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.

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!!

For all of those struggling musicians out there, I just wrote this song (and humbly recorded it at home) to remind us why we do what we do. Enjoy.

MY LOVE, MY LOVE
by tyler stenson © 2010

Like a Rodeo Clown, the blood and bruise are part of the call.
But still, damn you music, you’ve got me up against a wall.
Some days I’m a Lion and some days my spirits crawl
Across the floor, to you who started it all:

My love.

It’s a head-game honey. It’s easy to believe
That I’m a foolish fish inside this starving sea
That might swallow me whole (or give me just what I need).
It’s all or nothing because nothing is in between.

My love, my love,
Don’t count me out just yet
Cause my day will come.

Oh, damn you music!
You crawled inside my bed
And if I walked away, you’d just do the same to my head,
And your pedal steel would haunt me like the ghost
Of a melody that a deaf man misses most.

My love, my love
Don’t count me out just yet
Cause my day will come.
This I know,
Because there’s a flower buried in my chest
That continues to grow.
My love, my love
Don’t count me out just yet
Cause my day will come.

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.

It’s funny, this is a song I no longer claim (because of the obvious departure from my current music); however, I’ve recently received a number of requests for it via email and I’m even receiving royalties here and there as a result of the old school recording. Who would have thought, a song I wrote 10 years ago, before I even knew the craft, would still be in demand?

That said, for sake of nostalgia, I dug up a copy of the original version and then re-recorded it today to show the difference between my vocals then and now. Below is a pair of recordings of Her Song — one is the original from 2000 and the other was humbly recorded live in my bedroom today in 2010.

I don’t take either one very seriously but I thought you’d like to hear the first song I ever wrote. My how time changes things. Enjoy Her Song.

HER SONG (original version circa 2000)

HER SONG (new version, 2010 bedroom recording)

You live your life day by day
People come and go
But no one stays by your side
Next to you
It’s so hard

Until that day;
You see that one
Standing there beautiful in the sun
Kissed by angels
Perfect She seems
The girl of my dreams

When we touch, I tremble
When She talks, I’m all ears
When She laughs, I smile
She calms my fears
With Her love and with Her words
I’m all Hers.

When she talks, the world is silent
No one exists.
And when we kiss,
Oh, I’m all Hers!
I’m Captivated by Her love,
By Her touch,
By Her glory,
By Her eyes,
By Her smile,
By Her laughter
And by Her.

When we touch, I tremble
When She talks, I’m all ears
When She laughs, I smile
She calms my fears
And wipes away my tears
With Her love and with Her words
All the sweet, sweet words that she says…

When She moves the earth sings
And I sing along…

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

Each line of each chorus is a different metaphor for growth … 14 in all. As if simply coming up with that many metaphors wasn’t difficult enough, the real trick is that they must all rhyme with “ooooo” while still communicating the idea of growth.

I’ll admit, I’m still writing the song and trying to scheme some lines that may or may not replace what I already have. That said, here are some of the metaphors I’ve penned for We Grow and I’d be open to any fresh ideas. Enjoy!

WE’RE ENTITLED TO CHANGE, BECAUSE WE GROW…

- Like blown up balloons.
- Like the flare at the end of a spoon.
- Like one note becoming a tune.
- Like city lights in the darkening blue.
- Like One into Two.
- Like the eleventh hour turning to noon.
- Like May slow fading into June.
- Like a grownup in their childhood room.
- Like a high tide caused by that moon.
- Like a flower knowing spring is coming soon.
- Like wings inside a cacoon.
- Like anything else destined to bloom.
- Like our faith in the things we know to be true.
- Like courage found in the wine and the booze.
- Like the hope of a castaway as land comes into view.
- Like the fear of a damned man meeting his doom.
- Like Jesus rising up from his tomb.
- Like a child in the warmth of the womb.

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.

I suppose the attention began last summer when I performed my song about Wyoming at the Oyster Ridge Music Festival in Kemmerer, WY — the song, it seemed, received a beaming appreciation from the crowd and this Facebook group is the result.

That said, I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be returning to the Oyster Ridge Music Festival this year where I’ll be kicking off the festivities with a special first-of-its-kind Thursday night showcase on July 29th. I just found out about this performance so as usual, I’m very excited to return to my place of birth — Wyoming.

WYOMING

Tyler Stenson @ the Oyster Ridge Music Festival
Thursday July 29th, 2010
Kemmerer, WY

Please do me the honor of joining Tyler Stenson’s “Wyoming” Should Be the Official State Song. May this group take us places!

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