Biography
"Country Singer Ty Nelson: Right On Track."In December 2005, Reader's Digest magazine described Ty Nelson as a "Garth Brooks-styled country singer." But baby-boomers might say Ty reminds them of another wholesome guitar-playing talent with striking looks and the same surname—Ricky Nelson, a singing-songwriting star of the 1960s. Although there are similarities between the two Nelsons, such as hailing from a close-knit Southern California family, possessing a distinctive baritone voice, and attracting young teen female fans, make no mistake: Ty Nelson, 21, is a contemporary performer with a promising future. And with the 2008 release of his latest album, "Last Look Back," his career seems right on track.Nelson's new album includes 11 songs, ranging from ballads to country-rock. It features a number of well-known Nashville studio musicians and was produced by Julian King, an engineer who has worked with artists such as Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.Musician, composer ("Everybody Loves Raymond") and producer Rick Marotta comments on Ty Nelson's talent and potential:"It's not often in my career that I come across the kind of musical artist I see in Ty Nelson. He is more than a singer/songwriter/performer. Ty has that rare quality that will make him a star. He writes about life with insight and maturity far beyond his years. He has the talent to deliver brilliantly in a style all his own. I've been a fan of Ty Nelson from the first day I saw him strum a guitar and sing. His latest album shows how he has grown as an artist, and I know he is bound for success."Despite such heady praise, Ty Nelson remains a humble individual who speaks of his Christian faith and the power of music to lift people's spirits. He sees his songs as a means of connecting with those who are looking for inspiration. As a young teen, Nelson performed at dozens of concerts for veterans and military organizations, including events in VA hospitals, in Memorial Day parades, and on the deck of aircraft carriers. As noted in a May 2005 ("Fresh Voices") profile in Parade Magazine, Nelson has donated proceeds from his work to the Fallen Heroes Fund, which supports military families. He has also helped raise funds with his performances for charitable causes, such as the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross and the Feed the Children campaign.Nelson, who began singing gospel music in church at age 6, is a skilled guitarist and pianist who dreams of performing at the Grand Ole Opry. He started writing songs in June 2005, when his older brother, Jonathan, died from lung cancer at age 18. His brother's death has continued to inspire Ty: "Living through that experience has taught me so much about life, love and faith. It means the world to me to, in a small way, do something like this in memory of my brother." The "something" is the naming of his record label—JonStar Records in honor of his late brother, Jonathan. Family is a vital thread in Nelson's life, and he speaks warmly of his parents, Paul and Sandy, and his triplet brother, Scott, and sister, Whitney. Ty is the oldest of the triplets by one minute, a fact he highlights with a smile.According to his co-workers at American Airlines in Nashville, where Ty is employed as an agent, behind the counter, on the floor and on the ramp (handling baggage), he has a warm, outgoing personality, combined with a strong work ethic."Ty is very energetic, always on the go," said Terri Baker, general manager, American Airlines."This young man has exceeded all expectations," said Andy Grubbs, lead agent for American Airlines in Nashville, who hired Nelson in 2007 and has become a fan of his musical talent. "Ty has everything needed for success. He's the total package."Harry McCarthy is Nelson's manager. He befriended Nelson and his father seven years ago while on an American Airlines flight. McCarthy, a 30-year veteran of the music industry and owner-operator of Drum Paradise Nashville, Inc., has helped nurture Nelson's talent while guiding his career. McCarthy is considered the premiere drum technician in the industry, working with major touring acts such as Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young."Ty is an emerging country singing star," McCarthy said. "People in Nashville and across the country are talking about his talent and potential."It appears the sky is indeed the limit for this emerging artist.Written by Mark Masse
Click here to buy your copy of Ty's new album, Last Look Back
