Response
In response to the "Jacob and the guitar man" video: www.youtube.com/watch
First of all, I cannot thank you enough for visiting my website and being interested in my music. I am completely blown away by the number of visitors on here. I try not to take the internet too seriously and involve it into my daily life, for I feel there are better things to focus on. (I would rather spend my days outside when it's beautiful spring weather). It really shouldn't choke me up when I see this much traffic on my website. However, I get choked up when I am looking at how many people are getting my album, listening to my music, and sending me the most heartwarming mail I have ever read. I got home last night to do my regular routine of music e-mails and promotional work I was so emotionally overwhelmed by the number of people who have purchased my album. I cannot be more thrown back by all of this in the greatest of ways... it has brought me to my knees and to tears. These Cd's are bringing me that much closer to my long term dream of owning an RV to tour in (that runs off of waste vegetable oil). I cannot begin to thank you all enough for taking the time to listen to my music. Whether it's at a show with 1 person, or a packed house, each and every person who takes the time to listen just blows me away. It brightens my week when someone picks up a cd online. I usually hope for a couple a week to help out with rent, bills, etc. For 15 people to visit my website in a day is an unusual day. I can't even grasp that 6,000 people have been to my website today. It's not processing quite yet. I started responding to each e-mail I woke up to today. But with nearly 500 in my inbox, I found it difficult to get back to everyone this morning. I truly do love reading each and everyones story, and enjoy to see where every one is from.. so keep them up. I just don't have time to respond to every single one (although I'm going to still try!)... that is why I am writing on here :) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so very much for taking the time out of your day to listen to my music and find a connection. It means the world to me. It means more than I can even explain. I find it a miracle to reach out to so many people I have dreamed to reach out to for so long. In only two days. As far as the video of Jacob and I goes, I am so surprised at the response. Very surprised. I didn't know the internet was so powerful and could connect to people so much! haha Either way.. It was an ordinary day, walking to my regular spot to busk when I don't have a gig that night, and play music on the corner for a rotating crowd. When Jacob came over I felt excited about having another kid listen to the music. (Makes my day when kids dance to the music on the street... I already had a couple come over that day so it was already nice). However, unlike most kids that come up to me with curiosity, I felt so much energy coming off of him and I was completely overwhelmed. His hand on my leg was very powerful and about brought me to tears while playing. Not because he is blind or autistic.. but because of a connection I have never felt and one that is impossible to explain. Honestly, a feeling that came from my toes all the way up my body and surrounded me. I can't begin to explain it. I want to try to put it into words, but there is no way to tell how powerful his energy felt. It was a powerful moment that made my day and reminded me of the good things in life. Reminded me why I love different interactions with people when playing music. Reminded me of how powerful music can be between two people. It also reminded me not to take things for granted, for most of us have it pretty easy in our everyday life. So, I just simply went home with a very big smile on my face that day, and a story to tell my close ones. I would love to continue it in the future. Maybe share and play more music together with Jacob. Although, his mama also told me that Grandpa likes to do some pickin' himself, and that Jacob has a guitar as well. I'm sure that coming across me on the sidewalk that day was that little something that struck a chord in his heart that he found familiar and could relate to that day :) Anyways, Once again thank you all so very much for everything. Thank you for the kind words and heartwarming stories. Thank you for listening to my music and thank you for simply spreading the love. It brings me to tears when I see how many people have listened to my music. Thank you. Love, - Tyler April
I'm looking forward to the Weston Bluegrass Festival this month. A boiling pot of some great Kansas/Missouri bands. Looking forward to being out all weekend picking songs and trading ideas with some great artists. Please take a look at westonbluegrass.com
Going to be a great time in late July. Confirmed the Dawg Daze of Summer festival today in Lone Jack Missouri, stay tuned for those details. My brothers art amazes me more and more every time he comes out with a new project. Looking forward to this show  Springtime
Springtime has hit and it's been a great year so far playing shows and writing music. I have been booked more this year so far than any in the past and I couldn't be more grateful! Been nice to play with Charlie Parr and will be great to share the stage with Possessed by Paul James again. Please stay tuned to the shows, may be headed in your direction!
These shows will be a great help towards the mobile home. Striving to be on the road full time here in the future and couldn't be more excited about it. Back homeThank you Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Boulder, Buena Vista, Wichita, and Manhattan for such a great time! Couldn't have asked for more love and support from you all. Road
Handprinting albums, t-shirts, and handkerchiefs as we speak. Just in time for the road!
Thank you everyone for coming out last night to the Bottleneck. What a great time. Couldn't ask for more love from you. Here are some dates coming up with A.j. Gaither and a few with Grant Sabin January 15 ABILENE KS- Great Plains Theatre January 17 BUENA VISTA CO- State Highway Theater January 18 DENVER CO- Lion's Lair January 19 BOULDER CO- @ No Name Bar January 20 6:00 pm PUEBLO CO- @ PCC College Pueblo Joe's January 20 PUEBLO CO- @ The Senate January 21 COLORADO SPRINGS CO- @ Front Rang January 22 COLORADO SPRINGS CO- @ House Show January 25 LAWRENCE KS- @ Jazzhaus Hosting Open Mic January 26 7:00 pm WICHITA KS- @ Kirbys Beer Store January 27 MANHATTAN KS- @ Auntie Maes Parlor New video and merch
A lot of new things are happening this season that i'm very excited about!
Finished recording a new video the other day that will be posted in a couple of weeks. I am adding more merch to the merch section of my website! T-Shirts, Tank-tops, hoodies, and stickers. I will be adding handmade jewelry online as well available this winter. Take care, - Tyler Change in seasons
All the trees are starting to shed their layers in time for the winter season. The town has been covered in different shades of colors and that nostalgic feeling is hitting me once again. I'm trying to squeeze in as much time as I can being spent outdoors. Can't say I'm looking forward to the mid western cold slowing everything down though...
With this feeling hitting me, my chickens are also taking in all the good weather and couldn't be happier. Irene is moulting for the first time this year. It's quite amusing, but at the same time I feel bad for her lack of feathers. I'm curious to how this winter will treat us... I had such an enjoyable weekend playing in Iola and Manhattan. A big thanks to everyone who came out to the shows and supported the music. It was great playing in Iola for the first time. I'll be back December 16th to see you good people again. Here are a few upcoming shows this week: Wednesday October 26th LAWRENCE KS- @ Jazzhaus (hosting open mic) Thursday, October 27 LAWRENCE KS- @ Jazzhaus Saturday, October 29 WESTON MO- @ Downtown I recieved an album review last week from the Hype Weekly in Manhattan. Thank you Jimbo for the kind words. If you're in the Manhattan area be sure to pick up a copy of the paper. If you're not in the area, you can view it online here: blog.thehypeweekly.com/  _______________________________________________________________________________________ My friends Cherie and Kate have started a Kickstarter project for their homemade cocktails. I had a wonderful time being involved with the project by providing music. Please take a look at their video and support if you're able! There are some great prizes that come with your donation. "Our vision of a new cocktail is carefully crafted to be delicious as well as healthy. With a base of raw agave, our mixers are a natural alternative to sugary syrups. The addition of fresh herbs, spices and botanicals cultivate our flavors in a pure and healthy way. In the end, our drinks are designed to minimize hangovers. We hope to reinvent not only the drink, but the entire drinking experience."  _______________________________________________________________________________________ The new album will be available at these record stores by the end of this week: Sisters of Sound (Manhattan) Love Garden ( Lawrence) You can get a digital copy of "Before the Black Powder Strikes" online at the store section of the website! Take good care, - Tyler Album now available online!
The album is now selling (digitally) online! Go to the store section to grab yourself a copy! First 5 people get to choose their price!
The Cd Release was a very enjoyable time. Thank you to everyone who came out that night in support of us, The Bus Company, and LA Fahy. A lot of memories were made that evening! There have been a lot more dates added to the tour that I am very excited about. I'll be especially looking forward to this Wednesday, October 19th. I will be playing at the Replay Patio in Lawrence. It's going to be a great time sharing the stage with Charlie Parr once again. Come out in support of the old delta/roots sound! You can find Charlie Parr's music here: www.charlieparr.com I had a recent interview with the Pitch, you can take a look here: www.thepitch.com Thank you all for your support and taking a listen to the new release! Take good care, - Tyler Thank You
Just got back into Lawrence after a wonderful weekend! Played the Weston Bluegrass Festival in an old Tabacco Barn all three days. I couldn't be more pleased with the way everything turned out and the wonderful people that I met. Thank you everyone for such a wonderful weekend!
Played the Record Bar last night and had a great time as well. A nice time to meet new people and share my songs as well as hear other artists music. I will be leaving for tour this Wednesday with a good friend and great musician, Chris Luxem. I am excited to travel west during the beautiful spring weather. Check the tour section of the website and see if we'll be playing in your town! We will be having a Tour Kickoff show here in Lawrence at the Replay Lounge this Wednesday, May 4th. I hope to see you all tomorrow! Tour
I'll be heading out West this May with a good friend and musician, Chris Luxem. Take a look at the Tour section to see if we'll be in your area!
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Hey everyone, PARROTTSVILLE, Tenn. – Legendary Haywood County moonshiner Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton took his own life because he couldn’t stand the thought of going to prison, his wife said today. Pam Sutton said she found her husband Monday afternoon dead of carbon monoxide poisoning outside their home in Cocke County. Sutton, 62, spent much of his life making moonshine, a craft that brought him fame and a string of criminal convictions dating back to the 1970s. He was facing 18 months in federal prison on moonshining and weapons charges and had told a judge at his sentencing he was in poor health and would rather die at home than in jail. Pam Sutton said she went into town to run errands and couldn’t find her husband at their house when she returned. She found him at the rear of their property inside his beloved old Ford Fairlane, which was running, she said. “He called it his three-jug car because he gave three jugs of liquor for it,” she said. “He had painted it John Deere green and it had yellow wheels. He had drove it to California and back. “He was a good man, he really was." Federal authorities arrested Sutton a year ago on charges of running a moonshine operation that produced hundreds of gallons of liquor. A judge in January sentenced him to 18 months in prison, rejecting arguments that Sutton had learned his lesson and was too ill to serve time. “I'd like to die at home instead of in a penitentiary,” Sutton said in court at the sentencing. Nearly 1,500 people had signed petitions asking for leniency in his sentence. Born near Maggie Valley, N.C., Sutton was revered by some for preserving a dying piece of mountain history. His reputation grew beyond the mountains through a book and film he produced about his craft and Internet and cable TV documentaries in which he demonstrated how to make his famous liquor. Sutton evoked curiosity from people around the world, drawing tourists to places like the Misty Mountain Ranch Bed and Breakfast in Maggie Valley, which has a suite dedicated to the moonshiner. “He made a very big impact on the whole world because people have called me from all different countries, all over the U.S., asking for his books and tapes and anything you could tell him about Popcorn,” said Misty Mountain co-owner Karen Hession. Hession and her husband had been friends of Sutton for more than 10 years. Hession said he captured the spirit of the mountains, but there was also a gentle side to the man that those close to him knew well. “He was a very kind, thoughtful person,” she said. “I wish everybody knew him like we did.”
  We traveled to Wichita last weekend and had one of the greatest weekends in a very long time. Played a few shows and spent three days out in the open country with some good friends. Both of the shows were more than wonderful, thank you to everyone who came out and supported. Also, a big thank you to Ron and Cass for your great hospitality and showing us a great time. I am looking forawrd to making my way in that direction soon. The album is coming along well. We are almost complete with the writing and will be recording in May by our good friend Cody Simpson.The release of 10 songs is set for this Summer. We are starting to book our summer tour. If anyone in any of these areas enjoys putting on house shows.. we love playing them! Just send me an e-mail and hopefully we can make something happenn.. Tour dates:
I lost some people around me this year, so here is a new song in the works... I hold my pen more than my lover It was a long road that we drove through one day a painting hangs on the wall, as the piano begins to play the morning sunlights shade, brings the dew here in the fall Its been a long year without you so far Lace curtains hang through windows like blankets of ghosts Light splits the corners through my haze of scattered smoke As I drink strong whiskey on that wood bench behind the bar I think to myself I've been down without you so far For the sense I could make it goes for what I choose But these things in life I've won won't compare to what I lose Your stone beneath the red wing, pedals will fall in time Because when all my hope is broken you'll be resting inside my mind I hold my pen more than my lover in these solitary times To myself I'm one shade closer to that chalked outline Its always held its meaning, but holds nothing for me today Its been a long long year since you've been away For the sense I could make it goes for what I choose But these things in life I've won won't compare to what I lose Your stone beneath the red wing, pedals will fall in time Because when all my hope is broken you'll be resting inside my mind March 20th, 2009 Springtime has finally settled in so it is time to break up the soil and start planting. Everyone seems to be coming at the same level of peace with all of this great weather and it is making me feel more productive than ever. The Barbecues, sing alongs, and fires are going to be a must for this season.. I have to say that traveling to Ohio the other week was just a nice break from this place. It is a beautiful state filled with (from my experiences) nothing but beautiful hills, greenery, trees, farm lands, and truly kind people. The Lee Baby Sims guys drove with me in the back of the van for 14 hours and made some wonderful stories. Could not have done this without Tom Waits, zippos, rest stops, and sing alongs in the van with guitars. Thank you everyone for your great hospitality, and thank you Pumkin Inn for your kindness and allowing us to use the stage. I can't wait to head back that direction. We are off for some travels this weekend around Kansas. There is an old video of us one morning in the living room on the "photo/video" section of the site take good care -tyler  March 2nd, 2009 All of my writings from the last couple years have been deleted. I had my thoughts from all of my travels and encounters with new people.. but they have vanished. No worries though! I suppose that just shows me that internet is truly make believe and I should do everything by ink and paper. I got some new mail in today. Thank you so much for the greetings everyone, it is always great to see the art of writing letters is still alive. I'll send out some here shortly! The new album is coming along well! These are a collection of songs from all my traveling this last year, and I am excited to write and speak the story through the songs. take good care and enjoy what is around you, -tyler |
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