I just returned from a visit to the deepest lake in the United States — Crater Lake. Reaching depths of 1,950 feet, this formerly active volcano is now an untainted mountain lake of unparalleled clarity. Certainly a site to see.

While I have attempted a visit to Crater Lake once in the past, I was ultimately turned away by the park rangers because of a “zero visibility” status due to low-laying clouds — I was allowed to enter the park but I wouldn’t be able to see anything — a 5-hour drive for nothing!

This time was different, I arrived on a blue-sky day and was able to see Crater Lake in all of its glory. Although these humble pictures do this majestic lake no justice, nor do they illustrate the size of the crater’s walls or the hue of the surface, I hope you’ll enjoy them nonetheless.

Enjoy these pictures of Crater Lake and the Crater Lake Lodge!!

RANDOM FACT ABOUT CRATER LAKE: If you were to empty Crater Lake, there is enough water within the lake to cover the state of Oregon in 3 inches of water!!

As an artist, one must always be presenting their most up-to-date happenings; however, keeping all of your promotional materials fully current can be a nightmare — it’s entirely too easy to be a step behind. Well, last night I dug deep and finally updated my artist one sheet for 2011. Although it’s mostly an informational piece for industry folks, feel free to pass it along!!

DOWNLOAD THE .PDF
DOWNLOAD THE .JPG

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Josh Ritter. I’ve always said, as much as I revere his talent and tunes, it is his elegant brand and career path that have me intrigued — he’s genuine to the bone and it is obvious to anyone.

“I’m singing for the love of it — have mercy on the man that sings to be adored.” — Josh Ritter

All of that said, I had the opportunity to meet Josh a few years back after his show at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR. I practically chased him down to get my chance to speak with my then, idol. Of course, it was a younger me. I was star struck. I had bought a shirt at his merch table that I wanted signed and even had one of my CDs in my hand that I gave to him as I said, “I’d be honored to open for you someday. Any time. Anywhere.” I must have looked very professional as it was an old Rhetoric Tuesday CD that was covered with a single duct tape strip with a hand-written Lander on it, my new band name.

My optimism was comical.

Well, years have gone by and many bloody noses later, I had the chance to meet Josh again — but this time under a whole new set of circumstances. Without revealing my sources, I was placed on Josh Ritter’s guest list and given an exclusive after show pass. I would have the opportunity to meet Josh, but this time, I was told that he would know who I was and that he had heard my music. No shameless self-promotion necessary.

My girlfriend and I were led down the stairs into Lola’s Room where Josh was waiting to meet the small group of guests — we were two of five in total. He immediately recognized the others as obvious friends but we were strangers amongst them. So he walked over.

I won’t make it out to be a bigger story then it actually is; however, I will say, I spoke with Josh for about 10 minutes — about life, Nashville, his music and even some of mine. As much as I wanted to spray him with a fire hose of information, I refrained. With some simple niceties and multiple hugs goodbye (offered by him), I left with a skip in my step and a beaming smile.

I still have full intentions of opening for him someday but it will happen in its own season. For now, I’m happy for having gotten to met my idol — this time as peers. I won’t forget that night as long as I live.

I woke up this morning to find that the newspaper in my hometown, the West Linn Tidings, had written a very kind article about me being named the “Best Male Artist” at the 2011 Portland Music Awards. It’s an honor that the city I grew up in still follows my path and recognizes my achievements as they happen.

Thank you Nicole DeCosta for writing this piece and for spreading the word about my accomplishments in the bigger city that lays just 20 miles up the road.

Read the full article by clicking on the image below or visiting this link: http://bit.ly/h5uIYD

Tyler Stenson is Best Male Artist
by Nicole DeCosta

The West Linn Tidings, Feb 3, 2011

Tyler Stenson, a West Linn High School graduate, received the award for “Best Male Artist” during Friday’s Portland Music Awards at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland. Stenson’s latest album, “Long Before the Wheel,” is available for purchase online.

Tyler Stenson, 29, called the city of Portland “the great incubator” during his acceptance speech on Friday after winning the award for “Best Male Artist” at the 2011 Portland Music Awards (PMAs) Jan. 28.

Although traveling between Nashville, Tenn., and Portland over the past year and a half, the West Linn High School graduate turned singer-songwriter said Portland’s music scene is one of a kind — and this win “puts a smile” on his heart.

“Considering the talent that surrounded me on the ballot, I was simply honored to be mentioned in the same sentence as the other phenomenal talents, let alone (be) set apart and selected as the ‘Best Male Artist’ in Portland,” Stenson said after the show. Also nominated in the category this year were Jacob Merlin, Chris Margolin, Will Coca and Jordan Harris.

Stenson — known for his uncomplicated yet sophisticated stage presence, which includes himself, a stool, a guitar and a large screen displaying his song lyrics — said he’s “worked hard each and every day for the last decade to be the best artist I can be.”

“This is pure validation that I’m on the right path and building something that’s being noticed,” he said. “It’s a great moment of pride and accomplishment for me.”

Noting similarities between Nashville and Portland, Stenson said he has “increasing pride” for his hometown.

“Nashville is considered ‘The Music City’ and while the scene is definitely robust, it’s not that much more impressive than Portland. Both cities have great talent hiding in every crack,” Stenson said.

He continued, “While most of my colleagues are disgusted with their hometown music scene … I brag endlessly about Portland and give the music scene full credit for my successes in Nashville.”

Founded in 2008 by Craig Marquardo, the PMAs were designed to bring attention and appreciation to the artists who make up the Portland music scene. This year’s show was hosted by PDX-TV On-Air Host and Promotions Coordinator with Chloe Houser and “Top Gun” actor Tom Skerritt and with appearances by actor Daniel Baldwin and comedian Gallagher.

“To be able to produce a show that honors such excellent musicians like Tyler Stenson is what makes the enormous effort and sacrifice worth it,” Marquardo said. “The art and the community are equally worthwhile.”

For more information about Tyler Stenson, visit his website at www.tylerstenson.com.

Read the full article by clicking on the image below or visiting this link: http://bit.ly/h5uIYD

Tonight marks a monumental moment in my career as I finally had the honor of playing at the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN. Music lovers of most makes and models would be able to tell you that this is amongst the greatest venues in the world for an intimate musical experience, and in my humble opinion, it did not disappoint.

Though the rain washed many away, roughly 100 people still gathered to watch our writers round (featuring Lane Turner) and I must say the vibe was magical.

As an added honor, my good friend and host of the evening, Melissa Bollea, asked me to sing the last song of the night, to put a poignant bullet point on a fine evening — as you’ll witness in the video below, my song Better Be Us All was the final statement.

It was truly a thrill to be on one of the world’s premiere stages … I assure you, I’ll be floating for days as a result.

BLUEBIRD CAFE 02/01/2011 SET LIST:

1. That Moon
2. As the Crow Flies
3. The Road
4. Often & Much
5. Daffodils
6. Better Be Us All

The Portland Music Awards were held last night at the legendary Crystal Ballroom and it was truly a special night (to say the least). Yep, in front of a sold out crowd of Portland’s most notable musical members, I’m proud to announce that I was named the “Best Male Artist” for 2011.

The other nominees for “Best Male Artist” were Jordan Harris, Chris Margolin, Will Coca and Jacob Merlin. It was a great honor to be on the top-5 ballot in the first place but to be named the winner, amongst my very talented peers, was healthy dose of pure bliss, validation and accomplishment. Thank you Portland for that honor.

As everyone knows, today is the NCAA College Football National Championship where the Oregon Ducks (12-0) take on the Auburn Tigers (13-0). What you might not know is that, at one point, I attended both schools. Oh, what to wear?

Yep, I attended Auburn University for my freshman year of college in 2001-2002. It was an absolute random chain of events that pulled me down South for my first time but I regret nothing. During that year I developed a deep love for Auburn football and have cheered War Eagle! on every gameday from that point forward.

Following my stint in the South, I decided to return home to the Great Northwest to attend the University of Oregon from 2002 to 2005 — eventually obtaining a degree in Journalism. These were some of the finest years of my life where I made amazing friends, learned about myself and harvested a love for Oregon Duck football.

Oregon vs Auburn

With that said, let it be known that I wake up every Saturday in the fall and cheer Auburn in the morning (SEC football airs early) and Ducks in the evening. I’ve had a fierce loyalty to both programs and it has never been a conflict of interests until today.

The stars have aligned and brought my two favorite teams to compete for the title. Again, oh, what to wear?

THE VERDICT: If you’re wondering which shirt I will be wearing and which team I will be cheering for on this polarizing day, in a resounding voice I say My Ducks.

Although I love Auburn football to the fullest and will continue to cheer for them on every other day that I live, for the sake of my alma mater, for the sake of Pac-10 football, for the sake of the State of Oregon and for the sake of the underdog … GO DUCKS!!

I woke this morning to find that Music Connection Magazine had published a lovely piece about me and my show at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles. It’s short and sweet but, as the first bit of press in 2011, I’m honored to receive the attention and the kind words.

You can read the entire piece by clicking on the image below — it will expand to reveal a larger version of the article. Enjoy the write-up and spread the word.

Thank you all.

Tyler Stenson in Music Connection Magazine - 01/01/2011

TYLER STENSON
Hotel Café
Los Angeles, CA

By Dean Moore

MATERIAL:
Nashville by way of Portland singer-songwriter Tyler Stenson describes his music as “elegant folk,” and that’s accurate. He’s a storyteller first and foremost, wrangling poetic lyrics that highlight his continuing understanding of the world around him both past and present. His Western roots still provide a pervading theme, as he comes to grips with his migration east (“Leave Oregon”) and asks the folks he left behind to support the changes he was compelled to make in his life (“We Grow”). There are a few times when the literate delivery of the message feels a bit labored (Stenson cites Cormac McCarthy as an influence), but the message is always sincere, and the Americana style of the music is just right.

MUSICIANSHIP:
Stenson seamlessly moves from guitar, to piano, to guitar and harmonica together. He looks particularly at home on the guitar, as one song calls for some dexterous fingerpicking, another utilizes pickless strumming, and a later tune has him intensely but tastefully bending strings to punctuate the dramatic effect of the lyrics. Vocally, Stenson’s voice still has a modern rock accent, but overall he’s left any Daughtry-esque leanings behind for a more graceful approach that reminds much more of folk royalty like Taylor and Browne. Stenson also proves that his harmonica is not a prop when he tears into songs like “Best Laid Plans” with some ferocious, adept harp blowing.

PERFORMANCE:
Stenson’s touring experience has obviously served him well. Especially when it’s a one-man show, holding an audience largely unfamiliar with you or your material is tough, but Stenson did an admirable job. The use of the dynamics is critical in an acoustic setting, and Stenson showed he’s a master of contrasting quiet, intimate verse whispers with gripping, soaring choruses. His stage presence was witty and conversational: he said he wrote one up-tempo song because “I don’t have a ton of upbeat songs in my repertoire, and the ones that are are about death.” A pot dropped in the kitchen at the end of a slower tune, and Stenson praised the timing of the “cymbal player” in the back. In the middle of another song, he told us that “My brother hates this next verse.”

SUMMARY:
The audience appeared to have walked away from Stenson’s set having warmly bought into the depth and classic feel of his sincerely told story-songs. They also appreciated his easy manner on stage, and the conviction and boldness with which he plays and sings is engaging as well. Not every single lyric resonates on first listen, but the ones that do – lines like “Can’t help thinking if you believe in God, why can’t you believe in me?” – do in a big, big way.

Dean Moore
Music Connection Magazine
January 2011 Edition
Page 55

Each season my parents house transforms drastically at the hands of my mother. She is one of the craftiest women I know with a contagious passion for decoration, arranging and cheer. This Christmas season was no different.

That said, I took my camera around my parent’s home and captured a fraction of the Christmas decorations that are on display. Every nook and cranny has some sort of eye candy celebrating the season and below is a gallery of my findings — a picture reel that should give you a small glimpse at my Mother’s Christmas Spirit and hopefully ignite yours.

THE UPSTAIRS TREE

THE DOWNSTAIRS TREE

THE ENTRY WAY

HAND-MADE GINGERBREAD HOUSE

WHERE IT ALL BEGINS

NATIVITY SCENE

NOEL

LIGHTS ON STAIRS

SNOW GLOBE PLUS

RUDOLPH

FROSTY THE WINDOW SNOWMAN

STOCKINGS and MORE

CANDY CANE CANDLES

MORE STOCKINGS

ME in the TREE

CHRISTMAS TOWELS

SINK SANTA

SHADOW BOX STUFF

CORNER CAROLERS

CHRISTMAS TREE CLOSE-UP

STUFFED SNOWMEN

CORNER DWELLERS

CHRISTMAS MONTAGE

JOY

CHRISTMAS CAROLERS

TABLE CENTER PIECE

PLATES PLUS

Merry Christmas!!

I just received word that I’ll be performing at the lovely Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday November 9th … 8pm!! This is one of the greatest venues in the land for a lyrical songwriter like me so I could not be more excited for the opportunity to play at such a choice place.

Whether you live in Los Angeles or simply know people that do, please spread the word far and wide and help me pull a crowd like never before. Thank you all.

Tyler Stenson live at Hotel Cafe
Tuesday November 9th @ 8pm
1623 1/2 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Tyler Stenson live at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, CA