Tom's solo work stems from his personal experience as well as flights of imagination. Influences include the tellers of tales (in prose, poetry, and song) whose work reflects their own lives, like Jorge Amado, Stan Hugill (in more than one way), Joseph Conrad, Gordon Bok, Pablo Neruda, Andy M. Stewart, Jim Pfitzer, Janwillem Van De Wetering, Stan Rogers, Dan Keding, John D. MacDonald, and Opetaia Foa`i of the group Te Vaka. Mix in a few characters encountered on various travels, some "sticky situations", and hints of styles, from Celtic to Dylan, and just sit back and enjoy.

A song needs to tell a story and evoke a feeling that will resonate with the listener. The songs on Across the Centerline, I hope, will call to mind (and heart) a wide range of feelings, from despair and loneliness to desire and delight, culled from memory or imagination; something remembered or something only dreamed of. No matter what side of the "centerline" you may be on. Plus a bit of humor as well. --Tom Kastle