How Michael Tyler Used MySpace To Turn His Country Music Dream Into Reality
Thanks to the connections of MySpace and determination flowing through Tyler, the country newcomer made his wishes into a full-blown country career.
Growing up in a small town in the heart of the Midwest, Michael Tyler sought out a life in the country music industry. Little did he know that years later, his wishes would come true as he moved to Nashville to perform alongside his idols.
Tyler grew up around the favored format through most of his young life, but it wasn’t until he heard one of Jason Aldean’s first big hits that he desired a life playing country music. Thanks to old-school social media, the newcomer connected himself to one of Aldean’s producers at the time and never looked back.
“I’ve always loved country music. I’ve always been a fan and I’ve always sang and stuff. I was around 13 years old and Jason Aldean came out with a song called ‘Hicktown.’ It was one of his first songs, and I really liked the sound. I got on MySpace and I found his producer, Michael Knox. I messaged his producer and was like, ‘Hey man, I really love the music you make and how you make the sound. I think we could make some good music together.’ He actually replied and was like, ‘Cool man, you ever play in Nashville?’ I was like, oh my gosh, what do I say? ‘Sure. Of course.’ I’d never been there,” Tyler recalled to Sounds Like Nashville during a recent interview. “Long story short, he started working with me back and forth, came to watch me play at Tootsies. Before you knew it, he was working with me, signed me with the publishing company he was working at. He worked with me for a long time. It’s been 10 years I’ve known him now. He showed me the ropes of the music industry and now I’m here.”
Although country music stayed his priority as he developed his sound, Tyler still threw in some influences from the pop and rock artists he heard on the radio. Anything from 90s punk to boy bands was game, and listeners can hear hints of each through Tyler’s catalogue.
“My sound—it’s not super country. It’s definitely Nashville new country. I grew up with all the influences. I grew up with Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Mel McDaniel, Backstreet Boys, John Mayer, NSYNC, early 2000s rock, 90s rock, Nirvana, all the punk bands. I kind of grew up with everything, but country music is the one that speaks to me in my life. It’s more relatable to me. When I sit down to write a song, it’s a country song and it kind of sounds like I had an influence of everything else. It’s a little bit of everything,” he explained.
After releasing full-length album inspired by his hometown back in March, Tyler’s plans for 2018 raise the bar another notch higher as he hopes to snag an opening spot on a major tour. The first name on his list of potentials? Aldean, of course, as if to create a full-circle moment for Tyler.
Fans can learn more about Tyler via his website and social media channels.
