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.

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!!

Happy 4th of July everyone! This song, from day one, has always made me laugh like no other — especially now that I’m living in Nashville it rings all too true. Enjoy your holiday weekend and always remember: Freedom isn’t free — No, there’s a hefty F’n fee.

FREEDOM ISN’T FREE
Team America

What would you do
If you were asked to give up your dreams for freedom?
What would you do
If asked to make the ultimate sacrifice?

Would you think about all them people
Who gave up everything they had.
Would you think about all them War Vets
And would you start to feel bad?

Freedom isn’t free
It costs folks like you and me
And if we don’t all chip in
We’ll never pay that bill.
Freedom isn’t free
No, there’s a hefty fuckin’ fee.
And if you don’t throw in your buck ‘o five
Who will?

What would you do
If someone told you to fight for freedom.
Would you answer the call
Or run away like a little pussy
‘Cause the only reason that you’re here.
Is ’cause folks died for you in the past
So maybe now it’s your turn
To die kicking some ass

Freedom isn’t free
It costs folks like you and me
And if we don’t all chip in
We’ll never pay that bill
Freedom isn’t free
Now there’s a have to hook’in fee
And if you don’t throw in your buck ‘o five
Who will?

You don’t throw in your buck ‘o five. Who will?
Oooh buck ‘o five
Freedom costs a buck ‘o five

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 September of 2009, the world lost a true talent — Scotland Barr. He was a singer-songwriter and wordsmith and someone I respected deeply.

In November of 2009, tragedy struck once again and took the life of my peer — Kipp Crawford in a freak biking accident. He was a drummer in Portland in which I’ve shared many stages and beers and laughs.

Though I was never extremely close to either, their lives impacted mine greatly. I’m different because of their lives and their deaths. Both had a story to tell and both were taken long before their time.

This song is my humble tribute to these fine men and musicians — may all your fields be songs and daffodils.

Note: I hate to admit it, but in the video below, I had just written this song and therefore got the first line wrong. It should be “Who was September” … the final recording on my upcoming EP will reflect the correct lyrics and date.

DAFFODILS
by tyler stenson © 2010

Who was September
To decide it was time
To pull your pen from the page
That drew out your line
Since 1965?
-Long before your time.

May your fields be pure gold
And yellow like the loveliest sun.
May we hear your bones
Singing at the top of their lungs.
May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

Oh, then November
Would not be outdone
And dimmed that bright old smile
From an Ashland Son
That burned since ’78
-Then all at once faded away.

May your fields be pure gold
And yellow like the loveliest sun.
May we hear your bones
Sounding out the beat of a drum.
May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

I for one, hope you found your Sun Years
And finally laid your eyes on some Spanish Dust.
Your words fill up our Paper Dixie Cups,
In a cheers to you,
One of the few who knew love.

So, may all your fields be pure gold
And yellow like the loveliest sun.
May we hear your bones
Singing at the top of their lungs.
May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

I recently designed a website for Stepheni Elli, a Nashville based singer-songwriter in the folkrock genre. Although I’m not an expert web designer by any means, I’ve been making a living these days by “flipping the code” that I use for my website and tweaking it to the client’s liking. It’s something I can do relatively quickly and at a very low cost to my friends and fellow singer-songwriters.

Below is just a snapshot of Stepheni’s new website, if you’re interested in having me make one for you, send me an email here. Thanks!

Stepheni Elli website by Tyler Stenson

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be returning to Portland and playing at the legendary Mississippi Studios on Monday June 14, 2010. I’m teaming up with Myk Gordon and Justin Jude to bring together a lovely event that will be fitting for such a phenomenal venue.

I’ll be bringing many new songs home with me from Nashville and I know Justin and Myk will do their part in making it a special evening that you won’t want to miss. These are the nights I live for — see you there!

Tyler Stenson @ Misssissippi Studios
Monday June 14, 2010 @ 7pm

3939 North Mississippi Avenue
Portland, OR 97227-1162
(503) 753-4473

Tyler Stenson live at Mississippi Studios - June 14, 2010

Monday April 5th, 2010 was a very special day — it marks my first performance in Nashville with a band. Yes, it was a stripped-down minimalist trio but it was something other than a Writers Round and that alone excited me to no end.

Asked to join the night’s lineup by a few writers that I deeply respect, I was given a nice chunk of time to play my music and therefore wanted to make it special. I was so excited I even played a bit too long … woops:) That said, I asked my friend Amanda Broadway to sing with me and called upon a new friend, Chris Bauer, to play some pedal steel in the cracks.

Below are some videos captured from the evening. It’s not all of them but it’s a nice taste of what went down in the 12th & Porter Lounge.

PLENTY MORE VIDEOS ON MY YouTube PAGE: www.youtube.com/landerband

PLENTY MORE VIDEOS ON MY YouTube PAGE: www.youtube.com/landerband

PLENTY MORE VIDEOS ON MY YouTube PAGE: www.youtube.com/landerband

PLENTY MORE VIDEOS ON MY YouTube PAGE: www.youtube.com/landerband

PLENTY MORE VIDEOS ON MY YouTube PAGE: www.youtube.com/landerband