Growing up with an unyielding passion for music paid off when Tom Beaupre joined country sensation Florida Georgia Line as their bassist.  When he’s not touring, he serves as a producer, collaborating with other up & coming bands and writing his own music. Beaupre’s go-getter attitude and laidback style inspired his current “Rebel Rock” Guest Edit on our website (available for a limited time only) and identified him as our newest #Earthmover.

As the band’s world tour comes to a close, we got the opportunity to catch up with Tom to learn more…

CF: Where are you from?
TB: A Philadelphia suburb called Paoli. 

CF: How did you first discover your passion for music?
TB: I remember being obsessed with my parents records and cassette tapes.  I must have been 4 or 5, but I remember coming home from church and making my parents put on a record and cranked it up loud so you could hear it throughout the house. Shortly after I began piano lessons, then bass lessons…then anything I could get my hands on.   

Outside the NBC Studios in New York City, where Jimmy Fallon is filmed. (Photo credit: Instagram @hi_imtom)

CF: Landing a gig with Florida Georgia Line is no simple feat, how did you get your big break?
TB:  I was friends with the Brian and Tyler first.  They asked me to play bass around town.  I loved hanging out with them and I loved to play music, so it was an obvious choice and a great fit.  As they got busier and busier I realized the magnitude of what was happening and did as much practicing and preparation as I could on our down time to keep up with the craziness that ensued.  Once their first single broke they got a record deal and it was a nonstop of checking off bucket list events. Within that first year of them signing a record deal, I personally had a lot of firsts as well.   My first arena, stadium, we opened for Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, collaborated with Nelly and did 18 TV appearances including Jimmy Fallon, The Voice, 6 different awards shows, Macy’s Day Parade etc.  That year, the expectation grew so quickly for all of us and I made sure I kept up.  It was a wild year and well worth the hard work!

The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon — Florida Georgia Line perform on September 4, 2015 (Photo credit: Douglas Gorenstein/NBC)

CF: What’s the best thing and the worst thing about being on tour?
TB: The best thing about being on tour is playing music as a job.  Our everynight is someone’s Friday night; the event someone looks forward to for months!  They save up, buy a ticket and for a couple hours we get to let them relax, stop thinking about work or whatever could be stressful and just enjoy life.  It’s awesome to see people having a great time.  Also, seeing this country.  I’ve gotten to go to all 50 states.  It’s exciting to get to see new places, try new food and meet lots of people and hear their stories.

The worst part is being away from my wife and missing big life events.  I’ve had to miss weddings, baptisms, funerals, family reunions, etc.  My family and friends, especially my wife, are so understanding and supportive with my music and career but it doesn’t make it any easier to miss those moments.  

En route to New York City for Good Morning America and Jimmy Fallon. (Photo credit: Instagram @hi_imtom)

CF: What would we be surprised to learn about you?
TB: Before I could pay all my bills playing music I worked at Starbucks and tuned pianos for a living.  Tuning pianos was a lot of fun. I’d be in a studio thinking, whatever is recorded today…might be on the radio…and I helped that process.  It was a cool feeling.  Plus, I got to see a lot of big studios in Nashville and meet all the A-List session players. 

CF: What is your motto?
TB: “Luck is preparation meeting opportunity.” 

CF: Where else can we expect to see you this year? What’s next for Tom?
TB:  Hopefully on a beach!  haha.   As our tour comes to an end, this will be the first time in about 4 or 5 years that we’ll have more than a 2 week break.  I plan to build some stuff for my house, write some songs, read a book or two and definitely spend time with my wife and family!  I’m always open to adventure so I’ll be ready for whatever life brings…

Tom performing in Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, CA, wearing his “Abe” Cat Boots (Photo credit: Instagram @hi_imtom)

CF: Last but not least, what are your go to Cat Boots when you’re on the road?
TB: The “Abe Canvas” boot.  It was the first pair of Cat Boots I ever got.  I love them!  I can wear them on stage, out to a bar, or hiking in the woods.  They’re the best!

Follow along as Tom takes over our Instagram this Saturday, October 17, giving us a behind the scenes look at the final day of the Florida Georgia Line “Anything Goes” Tour in Atlanta, Georgia.