// INTERVIEW
Taking a look at Tyler Hilton-centralpointsun.com
It's rare these days you find an artist loaded with enough talent to make you say ?wow!?.
Barely 21, Tyler Hilton has already written and recorded two CDs, performed just about anywhere you can point on a globe, scored himself a part on the popular television series, One Tree Hill, and is now enjoying the success of his new hit single, ?When It Comes? off his CD The Tracks Of. When we found Tyler, he was performing in California at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, opening for the Goo Goo Dolls the night of December 30th, 2004. After bounding on stage and starting right into his first number, it was hard to believe this was just one young man and one guitar entertaining a huge audience. His strong voice, sense of humor and catchy songs were more than enough to capture everyone's attention, and make those not familiar with Tyler's music take a much closer look at this talented singer and songwriter.
Fiddling with his guitar's tuning pegs, Tyler jokes that he can never keep his guitar in tune. Just before his 4th number, one slightly inebriated member of the audience yells out "Who are you?" Tyler stops, looks out at the audience and says with a laugh, "Oh yeah...you guys are probably out there thinking, 'Oh - that's just that Ryan Cabrera fella'." His humbleness makes you forget how far he's come in 21 years, but it's hard to mistake true talent when you see it. His quick wit and contagious laugh have you enjoying his performance whether he's singing or not. But when he does sing, for Tyler, it's from the heart. Tyler says, "When you hear a song being sung by the person who wrote it, you know that each song is a little personal moment. It's extra elating to know that people like what I do."
Meeting Tyler after his show, it was easy to see why it didn?t take long for record producers and Hollywood to sit up and take notice of this talented rising star. From the thousands of fans visiting Tyler's website, his upcoming film role playing Elvis Presley, and the recognition he's receiving for his music including recent performances on MTV's TRL and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, we think Tyler has no problem getting people to love what he does.
Here is the CPS interview with Tyler Hilton, our featured artist for March, 2005
CPS - What a great show you performed at the Pechanga Resort and Casino! How did it feel opening for the Goo Goo Dolls?
I felt like a hero and flattered! My sister is a huge fan, as am I, so I got the chance to milk being the cool older brother!
CPS - Between shootings for One Tree Hill and promoting your CD, The Tracks Of, how do you find time to relax and enjoy some time to yourself?
Playing music and being on One Tree Hill is enjoying myself. I don't know what to do with my down time because my hobbies are my work.
CPS - It seems you draw from everyday experiences in your life when writing music. Is there anything in particular that seems to inspire you, like listening to music, girlfriend, friends, all of the above?
The things that get me excited about life are the things I end up writing songs about. Love, traveling, general excitement or depression, goosebumps.....
CPS - You seem to get compared a lot to Ryan Cabrera and John Mayer. How does that make you feel?
Sometimes defensive, sometimes honored. It's nice to be compared to musicians that have done really well, but the human in me always instinctually wants to say, 'Well, we are pretty different if you really listen.'
CPS - How long did it take to write the songs for The Tracks Of?
There was no time set aside to write the album. I write as I go for no particular album, just to write. We went through all the songs I had written since my independent album had come out in 2000 and picked which ones we thought would fit "The Tracks Of" the best. The oldest one was written in '00 and the newest one was written while recording the album in '03.
CPS - Are you working on new songs for another CD?
Always. Just writing as I go...
CPS - Watching you in Temecula, California, you have a great sense of humor and awesome stage presence, and yet you seem so humbled when performing. Do you feel a sense of awe at having a CD and a single receiving airplay? Is it feeling a little surreal?
Yes and yes! When you hear a song being sung by the person who wrote it, you know that each song is a little personal moment. It's extra elating to know that people like what I do. I mean, I never wrote these songs thinking, "Oh man, people will love these!" You never know - so it's been great.
CPS - What so far is the highlight of your musical career?
Playing on TRL and having all the friends in my band there, the team of people that have been helping me along, my dad and Vickey (my managers) and knowing that the rest of my family was at home watching. Amazing...it was my pinnacle!
CPS - Can we expect to see a lot more of you on One Tree Hill?
A lot more? I'm not sure. Some more? You know it!
CPS - Do you have any special TV projects or movies in the works?
"Walk the Line" is coming out November 18th [2005]. I'm really stoked about it. It's about Johnny Cash and June Carter and it's freakin' rivoting! I love it. I play Elvis Presley in it, which was an experience, let me tell you!
CPS - A few burning questions from your fans: What's your favorite color, candy and food?
Blue......Snickers (but I'm good about saying no)......meatloaf.
CPS - Do you collect anything?
Zippo lighters
CPS - On One Tree Hill, your character is..hmmm, what's the word? Mean? It must be hard to play a character like him because you're so nice!
I know [of] people like Chris Keller. Everyone does. It's been nice playing him because I've gotten [inside] the head a little of someone like that. There's always a reason people are the way they are. No one's rude just to be rude. We shall see what will become of Chris! I fear it's not over yet!
CPS - Will you be heading to Southern Oregon anytime soon?
Oh, I'm sure! I might have just been there....the only thing I've come to count on is that I will be around again. No matter where you live, just sit tight, I'm on my way around again!
