Toast as he is known (Doug Toalston) is a Nashville based songwriter/performer with over 50 years history of writing songs and music. Raised in the Midwest around such prolific influences as Phil Keaggy, Joe Walsh, Michael Stanley, and a wealth of musical genre' in the area ranging from the O'Jays to DEVO (Canton/Akron). "It was a tremendous time for music in the 60's and 70's." By the late 70's the Southern Rock era was peaking and Toast re-located to Tuscaloosa, AL area to take in the experience and be influenced by the likes of Larry Carlton, The Sanford Townsend Band and The Atlanta Rythmn Section (Buddy Buie) and so many more recording in the Muscle Shoals scene. "That's where it all came together". The 'starving artist' syndrome, among other things, led Toast to want a change in life. After about a one year search he found that change, in The United States Air Force. Ten years service allowed him see the likes of Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Italy, Germany and the remote Island of Diego Garcia (known as British Indian Ocean Territory or BIOT) during Desert Storm. Always though, with music in the heart and on the mind. Departing military service in 1992 'Toast' went back to a life of music and a 'hobby to support his living'. In 1995, at the encouragement of family and friends he made the move to Nashville (Murfreesboro) and is now deeply rooted there. "Nashville is where a songwriter can be seen and heard". 'Music City' isn't just about the 'twang' of country (and never really has been). Notable rock, pop, blues, americana, bluegrass,. gospel and r&b stars have lived or spent 'much' time here. The likes of Jimi Hendrix and The Allman Brothers just to mention a couple. "Many songwriters don't like to have their material 'paired' with other artists. I welcome that! Most of the time I would 'hope' that my music honors those who have inspired me." Primarily, the music of Toast's influences was 'learned' and played before he became 'serious' about songwriting. To say the least Toasts' music could be described as 'all over the map' which might confuse some, his retort would be "I'm a songwriter. When I first came to Nashville, someone tried to convince me that the 'best' thing I could do would be to choose 'one' genre' of music and be the best at that genre'. I asked him... "What fool limits his potential from the start"? "I love it all, Rock, Jazz, Blues, I love it all"!!! Toast says he hopes it shows in his music.