Tom Ciurczak, industry veteran and president of BLC America has dropped an album. He’s been a singer and songwriter his whole life, and his daughter nudged him to actually releasing an album. Call me Ishmael is a mix of work from his whole life showcasing a number of styles and moods.

Michael and Greg have heard the album, liked it, and asked him on the show to discuss songwriting, the pros and cons of different creative approaches.

Beyond the stalkers, smugglers and outlaws to liars, losers and thieves that inhabit his music there are the characters that work in the lighting industry. Tom shares his past leaving computer sales, finding himself working for Osram in their first year in America, and his experiences in the specialty lighting market.

He also gets into his thoughts on working in the distribution and sales business; the power of relationships, how you can break ties and beat online prices on them and how those relationships have led to being able to use OEM contracts to keep his income stable.

Listen to the podcast.