Saskatchewan singer and songwriter Thomas Oakes is primed to take fans on a fresh musical journey in 2021. He’s collaborating with Nolita Studios on a compilation of songs and videos for a debut album, with his first solo single slated for release early in the year. 

Thomas’s savoury-toned vocals echo both progressive country and classic rock legends. A natural entertainer, his stage shows engage audiences with contagious energy, grooving tunes, and crowd-pleasing swagger. 

While his influences are an eclectic fusion of country, rock, pop, and blues, Thomas’s music is identified more by magnetizing melodies and song hooks than a specific genre. Flirting with occasional twists of phrase, his lyrical themes range from romantic, to tragic, to humorous. Yet each tells a compelling story -- from the unsettling questions raised in “Sweet on Him,” through the complimentary “Party Dress,” or the infectious “Tie Us a Knot,” and "The Last One" to his breakup anthem, “So Long, See Ya, Bye Bye.”

In recent years, Thomas has become a voracious songwriter. “I may churn out several sets of lyrics a day,” he said. “It’s like a switch flipped on!” Guitar in hand, Thomas is now busy arranging his copious writings to music. 

Although Thomas is a new solo artist, he’s no stranger to the music scene. He has performed in cover bands since age 14 -- buying his first car with $15-a-night earnings drumming in an old-time dance band playing polkas, waltzes, and two-steps.  

In 1979, he and friends formed the Nipawin-based rock cover-band Breezin’, which successfully packed venues across Western Canada, from Manitoba to the Pacific Coast. Thomas started out behind the drums but, before long, his dynamic stage presence and compelling vocals drew him out as frontman until the band’s demise in 1983. 

Breezin’ reunited in 2018 for what was supposed to be a one-time music festival performance. However, fan attendance brought long-sought success to the event, and prompted the band to seek out more gigs, reinvigorating Thomas’s passion for music.  

No matter the project, Thomas has always brought his A-game. Since leaving the family farm in Carrot River, SK, he’s worked in road construction, as an oil rigger, a tail sawyer in a sawmill, and in automotive sales. He quickly excelled in sales and management, ultimately opening his own RV store in 2002. 

Thomas grew his store from the ground up, wearing the many hats of an entrepreneur -- cleaner, marketer, manager, sales, you name it. The sweat equity helped TRX RV become renowned as Saskatchewan’s largest RV dealership. 

“Writing and performing songs is more gratifying than anything else I’ve done in my life,” he said. “I love moving people through music.” 

Thomas aims to give back to the industry through an annual online music contest. He will assist in launching one emerging artist annually with free song-writing sessions and studio recording. 

As he pursues his own solo music career, Thomas plans to remain the hardest-working person in the room while bringing fans his good-times pledge.