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We are back Behind the Shedd! In episode 31, Harold, Russ, and Wade sit down with a true renaissance man and a dear friend to our team, Tommy Jackson. Tommy is a mentor, a leader, a life coach, a motivational speaker, a football coach, a money manager, an author, a music guy, a song man, and just a great human being. Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Tommy Jackson.
Bio:
Tommy’s journey is one of overcoming the odds to achieve tremendous success. At a young age, he realized that taking ownership of his circumstances could be achieved through self discovery and education. While juggling two jobs to help his single mother pay the power bill, Tommy earned an academic scholarship to Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). There, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Finance and a minor in Psychology.
Years later, Tommy returned to AUM to experience a full-circle moment. In 2017, he was named Business Alumni of the Year, and the following year, he was honored as one of AUM’s Top 50 Most Influential Alumni.
Bio:
Tommy’s journey is one of overcoming the odds to achieve tremendous success. At a young age, he realized that taking ownership of his circumstances could be achieved through self discovery and education. While juggling two jobs to help his single mother pay the power bill, Tommy earned an academic scholarship to Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). There, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Finance and a minor in Psychology.
Years later, Tommy returned to AUM to experience a full-circle moment. In 2017, he was named Business Alumni of the Year, and the following year, he was honored as one of AUM’s Top 50 Most Influential Alumni.
These accolades were the result of a career in wealth management spanning decades. Recognized as a top financial advisor, Tommy consistently ranked among the Top 1,000 Financial Advisors in the U.S. by Barron’s and Forbes. In 2013, he was named #1 in the state of Alabama by Barron’s Top 100.
With over 30 years of experience helping clients plan for their financial goals, Tommy’s passion for helping others has remained a constant. His ability to connect deeply with people—drawing from his own life experiences—has allowed him to mentor and empower individuals across the nation, from student-athletes to high-level business leaders.
Tommy’s commitment to helping others began on the football field. Though initially hesitant, he observed one of the Cahaba Heights Knights’ practice sessions in Birmingham, Alabama. During that visit, he overheard a child say, “Don’t expect much from us, mister, because we’re a bunch of losers.” That moment was pivotal. It reminded him how the people who believed in him had changed the course of his life—and he knew he wanted to do the same for others.
Recognizing that his life principles could reshape how these kids saw themselves, Tommy agreed to coach the team—and he was right. Under his leadership, they went undefeated, outscoring their opponents 357–12. He not only led that team to a championship, but coached two new teams in the years that followed. As each group bought into his system, Tommy led the program to three consecutive championships. It was
proof his process could be repeated—and change lives.
Recognizing that his life principles could reshape how these kids saw themselves, Tommy agreed to coach the team—and he was right. Under his leadership, they went undefeated, outscoring their opponents 357–12. He not only led that team to a championship, but coached two new teams in the years that followed. As each group bought into his system, Tommy led the program to three consecutive championships. It was
proof his process could be repeated—and change lives.
Tommy later transitioned to high school football, where he coached for seven years and won three state championships with Briarwood Christian High School. Building on his success in coaching, he founded The Knights, a youth mentorship program in 1998 that trained and guided over 100 athletes. Many went on to excel in college and professional sports. Among his proudest moments were seeing two of his Knights face off in the 2009 Super Bowl and another achieve a career-high ranking of World No. 11 in Women’s Tennis Doubles.
Tommy’s journey also ventured into music. In 2010, he founded First Note Entertainment (FNE), a multi-genre record label that has achieved over 175 consecutive sold-out shows and launched artists into the Billboard Top 20. Songs from FNE have been featured on The Today Show, World of Dance, American Idol, The Voice, Grey’s Anatomy, and other popular TV shows.
So far, Tommy’s journey has taken him through many unique chapters—but none as important as this one: helping others find their true potential. Whether through keynote speeches, mentorship, or transformative programs, Tommy is dedicated to changing lives with principles and processes that he has lived and continues to teach. - tommyjacksonofficial.com
Tommy’s journey also ventured into music. In 2010, he founded First Note Entertainment (FNE), a multi-genre record label that has achieved over 175 consecutive sold-out shows and launched artists into the Billboard Top 20. Songs from FNE have been featured on The Today Show, World of Dance, American Idol, The Voice, Grey’s Anatomy, and other popular TV shows.
So far, Tommy’s journey has taken him through many unique chapters—but none as important as this one: helping others find their true potential. Whether through keynote speeches, mentorship, or transformative programs, Tommy is dedicated to changing lives with principles and processes that he has lived and continues to teach. - tommyjacksonofficial.com
Thanks to our Behind the Shedd Members on Patreon. Ron Ledet - Stacy Shedd - Kay Wilson
Behind the Shedd podcast is a weekly podcast series available on all major podcast platforms. This podcast relives music row memories from Nashvilles most successful independent music producer, Harold Shedd. Harold owned and operated the Music Mill Studio on Roy Acuff Place in Nashville and was later head of Mercury Records Nashville.
Created by Wm. Wade Smith.
Produced by Russ Zavitson and Wm. Wade Smith
Original Behind the Shedd theme song written by Russ Zavitson
Sound and audio by Russ Zavitson
Cameras by Mike McKee
Director of Photography & Editing by Matt Holbrook at InFocus Media
Associate producers Brian Rawlings, Chuck Bedwell and Jason Morris
Sound and audio by Russ Zavitson
Cameras by Mike McKee
Director of Photography & Editing by Matt Holbrook at InFocus Media
Associate producers Brian Rawlings, Chuck Bedwell and Jason Morris
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Thanks to patreon supporters Ron Ledet - Stacy Shedd - Kay Wilson
Thanks to patreon supporters Ron Ledet - Stacy Shedd - Kay Wilson
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- Kay Wilson
- Stacy Shedd
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Creators and Guests
Host
Harold Shedd
Founder of Music Mill Studio and Polydor Nashville. Head of Mercury Polygram Records Nashville 1988-1994. Signed Alabama, KT Oslin, Kentucky Headhunters, Billy Ray Cyrus, Toby Keith, Shania Twain, Sammy Kershaw
Producer
Russ Zavitson
Head of Music Mill Studios in Nashville, TN. Producer, guest, and composer of Behind the Shedd
What is Behind the Shedd?
Stories and interviews from the 70's, 80's, and 90's about music row in Nashville with legendary music producer Harold Shedd.