Thursday rolls around once again (it seems to happen every week now) and as we love to do on this day of the week, we again present another of Nashville's great unsigned or independent label artist who are fighting to make their name in Music City. Today, an artist who has already proven himself a talented songwriter, having penned songs for several top name artists, including a recent #1 hit for Dierks Bentley.

photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/pg/MichaelTylerArtistSongwriter/photos/
photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/pg/MichaelTylerArtistSongwriter/photos/
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When Michael Tyler (Spragg) first hit Nashville five years ago, the first question to cross people's mind was "why isn't this kid in school today?" Tyler began making contacts in Nashville at just 13 years old; and when he showed up in Music City, he hit the ground running, a teenager with guitar in hand, having to explain his youth to promoters and other writers.

Born and raised in Thayer, Missouri, a little town of about 2,000 people, just across the Arkansas state line in south east Missouri, Tyler inherited the gift of music from his mother, who managed several local acts while Michael was growing up. His grandfather and uncle would form jam sessions with other area musicians. By the time he was in 5th grade, the youngster was sitting in with them. He discovered country music thanks to his uncle, who exposed him to Alabama, Johnny Cash and other classic artists during his formative years.

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Tyler dove in head first, intently mastering the guitar, and beginning to write his own songs. By the time he was 13, the youngster made contact with Jason Aldean's producer, Mike Knox, who, against all odds, invited the burgeoning singer and songwriter to come to Nashville for a meeting. Tyler soon found himself on the stage of the famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, the fabled country music venue in Music City, where he performed an entire set of Jason Aldean covers, along with a few of his own songs. Tyler & Knox's paths crossed that night, and the impressed producer encouraged the youngster to send him a new song every month. Knox would develop as a mentor to Tyler, who moved to Nashville full-time when he was just 17.

Michael made quick, positive impressions when he arrived in music city. Knox took one of his songs to Aldean, who would record the Tyler penned "Laid Back", which was included on Aldean's 2014 album Old Boots, New Dirt. From there, another Tyler piece, "Somewhere On A Beach" found its way to Dierks Bentley, who recorded the track for his current album Black. It would be released as the album's lead single, and would spend two weeks at the top of the country singles chart in May of 2016.

photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/pg/MichaelTylerArtistSongwriter/photos/
photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/pg/MichaelTylerArtistSongwriter/photos/
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Soon after his chart topping success, Tyler would release his debut album 317, named after the area code of his south-east Missouri hometown, and the second single from the album is in our spotlight today. Brought to you by All American Super Car Wash of Lawton, Michael Tyler and "Hey Mama" is our Unsigned/Indy Artist Thursday Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.

Text today’s key word to 580 353-1013, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card from All American Super Car Wash of Lawton, presenting the Catch of the Day on Oklahoma’s Best Country KLAW101.

Today’s Key Word: “INDY”

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