| Tom Bukovac | |
| Birth Date: | 1968 12, mf=yes |
| Birth Place: | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Years Active: | 1980s–present |
| Genre: | Rock, Country |
| Instrument: | Guitar |
| Website: | https://thesessionman.com/ |
Tom Bukovac (born December 20, 1968) is an American session musician and producer. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in nearby Willowick, 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, and performed his first shows at age thirteen at his widowed mother's bar, The Surfside Lounge, in Eastlake, Ohio. He moved to Nashville in 1992 to pursue a career as a guitarist.[1]
Bukovac has played on over 1200 albums, including projects by Dan Auerbach and The 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 with Ann Wilson (2022 - Fierce Bliss Tour), Joe Walsh (2017) – Tom Petty and the 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.
Bukovac has also won the Academy Of Country Music guitar player of the year award four times – 2008, 2010, 2016, and 2021.
On May 1st 2024, Tom and fellow Nashville session guitarist extraordinaire Guthrie Trapp released In Stereo, recorded (at least in part) at East Nashville's Cabin Studios. Brandon Bell and Jacob Lowery played bass, and Dorian “Wookie” Crozier played drums, both standard and electronic.
While there are some bits of atmospheric synth, the album—-much like Plexi Soul—-consists of guitar-based instrumentals. The song ‘On The Spectrum’ features Jordan Perlson on drums and Philip Townes contributed Fender Rhodes piano. Tim Lauer played keys on ‘Formant Trajectories’ and Jacob Lowery played bass. Bell again played bass on ‘The Black Cloud’ on which Danny Dougmar contributed keys.
Bell mixed In Stereo and at Tom’s insistence, Nick Goverick did the album’s song sequencing.
In 2021, Bukovac released, Plexi Soul, 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 with Dean Deleo, from STP. The record also includes a track called, Saturn We Miss You, with a vocal performance by Jon Anderson of Yes.
In 2014, Bukovac produced Trigger Hippy's self-titled album, which was released by Rounder Records. Featured on this album alongside Bukovac are Joan Osborne, Jackie Greene, Steve Gorman (of Black Crowes) and Nick Govrik.[6]
In 2010, Bukovac married songwriter/artist Sarah Buxton; they have two children.
Bukovac and Buxton decided to end their marriage in 2020.
In March of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bukovac started the YouTube video series, Homeskoolin; the videos were recorded with an iPhone in his garage.
Music Row Magazine Awards[7]
| Year | Category | Result | |
| 2005 | Session Guitarist of the Year | Winner | |
| 2006 | Session Guitarist of the Year | Winner | |
| 2007 | Session Guitarist of the Year | Winner | |
| 2008 | Session Guitarist of the Year | Winner | |
| 2009 | Session Guitarist of the Year | Winner |
| 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 | Nominee | |
| 2016 | Guitarist of the Year | Winner | |
| 2021 | Guitarist of the Year | Winner |