In our increasingly artificial world, Toby Lightman‘s pure and soulful voice cuts through the noise and connects with people emotionally. Classically trained on the violin and self-taught on the guitar, Lightman landed a major record deal with Lava / Atlantic Records right after graduation from college.

Toby Lightman’s debut album Little Things appeared on the “Billboard Top 100” in its first week and gave way to comparisons to Lauryn Hill, Sheryl Crow, and Norah Jones. Lightman received high praise from Rolling Stone, People, Billboard, and others, which led to appearances on Letterman, Carson Daly, Conan, CBS Morning Show as well as extensive touring with artists such as Rob Thomas, Jewel, Gavin DeGraw, Train, Marc Cohn, and a special evening opening for Prince, an artist Lightman grew up idolizing. As an independent artist, Lightman has gone on to have over 100 song placements in films, tv shows and ads on networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, FX, A&E, USA, WB and more. Toby is also currently composing songs for the iconic PBS show Sesame Street.

Following in her idol, Prince’s footsteps, Lightman produced her latest album AFTER ALL which she released in 2022. “Over the years, I have worked with only male producers because I knew of no women that were producing music. I didn’t want to share songs about my journey through pregnancy, loss, and motherhood, so I decided to teach myself how to produce,” says Lightman, As one of the few female’s to enter into the world of production, Lightman is dedicated to encouraging other women to do the same. Through organizations like She is the Music, Moms in Music and Balance the Mix, Toby Lightman is championing women to take control of their creations as she did. “It’s extremely empowering to write a song from the depths of my soul, with feelings that are genuinely mine, as a woman, and then bring that song to life without the help of a male producer who most likely won’t connect at all,” says Lightman. “Women make up only 5% of all producers throughout the music business, so it’s our job to empower women who want to take control of their own creative destinies!”

Lightman is currently producing her next album slated for release in the spring of 2025.