As you know, my Kickstarter.com fundraiser for my new album Long Before the Wheel was a complete success — 90 fans banded together to help me raise enough to record and release my newest creation. Thank you.

That said, I’m proud to say that the story is getting some media attention in the wake of a press release issued just a couple days ago.

This fundraiser was not an easy task in the least so I hope you’ll read this piece about the process and how I used it to fund my passion for songwriting and recording. Read the full article below or by clicking here.

Tyler Stenson on MusicBizCenter.com

THE ARTICLE IN ITS ENTIRETY:

Tyler Stenson – A Fan Funded Success Story
Ever get that feeling that you are the only person in the world who actually
believes in your music? Sometimes, when you get in that pinch at the end of the
month when you skipped work to go on tour or had to buy a new amp and your CD’s
aren’t selling, it seems like the music business may have been a bad career
decision. It’s okay. You can admit it. We all have those days.

While it may seem like giving up is the only option, there are always
alternatives and the success story I am about to share with you demonstrates
just how much the fans care about our music and why you need to keep pushing
long after you feel like giving up.

A few weeks back, I wrote a blog piece about Kickstarter.com, a website for
creative individuals like musicians to find funding for their projects. Since
that time, I’ve been watching the buzz around the Internet and the music world
for examples to show you of the site in action. This morning when I was checking
my email, I found just such a story and I want to share it with you now.

The story involves Tyler Stenson, a very prolific independent folk
singer/songwriter from Portland, Oregon who, like the rest of us, faced those
sharp moments where the cash flow wasn’t matching the time he needed in the
recording studio. He had a slew of great songs he wanted to record and deliver
to his fans but the money was hard to find. So he gave up?…. NO, I’m just
kidding. He didn’t give up. He got creative.

Tyler had heard of Kickstarter.com and their unique funding platform so he
got on board and created a project. Then he used social media and other online
networking techniques to help him advertise his project. His original goal for
the project was simple: Earn $3,500 in pledges in 60 days to fund the recording
and production of his eighth album, Long Before The Wheel.

Sixty days later, a group of 90 fans had signed on and pledged their support
to the project. What is even greater is the fact that these 90 fans exceeded the
goal of $3,500 and Tyler actually made almost $4,000 to fund the creation of his
album with the final count being $3,924. That means, on average, his fans
donated over $43 each.

How many fans do you have? Most bands have at least fifty fans. How far would
an extra $2,000 go towards helping your band be successful in releasing an
album? The amazing thing is five of Tyler Stenson’s fans donated at least $250
to the project. Does your music have that kind of effect on people? Does it
create such a powerful response that they believe in your music career enough to
put $250 of their own money down as an investment in your career? If not, why
not?

So, here’s what I want you to do. Take a look at Tyler Stenson’s “Long Before
the Wheel: Recording Tyler Stenson’s Next Folk Album” project on Kickstarter.com
(I included the link at the end of this post) and see how he set it up and the
awesome rewards he offered to his backers. Look at what worked well for him and
what things you could imitate. Then, decide if this is something you could do.

I believe that each and every one of the people reading this post, including
you, have the potential for this kind of success. I want to see how much you
believe in yourselves and how many of you are willing to put in the work to be a
success. Please leave your comments here and make sure to include the links to
your own Kickstarter.com projects so we can follow your success as well.

See the project here: http://kck.st/clPNkY

This January during my Bittersweet Parade album release tour, I had the opportunity to sit down with the fellas at Acoustic Conversations and chat about my move to Nashville — I even got to play a couple songs! Curt and Peter are good guys and I always enjoy our little talks. I hope you do to.

LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION: HERE
SEE MORE PHOTOS: HERE
RE-VISIT THE FIRST CONVERSATION: HERE

photo by pete wright

GO TO iTUNES TO DOWNLOAD THESE EXCLUSIVE LIVE TRACKS:

1. Welcome the Change
2. Leave Oregon
3. Blush
4. That Moon
5. Roderigo (Cover, Seven Mary Three)

LADIES, my sweet sweet friend Emily sells beautiful jewelry for Stella & Dot and in an effort to help me out with my fundraiser, she has offered to donate 100% of her commissions toward my album for all trunk show purchases from now ’til August 1st.

Yep, it’s a double score of goodness: by buying some lovely jewelry here, you can support my upcoming album. Can’t go wrong with that.

I just discovered that out of 700 submissions, my song The Road has made the top 84 as a semifinalist in the Zac Brown Band Sailing Southern Ground Contest. The next round gets whittled down to 25 finalists and then who knows what happens after that — I don’t really care. However, that said, I am proud that my horse made the first cut and we’ll see what happens in round two. Stay tuned.

It’s official — 76 of my friends and fans have banded together to raise the money I needed to record my new album Long Before the Wheel. As of June 1st I set a goal to raise $3,500 in 60 days through a fund raising website called Kickstarter and while it was a slow start, the goal has been met and my project will be funded in full. Thank you, thank you. That makes me smile.

Those that donated are the greatest people on the planet and will receive a reward based on the tier in which their amount falls — at the very least everyone pre-purchased their copy and will get a free album when it’s done.

That said, any funds that come in from this point forward will be gravy but don’t let that stop you. I am planning to record another EP this winter and all money donated above and beyond this $3,500 goal will roll-over into that project. Help me blow the roof off of this fundraiser and keep the music flowing for a long time to come!!

THANK YOU EVERYONE — FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

With only 3 weeks to go I have just barely breached the 50% mark of my fundraiser for my next album Long Before the Wheel. I’ve got all the confidence in the world that the goal will be met but I could still use everyone’s help in making it happen. The deadline is August 1st.

If you’re interested in donating toward my next album, please visit http://kck.st/clPNkY for details or simply send a personal check to:

Tyler Stenson
Attn: Kickstarter
740 Vernon Ave.
Nashville, TN 37209

Be sure to include your email address and other contact info so I can get a hold of you for your free copy!!

INCENTIVES:
$5 = 1 free download of the album.
$10 = 1 free signed copy of the album.
$100 = 5 signed copies to give to your friends and a beaming mention on my blog.
$250 = 10 signed copies and your name in the liner notes of the album.
$1,000 = 20 signed copies and the title of “executive producer” in the liner notes.

Thank you one and all for making this happen. The record would not happen without you; therefore, I appreciate each and every donation big or small. Here we go!!

Today was the first official day of recording for my new EP Long Before the Wheel! Yes, I had already been in the studio to track a scratch guitar and vocal but that was all too casual. Today was the first legitimate day of professional players and grinding hours.

That said, it doesn’t feel like a grind when you’re watching a pro in action. I had the honor of working with Derek Mixon as my drummer for the record — he set a solid backbone of drums that has me beaming about this album’s potential. Nice work Derek, it was a pleasure working with you.

I was informed today that my 2002 song Cannonball is being featured in the New Songs section of AmericanSongSpace.com! This is a well respected website for songwriters everywhere and even though one of my oldest songs got the spotlight, I’m still very honored to be noticed. Check it out!

CANNONBALL (2002)

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Tyler Stenson on American Song Space

My belief in Mississippi Studios as Portland’s premier venue was made whole after my Monday show on June 14, 2010. Approximately 120 friends and fans gathered in the intimate venue to create an atmosphere that was amongst the greatest I’ve known — nothing short of magic.

In an effort to make my Portland homecoming extra special, I had the lovely Jenna Ellefson join me for my personal favorite song Babysitting the Cowboy and then the oh so talented Amy Seeley took stage to join me for 5 more songs; including a couple newbies that will be included on Long Before the Wheel. Both ladies elevated my songs beyond belief and added such grace to the event.

photo by Stephen Kallao

Tyler Stenson & Amy Seeley - photo by Brittney Myers

Tyler Stenson & Jenna Ellefson - photo by Brittney Myers

Tyler Stenson & Amy Seeley - photo by Brittney Myers

Tyler Stenson at Mississippi Studios - photo by Brittney Myers

Tyler Stenson at Mississippi Studios - photo by Brittney Myers

Tyler Stenson & Amy Seeley at Mississippi Studios - photo by Brittney Myers

After Amy Seeley left the stage, I was honored to debut my two new songs The Ramblin Kind and Best Laid Plans. Although both went over well, I must admit, the sing-along portion of Best Laid Plans was one of the best moments in my musical career. I’ve never written a song intended for crowd participation — but this one was — and they nailed it. What a thrill to be joined in song by 120 people; singing a song you’ve written. Thank you all for joining me on cue and not hanging me out to dry.

MISSISSIPPI STUDIOS 2010 SET LIST
Welcome the Change
The Road
Babysitting the Cowboy
That Moon
I Get No Sleep
Clover
As the Crow Flies
Daffodils
Ramblin Kind
Better Be Us All
Best Laid Plans
Hallelujah

Beyond that magical evening at Mississippi Studios, my heart was warmed once more upon waking the next morning. My facebook page was full of the kindest words ever pointed in my direction and it confirmed that the crowd took away the same joys that I felt inside — their comments coupled with my inner-glee makes me believe that something special had truly happened on that Monday in June.

In an attempt to raise funds for my upcoming EP Long Before the Wheel, I have teamed up with a fundraising website called KickStarter. Essentially I’ve set up an account, outlined my vision for the project, named a fundraising goal and now it’s up to me to see if I can reach it before August 1st. Pass it on: http://kck.st/clPNkY

My goal is $3,500 for covering the recording, mastering, replication and release of the new album. If you feel inclined to support the arts and to help in immortalizing this record with any dollar amount, visit my Kickstarter account for all of the details necessary to donate.

Truly, any amount helps and there are various incentives to be involved … think of it as pre-purchasing your copy of the record. Thank you for your support across the years and may this venture be one of success. Pass it on: http://kck.st/clPNkY

Here is the link for my fundraising home base … pass it on: http://kck.st/clPNkY