Who is 440Music?

My name is Tommy "TBones" Cramer, and my life's journey is a testament to the power of music, technology, and resilience. It all began with a spark ignited by The Ed Sullivan Show featuring the iconic 60s rock band, The Dave Clark 5. Despite financial constraints limiting my formal music education, my passion for music only grew stronger. At thirteen, I inherited my older sister's guitar — a damaged but cherished Harmony — igniting my fascination with instrument repair and craftsmanship.

High school opened doors to live performance, thanks to my friend Joel Byers, starting with impromptu hallway jams and high school parties evolving into gigs at Open Stages around Milwaukee, WI. College brought me to Milton College, where I hosted a radio show on WVMC, blending my love for music with broadcasting. While my dreams of a radio career faltered, I discovered my knack for sales.

Chicago beckoned with an opportunity at Gibson Guitar Corp's Accessory Division, but a sudden dismissal led me back to the drawing board. Eventually, I found success in sales at Career Concepts USA, Inc., servicing Fortune 500 companies. In 1992 I became a partner and Vice President and managed the computer network.

Despite my success, I felt unfulfilled creatively, and in 1998 I sold my shares and pursued a career in the computer world. An opportunity arose to launch my own web design business and — to showcase my talent — 440Music was created: a platform to introduce and share indie music with the world.

Dave and I curated a weekly radio show broadcast online. The format featured good recordings of Indie Music received from around the world. From 1998 to 2007 we witnessed the rise of Indie Music from 9% to 22%, a 13-point jump — the moment when corporate money began dominating the space.

Despite setbacks, I continued managing 440Music, even while driving OTR trucks. A medical issue sidelined me for two years, and by 2019 I retired — not by choice.

Today, living on fixed income, I continue to champion indie music with 15+ radio stations dedicated to independent artists. Despite financial challenges, my commitment to broadcasting Indie Music remains unwavering.

Regards,
Tommy "TBones" Cramer