Takin’ A Walk Nashville: Tyler Nance on His Journey from Farmer to Music City Artist and Viral Sensation

8 min

•Dec 18, 20254 months ago

Summary

Tyler Nance, a Missouri native who transitioned from farming and welding to become a Nashville-based artist, discusses his viral success with "Bad News," his debut EP "Wasted Chances," and upcoming 17-track album releasing spring 2026. He shares insights on his songwriting process, collaborations with The Castelos, and upcoming tour dates supporting E and Munsix.

Insights

Career pivots driven by viral success: Tyler quit his welding job after securing a publishing deal with Platinum Grammar following "Bad News" going viral, demonstrating how social media momentum can accelerate music industry opportunities
Prolific songwriting approach: Tyler wrote 17 songs for his debut album by continuously capturing ideas from daily life (driving, showering, working), then collaborating with established writers to develop concepts into finished tracks
Authentic storytelling from blue-collar background: Tyler's welding and road-dogging experiences directly inform his songwriting, creating relatable narratives that resonate with audiences and differentiate his artistry
Strategic collaboration model: Working with established acts like The Castelos on remixes and securing support slots on major tours (E and Munsix 2026) represents a calculated approach to audience expansion and industry credibility

Trends

Viral-to-record-deal pipeline: Artists leveraging social media momentum to secure publishing and distribution deals within months of viral successExtended debut albums: New artists releasing 15+ track debut albums rather than traditional 10-12 track EPs, capitalizing on streaming economicsCross-genre influence in country music: Emerging country artists citing rock, Elvis, and old country as influences, blending multiple genres in songwritingCollaborative remix strategy: Artists re-recording existing songs with established collaborators to generate new content and cross-promote audiencesBlue-collar authenticity in country music: Artists leveraging working-class backgrounds (farming, welding) as core narrative elements in branding and songwriting2026 touring expansion: Emerging artists securing support slots on major tours 12+ months in advance, indicating strong label backing and booking confidence

Topics

Viral music success and social media momentumSongwriting process and creative developmentCareer transition from blue-collar work to musicPublishing deals and record label partnershipsCollaborative music production and remixesTour scheduling and live performance strategyCountry music genre influences and evolutionStreaming metrics and EP/album performanceArtist branding and authentic storytellingMusic industry timing and opportunity recognitionCMA Awards week activities and networkingDebut album production and release planningFan engagement and audience growth strategies

Companies

Santa Ana Alamo

Record label that signed Tyler Nance to his initial district deal before his viral breakthrough

Platinum Grammar

Publishing company that offered Tyler a publishing deal, which prompted his decision to move to Nashville full-time

Bermacola Studio

Recording studio where Tyler worked with The Castelos on the new version of "Keeps Me Sane"

People

Tyler Nance

Missouri-born artist and primary interview subject; viral success with "Bad News" and upcoming spring 2026 album debut

Sarah Herylson

Host of Takin' A Walk Nashville podcast; conducted the interview with Tyler Nance

Keith Willey

Cited by Tyler Nance as a major musical influence alongside Elvis and rock/country genres

Elvis

Rock and roll pioneer cited by Tyler Nance as a key influence on his writing and creativity

Justin Moore

Established country artist who has shared stages with Tyler Nance

Baker Blankenship

Artist who has shared stages with Tyler Nance in live performances

Quotes

"I was working in South Dakota at the time and I just signed my district deal with Santa Ana Alamo and then bad news blew up and whenever I came to Nashville for the first time and I flew back and then I was offered a publishing deal through platinum grammar and so I was like, well, might as well quit my job."

Tyler Nance•Early in interview

"I usually just try to at least go in every single time into a room with some sort of idea to write about and that's what the songs started, all started to be was just a thought. Thought while I was driving or in the shower and bed, you know, and then I just take it, take it to some great writers to help complete that thought."

Tyler Nance•Album discussion

"It was honestly pretty simple. I mean, I didn't recut vocals. They just came in to Bermacola studio and did their thing and worked their magic and they got done pretty quick and then next thing you know, we're doing a music video together for the song."

Tyler Nance•Castelos collaboration discussion

"I'm super excited to start getting in front of fans and also just, you know, growing my audience and listeners."

Tyler Nance•Tour discussion

Full Transcript

Hi everyone, this is Sarah Herylson, your host of Taking a Walk Nashville. And today I am here with Missouri Native and Nashville artist Tyler Nance. His first single, Bad News went viral last year and his debut EP Wasted Chances has amassed over 4 million streams. Today we are here at the creator studio in the Gulch area to talk about his new music and what's ahead. Tyler, thank you so much for being on Taking a Walk Nashville today. Thanks for having me. Yeah, so we have the CMA Awards tomorrow. So last night you were playing at Whiskey Jam. What else do you have going on during this crazy CMA week? Well, I played, keeps me sane or sane, keeps me sane with the Castelos last night at their Sky Deck appearance and then later Thursday I'll be playing Whiskey Jam at Derrick's Belize. Fans can definitely look forward to this Friday when they can hear the recording, new recording of Keeps Me Sane with the Castelos. So what was it like working with them on this new version of your song? It was honestly pretty simple. I mean, I didn't recut vocals. They just came in to Bermacola studio and did their thing and worked their magic and they got done pretty quick and then next thing you know, we're doing a music video together for the song. So it was a lot of fun. I think it's going to be a great mashup. I love the song and I can't wait to hear it. So let's talk about how you got started and music. You were raised in a small town as a fourth generation farmer and later employed as a welder before you made the move to pursue music full time in Nashville. So what made you fully made the decision to move to Nashville and just do music full time? So I was I was working in South Dakota at the time and I just signed my district deal with Santa Ana Alamo and then bad news blew up and whenever I came to Nashville for the first time and I flew back and then I was offered a publishing deal through platinum grammar and so I was like, well, might as well quit my job. So my 21st birthday I quit my job and moved back home for a couple months and then pulled my camper out to Franklin, Kentucky and stayed there for a little bit until I moved out to in Nashville. And welders have such early hours. So what has the transition been like from waking up so early to now playing late night gigs? I mean, it was kind of late nights and early mornings whenever I was, whenever I was welding but I mean, it's kind of the same sort of idea with music. I was playing last night with the castles and had to wake up at 5 o'clock this morning to 5.30 this morning to meet people with the radio. Yeah, yeah, and it's worth it for the dream, I'm sure. Yeah, and I mean, it's tiring but you just got to take it day by day and that's all you can do. Absolutely. And who have some of your influences been growing up? Keith Willey, Elvis, Rock and Roll Country, Old Country, all of those genres really influenced me with writing and my creativity? Yeah, that's definitely something I can hear in your music and you're currently working on your first full-length album. What has the process been like working on your new album? The reason, I mean, there's 17 songs on the album but that's because I've been writing like non-stop since I moved to this area and we were like trying to pick out which ones were the best and I have so many songs that I've written that were like, why not just make a 17 song album? What's might as well, I mean, we got the material so it's been pretty good. We've, well, I've been writing and in the studio in and out and working with these guys to make sure it's how I wanted to sound and yeah. Very cool. Will that be released next year? Yeah, next year in the spring. Nice. And you co-wrote or wrote all of the songs on the album? Yeah. I usually just try to at least go in every single time into a room with some sort of idea to write about and that's what the songs started, all started to be was just a thought. Thought while I was driving or in the shower and bed, you know, and then I just take it, take it to some great writers to help complete that thought, you know. Do you ever have song ideas from your welding experience? Oh yeah, yeah, no doubt. You know, like just talking about welding, but you know, a lot of my earlier written songs were a lot about working on the road and road dogging. Yeah. Yeah, very cool and very authentic. As far as touring, you have shared stages with Justin Moore, Baker Blankenship and now you're going to be support on E and Munsix upcoming tour in 2026. Are you excited to go on the road next year? I'm super excited to start getting in front of fans and also just, you know, growing my audience and listeners. Is there a certain stop you're looking most forward to or just the whole tour? I'm looking forward to mostly just the whole tour, like the some of the locations I've never been and I've been looking forward to seeing that in my life. So. Well, fans can purchase tickets now for your 2026 tour and look forward to your new album. Since we are on Take a Walk Nashville, I always love to ask my guests this question. Tyler, do you have a favorite place you like to take a walk in Nashville or just a favorite place in Nashville to visit? It's like near Franklin. Like the downtown Franklin area? Yeah. I mean, that area is pretty and I just, wherever there's nature, just walk around there. Yeah, there's so many great parks in Franklin too. There are, there's just, it's a pretty area in general, you know? Yeah. Well, is the music video, the full music video for Keeps Me Saying is that coming out on Friday as well? Yep. Same, same time as the song drops, I believe so. Wonderful. Well, we are looking forward to hearing the new version with the Castelows. Tyler, I hope you have a great week with the CMA Awards. We're looking forward for everything that's ahead for you in 2026. Thank you so much for being on Take a Walk Nashville today. Thank you for having me. Yeah. Thanks for listening to Take a Walk Nashville with singer-songwriter Sarah Harrelson. And check out our other podcasts. Music save me, comedy save me, and Take a Walk. Available on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an I Heart Podcast. Guaranteed Human.