From New York to Nashville: musical artist returns home to share experiences with local students

Tom Vaughn knows about discovering a passion for music at a young age. It eventually led him to perform in cabarets in New York City and release two albums. Vaughn, a graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University, recently shared his story at home with students at Deer Creek Christian Academy, advising them to follow what they love to do.

Performing was something he always knew he wanted to do, he told students during a visit to the school on Oct. 25.

"I didn't know the direction I would go into. I knew I wanted to sing," he said.

Vaughn told the students to begin finding out what hobbies they enjoy now so they can begin practicing and strengthening their craft.

"Life gives you so many chances to do what you want," he said. "You can do anything you want, but you have to work hard for it."

Vaughn moved to New York City in 1988, where he began working at Macy's for almost two years. During that time, he performed in cabarets and small theater. While there he auditioned for a European tour called "Golden Musicals of Broadway."

He performed in cabarets in the West Village at venues called the Five Oaks, Limelight and the Metropolitan Room. Earlier this year, Vaughn performed at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York where he opened "Trail of Cheers."

He said one of the best things about living in New York is the relationships he made over the years.

"Everybody brings something different to the table," he said.

Living in New York taught him how to get along with different kinds of people, he said.

New York is a very competitive environment, Vaughn said, but at the same time there are more opportunities for him there.

Vaughn wrote and released his first CD, "Liquid Life," in 2003.

He recorded the album in Nashville, Tenn. "I decided to record in Nashville because it was closer to my roots. Nashville had a specific sound I wanted." Vaughn said.

That same year, Vaughn provided backups on the Lucie Arnaz CD "Latin Roots," produced by Ron Abel and Lucie Arnaz on the LML label.

When Vaughn began writing songs for his second album, he wanted to stick with his roots.

"I wrote 10 songs that were more story-driven and focused on my life growing up in Southeast Missouri," Vaughn said.

His new CD, released in September, is called "In These Genes." The style of music on the album is folk and country.

"The other thing is that you try to kind of branch yourself out so you're open to anything but at the end you need to be who you are," Vaughn said. "I'm from Southeast Missouri and that's who I am. I paid more attention to my lyrics and storytelling in this CD."

Vaughn said another story in his life that is important for him to share is that he is a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and went through eight rounds of chemotherapy. He said one friend in particular helped him get through that rough time. It was a friend, Raissa Katona Bennet, the show director of the cabaret, Trail of Cheers, who created a circle of friends around him through the Internet whenever he needed help.

"Those circle of friends really helped me get through it."

Vaughn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal performance and a minor in business from Southeast.

Pertinent address:

2039 Cape Lacroix Road Cape Girardeau, MO

1000 S. Silver Springs Rd., Cape Girardeau, MO

One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO