Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tyson Leslie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Tyson thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Since about 2000, I made a point to find a way to make my income solely through music. Between cover bands, original music, recording for other people, writing for other people, and teaching both group and individual lessons, learning the ins and outs of the wedding and corporate band industry, the dueling pianos industry, and the “lower broadway” experience in Nashville, I’ve managed to do just that.

Even during the pandemic shut-in, I was able to make 100% of my living streaming my live music performances on the internet.

My Rare Hare shows in Nashville, however, are charity shows that bring hundreds of musicians together each year to play for local charities all across the city.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I have been playing professionally in clubs and venues all over the US and Globally since 1988.

Originally from Kansas City, I migrated to Nashville to pursue my dream further to be in a touring act, Upon living here for three months, I landed the keyboard spot for 90s country superstar Tracy Lawrence.

Previous to my tenure with Lawrence, I performed with Corey Taylor of the heavy metal juggernaut Slipknot and Stone Sour in the short-lived band Corey Taylor and the Junk Beer Kidnap Band. Essentially it’s the prequel to his current solo outing CMFT.

In 2017, I was hired as the keyboardist for late 80s hard rock all-female sensation Vixen and am still touring the world with them.

In addition to touring work, I’ve been a Dueling pianist since 2012 working at venues like Howl At The Moon and currently The Big Bang in Nashville, TN.

I’ve also performed on the Kid Rock Cruise. The KISS cruise. The Megadeth cruise. Monsters Of Rock, Shiprocked, The 80s Cruise, and the Rob Gronkowski cruise among others.

I’ve been super fortunate to have worked alongside members of Taylor Swift’s band, Beyonce’s band, Kelly Clarkson’s band, Florida Georgia Line, and a giant laundry list of other musicians that we’ve all seen either in concert or on our television sets at home.

I released a solo album in 2013. In 2016 I released a follow-up single titled “Cradle To The Grave”.

In 2020, I produced a country album for Singer/Songwriter Dew Pendleton called “Might As Well Be Me”. And on New Year’s Eve, I released a hard rock single called “Burning Time” which featured members of Queensryche, Vixen, Mr. Big, and Autograph.

When I’m not on the road you can often see me performing between 6-7 nights a week on lower Broadway in Nashville or performing at a Dueling Piano bar somewhere in the country.

I’ve also recorded for 80s sleaze rockers Faster Pussycat and David Ellefson of Megadeth, Enuff Z’Nuff, blues artist Amanda Fish, and numerous independent artist releases for artists of various genres.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I’ve been playing and working in clubs since I was in high school. I got my first major gig with a major artist around 2009. When that ended, I was worried that I’d aged out and had lost my one shot and opportunity. Because I was nearing 40 years old, it seemed like the end of the line for me. But what I didn’t realize is that it was truly the beginning of me being able to “live the dream”.

Around my 40th, I received a call from a friend in Nashville who basically talked me into moving there. From the moment I moved, life changed in a big way.

I stuck to it, and now at age 48, I’ve worked with some of rock’s biggest names and have far exceeded any of my own expectations.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love playing music. For money, For no money. It’s just me and what I do. I played on a cruise ship last week for four hours for no pay because I needed to play. The night prior I’d played around 4 am to nobody. But the next day I had a crowd and just took people’s requests all night because I wanted to play and there just happened to be a piano there.

As a result of my networking, I have been able to create this crazy charity show that involves all kinds of rock stars and country stars and people play for rock and country stars. We do this show a few times a year and donate to a local charity each time.

The most rewarding thing for me is the bringing people together part. I call it “community building”. Because that’s exactly what it is.

When we get on that stage, nobody cares about your politics, religion, gender, color, etc. We just play music and enjoy one another’s company. That’s the best thing ever!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.tysonleslie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tysonleslie/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/tysonlesliemusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyson-leslie-b789b9123/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tysonleslie
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/tysonleslie

Image Credits
Photos by Brian Rice, Chuck Arlund and Mark Weiss