During his time there, Tom played a central role in placing hits like "Another Night" by Aretha Franklin and "We Belong" by Pat Benatar.
[3] He also worked closely with Gerry Goffin, Katrina & The Waves, and suggest Carole King to write a new bridge to Anne Murray's #1 country single, "Time Don't Run Out on Me".
[3] In 1989, Sturges assumed the role of President of Chrysalis where he signed artists, including Smashing Pumpkins, Goodie Mob, OutKast, Green Jelly, Slaughter, Billy Burnette of Fleetwood Mac, as well as songwriters like Antonina Armato ("She Ain't Worth It", "I'll Get By"), Andy Hill ("Restless Heart", "Peace in Our Time"), and Kipper Jones.
During his time there, Sturges pitched and secured recordings of numerous Chrysalis songs by artists including Aretha Franklin ("I Knew You Were Waiting", Grammy-winning worldwide #1 duet hit with George Michael), Cher (#1 pop single "Heart Of Stone"), Celine Dion (1 single throughout europe and a worldwide top 5 hit Think Twice),[11] Mariah Carey (I Still Believe" which went to #1 in the US), and Whitney Houston.
While at UMPG, Sturges signed artists including Afroman, 3 Doors Down, 50 Cent, Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, Jack Johnson, Owl City, Vanessa Carlton, and Chris Brown, as well as writers/producers Mark Batson, Rock Mafia, and Sean Garrett.
He then collaborated on the book with British author Nick Smedley, and included glimpses of those discovered notebooks, and descriptive "interludes" that elucidate Preston's personal life.
His contributions have been featured in publications including Best Life magazine, CNN,[25] Fast Company, People, and The New York Times.
[26] In 2003, the first 30-plus member Foshay Choir celebrated their release of "Witness to a Dream," an original CD the students created under Tom's mentorship.
[29] Sturges shared that the Witness to a Dream project "symbolizes the powerful impact that mentoring and service to the community brings to our youth.
[28] Sturges designed and implemented a creative workshop for fifth-graders as a volunteer teacher at Grandview Elementary in Manhattan Beach – where his children went to school.
[31] In 2014, Sturges headed the 7th annual GRAMMY camp panel on creativity and providing hands-on instruction for high schoolers interested in entering the music industry.
As a board members, Sturges offered advice and guidance to help provide Recorded Music students with opportunities for learning beyond the classroom walls.