Indie Connect Magazine

Indie Connect: Who is Tyson Bowman?

Tyson: I am an independent singer-songwriter. You might say I am a cross between Garth Brooks and Josh Turner.  I moved to Nashville in June of 2007 and I am in the planning/negotiation stages of my first full length album. 

Indie Connect: Tell me about your first single, “Rain On My Soul”. Did you write it?

Tyson:  Yes I co-wrote my first single “Rain On My Soul.” I originally wrote the song by myself while going to school at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Phoenix, AZ. Then I hooked up with with co-writers when I moved to Nashville, which produced the version song you hear now. At the time when I wrote the first version of the song I was feeling lost and lonely, and I needed something to renew me. The song is about me gaining a personal relationship with God, but it can be viewed from any spritual stand point. I picked “Rain On My Soul” as my first release because the words in the song are my real emotions. This song communicates a feeling of becoming whole, and I wanted to communicate this feeling of renewal to others.

Indie Connect: Did you write all of the songs that will be on this album?

Tyson: The album will have songs on it that I have co-written with Roy August (co-writer of “Fancy Free,” recorded by the Oak Ridge Boys), Judy Rodman (co-writer of LeAnn Rimes “One Way Ticket (Westbound Train)”), and Rand Bishop (co-writer of Toby Keith’s “My List). 

Indie Connect: How did you get to write with such established writers?

Tyson: All of these relationships and co-writes are the result of  the Nashville Indie Connect meetings.

Indie Connect: (I knew that. I just had to get in a plug in for Indie Connect!)  How would you describe the journey of releasing your first true, professional country CD?

Tyson: The experience itself is the most honest experience I have had since moving to Nashville.  No one can take away the things that I have learned on this journey.  I have failed many times, but I am blessed to have people around me that encourage me to keep going. 

Indie Connect: Is it tough being a newcomer in a town of 10s of thousands of aspiring artists?

Tyson: Being an up and coming artist in Nashville is an experience. It has taught me to appreciate other people and their backgrounds. It has helped me to become a more well rounded person.

Indie Connect: You weren’t always a country singer, were you?

Tyson: I grew up on country music; therefore, it has always been in my blood.  Hip-hop was something I did try to be popular in high school. But once I finished high school I realized who I was meant to be.  My hip-hop fans are quite surprised when they find out I am now singing and writing country.

Indie Connect: Why did you record a concept video so early in your career?

Tyson: We recorded a concept video because I met Ed Hardy, the President of GAC, at an Indie Connect meeting.  He said he would play it if the quality was good enough even though I am not on a major label.  Our plan is to have it be ‘breakthrough video of the year’ on GAC.

Indie Connect: You just came from CRS (Country Radio Seminar). Why did you participate and what was that like?

Tyson: My experience at CRS was another learning experience.  I met a lot of high powered people in this industry.  I chose to go because Pam Lewis with PLA Media encouraged me to go.  To prepare for it, Pam Lewis, Nicole Zeller, an intern and I spent time going over questions that the media (print, radio, etc.) may ask me.  I met industry people, took pictures with them, and did interviews with media outlets while I was there.  The response has been pretty good.  PLA Media is building my press kit, and lets me know when print and radio interviews that I have already done come in.

Indie Connect: Do you run your career alone?

Tyson: I have one intern that works for me.  I have found her through Craigslist.com.  Recently, PLA Media has done a lot of work for me as well.  

Indie Connect: What’s next? Do you plan on staying independent or are you seeking a record deal?

Tyson: May 1st is the release of my next single, “Diggin’ On A Country Girl”. The release of my first full length album will follow.  I plan on remaining an indepedent artist with a promotion/distribution deal. We as independent artists can do a lot by ourselves, but we need the help of an established corporation (record label, distibution company, etc.) in order to have the power of radio promotion and distribution for our products.

Indie Connect: Do you have any advice for aspiring artists planning  to visit or move to Nashville?

 Tyson: Ask God for guidance and strength, and take advice from others.

Tyson’s website is www.TysonBowman.com