Tyler Gregory fills the Jackpot with his sonorous voice and bluegrass jams

Wednesday night one might not expect to find anything good playing at the usual venues. Last night, March 11, Tyler Gregory had his CD release party at the Jackpot. The small venue filled to the brim, with a crowd bands there rarely enjoy.

Brent Barry and Katlyn Conroy opened for Gregory with other musicians, playing acoustic folk tunes. I arrived late, so I only heard the last couple of songs of a collection of folk instruments on stage. Whoever they were, they sounded fairly good, but nothing special.

Tyler Gregory came on around 12:30, and began playing a set, like the expert busker that he is. He was sitting in a chair, with a wooden board propped under his feet. He stomped on the wood to create a percussion while he strummed at a banjo and later a guitar. The instrumentation alone gives Tyler Gregory's music a familiar, nostalgic quality. What takes it over the top, to make him someone to be followed, is his voice.
Every song, Tyler Gregory sang with a passion and practiced skill that is rarely found in most bands' vocalists. His particular brand of folk, with hints of blues and bluegrass, makes him a particularly interesting artist to use vocals so strongly in his work.
After several songs alone, Tyler Gregory was joined by a stand-up bassist. The bass line added to the body of the music, but Tyler Gregory's voice still led the songs. Even when a mandolin player came up, the trio's instruments kept a good, quality melody going, but Tyler Gregory's vocals stood out especially.

After the show, Tyler Gregory said he was pleased with the outcome. "It was a school night, and people still came out, and I was really happy with the crowd," Gregory said. His new album "A Path Less Traveled" was being released for $10. He also has an EP called "Moonshiners" for $5. I wish I had more money last night, I would have bought them.

I look forward to hearing Tyler Gregory's impressive voice more at other venues. He may have picked up his skills practicing on the streets, but he belongs on stage.

Tonight I'm torn between going to see North Mississippi Allstars and Fuzz Nasty. Friends are supposed to be going to both, so, it's all up in the air right now. We'll see who calls who, and who is having a pre-party.