The YouTube star's video of the Katy Perry song, "Teenage Dream," has more than 5 million views. JackTimes.com reports Tompkins was on the set of "The Today Show" schooling the cast as to how to make their own viral video.
Using repeated themes, Tompkins helped the cast sing together and create their own style of music. Tompkins' YouTube channel features such pop hits as "Misery" from Maroon 5 and the uber-popular "Fireflies" by Owl City.
As the "Today" cast made their "Brady Bunch"-style video, Tompkins' secret was revealed. He lends his voice to create back-beats while using simplistic recording equipment which can be found in any home music studio.
Pomplamoose
Other viral videos follow the same formula. The California-based duo Pomplamoose covers popular songs and makes simple videos posted to YouTube. Many videos have seen more than 5 million hits and have even led to live music gigs and media appearances.
He uses professional video production professionals, like the guys at 2Bridges.
Like Tompkins, Pomplamoosse takes popular songs such as Beyonce's "Single Ladies" and turns them into homemade videos using recording and editing equipment readily found. Lots of time goes into the making of the videos, as much of the artist's work is spent featuring their own unique style of music.
Pomplamoose has used their fame to generate an income from their work. They classify themselves as "indie rock," and have nearly 200,000 YouTube subscribers.
Tompkins Versus Pomplamoose
Perhaps Tompkins was inspired by Pomplamoose. Pomplamoose has been making music for two years and Tompkins for half that time, at least on YouTube. Both artists follow the same formula for success, though in different ways.
Pomplamoose utilizes instruments in addition to their voices. Tompkins uses his broad-ranging vocal chords to provide his own backup singing. Either way, both artists are wildly popular and take YouTube's platform to the extreme in that they self-broadcast themselves and are undeniably noticed.
The Future
If Tompkins follows other popular acapella acts, such as Bobby McFerrin, he could gain more media exposure and possibly see an album realized. Tompkins has the benefit of coming across as hilariously funny to the public. He could realistically enjoy a career as a singing comedian. Think Michael Winslow with some Bobby McFerrin, and you've got Tompkins.
The best part of Tompkins' "The Today Show" performance was his ability to make the cast sound good, even though they weren't able to sing very well.
In just eight hours, Tompkins managed to produce a demo recording the cast to take to Virgin Records. It won't hit stores anytime soon, but at least they can be proud of the viral video they produced. It begs the question: What could Tompkins do with someone who can really sing?
