On January 8th, I attended and performed in an Open Mic Songwriter’s Night at the “Love at First Bite” restaurant in White House. TN.  This was a delightful event hosted by Nashville singer/songwriter “Jodi Ann” and drew a large crowd of performers and fans.  As the night progressed, a young man got up to sing who immediately enchanted the entire room with his songwriting and pure raw talent.  When I learned he was only seventeen and seeing the reaction of the crowd, I knew I had to try to introduce him to a wider audience.  I’ve booked him into Java City for September 21st   I already know Tyler will be a hit so I thought I needed to let people get to know him a bit better ahead of time. 

Tyler, we are delighted to have you perform Java City on September. Most folks in the Southern Kentucky region  have not heard of you so can you tell us a bit about your personal and musical history?

Thanks for having me. I’ve been singing since I was five, and I have always wanted to be a successful musician/singer. I’ve recently started to see a lot of my hard work pay off. Recently my song “Filthy Liar” was ranked as number twelve on the Pop Charts on Songvault.com, a site for musicians like myself to have their music heard. During the summer I played alongside many exciting people like Guy Ghilcrest who is well known for his Nancy Comics and a great songwriter! I also played next to Frank Knapp who is an amazing songwriter & actor, he has written music for Patsy Cline. I have also been blessed to write with the amazing Jamie Cutler Harper! Multi-Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter! We really clicked with each other and are about to write again. Being in the Nashville area, these are just a few of the great people I have associated with. Being here has allowed me many exciting and fun opportunities. I was told to enjoy the ride on my way up. This is what I hope to do.

Who has influenced you as a musician?

When I was a young child my mom would buy me Walt Disney movies and I loved to sing along to the songs in them. Now that I have really got into singing my biggest influence is Taylor Swift. I think we are alike in many ways. I got an opportunity to be in the music video for her song “You Belong With Me” and she was so nice. We met again and she was just as nice. We also have a very similar writing style. A few other influences are Secondhand Serenade, The Fray, One Republic, and Rascal Flatts.

What is your favorite sort of gig and favorite place to play?

I like to play in big venues and festivals. It’s where I am more comfortable, mainly because I draw in from the energy of the audience. Festivals and large Showcases are really fun to do. However I also like doing the songwriting circuit. I’ve met so many friends and important people in the music industry by just getting out and performing regularly in the songwriting circuit around Nashville .however, I look forward to travel for shows outside of TN. too. People have been really nice everywhere.

I recently read you performed in for the president of the CCMA / ICM, What was that like?

I was contacted and asked to come in and play a few of my songs by Ray Henson in front of the president of the CCMA/ ICM and some other people there involved in the music business. I won’t lie, I was a little nervous, like anyone would be. It was my first time being asked to play in front of someone of such stature. However I really enjoyed it, everyone was very kind and helped me to be at ease. I hope to have the opportunity to do it again soon. I feel I have come a long way in vocal growth, thanks to Judy Rodman, and I have written a lot more music that I can’t wait to share.

Listening to your music, it seems to be highly introspective. How do you define your sound?

I would say a lot of my music comes from inside me. I start from looking inward and take the feeling and turn it around so that I can look at it from multiple points of views so that whatever I write is relatable. I’m a country lyricist but I have some pop melodies. I’m country/pop. It’s great to be two genres in one. I am able to capture a wider audience.

I know you write a lot of your music, where to you get the ideas for your songs?

Whenever I get an idea for a song it’s usually because I am feeling a really intense emotion. It’s easiest for me to write about what I personally know and experience. For example a breakup or wanting to tell someone you like them but being afraid. The great thing is as I get older my song content will change too. I also write about some of the things around me that are very effective or relatable to everyone, such as things going on within my own family. Or even a world event that I have been very moved to write about, such as the devastating earthquake in Haiti, a young child who has been stolen from her family or even a family member who is facing a serious medical diagnosis. All these thing go on in so many peoples’ lives around us. So I like to write and sing about more than just my own personal experiences and give a voice to others around me facing their own life challenges.

Are you working on a recording project?

I am currently recording some songs for the purpose of radio play, pitching to publishers, producers, and labels. This February I had a big opportunity to play for a label at BMI, who was really interested in me and is also going to help pitch me to another label. I have my fingers crossed but this is the music industry. Until you sign on the dotted line, you can only keep pushing forward. Even though I have had a few labels say they are interested I haven’t had anything big actually turn out for me yet. However I just keep hoping and working hard for the day something happens. I’m hoping to get a record deal, or get to the point where I can have a large enough fan base that labels will recognize me either way.

Where do you want go with your music?

I have a lot of dreams. My top five goals are to get a record deal, play at the Opry, reach the Billboard charts, tour the world with my music, and look back when I’m done and say…yep, it was worth it, with a smile. I want my music to get worldwide airplay, recognition, and be in the homes and on the ipods of billions just like every other artist. I also would like to use the money if I was to achieve this success, to do charitable work for different groups. “Stomp Out Bullying”, would be a group I would love team up with. I’ve experienced bullying and I know how bad it hurts. I’d love to help be a voice for those who are bullied and who bully others because it’s not right. As long as I get to use the gift God gave me, and achieve my dreams doing it. I will know it was worth it.

Thanks for taking time to talk to us Tyler Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I am very excited to perform in September at Java City. I’ve heard it’s a blast to play at! If anyone is curious as to where they can find my music I want to say that I am on Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter. I have a lot of other sites to if you just Google me, ha-ha. Thanks again for taking the time to talk to me, I had fun answering them. Thanks so much Jack Montgomery for allowing me to be your guest today. You’re also talented too. I’ve heard you play and you’re very fun to listen too. Thanks again. God Bless.

About the author: Jack Montgomery is a librarian, author and associate professor at Western Kentucky University where he handles bookings for musical acts in University Libraries, Java City coffeehouse. Jack has also been a professional musician since 1969 and performs with a celtic quartet called Watersprite. Visit him at MySpace/shadowdancerjack or on Facebook.