9 months ago
In the midst of recording an album in Florida and after performing across the country from New York to the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Tony Tyler found time to stop by our studio for a visit - and remind us what Macon music is all about.
Tyler's been on Scene 13 before...a couple of times actually. But when our local musicians really start to make a name for themselves - we want to keep track. And let me tell you, there are a lot of exciting things happening around this Dublin-born Macon guy.
For instance, just last month, Tyler opened for the Academy of Country Music Awards after party in Las Vegas. Though he hung out with Carrot Top (and had a great time, mind you), he also rocked the same stage as Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.
When he was on tour with Michael Allman (son of Greg Allman) under the guise of the Allman Tyler Band, the group dropped by Hound & Dog Studios in Sarasota, Florida for a rehearsal. A man by the name of George Wallace, Jr. happened to be in the studio at the time and was - naturally - impressed by what he heard. If you don't know, Wallace is the son of George Wallace, Sr. of Alabama - the one who ran for president.
Now, with Wallace's support, Tyler is down in Florida working on his solo album with Grammy board member Dell Couch. He's also looking forward to working with a couple of well-known music vets on this new album - Rick Derringer and Donald "Duck" Dunn.
But as big as Tony Tyler gets, one thing's for sure - for him, it'll always be about the music. Asked if there was one thing he would want people to know about him, he replied, "Anybody who's trying to do anything in music, you don't have to dirty up your nose. You don't have to drink, you don't have to do drugs, you don't have to do the whole groupie thing. Just keep your eyes on the prize and make music. A lot of people squander their talents by becoming immersed in that whole scene and it's nothing but a scene. The music is what it's really all about."
Check out more of Tony's interview in the video to the right. He'll be blogging on his MySpace page while he's recording in the studio. Visit www.myspace.com/tonytyler2 to find out what's happening.
