"We all have dreams and aspirations; I used to make plans and I don't anymore. Life is happening now and if you don't go with what's happening today; how can you tell what may happen in the future? I just go with what comes along and it seems to be working at the moment," says the self made "Social Media Artist"Tyler Ward about his future plans as he embarks on his "Yellow Boxes Tour."
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 .
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS Alchemist & Barrister 28 Witherspoon Street Princeton (609) 924-5555 Thurs. 9 p.m. "Thursday Jazz" feat. Jim Popik Trio Sun. 9 p.m. (TBA) Wed. 8 p.m. Arnie Baird All shows 21+
Amalfi's Restaurant 146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville (609) 912-1599 Fri 8:30 p.m. Radio Fiction Sat. 8:30 p.m. No Way Out
Amarones Windsor Inn 29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144 Fri. 8 p.m. Gyrl Band Sat. 8 p.m. Rick & Kenny
Bill's Olde Tavern 2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton (609) 586-0192
Sun. 12 p.m. "Oktoberfest" w/ Radio Fiction
Blend Bar & Bistro 911 Highway 33, Hamilton (609) 245-8887 Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
The Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers St. Trenton Fri. 7 p.m. Mad Kings, Sad Lips, Chiaroscuro, Crosshead, The Growling Hounds. All ages, $10 Sat. 5 p.m. (TBA). All ages, $10
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic St. Trenton (609) 695-9612 Sat. 3 p.m. Lynn Riley Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chickie's & Pete's 183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown (609) 298-9182 Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
Dog & Bull Brew House 810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA. (215) 788-2855 Thurs. 8 p.m. Gypsy Mother Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Visoon. (9 p.m.) Mike Estabrook Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Good Time Folk Show Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz Duo (3 p.m.) Vic's Mix Mon. 8 p.m. Perry Wolfe Tues. 8 p.m. Brian Cono Wed. 8 p.m. Mia Johnson
Fran's Pub 116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA. (215)862-553 Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam All shows 21+
Halo Pub 4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square (609) 586-1811 Sat. 7 p.m. Joe Zook & Paul Plumeri
Havana New Hope 105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-9897 Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party Fri. 8 p.m. Jamison "Celtic Rock" Doors at 6 p.m., $15 Sat. 8:30 p.m. Schubby Buzzer Sun. 3 p.m. Ladies 2000 Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton (609) 888-1435 Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke Fri. 10 p.m. F2 & The Anchovy Brothers Sat. 10 p.m. Infinite Bandwidth Tues. 7:30 p.m. Teddy Z Memorial Jam All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-5981 Fri. 8 p.m. Billy Hector Sat. 3 p.m. Lincoln Durham. $10 (cover charge) Sun. 9 p.m. Stone Age Rhapsody Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Tim Tues. 9 p.m. Be ThisBell Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern 2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton (609) 586-2678 Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Millhill Basement 300 S. Broad Street Trenton (609) 989-1600 Sun. 7 p.m. Down By Law. $15 (advance) Wed. 9 p.m. ShellShag (Record Release), Brick Mower, The Groucho Marxists, Nervous Triggers, Weird Fantasy Band. $10
Palermo's Of Hamilton 310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton (609) 838-7979 Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing 1339 River Rd. Titusville (609) 737-2780 Fri. 7:30 p.m. Steve Bross Sat. 7:30 p.m. The Soul Kitchen Band
Pete's Steak House 523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton (609) 585-8008 Fri. 9:30 p.m. Crosswick Sat. 9:30 p.m. Deb & The Sons of Rock
Randy Now's Man Cave 134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown (609) 424-3766 Sun. 4 p.m. "Meet and Greet" w/ Dave Smalley & Down By Law
RHO Waterfront 50 Riverview Plaza Trenton (609) 393-7300 Thurs. 9 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Wessy Wes Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) The Soul Cruisers Sat. 10 p.m. "Money Over Emotion" w/ DJ Weswill / B-Day for Big Ooh and Fuzz. Ages 21+, dress code required, $25
Tavern On The Lake 101 Main St. Hightstown (609) 426-9345 Fri. 7:30 p.m. Jazz Night Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The HOB Tavern 146 Second Street (609) 291-7020 Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The Ivy Inn 248 Nassau St. Princeton (609) 921-8555 Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Darius Sat. 10 p.m. River Dogs Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv Wed. (8:30 p.m.) Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron
The Record Collector 358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown (609) 324-0880 Sat. 8 p.m. Michael Gallant Trio. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton (609) 439-0007 Fri. 9 p.m. Rhythm Wrangler Sat. 9 p.m. RiversBend
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton (609) 656-3200 Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton (609) 392-2554 Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Barniskis Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Taylor Reed All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz 702 Pine St. Trenton (609) 392-6000 Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat
Trenton Social 449 South Broad Street Trenton (609) 989-7777 Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Cinema Thursday Presents: (TBA) Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location) 400 Union Square New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-8300 Fri. 10 p.m. Dreams Of June. ($5 cover charge) Sat. 10 p.m. Nick D' & The Believers. ($5 cover charge) Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign ups 6:30 p.m.) Wed. 9 p.m. Sydney Eloise & The Palms All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn 2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock All shows 21+ Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled “Rock On Radio” airing Sunday evenings at 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
(AVENEL, NJ) -- The Avenel Performing Arts Center presents A Tribute to John Prine with Joe D’Urso & Friends on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 7:30pm. Artists scheduled to perform include The Ready For Prine Time Players: Gary Solomon, Loren Korevec, Chris Brown, Jake Thistle, Michelle Solomon, David Frye, Tim O'Donohue, and Joe D'Urso.
Nobody covers the Arts throughout the Garden State like New Jersey Stage!
Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.
