To understand the significance of "Self made" and "Social media," one must get a bit of background on this young super talent. Born and raised in Colorado, Ward chose music after a series of misfortunes in his athletic career and he credits his father, who imposed a time limit, for playing a large part in his success. This chain of events and some brilliant marketing on his part; catapulted Ward into the limelight. "Yeah, I grew up in Colorado around the Parker, Aurora areas; Denver too. Originally I was thinking of joining the Air Force so I spent a semester there and then onto another college and I played football. After a couple of concussions I decided to try and do something else and started playing guitar. My dad was very cool about it all; he made me an offer. He said, "I'll let you move in here with me. You've got two years to make this music thing work; after that you need to get a real job." So I went out and got a regular gig at a place and started doing really well and I thought; hey I can make this work. In 2010, the "Winter Olympics" were held out here and I'd heard that a bunch of artists were getting together to remake "We Are The World;" so I got together a bunch of my friends and decided to do a cover version of it and I posted it on YouTube. I posted it within hours before theirs hit and mine was actually right below theirs! Every time theirs was searched, mine popped up as well and the views skyrocketed. So I continued to do that with songs and video posts and the next thing I know I have this great following; all done through YouTube and social media." 

 

YouTube took notice; awarding him with the distinction of being one of the "2015 YouTube  Awards Top 50 Artists to Watch." On the strength of the award and his recent disc, Tyler has been receiving collaboration offers from industry heavyweights such as Jason Mraz, Earth Wind and Fire and Jason Derulo ; something he finds quite humorous. "People keep reaching out to me and asking, "Will you work with my client?" he stated with a hearty laugh. "Earth Wind and Fire; to be able to do a song with them and be in on the production, I mean, they're legendary, it was like, are you kidding? I am still just amazed; it's a great feeling." 

 

"Yellow Boxes Part One" is a 19 track effort which Ward feels is all about the changes that he's made and about moving on; hence the yellow boxes. He says that there will be a "Part Two," tentatively scheduled for a January 2016 release but he's enjoying the moments that "Part One" is producing. "Yeah, it's been a real ah moment," he explained in reflective tones. "Since I started this, I've done everything advised to me. I couldn't make decisions on my own and I fell into some bad habits; started drinking and what not. I realized before it was too late that it needed to change, so this CD is really my story. I did this myself, no producer and it is 100 percent authentic; it's my story of what's happened to me over the last year." 

 

Ward says he, "Used to be formulaic" in his songwriting but that has all changed as he gains more experience and perspective. "I didn't want to be cookie cutter like," he said again with a slight chuckle. "I've used skills that I've learned from Nashville songwriters and watching and learning from others. Now, it's just as it is. I used to sit down and write and try and force things at times but not any more. Songs can hit me at any moment, I used my phone memo app or write ideas and lyrics and melodies down. Some songs take 15 minutes, some a year; it's kind of wherever I am at the time I go with it." 

 

So far the tour is only ten dates young and with a stop in Asbury Park, NJ tonight at the Wonder Bar located on the corner of Ocean and Fifth Avenues; the good vibe that Ward sends out is sure to continue. "We're only ten dates in with a couple of months to go but so far this is the best tour yet. The connection with the audiences so far is the best I've ever experienced. My shows have become kind of like a conversation because the sets seem to go in different directions. I try to stick to my set list but the variations wind up making the show for me. Interacting with the people is the best and when they come up to me after a concert and say, "This is the best concert I've ever seen," well that cements it for me; what I'm doing is working." 

 

Ward takes the stage at 8 p.m. EST tonight in a great seaside venue; big enough to feel like a concert, yet small enough to be intimate. To discover more about Tyler Ward, please go to www.tylerwardmusic.com.

 

A quick side note; The Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, NJ has just announced that film star and living legend Sophia Loren will be coming to town for one night and one night only on March 17 2016 for a discussion and audience Q & A. Tickets for this unique and possibly one time only event go on sale tomorrow October 9. To purchase tickets, please go to www.countbasietheater.org .