This video was recently sent to me by my good friend Jeff who has been raising his son right. Last seen in a Lander onesie, this cute kid has been listening to my newest album and, I’m proud to say, he’s even singing along!

The video you’re about to watch is of my youngest fan singing the chorus of my song Welcome the Change. Though it may not be entirely articulate, the lyric is “So, I welcome the change.” Thanks Jeff for the video and raising the boy well.

For your reference, here is the song in its entirety. Enjoy.

WELCOME THE CHANGE

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While in Rome this summer with my buddy Adam, it’s safe to say we had the time of our lives. These short video clips below illustrate just how serious we took ourselves in one of the world’s most historically magnificent settings.

We had just arrived in Rome; spirits were high and Barcelona hadn’t worn off just yet. The map would lead us to our hostel but our spanish would help us with the Roman locals.

Adam and Tyler offer culturally rich commentary from the grounds of the Roman Forum.

In the lights of a true Roman tradition, throw a coin over your shoulder and make a wish. I threw .50 euro so I’m expecting 50x the wish power.

As you can tell, we handled Rome with the utmost of reverence and grace. This was filmed inside the Vatican Museum… can you tell which is a statue and which is Tyler?

Living is for everyone; dying is an art.” The mantra of the slave Gladiators… anything to feel at peace moments before dying. We sound like sober stoners…

I was lucky enough to have TWO of my songs approved for a local music compilation CD that benefits Relay for Life. My songs Better Be Us All and Whistle Stop can both be found within the mix of great local artists found on the Believe CD Compilation.

Believe
Various Artists
© Copyright-The Birds Eye View
Record Label: Various Artists

This CD is a compilation of musicians and poets from the Portland Metro area who have contributed for a good cause, where all the proceeds go directly to Relay for Life (American Cancer Society). CD Baby is also donating to this cause. Thank you CD Baby!

To sample and/or buy the Believe CD Compilation, click here or on the image above.

Tuesday February 16, 2010 was the day I turned 29 years old. In all honesty, it was a day I had feared for some time — not because of its proximity to the dirty-thirty but because I wasn’t sure who I would spend it with. Now that I’m in Tennessee, I’m removed from my life-long comfort zone and the friends that I have accumulated as a result of sheer history. That said, I found myself asking, Have I made enough of an impact that calls for a birthday party? Of course, I have made friends but much like an airport run, I wasn’t sure who I had reached that level with.

My first instinct was to let the day pass without raising much of a fuss but a lovely friend of mine urged me to live it up. I listened to her advice and sent out the invites. I’ve only known most of them for a matter of weeks/months but I’m proud to say that they made my day as special as the previous 28. Thanks guys!!

With this new year ahead of me, I’ll admit, I feel every bit of 29 and I’m so grateful for that. The years under my belt are invaluable and I feel totally confident that I’m ripe for this new adventure — the ultimate professional push. I’m not the boy I was just a few years ago and though he is missed at times, I’m proud of the man I am at 29.

Thank you mom and dad for giving me life. Thank you mom and dad for raising me right. Thanks brothers and sisters for keeping me grounded and thanks to my friends for making me feel cooler than I am. See you next year — the dirty-thirty:)

I recently posted a number of videos that promote my new album Bittersweet Parade by discussing and explaining the behind the scenes perspective. I’m taking each song, one-by-one and giving it some time in the spotlight. Enjoy the collective media behind Great Man’s Funeral – track #4 off of my new album Bittersweet Parade.

GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL

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EXPLANATION

LIVE PERFORMANCE

LYRICS TO “GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL” by TYLER STENSON

There’s only one thing certain in this life;
If you breathe, one day you will die.
With any luck, they’ll show up in a line
Making sure that your memory is soaked in wine.

It’s a great man’s funeral;
His passing is a bittersweet parade.

I do believe you’re gone before your time
And that my days in your sunshine were kind
And the education gained along the way
Was good as gold and all its accolades.

It’s a great man’s funeral;
His passing is a bittersweet parade.
Somewhere on this great timeline
I’m confident they’ll call this a Golden Day.

I’m a better man for bleeding almost dry-
My bag of bones is a medal of that pride.
I can’t believe we lived to tell how we survived
(Cause it seems to me) we starved 40 days and nights.

It’s a great man’s funeral;
His passing is a bittersweet parade.
Somewhere on this great timeline
I’m confident they’ll call this a Golden Day.

If there was ever one thing certain in this life;
If you breathe, one day you will die.
But look at them all standing in a line
Making sure that your memory is soaked in wine.

It’s a great man’s funeral;
His passing is a bittersweet parade.
Somewhere on this great timeline
I’m confident they’ll call this a Golden Day.

It’s a great man’s funeral;
His passing is a bittersweet parade
And the simple fact I knew him when
Will long and always be my claim to fame.

BUY or DOWLOAD GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL HERE: http://www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson2

My Bittersweet Parade album release in Portland is only one week away and I am “hella” excited … if you know me, I don’t use that word lightly!! From the bottom of my heart, I hope that you’ll grab a crew and join me for the long-awaited maiden voyage.

PS, there’s still time to recruit so I would appreciate the help in introducing any newbie’s to the mix. Spread the word and join the parade as it passes through town.

BITTERSWEET PARADE (sample mix)

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TS BITTERSWEET PARADE ALBUM RELEASE
@ LOLA’S ROOM (crystal ballroom)
1332 W. Burnside
Portland, Oregon 97209

- Thurs Jan 21st
- Doors at 7:30p
- Music at 8:00p
- Free CD with $12 admission
- Opening act TBA, but they’ll be awesome
- This IS seated so arrive accordingly
- No pre-sale available, buy at door

SAMPLE THE ALBUM HERE:
http://tylerstenson.com/blog/the-bittersweet-parade-has-arrived/

MORE INFO HERE:
http://mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=64&id=145&eventid=78978

Thank you one and all for everything you’ve done along the way. I am “uber” stoked and, if you know me, I don’t use that word lightly either;) Good times ahead absolutely.

PORTLAND ASSEMBLE!!

I played the “Second Friday Songbirds” round at the Sommet Center the other day with some other great writers. We each played about 5 songs and I was happy to finally get to test out my new Flip HD camera! Below is the video for the “oldie but a goody” Rome Tomorrow and a picture of the crew. Thanks Stephen for the invite … cheers to many more!

Here is the crew: Cody & Chance, Tyler Stenson, Stephen Salyers, Chelsee Oaks and Rob Bolin. They were all fantastic writers and performers but above all, our group lunch outing afterward proved that they are good people. The conversation was totally offensive and irreverent and comfortable. Thanks for the camaraderie.

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.

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.

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.