About Thomas

Man with napsack walking through tunnel toward light

Growing up in Connecticut, Thomas was deeply influenced by poet/singer-songwriters Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Like them, he was drawn to landscapes where street, spirit and progressive values intersect: civil rights, relationships, the search for higher ground (as well as the wild and wacky things that happen along the way!). 

Thomas Lane in renaissance costume

From the moment he got his first guitar, he has been collecting experiences, documenting the journey: jumping freight trains in Oregon to living in a commune in the Mohave Desert; selling jewelry on the streets of NYC to performing in clubs in NYC, Chicago and LA. This also included a world tour as road manager for an iconic band, housed on a Baron’s estate in Scotland. During this period, with so many in the artist community upset about corporate domination of the Arts, Thomas penned and self-published the book The Artists’ Manifesto. He is currently at work on an updated version; the vital role the Arts play in this challenging time of political unrest and Climate Change. 

Now living in Rhode Island, he continues his creative endeavors: a book of poems, Where Miracles are Born and Squandered;  a CD of his songs, Hotel Earth under his stage name Trakker; and videos about climate change and social justice.

Thomas also founded a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, The Helen Hudson Foundation, that uses the power of story to help end homelessness. Most recently, he has completed a spiritual thriller entitled The Karma Factor published in November 2022.  The rights to the book have been optioned by a Hollywood producer, with a film adaptation currently in progress.  

TRAKKER MUSIC

CD cover for Hotel Earth by Thomas Lane with man leaning against lamppost playing guitar

Hotel Earth is a story-world, told with guitars and drums by rock poet Trakker. Part real, part fiction, he documents his journey through a warren of rabbit holes, city streets and the mysterious building where he lives. Falling in and out of grace, in and out of love, he bears witness to the adventures of the unlikely souls who inhabit this strange and unpredictable dwelling. The poet raises his glass in your direction.

Visit Trakker Music

The Helen Hudson Foundation

black and white image of homeless woman sitting on park bench in snowy weather

Although now mostly involved in general philanthropy, The Helen Hudson Foundation remains dedicated to using the raw power of story to help end homelessness in America. It is founded on two core beliefs:

  • Homelessness is a moral outrage that should not be tolerated.

  • Stories effectively told are powerful agents of social change.

Visit TheHelenHudsonFoundation.org

Quote by Thomas Lane

STORm

Climate change warning, in words and images

By Thomas Lane

KING

Celebrating Martin Luther King, and with the rise of Black Lives Matter and Voting Rights struggles, his vision is needed now more than ever.

Written, composed and performed by TRAKKER (Thomas Lane)

Video by Randy Yorston

Man with napsack walking through tunnel toward light

I dedicate my work to those who have outgrown denial and are rising up, with courage and kindness, to face a world in crisis.

in celebration of hope: A song from hotel Earth