Aiming for the big leagues

For some, country music isn't just a passion, it's a calling.

That's how it is for one of Innisfail's newest country singers, Tyler Friedel.

“I've been singing my whole life but I've been pursuing it seriously since my early 20s,” said Friedel. “For the last 10 years, I've been seriously pursuing this dream.”

The 32-year-old country rock singer finished recording his first single in early February.

“I go back down to the States in the middle of (March) to record the vocals. It's not ready to release on the radio yet, but it will be soon,” he said, adding that the single is being produced in California.

Friedel has been working with Upscale Records in California's Orange County for several months. He was introduced to them when he attended a talent showcase last year called the Big Talent Showcase, and this year was asked to host the event in February.

“I was flown down by Upscale Records and it was really fun,” he said. “It was nice to see the showcase from a different angle as host,” he added, noting he was invited to attend a pre-Grammy party, sponsored by Upscale Records, the weekend he hosted the talent showcase.

“It was a small get-together with a few celebrities a couple of days before the Grammys,” said Friedel. “I met Mario Lopez, Joey Fatone from 'N Sync and Corey Feldman.”

Friedel said his music can be described as country rock, and he is focusing on that genre of music. His first single, called Brought To Life will be his first professionally recorded song, he noted.

Although the song has not been released, it has received much positive feedback.

“It's not an easy industry to get your foot in the door, but now that I finally have, I feel like my steps are getting smaller,” said Friedel.

He hopes to have his first single released and playing on the radio later this year.

“My goal is time to have at least one song on the air by the summer,” Friedel concluded.

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