It’s not every day that you meet a renowned teenage singer so passionate about leading the fight against bullying.
Sixteen-year-old Tyler Layne has been a singing sensation from the tender age of seven after he garnered interest from Radio Disney along with some of the most well known industry insiders and producers.
During his career, he has opened for A-list performers such as the Jonas Brothers, Raven Symone, Hannah Montana, Cheetah Girls and even American Idol Grammy winning recording artist, Kelly Clarkson.
Recently, Layne collaborated with former Disney powerhouse group Everlife on a new single “Where I Wanna Be” produced and engineered by popular niche industry producer Alan Salmon. Boasting over 40,000 social media fans, Tyler’s music is inspiring a new generation of Pop fans.
Still, what touches our hearts is that even amidst his busy, amazing career, Layne still takes the time to advocate against bullying. In fact, he is currently a teen spokesperson for two causes: Virginia’s Guitars for Vets and the Country Pop Rock Tour, which focuses on anti-bullying awareness with the message Be a Friend Not A Bully.
RIZZARR had the chance to catch up with Tyler for a personal interview about music, his inspirations, and his causes!
This 16-year-old is not only changing the world through his amazing voice, but he is also changing and taking the lead in inspiring teens everywhere to join the fight against bullying!
RIZZARR INTERVIEW WITH TYLER LANE
1. You have been making music for a long time. Has it always been your dream to be a recording/performing artist?
Yes. It has always been my dream to sing and perform. I have been performing in my local VA Beach area since I was 6 years. I started out in church and then became part of a duo called Seven on Seven. We performed all over the state and then the east coast. I had a lot of fun and really grew to love the audience interaction. I knew performing is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, when I stepped foot on stage at the Raven Symone concert and over 10,000 people were screaming my name and cheering for me.
2. You began your career with Radio Disney in Virginia. You kicked off your Disney association opening for artists like; Raven Simone, Miley Cyrus, the Cheetah Girls and even Kelly Clarkson. Now you are an independent solo artist with a record coming out. Can you tell us a little about how the journey from Disney to your current career as a solo artist happened?
After Disney, I took some time to transition into my own solo style. I needed some time to cultivate a true sound that reflected my vocal range. I also utilized the time to further develop my songwriting skills. After working with some producers here in VA, I branched out to studios in Atlanta, GA and Nashville, TN to create the songs on my upcoming EP. It has been a great journey.
3. There are a lot of kids out there that dream of doing the same thing you have done and are doing right now. What have you learned about the power that performing artists have in affecting young listeners?
Well, I have always known the power of music, because of how music has made me feel throughout my life. I have always loved Pop music and the range of emotions that can be expressed through upbeat styles. Songwriting has become a way of expressing what my experiences are at that particular point in my life. It’s very therapeutic. Performing artists are the visual character that animates the message of their song. As a young listener myself, and as a young performer, I have been on both sides of the spectrum. I think I am a good performer because I know what it feels like to watch good performers, and I want to give that experience to someone else.
I think when you have a public platform to utilize to connect with young listeners; it should be used as a force for good, for change, through the song lyrics. I also think that it’s important that the actions of the performer reflect the goodness of their message. If I am singing about veterans, or anti-bullying, then I want to be supportive of those causes not only through music, but also through my physical example to support them. We have a social responsibility to be a good influence in our fans lives-to inspire them to dream, and make a difference outside of our music. Performers have great power-they have inspired me to follow my dream, and I am so happy they followed their dream, so I could be inspired.
4. You are doing something really unique with your career as a teen spokesperson for two causes: Virginia’s Guitars for Vets and the Country Pop Rock Tour which focuses on anti-bullying awareness with the message “Be a Friend Not A Bully“. Can you tell us a little bit what you are doing for each of those causes?
Guitars for Vets is a non profit organization dedicated to providing free guitar lessons and guitars to post combat veterans, as a form of therapy for wounded warriors suffering from Post Traumatic Stress. I work with the Virginia chapter of the organization to raise awareness for the program, which includes fundraising events within local communities and requests for guitar donations and volunteer instructors. I also just finished up the first leg of my Country Pop Rock Tour where I spent close to two weeks on the road in the southeast raising awareness for anti-bullying.
Layne: “We have a major issue with bullies among the youth of our country.” (Photo: Wavebreak Media/ Thinkstock)
5. As you mentioned, you just came off the Country Pop Rock Tour with another young upcoming artist, Celeste Kellogg, where you toured to raise awareness for the effects on victims of bullying. What is the primary message of your tour for kids with regard to bullying?
BullyingStatistics.org states that one in 3 kids have been the victim of a cyperbullying threat, 25% of tweens and teens have been bullied through their phone, and 44% of middle schools have experienced bullying problems. We have a major issue with bullies among the youth of our country.
I really want to stay positive in my message on the Country Pop Rock Tour, because I feel that if we can help kids be more self-aware and confident about who they are, then not only will they be stronger to stand up for themselves, but they will be better able to stand up for others, who might be the victims in bullying situations. The artists on the tour are really hoping to act as a part of prevention rather than intervention for kids that can hear our music. We try to stay very upbeat and really keep the songs about uplifting themes.
6. You have an original song that you have dedicated to the anti-bullying message. Can you tell us the name and message of that song?
My song “Where I Wanna Be” has really become my anthem on the road for our bullying awareness message. It was written as a result of my experience trying to figure out who I am and what makes me happy. Making music isn’t always the easiest thing to do. When you have a passion for performing, especially in the teen pop genre, a lot of people want to tear you down and tell you that it can’t be done.
I felt that pressure and when I recorded “Where I Wanna Be” with the band Everlife, I was really feeling confident about my talents and how I could use them. It was like I just tuned all the negative voices out that told me I couldn’t make it as a solo artist and I threw myself into the song. It was really a turning point for me as well. I want kids to be happy where they are in life-with who they are-right now. You only get one life-I wish kids could understand how amazing they are!
7. What has been the response of kids to your song?
Wow! We have really had a good response. Kids, especially elementary through 6th grade kids, are ready for a good message-they respond well to an artist that can tell them something positive and give a voice to their emotions. Kids younger than me are growing up so fast and are exposed to more violence and more negativity than even I was at their age. So as we have been on the road sharing our positive message, kids have responded enthusiastically and have given us a really good vibe about what we are trying to do together.
Layne: “ Layne: “Artists have the ability to sway listeners to design a certain image based on song lyrics and stage presence. I want to be the part of my generation that uses my voice to help other kids feel optimistic and motivated to follow their dreams and make a positive difference in the world.” (iStockphoto)
8. Why do you feel it important that young artists in the industry lend their voices to a cause?
I think if you are trying to make it in the public eye as a performer, entertainer and artist, you are asking people to pay attention to your voice and your actions. Young artists such as me are aware of the pressures kids are under and if we are asking them to listen to us, we are essentially asking them to follow us. We present the images we want them to emulate. Artists have the ability to sway listeners to design a certain image based on song lyrics and stage presence. I want to be the part of my generation that uses my voice to help other kids feel optimistic and motivated to follow their dreams and make a positive difference in the world.
Sometimes I think artists forget that they only have a platform because fans have bought into their talent. What better way to show thanks for that talent than by using your influence as a public figure to make the world better. A great example of an artist doing that is Taylor Swift. She works tirelessly with charities without seeking the recognition for it and keeps her image clean and she is one of world’s greatest artists.
9. Who are the artists that inspire your music?
Well, I just mentioned Taylor Swift, but I am also inspired by artists like Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato (for songwriting), Justin Beiber, and Austin Mahone.
10. What advice can you give to another young upcoming artist about following their dreams?
There are always going to be people out there that try to put you down, but never say you can’t do something just because someone else says you can’t. Keep your head up and fight-there is always going to be haters out there-but they don’t run your life-you do-so keep going until you get to be where you want to be.
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