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10 Questions with ... Tyler Boone
August 19, 2019
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1. What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them?
I think 2019 has been my best year yet! So much going on and it's incredible. My goals this year are to keep growing my music to both radio and Spotify, while also growing my liquor brand "Boone's Bourbon" to all over the country, with touring all throughout the year. My Spotify now has 70-80,000 monthly listeners and the title track is my second single to go to radio off my Jealousy EP.
My bourbon brand is going great too; we just landed Costco, BJ's Wholesale and Canada! I'll also be launching "Boone's Bourbon IPA" to pair with the bourbon at the end of the year. All exciting stuff.
2. Growing up, how important was music in your life?
Music was and still is my top priority. I remember sitting in my bedroom blasting Blink-182 while reading all the guitar-tab books I just bought at the mall and thinking I wanted to just be like Tom DeLonge. Later, it was Metallica, then Jimi Hendrix to then John Mayer. I love everything about the guitar, and it will always be my first love. It wasn't a hard decision to make; I knew it was what I wanted to do, the hard part was figuring out how to make it a living and I am extremely grateful it's how I make a living now.
3. Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else?
I thought for a quick second after I graduated college that I would work a tech job and do music on the side but that ended quickly. I was asked to go back on tour and to play a new kind of TV show in New York as the musician/artist for an episode. Afterward, I immediately walked up to my boss that day and walked out. Most "Rock N Roll" thing I ever did and will always love telling that story.
4. What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career?
The biggest surprise is when you finally see people responding to your music, singing the lyrics ... that was the biggest surprise. But the unexpected challenge was managing myself from the beginning. I had an incredible manager when I was just starting out and unfortunately, even though he is no longer with us, I learned a lot from it and will always be appreciative of the experience from this man taught me. His name was Johnny Diamond ... he ruled.
5. Let's talk about your newest song, "Jealousy." What was the inspiration for it?
The inception of my EP Jealousy began back in 2016 after I performed at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, DE. The band I brought to perform is the same group of musicians I brought in to record and write the five songs on this record. The self-titled track, "Jealousy," was just two simple chords, but after bringing it to the band it transformed into a very dynamic track with both a clean and heavy riff that ends up being one of my tunes on the EP. There is a video of the song in the works and it will be released soon.
6. What initially gave you the idea to start making your own bourbon? What has it been like being a part of that world as well as music?
I decided to start my "Boone's Bourbon" company back in 2015 when I was in talks with a very high-profile Country manager in Nashville. During this time, I was having meetings with tons of agents, talent buyers and others, and the idea to cultivate a spirit with my name on it began. It took years to get the funds but three years later, we finally released it and now it's taken a life of its own.
7. Have you been doing much touring?
We just wrapped up our Seven Sons Tour with Uncle Duane's Band all over the Southeast. It was hands-down one of the coolest experiences playing with so many incredible musicians. We had Dennis McNally (Grateful Dead's publicist) running PR for this tour and we had our sprinter van wrapped in "Boone's Bourbon" -- it was the coolest thing ever. I will be doing a farewell show on August 15th at the Charleston Pour House and then I am relocating to California.
8. How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started singing and writing songs?
I've grown in confidence in my writing and most definitely a much stronger singer. Being a full-time musician gives you more time to grow and I'm extremely grateful for it.
9. Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music?
Guitar players are always my "go-to" for inspiration such as Jimi Hendrix, Gary Clark Jr., John Mayer, Doyle Bramhall II ... but more recently Americana/Folk songwriters Donovan Woods and Ruston Kelly have been my favorite writers. If I could work with one of these guys on a record, I'd be totally stoked.
10. At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?
I hope people can find it honest and cool in its own right. Sometimes artists want to fit in with what's "hip," but I just want mine to sit in its own universe where people can enjoy it.
Interview by Leah Brungradt
Photo by Gee Peralta -
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