10 Questions with ... Tyler Boone

1. What are some words you would use to describe 2016 for you and your music? How is 2017 treating you so far?

2016 was definitely a growing year for myself and my music. I moved to Nashville the year prior and knew that the music I had released before then was just "decent" and was not going to make the cut to help further my career. I wrote and wrote forever and finally made my first EP in Nashville with the amazing producer Brandon Metcalf (Blues Traveler, Jewel, Augustana) and it was exactly what I was going for. It brought me to different levels I haven't been yet and I'm even more ready to hit the studio once again. 2017 is amazing, things are lining up and very excited to hit the road even more this year.

2. Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it?

I have Spotify running the new John Mayer "Search For Everything"

3. Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

When I was 14, I remember laying down on my bedroom floor with my cheap "Wal-Mart" guitar I got for Christmas rockin' out to Blink-182. Tom Delonge was the first guy to get me into guitar.

4. How has Nashville helped foster your sound and really who you are as a musician? How does Nashville compare to where you grew up in Charleston, SC?

Nashville ultimately does one thing for you. It brings you up to other levels you thought you couldn't hit musically both as a writer and performer. Everyone there is nothing but amazing, and if you can't keep up with them, then you better start working at it. Nashville and Charleston are very similar in my opinion with all the hard working musicians fighting the good fight for their next gig and Charleston taught me that but Nashville is grad school. You either keep up or get out. I love it.

5. Let's talk about your latest single, "Paper Wings." Where did the inspiration for it come from?

"Paper Wings" came from me diving deep into Ryan Adams' "1989" Taylor Swift cover album. It just came out and I was staying at my friend's Chris house in Nashville at the time and had nothing to do but write. It is obviously about a past relationship and it came out perfectly written onto paper. That rarely happens for any writer and when it does, you know you have something good.

6. What was it like shooting the video for it?

The video was a breeze: I shot it in two days with Dries Vandenberg (Human Resources and Susto) and it came out just how we wanted. I'm always hands-on with everything and I found the locations to shoot at and we just knocked it out. It was great.

7. You've opened for so many incredible artists. What was the most memorable experience doing that? Who would you love to open for again and again? Who would you love to open for you?

Sheryl Crow was pretty amazing, she was very kind and humbling. Old Crow Medicine Show was probably my favorite and it was so much fun. My family flew in for the show and all my friends in my college classes came out and we had a blast. I yelled "play Wagon Wheel" and everyone backstage gave me the death glare, but the guitarist leaned over, smiled and started the chords and everyone screamed ... it was pretty cool. They were regular dudes and it made it that much better. If I could open up for Buddy Guy, John Mayer, Gary Clark Jr, Eric Clapton, any of the blues icons, I could die happy.

8. Who are some of your all-time favorite artists?

John Mayer, Gary Clark Jr., Ryan Adams, Doyle Brahmhall II, Jimi Hendrix. I love the blues but also you have to love the songwriting. If the guitar is amazing, I'm there. I would love to work with some of those guys and even Butch Walker as a producer would be incredible.

9. At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people take away from your songs?

I hope people take away from it that I'm trying to make something authentic. I'm not trying to make what is exactly the most popular trend at the moment. Yes, as writers, we do intentionally do that sometimes but all of these songs came from a good place and I hope people can take something good from it. There is definitely a time-line with my music, being a young kid to a guy in his mid-to-late 20s.

10. Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

I'm a DIY musician and still have a long road ahead of me, and if you enjoy what you hear, I sure hope you can stick around for the long road ahead. Thank you for listening.

Interview by Leah Brungardt