In an effort to fully jump into the nerdy end of the pool, I’ve recently purchased unique urls and built dedicated websites for the three albums that I’m endlessly promoting. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing my new album websites:

BittersweetParade.com
LongBeforeTheWheel.com
AnotherGleam.com

The goal was to make them simple and standard. There’s nothing too fancy about any of them but my hope is that it gives people another place to learn about the various records that I’ve created and who knows, maybe even buy a copy or three.

BITTERSWEET PARADE .COM

LONG BEFORE THE WHEEL .COM

ANOTHER GLEAM .COM

I’m proud to announce that I’ve been invited to perform on the Live Wire! Radio Show at the Alberta Rose Theater on Saturday October 22nd. This is truly an honor.

If you haven’t heard of it, Live Wire! is a top-notch radio variety show that tapes in front of an enthusiastic audience and airs each week via Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) and is heard nationally and internationally through its podcasts.

Over the years Live Wire! has featured a number of stellar talents including Chuck Palahniuk (author of Fight Club) and Joe Purdy and, on this particular October night in 2011, I will be featured as the solo musical guest; joined by author David Guterson, Oregon Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen, cartoonist Kate Beaton and a big-time full band musical guest, Typhoon!

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!

Live Wire! Radio Show!
@ The Alberta Rose Theater
Saturday October 22, 2011 at 7:30 PM
3000 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211
Minors OK when accompanied by a parent or guardian

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!

If you were one of those that enjoyed my opening set for Chris Isaak at the Oregon Zoo this summer (07/29/2011), please take a minute to fill out this survey and express your delight. This was one of the finest moments in my musical career so, who knows, if you tell them that you want me back, I just might get the opportunity to do it all over again. Thanks!

TAKE THE SURVEY: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OregonZooConcerts2011

I started playing live music at the Buffalo Gap Saloon in Portland, OR circa 2003 — it was one of the first venues to give me and my music a chance and I therefore owe them much. 8 years later, I don’t play there as often as I used to but I still consider it my local haunt, my Cheers, my home away from home, my watering hole, my … well, you get the idea. It’s a swell place.

All that said, I was recently invited to play at their annual birthday party known as Gap Fest and following my set, I was surprised with the decorated frame below. I was beyond honored when they presented me with this tribute frame that celebrated my career and the Buffalo Gap’s involvement in its progression.

It will be hung on the wall of the establishment for the many years to come…

Thank you Buffalo Gap for the opportunity and the friendship.

THE BUFFALO GAP SALOON & EATERY
6835 Southwest Macadam Avenue
Portland, OR 97219-2313
(503) 244-7111

Like I said, I’ve played MANY shows at the Buffalo Gap … here is a pic from one of the hundreds.

As everyone knows, I have a strand of OCD coursing through my veins that is borderline clinical. Yeah, I don’t really sleep at night because I can’t put aside the fact that a margin is off on my blog or the font could be improved on my website(s) — there’s always something that can be improved.

Well, with that, I bring you the newest TylerStenson.com. The changes are ever so subtle but I slept pretty well last night…

THE NEW SITE:
As I mentioned, the changes are very subtle but I feel it’s a lot cleaner overall. You’ll notice a new custom font installed, new and improved social icons, a new music and video player and a sleeker vibe across the board. Click on the image below to see the full size screen shot!

THE NEW HEADER:
I moved the header from mid-page, up toward the top where most sites would have them featured. Additionally, I changed the font to match my new custom font (Round Up). To me, this new header is much more pro and a bit less playful than my previous site.

THE NEW SOCIAL ICONS:
Most subtle of all but to my everlasting joy, is the new, custom, social icons. The ones before were slightly pixelated and more in tune with the previously playful vibe, however, now, they’re spic-and-span. I suppose most notable of all is the fact that I kicked the mySpace button to the curb and replaced it with my ReverbNation link. Peace out mySpace!

THE NEW FONT:
I’ve been using this new font for some time now in my general branding but I’ve finally integrated it into my website. With the help of my good friend Mr Diggles, I’m now able to use my brand’s font as a font, rather than an image. This is a very subtle upgrade but extremely valuable in the realm of web design.

Of course, there will be more subtle changes happening to this site for the rest of my life but, on this day in October, I’m proud to bring you another TylerStenson.com update with some improved pieces that have me sleeping soundly.

When you do as much self-promotion as me, it can be utterly discouraging at times. All too often I post something on Facebook and/or Twitter that I believe is good content but, in the end, it falls upon deaf ears and my hours of efforts seem all at once pointless. That said, below is a little victory … a moment that illustrates precisely why I make videos and post them, rain or shine.

Now that you’ve seen this little victory, I hope you realize the importance of “liking” and/or “sharing” my musical content with your friends, families and followers … because one turns into two, two into four, four into eight and so on.

If you ask me my all-time favorite song that I’ve written, my resounding answer is Babysitting the Cowboy. It’s not the catchiest song I’ve ever written and it will never be a radio hit but, because it is a detailed account of one of my dearest childhood memories, it’s the most nostalgic … and therefore, priceless.

Because it was written in 2004 and recorded in 2006, 2008 and again in 2011, I’ve decided to post this video to feature the timeless lyric. Why? Because I’m often told that reading along with the words has helped fans to better appreciate the story and the many nuances of the tale. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD BABYSITTING the COWBOY
CD BABY: http://bit.ly/l9eCG0
iTunes: http://bit.ly/qoJ9hu

NOTE: The lyrics for Babysitting the Cowboy can also be found on my home website under the “lyrics” tab: www.tylerstenson.com

I have been invited to play at GapFest 2011 at the Buffalo Gap Saloon in Portland, OR. Aside from a my long musical history with this venue, it’s truly one of my favorite hang-outs in Portland — consider it my Cheers if you will. Although I don’t play there much anymore, The Buffalo Gap has been very good to me across the years so I’m excited to join the festivities.

Tyler Stenson at GapFest 2011
WHEN: Friday October 7th @ 7:00pm
WHERE: The Buffalo Gap Saloon, 6835 SW Macadam Ave, Portland
WHO: Tyler Stenson (7pm), Pilar French (8pm) and the Prescriptions (10pm)

ALWAYS FREE!!

See you Friday for good music and company.

Between the 17 metaphors for growth, all rhyming with oooo, and the dangerously “artsy” nature of the song, writing We Grow was tricky, no doubt. It took close to five years in total and became a most intricate labor of love.

Although it was finally recorded in 2010, I decided to post this new video of the song that features the lyrics. Why? Because I’m often told that reading along with the words has helped fans to better appreciate the message and the many metaphors embedded within. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD WE GROW
CD BABY: http://bit.ly/bDb4xo
iTunes: http://bit.ly/cZFbma

NOTE: The lyrics for We Grow can also be found on my home website under the “lyrics” tab: www.tylerstenson.com

THIS THURSDAY: I will be playing at the Alberta Rose Theater this Thursday night with Sam Wegman and Safire — it promises to be something special. Please grab a crew and come join me for my early, all ages, opening set.

Tyler Stenson w/ Sam Wegman & Safire
Thursday Sep 29th @ 7:30 PM
$10 General Admission

All Ages Show
Doors open at 6:30

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: http://albertarosetheatre.com/

Of course, this will not be my first time playing at the Alberta Rose Theater. Although I will be playing a solo set for this upcoming event, take a look at these videos from my last full-band performance at this fine venue!!

OFTEN & MUCH

BEST LAID PLANS

CANNONBALL

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE: http://albertarosetheatre.com/