 Credit: Angela Murray
Georgia native Tyler Williams was reared in a household with parents that spun Marvin Gaye and Michael W. Smith, while Tyler and his brother were discovering Alan Jackson, George Strait, Boyz II Men & Mariah Carey. Leaning towards a career in entertainment, Tyler would capture a role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which he performed for two years at the ages of 11 and 12.
However, Williams changed direction and began a path to the NASCAR late model and sprint car racing series. After nearly a decade of milestones that would find him capturing his first victory lane among 15 year veterans during his fourth year as a driver and even finishing as the #2 ranking position in points in his series, he redirected his focus to music. This journey spawned a debut EP, Believe Again, and book, I Have a Voice, the inspirational and motivational look at the lessons he’s learned in the racing and music community. In January, Williams released his sophomore outing Good For Me and here answers his Essential 8 talking songwriting, his dream venue, who he'd love to collaborate with, and more. When/where do you do your best writing? Writing for me is less about when and where and more about who. The people I am writing with matter more than a time or location. I don’t enjoy late night sessions personally. But it would’t stop a song from coming to life. People matter over time and place. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? I write from a combination of places. I like pulling from authentic places but I also am a dreamer. Imagination is important. The song deserves your experience, your co-writers experiences. And sometimes that comes from what you hope for rather than what has been lived. What I love about writing is there is no right or wrong to the process. You work together to create a song that makes people feel something. What do you love most about being on the road? I love being at home, but on the road I am inspired by the adventure of seeing new places and meeting people along the way. Every day brings something new. I feel like I’m on an exploration when I am on the road. What’s your dream venue and why? I performed at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta as a kid. I think it would be special to have a homecoming show there. To see it all come full circle would be pretty amazing. Who would you love to collaborate with? I’ve always enjoyed Lee Brice’s records. To work with him would be great. Leon Bridges would be interesting. To sing with Danielle Bradberry would be fun as well. Hard to go with just one. Is drinking at gigs a positive or a negative? I don’t drink at all for shows. It does make it easier to push the nerves aside, but I don’t feel like I am as in touch with the audience. I want to be as present as I can be for them. But drinking at gigs works for others so not necessarily a positive or negative thing. Favorite (or first) concert you have ever attended? Favorite concert to date would have to be Little Big Town, Brett Eldredge and Brothers Osborne in Atlanta a couple years ago. All massively talented artists. Top to bottom a great show. Favorite thing to do on a day off? If I am home, I keep it simple and relax as much as possible. Binge some Netflix or read a book. If I am on the road and have a free day, I like to find a spot that has some great imagery. Could be a beach or a mountain landscape. Someplace that inspires me. Just be out in nature recharging. Is there a recent release you cannot stop listening to? Dark Horse - Devin Dawson Website Insta
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