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.

Somewhere this Spring I lost most of my musical confidence and began to ask myself the question: What the hell am I doing? After much deliberation, sleepless nights and internal battles, I decided that the reason I’m grinding out this phantom dream is the fact that music is quite simply My Love that I couldn’t quit if I tried.

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

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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.

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)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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.

I was quite honored today when I logged on to Facebook to find an invite for a group titled: Tyler Stenson’s “Wyoming” Should Be the Official State Song. I had no idea this group had been formed but I must admit, I have zero objection to the cause. I’m truly honored that my song has made the impact that it has and I’m humbled that others would even attempt to get it recognized on a larger level.

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

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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!

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

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.

Today marks the day that I officially made my reality TV debut. Though the whole concept of manufactured fame has never been my thing, I was persuaded and finally agreed to audition for Bravo’s newest series called Hitmakers. Overall, I know very little about the show, but I get the feeling it’s an American Idol or Project Runway for singer-songwriters.

I applied months ago online and was set to attend the open casting call when I received a surprising phone call from Bravo offering me what they called a VIP audition — essentially a scheduled appointment that allowed me to avoid waiting in line all day. I’m sure many many many people were offered the same deal but I’ll admit, it got me excited.

Today was The Day and as I guessed, I was not alone. Much of Nashville showed up to audition but I did get to avoid the infinite line. I walked in, sang 16 bars of my song The Road and walked out with little conversation. Talk about bizarre.

To make a short story appropriately short, I felt good about it and was glad to have had the experience but I won’t be holding my breath for the call back. The decision was apparently to be made at 9pm tonight and phone calls would follow — it’s 10:21 and no word. Off to bed and back to the drawing board.

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