This past year has been great for local country-rock singer/songwriter Ty Stone. In 2009, Stone sang at Comerica Park at Kid Rock's blockbuster summer shows, he's now rocking with a new band (thanks to his "Search For The Truth" reality show which aired recently on CW 50 Detroit), and he has a couple tracks featured in the new "Boondock Saints 2" movie. But that's not all: Stone is wrapping up the last few songs on a long-awaited full-length album, too.
On Thanksgiving Eve, Stone will introduce his new band to the public as part of his Thanksgiving Rockin’ Eve show at St. Andrews, also featuring Doop and the Inside Outlaws, Robin Horlock, Whitey Morgan and the ‘78s, Brandon Calhoon and Pat V and the Detroit 3.
Hoping that some of his success would rub off on us, Metromix caught up with Stone...
You have a new band through the "Search for the Truth" competition...You happy with the players; has this contest been a success?
I think it was a huge success in a couple of different ways. One, it drew a lot of attention to my music. I realize when I go out now that there are always two or three people who saw me on the TV. That’s really cool.
Secondly, I think I’ve found a really good band. I’m super-excited for everyone to see these guys. Everybody’s fired up and everyone has that excitement that you get when you feel like you have an opportunity. They’re all hungry, which is cool.
Was it tough making those final cuts?
Yeah, it was a flip of the coin at the end there. The last cut was the hardest and it could have gone either way.
Is this band going to stay together?
The drummer, Mitch, might have to take a job out of state so I’ll deal with that when I have to. Other than that, I believe this band will stay together.
What’s this we hear about you having tracks featured in "Boondock Saints 2"?
Yeah. They actually featured two of my songs in the first five minutes of that movie. They’re talking about putting out a soundtrack. Troy Duffy is the director and writer. I met him in Los Angeles and he liked my songs. It took five years to get everything through the label. We ended up getting it done and it’s such a cool experience to hear my music in a movie theater, through the big speakers and on the big screen. You struggle and struggle, and then something like that happens and you think, "ok -- it's working."
Do you have any plans to release a full-length album?
I’ve been slaving away on one for about four years now, almost five years. I’m supposed to be wrapping up the last few tracks. I’ve just been working on a couple in Nashville. We’re talking about maybe putting out a single initially on country radio and then trying to cross over from there.
Are you looking forward to the Thanksgiving Eve show?
I can’t wait. I wish it were tonight. I’m so ready to get it on. I’ve always wanted to play St. Andrew's -- since I was 20 years old and starting out in a band and now I’m a lot older than that and this is my first time there. It’s a big deal for me. It’s topping off what I feel is my greatest year, career-wise.
This year has been all about ‘nose to the grindstone’, hard work. We’ve got a lot to celebrate, and we’re going to celebrate it on Thanksgiving.
Do you have anything special planned?
I have a bunch of neat stuff planned. I’ve worked out a great cover that I’m keeping a big secret. I’ve got some neat people coming out to introduce the bands, including you, Brett. It’s going to be a big party.
You have Doop & the Inside Outlaws playing with you…
I’m Doop’s biggest fan. He’s my right-hand guy. There are a lot of great song writers in Detroit, like Bob Seger, Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker, but I think Doop’s in the top five of all time. I guess that might be pushing it, with the whole Motown thing, but he’s definitely top 10.
Finally, what are you thankful for?
I’m thankful for having such a great year professionally. I’m also thankful for having such a wonderful family around me and all my friends who support me and make it possible for me to pursue my dreams. A lot of people don’t get that opportunity.
