As the world knows, but never before mentioned on my blog, I am a Portland Trailblazer fanatic. Sparing you the details, I follow religiously and am cheering loud and clear for a long-time-coming Blazer post-season!

If I were to buy a Blazer jersey, what number would I wear?
Over the course of the season, I’ve been spinning over just that… what number would I wear? I love all of the players; simply love them all individually, so choosing to represent just one proved to be difficult.

As a generally remorseful buyer, I want the jersey to have a lifespan; I don’t want to purchase only to have it outdated by an off-season trade. As an elitist, I don’t want to be a front-runner and sport the always popuular B. Roy or Aldridge digits on principal alone. As a realist, Mr. Oden is entirely too fresh to the league to justify the life-long support with ad-space on my jersey… not just yet.

After much thought, my playoff purchase is going to be a Steve Blake jeresey – #2.

I chose Blake for the simple reason that he’s The Man– bearded, consistent energy, scrappy hustle and big plays when the team needs him. There is no doubt that he’s excelling beyond expectations this season and a cornerstone of this years’ Blazer success. That, my friends, deserves my support.

Enter Murphy’s Law:
The problem then becomes the fact that I can’t find one- I guess the Powers That Be only produce jerseys for the aforementioned top-market players. If ANYONE knows where to find a Steve Blake jersey (preferably authentic and in red), I need, I need!

Now that playoffs are within reach, I’ll need this jersey for the public expression of my support and undying love of the Portland Trailblazers.

The show at the White Eagle Saloon was a success– to say the least. I am constantly amazed at the endless support that my friends and fans offer and I’ll be forever grateful for their inspiration. Together we reached a capacity crowd (plus an additional 50) and there was no shortage of good spirits.

Kirk Duncan and Redwood Son joined me on the bill and I couldn’t have been happier with the overarching vibe. Kirk and Erin were glorious as always and Redwood Son (Josh Malem) was the perfect energetic night cap. I was honored to share the stage with such talent.

A special thanks to my band for nailing the performance to the wall and playing with such zeal– thank you Birger Olsen (mandolin/slide), Josh Stewart (drums), Jim Prescott (bass), and a highlight of the night, a guest performance by Anna Tivel on violin… the crowd loved you all and you sincerely make me better than I am.

To my friends and fans: Thank you for your inspiration and giving my music purpose. I am in constant awe that you show up time and time again; always smiling and always special.

PHOTOS 1, 2 and 3 by Emily Darrah Pacher. PHOTO 4 by Brittney Myers.

Friday is the day… I’ll be headlining at the McMenamins White Eagle Saloon and joining me will be my new band and 2 of my favorite Portland songwriters Kirk Duncan and Josh Malem. Please, spread the word and I’ll make sure the night is memorable.

TYLER STENSON

Born in Lander, WY Tyler Stenson (28) considers himself a cowboy. Now Portland based, he writes of those days as if a Midwestern Poet; blending the old country-side with the new city-scape and delivering his songs from the heart, simple and true.

Former front man for his bands Lander and Rhetoric Tuesday, and twice named Portland’s “Performing Songwriter of the Year” (2007 and 2008), Stenson’s sound is putting lumps in throats and attracting a train of followers that find a piece of themselves in the sincerity of his words and the authenticity of his performances.

The son of an architect and a musical mother, all of Stenson’s years under the sun have been geared toward the fitting philosophy of “create often and pay attention to detail.” He believes he has glorified this combination in his award winning craft of song. “I’ve always lived by the phrase 3 chords and the truth. My songs are simple and true and I consider them the epic, gradient stories of my life.”

Whether performing solo on stage or backed by his talented arsenal of hired guns, Stenson’s presence and heart are sure to be felt by the masses. In the end, no one offers a more compelling performance, provokes more emotion or sums up the human existence in such a way as Tyler Stenson and his words.

Visit tylerstenson.com or myspace.com/tylerstensonmusic for more information.

REDWOOD SON

Redwood Son is a new project in the making, based around local songwriter J*Malem’s vision for truth and integrity — call it West Coast-Americana-roots music. Blood born and raised in the mystic Northern California forest, later migrating up to the equally epic scenery of the beautiful Northwest, this “Redwood Son” found a way to bring the two regions together through deeply honest and intentional songwriting combined with a desire to bridge gaps between happiness and sadness. Ranging from a state of darkness and pain to a flat-out get-up-and-dance state of happiness, this band’s range and versatility will leave listeners with a burning desire to hear a whole lot more!

Visit myspace.com/redwoodson for more information.

KIRK DUNCAN

“Every major city needs its preternaturally mellow troubadour. Kirk Duncan would be that dude for Portland, if there weren’t a current of intensity running through his otherwise quiet, slow acoustic folk tunes. It’s a subtle kind of intensity—he rarely raises his voice above a light rasp—but it’s there, in the way he shakes through the chorus of “Love Don’t Stop,” declaring, “I’m walking on my knees,” or the blatant libidinous yearning in the line “church on Sunday/sex on Monday.” His barely subdued ferocity could be a byproduct of his time in an Olympia, Wash.-based funk-metal band. Please don’t hold that against him.” – Willamette Week

Visit myspace.com/kirkduncan for more information.

ERIN ADKISSON

“Take the chops of Melissa Etheridge, the soul of Sade, the sugar & spice of Jewel, the sorrow of Sarah Mclachlan and the joy of Mavis Staples… blend them all into a voice projected from a million dollar smile complete with dimples and a razor sharp tongue – you may have a glimpse of this vocalist’s talent. Erin Adkisson is, hands down, Portland’s most valuable acoustic diva. She never disappoints.” -Juliana Baseman

Visit myspace.com/erinadkisson or myspace.com/tinderinthedrywood for more information.

I recently finished reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy– an amazing book that pins two humans together at the end of mankind. The duo is a father and son and “each each other’s world entire” as they walk down a road on their way to the coast in search of brighter days.

There is no question about it; the book was bleak but the message was amongst the sweetest– it wasn’t so much about the despair at the end of all things but the relationship that thrived through it all. When I finished reading the book, it would have been easy for me to fall into my normal pattern and write a about the bleak; however, this time I wanted to make sure I coined the optimism.

I immediately wrote a song called The Road. Simply put, the new song below is about The One I’d want at my side at the end of all things… my would-be world entire.

THE ROAD
tyler stenson 2009

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From where I am, I can see where I need to be;
It’s a long way down and a million miles from me.
Never once did the distance daunt a ramblin’ man
So, I’ll lead with my boot heals, followed by an empty hand.

Honey, I’m not the type of guy that believes in fate-
But I’m also not the type to deny how well you’re made.
Since I like the way you move,
I’m prepared to wait until you’re ready to go because
All I’d give to have your hand, on my way down the Road.

Alone I’m fine but with you I’ve got all I need and
You can FINALLY get your sleep because you’ve found that in me.
When you wake, we’ll head out for the beautiful sunset-
The one that looks like you; all pretty, pink and violet.

Honey, I’m not the type of guy that believes in fate-
But I’m also not the type to deny how well you’re made.
Since I love the way you move,
I’m prepared to wait until you’re ready to go because
All I’d give to have your hand, on my way down the Road.

From where I am, I can see where I need to be
But it involves a road and I want you walking with me.

Honey, I’m not the type of guy that believes in fate-
But I’m also not the type to deny how well you’re made.
Since I’m wild about the way you move,
I’m prepared to wait until you’re ready to go because
All I’d give to have your hand, on my way down the Road.

RANDOME NOTE: The audio provided above is the raw guitar/vocal track from my AcousticConversations Podcast… the added novice instrumentation was all produced (by me) on a midi controller within GarageBand.

I’ve been flying solo for quite some time (musically), and as fun as that’s been, I’ve recently felt the drive to revisit the excitement of the band setting. I’m proud to say the work is done; the band is ready and I’m set to debut their talent tomorrow night at the Buffalo Gap Saloon.

INTRODUCING:
Birger Olsen: Mandolin/Slide/Guitar
Jim Prescott: Upright Bass (former player for G-Love)
Josh Stewart: Drums

This group of players has done an outstanding job of learning my songs and presenting them in an appropriately delicate fashion. The non-electric sound is rich and raw and I couldn’t be more excited.

Tell the world and I’ll see you at the debut…

BUFFALO GAP SALOON – MAR 05 – 9PM
6835 SW Macadam Ave
Portland, OR 97219

In December I started recording a music video with visual guru Aaron Lutze. Though we aren’t quite finished, the video below is the result of the initial six-hour session. Like most music videos, I intend to have the taste of a plot, storyline and cinematic elements weaving throughout; until that day, enjoy this performance piece as is.

Babysitting the Cowboy from Tyler Stenson on Vimeo.