Tyler Reese Tritt On Tin Roof Tour, Pop-Country & Dad, Travis Tritt

The name “Tyler Reese Tritt” might be new to you, but you definitely know her dad, Travis Tritt. Kenny and I drove down to Raleigh to catch Tritt’s show at Tin Roof, part of her Tin Roof “Raisin’ The Roof” tour with stops at their locations across the country. We got the chance to chat with her before the show and I found Tritt to be really down to earth and super sweet – the exact opposite of what many imagine children of huge icons to be. After seeing her show, I don’t think she will be a name you think you might have heard somewhere for long. Her set was entirely covers, besides two of her original songs, “Porch Light” and “Texas Hold Him.” Download them both if you haven’t already done so. Tritt’s setlist included music by powerhouse Carrie Underwood and she even sang “Rolling In The Deep,” by Adele. I won’t lie. I thought, “This concert is going well but this could be where it takes a turn.” Oh, it did! It went from great to stellar! Tritt belted, “We could have had it AAAAAALLLLLLLL, rolling in the DEEEEEEPPPP” and I think I had a religious experience right there. As Madea would say, “Hallelujer!” Be sure to read to the end for more info on where you can experience Tritt’s live show for yourself.

Editor’s note: Tyler told me that she has no preference on whether she is called Tyler or Tyler Reese, so I will be referring to her as Tyler throughout this interview.

Tyler Reese Tritt On Nepotism

EPR: People love to talk about nepotism, so speaking on that a little…. I interviewed Raelyn Nelson, Willie Nelson’s granddaughter, and other people who have grown up with famous family members. I feel like that doesn’t always give you a leg up. And maybe even sometimes it gives you even a disadvantage. Would you agree with that?

Tyler: I would definitely agree with that. No, I would go so far as to say that it doesn’t help at all. Obviously, dad being who he is, [it’s helped open] certain doors, but I feel like it’s almost harder because you have shoes to fill. People are already looking at you like, “Okay, well, you better be good.” And I’ve actually had people come up to me before, and they’re like, “Hey, just so you know, I’ve seen your dad. I hope you’re good.” And I’m like, “Why don’t you stick around and find out. Let me know.”

EPR: I feel like maybe sometimes people have expectations for you. Or expect you to be the same. Your dad was a more traditional artist with his type of music. So what do you think about all the pop stars coming into country music now?

Tyler: I’m mixed on it. I get it, you have to do what’s current and what’s happening now. Right? I’m just really hoping that 90s country and the old country gets a throwback like Zach Top. I love listening to Zach Top and you know, I think he’s really doing it right. That’s why I try so hard with all my new music. I bring out kind of like a 90s-meets-now [vibe] – I don’t want it too old school, or maybe none of the younger generation could relate. You know, have a little bit of the best of both worlds. But yeah, if you want to come over into country music I mean, by all means, just do it right. Play our music, don’t bring your music over in our genre. We can’t bring country music into R&B.

EPR: Exactly. They’d slap us right off the radio so fast. You mentioned you like Zach Top. Who else are you listening to right now?

Tyler: Well of course Morgan Wallen. He just plants so many ear worms. It’s kind of hard not to.

EPR: Oh yeah. “Last Night.” I think I listened to that song the entirety of last year.

Tyler: [belts out a little “Last Night”] I’ll be up on stage singing that now.

New Artists Tyler Can’t Stop Listening To

Tyler: I really like Zach Top. And Ashley Cooke has a really pretty voice. And Priscilla Block. I love her.

EPR: Yes! Priscilla Block. I was just talking about how I want to go see her this year.

Tyler: Oh yeah, she’s amazing. I love what the kids my age are doing, coming up into it. That’s who I’ve been trying to listen to – what they’re doing, what’s going on. That’s who I’m listening to. And I’ve been loving it.

EPR: Of course you’ve got your duets with your dad. But if you could have a dream duet with someone else, who would you choose?

Tyler: Carrie Underwood! Carrie Underwood or Cody Johnson. 100%.

EPR: So you grew up around all these amazing country music stars. Can you share with us about a story that we maybe haven’t heard in another interview?

Tyler: There’s literally so many I can think of. I mean, my dad and uncle Marty [Stuart] of course have a ton.

EPR: They have to be really fun together.

Tyler: They are like little kids when they get around each other. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. My dad will completely revert back to like [a child]. Like when they did the “No Hats” Tour. [I grew up] just hearing all the different stories like dad and Tanya Tucker and dad and Uncle Hank [Williams Jr] and dad and Johnny Cash. There are just so many different instances and stories. I could go on forever.

EPR: Your dad’s music was more on the traditional side. But then Marty’s was a bit different. So then they go on the “No Hats” Tour – with hats, of course, being more traditional in country music at the time. So I just thought that was kind of funny back in the day, like a mini rebellion against the industry, so to speak.

Tyler: Oh, dad was like, “Oh, well, “I have this hair. You are not gonna catch a hat on my head.”

EPR: He does have great hair. And he still does.

Tyler: Yeah! And he’s like, “Why would I cover this up? Because one day I may not have this. I’m not covering this up with no cowboy hat!” And he goes “Everybody else is doing it. I ain’t doing that.” Which it wouldn’t make him very popular in Nashville. But in the end, it ended up working out.

EPR: Absolutely. Your dad and your mom have been married for like, what? 20 some years?

Tyler: Oh, yeah. I’m 26. So they’ve been married 27, 28 years.

EPR: That’s a really long marriage, not just like in country music, but in general. How do you think they have made it work for so long?

Tyler: As long as I can remember they truly are a team. Their marriage is so rare. They’re best friends. There was never even you know, siblings vs. parents. Do we try to play one parent against the other? They are a strong force to be reckoned – both my parents – because you go to mom, you go to dad – see if the other says okay. No, they back each other up. And they just love each other. They never stopped dating. Charlie [Daniels] and Hazel, his wife, always told mom and dad their biggest secret was that they never stopped dating. Yes, you’ll have kids. They’re going to be important, just as important, if not more important, but hire a babysitter, hire a nanny, hire somebody to come out and watch them. And if it’s once a week, twice a week, go out on a date, just don’t stop dating each other. And they never did. And even now seeing mom and dad together, they’re like kids, and it’s so refreshing. It gives me hope. I mean, that’s what I want.

On The Paparazzi

EPR: You had a really high profile relationship. Do you feel like people are sometimes too much and and just too nosy?

Tyler: Yeah, but I feel like it’s kind of what you sign up for when you’re in this industry. I mean, when I think about the celebrities that I like, when I hear about a breakup or I hear about their relationship, I’m like, “Who is it? Who are they with and what happened? Oh, girl!” It’s only natural. I put myself in this position. Whoever I date, break up with, anything – it’s going to be asked. I mean, I don’t mind it, really.

EPR: I feel like sometimes people get a little crazy with it. Like stalkery paparazzi. I mean, “Why is that legal?”

Tyler: I’ve had some crazies. I’ve definitely had my share of stalkers. I’ve have a few [questionable] people show up to radio interviews and shows and stuff. I’d say [those are] probably the craziest experiences I’ve had luckily. Knock on wood.

EPR: So, who are you hoping to see in concert this summer? Not just working – what are you hoping to do for fun?

Tyler: I’m trying to schedule in at least maybe a beach trip, you know, maybe do something with my girlfriends. But after this Tin Roof Tour, we go right into festival season, so I don’t know when I’m gonna get a free weekend. Hopefully I get to go to Florida or have some more fun like that.

EPR: What festivals are you doing this summer?

Tyler: I know my first one is in Colorado. But we’re doing all kinds. I know we have a show later in the year where we’re opening for Trace Adkins. I’ve been so [concentrating on] the Tin Roof shows I haven’t even started to look at the festivals. The boys were like, “Hey, you know we got these festivals coming up.” And I’m like, “Wait, what?” I’m looking at my schedule after this week’s over. Hopefully I can find some free time with all the craziness. We’ve got new music coming out soon and I’m super excited about that. We’re going to tease a single right before CMA fest.

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