When it comes to musical influences, Tyler Rich’s are pretty wide and varied.  First and foremost, Tyler says, “Garth Brooks, 100 percent, from a songwriting perspective, performing perspective, Garth.”

Another big influence, according to Tyler, “Michael Jackson, when I was a kid, I was obsessed with Michael Jackson. I used to watch his music videos like they were movies at my grandma’s house. I used to be like ‘Restart it!’ And she’s like, ‘I’ve seen Thriller 55 times.’  And I’m like, ‘Restart it!’”

George Strait definitely makes the list of big influences on Tyler, and from a more modern perspective, Tyler says everything Keith Urban does is inspiring to him.  “Everything Keith puts out, he’s like that perfect blend between pop and country, and what an artist, what a guitar player, what a showman,” says Tyler.  “I mean, he puts on a hell of a show.”

On top of all of that, throw in influences like George Strait, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, and even the California hip hop scene he grew up listening to, and Tyler says that would explain how his sound, like we hear in his debut single, “The Difference,” was shaped.

Tyler Rich – musical influences  :49

“Garth Brooks, 100 percent, from a songwriting perspective, performing perspective, Garth.  Michael Jackson, when I was a kid, I was obsessed with Michael Jackson. I used to watch his music videos like they were movies at my grandma’s house. I used to be like ‘Restart it!’ And she’s like, ‘I’ve seen Thriller 55 times.’  And I’m like, ‘Restart it!’ Michael Jackson and Garth Brooks. George [Strait] is obviously incredible. He started it all. Keith Urban really kills it for me. Everything Keith puts out, he’s like that perfect blend between pop and country, and what an artist, what a guitar player, what a showman. I mean, he puts on a hell of a show. Justin Timberlake, man, love Justin. Bruno Mars, incredible. I listen to a lot of hip hop. Love a lot of just honesty in hip hop. I came from Northern California, Bay Area, hip hop is such a huge thing we grew up with out there, and California in general, Dr. Dre and Tupac and all that.  And I just felt really lucky where I grew up that I had so many influences that have kind of led to what I’m doing today.