Over the course of the 40+ years he has been active as a musician, Loyd, 53, has played thousands of shows as well as released multiple records.
Today, Loyd performs with the very same people he played with in high school. Although not a touring rockstar, he still plays with several bands, writing and recording original material.
Raritan Valley Community College student Rick Weigle has seen several of Loyd's performances and cites Loyd as a major influence.
Weigle says, “the
music [Loyd] writes seems to open up doors to creativity and new ideas. I feel like grabbing my guitar no matter where I am and writing songs.”
One of Loyd's bands, The Country Westernaires, performs shows and large festivals several times a year. They are recognized and renowned locally in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in their modern country/bluegrass genre.
Another side project of his, The Electrosonix Trio, also performs locally regularly in Hunterdon County. Loyd has become well known and respected among local musicians.
Tyler Brungardt, one of Loyd's longtime friends, said, “I've never been so inspired by a musician. His passion for performing is just palpable. I want to be right on stage with him.”
In addition to his musical career, Loyd has spent the past 35 years in education. For the last 26 years, Loyd has been teaching at Hunterdon Learning Center, relying on music to form bonds that facilitate education with special needs.
Toby Ray Loyd always felt a strong pull towards music.
“I remember watching The Beatles debut when I was five on the Ed Sullivan Show. I could barely hear the music over all the girls screaming. That's when I knew I wanted to do this”, Loyd says.
Drawn especially to the rhythm of the drums, Loyd imitated playing by crafting a drum set of his own. Using Lincoln Logs as drum sticks, he would bang on wooden crates for drums and use the tops of tin cans for symbols. He along with friends would hold neighborhood shows in which they imitated playing popular songs.
After getting his first drum set, Loyd would practice drumming for hours each day after school. “My goal was to become the world's greatest drummer”, Loyd says.
In middle school, Loyd began to be recruited by high school bands. They began playing local dances and recitals where Loyd's passion for performing grew. His band would also play every Battle of the Bands, winning all but once.
In his senior year of high school, Loyd opted into an independent study program in lieu of the no
In addition to his musical career, Loyd has spent the past 35 years in education. For the last 26 years, Loyd has been teaching at Hunterdon Learning Center, relying on music to form bonds that facilitate education with special needs.
Toby Ray Loyd always felt a strong pull towards music.
“I remember watching The Beatles debut when I was five on the Ed Sullivan Show. I could barely hear the music over all the girls screaming. That's when I knew I wanted to do this”, Loyd says.
Drawn especially to the rhythm of the drums, Loyd imitated playing by crafting a drum set of his own. Using Lincoln Logs as drum sticks, he would bang on wooden crates for drums and use the tops of tin cans for symbols. He along with friends would hold neighborhood shows in which they imitated playing popular songs.
After getting his first drum set, Loyd would practice drumming for hours each day after school. “My goal was to become the world's greatest drummer”, Loyd says.
In middle school, Loyd began to be recruited by high school bands. They began playing local dances and recitals where Loyd's passion for performing grew. His band would also play every Battle of the Bands, winning all but once.
In his senior year of high school, Loyd opted into an independent study program in lieu of the no
rmal curriculum. His individualized program allowed him to write, record and market his own LP record. Loyd would spend over six hours each day alone in a practice room.
After months of writing and recording, he released his own record at 17. Although originally only 120 copies were made, he sold all of them and was able to completely finance the project himself in addition to playing small concerts in support of the release.
Later studying at Bloomsburg State College to get a musical degree, he dedicated his life to performing. Becoming somewhat of a campus rockstar, he continued to play shows almost nightly, even taking on a manager.
Although he originally planned on getting a degree in music, he was persuaded to pursue a teaching degree by his mother.
For many years after college, Loyd attempted to make a living solely off of playing original music. He would play solo shows in addition to shows with his many bands but was unable at the time to reproduce the success he found earlier.
Falling back on his teaching degree, he went on to teach at an alternative school for children with special needs.
Using his musical talents, he connected with students who had extreme difficulties. These bonds allowed Loyd to reach children who had otherwise been abandoned. He was able to teach students who had normally been resistant to traditional forms of education.
Even though his focus turned to education, Loyd continues to live a double life as a rockstar undaunted. Music is still a major part of his life.
After months of writing and recording, he released his own record at 17. Although originally only 120 copies were made, he sold all of them and was able to completely finance the project himself in addition to playing small concerts in support of the release.
Later studying at Bloomsburg State College to get a musical degree, he dedicated his life to performing. Becoming somewhat of a campus rockstar, he continued to play shows almost nightly, even taking on a manager.Although he originally planned on getting a degree in music, he was persuaded to pursue a teaching degree by his mother.
For many years after college, Loyd attempted to make a living solely off of playing original music. He would play solo shows in addition to shows with his many bands but was unable at the time to reproduce the success he found earlier.
Falling back on his teaching degree, he went on to teach at an alternative school for children with special needs.
Using his musical talents, he connected with students who had extreme difficulties. These bonds allowed Loyd to reach children who had otherwise been abandoned. He was able to teach students who had normally been resistant to traditional forms of education.
Even though his focus turned to education, Loyd continues to live a double life as a rockstar undaunted. Music is still a major part of his life.
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