Finally, my new album Bittersweet Parade has been submitted for duplication and the release details are coming together nicely. It won’t be long now. There are many more details to come but in the meantime, SAVE THE DATE: January 21st, 2010.

In addition to the flagship release at Lola’s Room, McMenamins has jumped behind me and offered up a number of subsequent shows to support the release. I hope everyone can make it to Lola’s Room, but if you can’t, you can catch a show at the following McMenamins’ venues:

JANUARY 21 @ Lola’s Room (Portland, OR)
JANUARY 27 @ Edgefield Winery (Troutdale, OR)
JANUARY 29 @ Hotel Oregon (McMinnville, OR)
JANUARY 30 @ Grand Lodge (Forest Grove, OR)

Spread the word, bring a crew and I’ll see you crazy critters at the show…

I’ve been asked to be a part of the upcoming Listen Up Show with Stephen Salyers! In honor of Stephen’s write-up in Country Weekly, he has put together a lovely evening at Nashville’s 12 & Porter with a number of talented musicians. The flyer and lineup are posted below. Spread the word and join us for the music!!!

7-7:40 pm

Leigh Brandon Houison
Charlie Oxford
Tyler Stenson

8-8:40 pm

Megan Conner
Lainey Edwards
Mark Lonsway

9:00 pm Stephen Salyers Full Band!!!

I received news on the morning of November 4th that a new friend of mine, Kipp Crawford was killed in the night. I won’t claim to have the longest history with him but the relationship I did have was musical and therefore amazing. Kipp was the drummer for Redwood Son, a band I’ve worked with an enormous amount over the last year, and he was a genuine individual. I appreciate the smile he beamed and the carefree zest he wore on his sleeve.

The details (as I know them) are freak and tragic and obsolete in the scheme of things — some sort of altercation left him laying in the road. As twisted fate would have it, it was at the same moment that two intoxicated drivers rounded the corner and ended him. Kipp was taken to the hospital and died shortly after.

He was a talented drummer and a bright light of a man and my final memory of him is exactly how I’ll remember him always…

We played a show at the Aladdin Theater together and I was sitting backstage as he drummed for the band before me. I’ll always remember him looking over at me during the middle of a song; beaming grin and staring me in the eyes like a true madman as he did a power drum fill. We absolutely shared that moment of bright lights and music. I giggled to myself and muttered crazy bastard in the most endearing of ways. Maybe he was — but he was Kipp — and he’ll be missed.

As a tribute to Kipp and another Portland musician Scotland Barr, I wrote this song called Daffodils. I hate to admit it, but I got the first line wrong about Scotland; it should be September rather than December. It will be included on my upcoming EP with the corrected lyrics. Enjoy.

Here are some links to articles about the accident:
Portland Mercury
OPB Music
Portland Tribune
Ashland Daily Tidings

*** “The Drums Are For Your Heart” is a line from a Michael Torrey song.

All is well in Nashville; I’m finding my stride and things are beginning to click into place! Some great things are happening so below are a couple news bits that might interest you…

1. NEW SONG:
I recently wrote a new song about my relocation and you can enjoy it here:

LEAVE OREGON
tyler stenson 2009

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2. FREE MUSIC:
If you don’t own my music yet, now’s your chance to steel 30 of my songs for free!!! Tell everyone you know that they can download them here:

3. CD RELEASE:
I’m planning to release my new album IN PORTLAND in late January … details are on the way … just thought you should brace yourself for a Portland concert in the New Year!

4. SHOWS ANNOUNCED:
After a couple weeks of open mics and general auditions, my Nashville show schedule is filling up slowly. If you know anyone in the Nashville area, send them to the following showcases:

NOV 12 – Hotel Indigo – 8:00
NOV 23 – Nashville Palace – 7:00
DEC 01 – Norm’s – 9:45
DEC 02 – Rusty Nail – 7:30
DEC 13 – The Commodore – 9:30
JAN 16 – The Basement – TBA

*ALL SHOWS ARE IN NASHVILLE, TN

Thanks one and all for making me feel loved … please, spread the word and stay in touch!

In my final Oregon days approaching my move to Tennessee, I schemed the lyric: When it becomes October, I might become my own fall. I suppose I was reflecting on the leap into the unknown and fully aware that it could make or break me.

TS behind the wheel

Now that I’m in Tennessee, that lyric has been a driving force. I’ve found myself missing my loved ones and longing for my comfort zone in the West but all the while confident that I’m doing what I should be doing.

With all of these emotions running through my veins, it was hard not to write this song. My new song, Leave Oregon, has been my project for the week; written over the last couple days and roughly recorded at my new apartment. Though I’m proud of it so far, it’s still very new and will no doubt go through some changes as I refine my thoughts – consider it a rough track.

This is for all of my loved ones in the West … the reason I’m in Nashville pursuing the dream.

LEAVE OREGON
by tyler stenson – 2009

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It’s the loudest sound;
When the heart knows what it wants and makes it known.
So, I’m leaving town
Cause it’s the season that changes all things into gold.

But who am I to leave Oregon
When the rearview facing West holds all I love?
Before me is October
Where I might become my own fall
But might never know my cards until I call.

Deep in the Lion’s den
I’ve noticed Autumn holds a difference in the East.
Made up of different reds,
That color’s bold, but just a lonely shade of dream.

So who was I to leave Oregon
When the rearview facing West held all I loved?
Before me was October,
Where I might become my own fall
But might never know my cards until I call.

This is my loudest sound
Meant for no one but my loved ones in the West.
I’ll aim to make you proud
On a southern stage, lit by the lights, doing what I do best.

Who was I to leave Oregon
When the rearview facing West held I love?
Before me was October
Where I might become my own fall
But might never know my cards until I call.