- Tom Bukovac was born Dec. 20, 1968, in Cleveland and began playing guitar at age 8.
- He has played on more than 1,200 albums and toured with Vince Gill, Tom Petty and John Fogerty.
- After moving to Nashville in 1992 he joined Wynonna Judd’s band, then became a top session player.
- Known for extreme versatility, Bukovac moves easily between country, rock, blues and studio jazz.
From Cleveland bars to Music Row
Tom Bukovac grew up in Willowick, Ohio, and first picked up the guitar at 8. By his early teens he was performing at his mother’s bar, the Surfside Lounge in Eastlake, where local audiences began calling him the “Boy Wonder.” That early experience onstage set the foundation for a career that would take him from local clubs to the biggest studio rooms and touring stages.
Move to Nashville and a break in country
Bukovac relocated to Nashville in 1992, following the many players he knew who found steady work on Music Row. He landed road gigs with country artists such as Lionel Cartwright and Tanya Tucker, and in 1995 won an audition to join Wynonna Judd’s band. He spent four years on the road with Wynonna before deciding to focus on session work full time.
More than 1,200 albums and major tours
Over the following decades Bukovac became one of Nashville’s most in-demand session guitarists. He has contributed to more than 1,200 albums for artists across genres, including Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Rascal Flatts, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks. He has also toured with Vince Gill, Tom Petty and John Fogerty, bringing his studio precision to large live audiences.
Key studio moments
One turning point came after a 2000 tour with John Fogerty. Producer Dann Huff invited Bukovac to play on Keith Urban’s Golden Road, released in 2002. The record’s success helped open further doors: Bukovac’s work on that album led to more high-profile sessions and sustained collaborations with leading producers and artists.
Versatility as a trademark
Producers call Bukovac because he can shift styles rapidly — from gritty blues to ’70s L.A. studio jazz or modern rock textures. He has described the variety of Nashville sessions as a continual source of inspiration, and his adaptability is a key reason he remains sought-after in the studio and on tour.
Legacy of a session player
While singers often take the spotlight, Bukovac’s career is a reminder of the vital role session musicians play in shaping hits and live shows. Born Dec. 20, 1968, his body of work — both recorded and live — has left a lasting mark across country, rock and pop for more than three decades.
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