20 Questions Thursday! Tyler Barham!

So normally I post my 20 questions on Tuesdays. But I was so excited about this one that I couldn't 

wait to post this one!
(okay so this one ended up having 22 questions because I can't count properly! Enjoy!)

I hope you all enjoy my interview with Tyler Barham!

1.Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Well I was born under the big sky of Montana and started singing when I was nine being introduced to Country music in my early years by my parents. That Country spark stuck with me throughout the years. In my early teens, I enjoyed singing as much as I was able to and had a lot of fun competing in various talent competitions in and around Montana. In High School I enjoyed sports such as Basketball, Track, and even was in a Bowling League for 2 years…nerdy I know lol. And music is not only what I sing, but what I love to listen to. All different genres can be found on my ipod. It’s just such a fascinating form of art to me and will always be a part of me no matter what.

2.How did you get started in music?

I got started in music by just singing along with songs in the back seat as a little kid and my parents took notice to my voice and saw that I had a passion for singing. Following that came the competitions and talent shows. I enjoyed performing and took every opportunity I could to share my voice and music with others.

 3.When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?


I realized I wanted to pursue a career the minute I started performing. I enjoyed sharing my voice with the world and not letting my talent go to waste. I just had such a strong passion for it. It was a hobby, an escape, a dream…just so many different things to me. Singing was my life and it just felt right. It’s what I saw myself doing forever regardless of the outcome…whether it became a career or not. It’s that moment that you feel like you’ve found the exact thing that you were put on this earth to do. I believe I was meant to sing. And through that came the ability to inspire others to chase their dreams no matter where they come from or what they were given. I love that aspect of being a singer. Being able to entertain and inspire others.

4. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Some of my biggest musical influences are Garth Brooks first of all as well as Randy Travis because I grew up listening to them in my earlier years, and they definitely inspired me in a lot of different ways. They are completely two different artists, but my mind and ears were always open to so many different styles. Guitar wise it’d have to be Keith Urban and surprisingly even John Mayer. They are very talented artists as well as musicians. I hope to someday be half as good as them on the guitar lol. Taylor Swift is another influence girl wise because she is such a talented song writer and very impressive to excel in chasing her dream and reaching it at such a young age. These are all artists that inspire and influence me.

5. Who would you love to tour with?
If I were to tour with somebody, at this moment it would either be Luke Bryan or Taylor Swift. They just seem like such energized entertainers as well as fun people to be around. It’d just be an all-around successful tour with a lot of exciting experiences and adventures along the way!

6. Who would you to do a duet with?

Duet wise I think it’d be a blast to record with Taylor Swift. She’s my age and has grown so much as a singer, artist, and songwriter. It’d be even better to be able to co-write the duet with her first, and then record it. I’ve never actually done a duet before and I think it’d be an awesome experience. Plus I believe it would just turn out to be a really great song with her writing ability and combining our voices. Who knows? Maybe the future will present this opportunity. So Taylor, if you’re reading this, please consider it haha.

7. Can you describe your music in 5 words? 

Modern, Classic, Country, Vocal, Pop. I believe my music is more Modern Country, but has a hint of Classic to it as well as has the ability to be a cross-over of Country Pop. It also has a strong vocal sense to it. That’s a tough question as well haha, but the best way I can describe it.

8. I read that you recently moved to Nashville, is that true? What's that like? 

 I lived in Nashville for a few months to get a feel for it as well as record a new EP. It was definitely different compared to where I grew up which is the open Country of Montana. Nashville was big and city like, but there was always something going on and it had so many influential people I was able to meet. It was a fun place and definitely somewhere I could see myself living in the future

9. If you weren't pursuing a music career what do you think you'd be doing?

If I wasn’t pursuing a music career, I’d probably have to say being a professional blimp driver would be my next dream….totally joking haha. Nothing against blimp drivers of course. We all have our plan and dreams of why we’re here. Ummmm..that’s actually a tough question. Singing has just always been my dream and I’ve never been able to think of a backup plan. I find that I’m good with computers and enjoy being on them so perhaps a profession in that sense, but I’m just hoping I won’t need a backup plan. Singing has always been my dream and what I love to do. What’s better than making a career and life out of what you love to do?

10. What 5 things could you not live without?

I couldn’t live without my Family first of all. They are everything to me and have always been there for me to encourage me and love me no matter what. Then comes my friends and supporters. I wouldn’t be anywhere without each and every one of them. Then of course comes the materialistic things such as my ipod and cell phone haha, after all we are the technology day of age.

11. Which music artist, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be?

If I were to be a different artist, I think I’d want to go outside of the box a little, to a different genre and say John Mayer or James Morrison…that type of genre because it’s very soulful and different. I love that kind of bluesy singer songwriter style. Country wise I’d have to say Chris Young currently. He’s got such a great voice and I seem to love all of his songs as well as the messages and stories they contain.

12. What has been your favorite moment in your career so far?

It’s hard to pick out a number one favorite moment in my career. I don’t know if I can choose just one. There are many that have really left me feeling accomplished and felt as if I was dreaming. I believe that the journey and adventure is all about each step along the way and everything you accomplish or experience. There’s just too many to count. One of the main ones that sticks out is being able to record my own songs…or just being able to record in general. I never dreamed that moment would come where I’d have my own songs to sing and share with the world. Thanks to John Griffin and Dave Flint, my two producers and trusting friends (which are very tough to find in this business and industry), I wouldn’t have been able to fulfill that dream of mine. Thank you to both of you for guiding me and finding me as well. I’ve been very blessed how the pieces to the puzzle have all fallen into place the way they have.

13. Do you have a particular song that you are more proud of than others?

I’d have to say “17 & Young” is my personal favorite and the one that I’m most proud of. It was the very first song I ever wrote, well co-wrote with the help of John Griffin of course. It just speaks to me and reminds me so much of high school and being young. It has such a true message that I feel a lot of listeners can relate to. Everybody was 17 & Young once and It will always be my favorite because it’s what started off my original songs. One of the best feelings is to be a co-writer on a song and be a part of what you’re singing about. You’re not only the storyteller, but also the person who wrote the story and even sometimes lived it.

14. what are your top five all time favorite albums?

Ohhhhhh that’s such a tough question. Questions like that are so hard to choose. It’s like being asked what your favorite song is or favorite movie. There are so many amazing ones out there, you can’t choose just one…or five haha. All I know is that I really enjoy Chris Young’s new album “Neon”, David Nail’s new album “The Sound of a Million Dreams”, both of James Morrison’s albums, andddddd quite a few of Luke Bryan’s albums as well. The classics and favorites for me though are of course the Randy Travis Live CD that I have and pretty much every Garth Brooks album I’ve heard.

15. You write your own music, where does that inspiration come from?

I co-write a lot of my own songs and the inspiration comes from the heart. It’s wanting to tell a story to the listener of the song, of something I may have experienced, or even something that somebody else may have experienced. There are just so many amazing stories out there to be told and through music is one of the most fascinating and creative ways you can do that.

16. Are you a pesimist or an optimist?

I’m definitely without a doubt an Optimist, always. No matter what comes my way. Even if bad things happen to someone else, I always try and help them out and explain things in a positive way. The positive aspects of their life, because there are so many things that we don’t think about that we should be thankful for. The positives get hidden by the negatives that overtake us. So many people have mentioned to me that they enjoy that I’m such an optimist and help them stay positive. I enjoy looking at life in the best way possible. It’s all about perspective. 

17. Can you tell us a little about your experience on The Next GAC Star? Is there anything you'd go back and do differently?

I try and live with no regrets, or as little as possible at least. That was such an amazing experience since I was only 18 and the youngest on the show. I didn’t expect to make it that far and I learned so much from that competition. I came back from it knowing I wanted to start writing songs and learning to play the guitar as well. In fact John Griffin, my producer, was the very person who told me about that competition. That is how we met and how I was able to start writing and record in Nashville. That is what I meant earlier by the pieces of the puzzle falling into place because after that competition I didn’t know my next move, then I got back in touch with John when sifting through my inbox trying to find the person that told me about it. I contacted him and we started co-writing songs over Skype. That competition has been one of my favorite accomplishments as well as memories of my career.

18. What are your tour plans?

Currently, I don’t have any tour plans, but hopefully the future will bring that following getting signed. With getting signed, my dream, comes getting a band and hopefully going on tour at some point. For right now I’m playing gigs around Montana and gaining listeners and supporters. Singing gigs are fun and help me gain a lot of experience.

19. What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear has to be not reaching my dream. So many people believe in me and are following my journey as well, right alongside me and to think that there’s that chance of me not making it and letting them down in a sense as well scares me. I want to make it and show others that it is possible. I want to be an example and proof that dreams come true. Only the future will tell if I do make it, but I try not to have it as a fear so much. I try and stay positive and optimistic and look at it in the sense that I’ve already made it in so many ways and have been able to share my voice with the world and inspire others so I am thankful in every aspect.

20.When your on stage performing, what is your favorite part about that?
My favorite part about performing on stage is probably feeling the song and just seeing the crowd’s reaction. Seeing them enjoy the performance gets me pumped and just makes me excited about continuing to sing. I enjoy the entertainment part of it and interacting with the listeners through the songs.

21. What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue a career in music?
It’s definitely a tough business to get into it as well as to excel in, but anything is truly possible. I would’ve never dreamed of coming as far as I have, but working at it and practicing has made it easier, and not to mention having the most amazing support from everybody that I could’ve asked for has helped more than I could ever say. I would definitely encourage them to give it their all and chase it no matter what if they have a passion for it. It’s cliché to say but practice, practice, practice. Putting in your time as well as singing whenever you can to others helps you gain experience as well as builds a fanbase. YouTube has helped me so much in that sense. We have so many technology advances in this day of age and you can use them to your advantage without having to travel. I don’t have as much advice to give as I wish, because I’m still learning every step along the way, but I encourage anyone to chase their dreams. Period.

22. What can we expect next from you?

There’s a lot of things to consider when trying to plan for what’s next to come, but I do know there will be more music. I’m gonna keep putting out more music that people can listen to and hopefully enjoy. More originals, more covers on YouTube, and more of chasing this dream with all of the amazing support I’ve had over the years, right by my side. Thank you all for supporting me and sharing my music with others. It helps out so much. I wouldn’t be here without you. And thank you for doing this interview with me!

Thanks so much for reading everyone! I loved doing this interview!    I hope you all enjoyed it! Please make sure to go follow Tyler on Facebook (which is where i snagged all these pictures from. His website wouldnt let me snag any!) Twitter, YouTube and of course his website!

 O and one more thing! Tyler is in a contest for Honky Tonk TV! CLICK HERE and vote for him! Please! Vote a lot! Tell your friends!