on touring all of Florida. For the dates and other information, visit TomGossMusic.com
INFO: Thursday, May 19 – 9 p.m. to midnight
The Richard Cortez Show
Starring Richard Cortez, Tom Goss, Lisa Braun, Eric Jaffe & Robert Marks
At The Manor
$16.95 10oz Prime Rib (choice of side)
18 specialty martinis
Cocktail service by Bobby Anderson
