Kyle Tallman

While surrounded by people dressed as life-size Pokemon or in glowing fashion inspired by "Tron" at Con Nooga last weekend, the local music scene was pretty low on my list of subjects of conversation.

Nevertheless, this year's fan convention featured more bands -- both local and out-of-town -- since starting four years ago, so maybe it was bound to come up.

Originally I only intended to waylay Husky Burnette and Burma Shave after their set Friday night to discuss their thoughts on playing for such a diversely attired audience.

Instead, we ended up wrapped up in the same discussion I've had time and again about the disappointing lack of support for local musicians.

Based on the frequency with which I've had this conversation (if perhaps with fewer wizards present in the past), I gather that few Chattanoogans would go out of their way to hear Burnette (or any local artist) if the show isn't A) free or B) part of a larger event's schedule.

There seems to be a widely held view that quality is inversely proportionate to how close a band lives to the listener. I know that's not true, but short of forcing people into venues at gunpoint, it's a hard perception to change.

Well, if my opinion doesn't carry enough weight, perhaps that of an international awards show will perk up some ears.

Local pop singer/songwriter Kyle Tallman recently beat out about 2,000 entrants to become a finalist in Britain's People's Music Awards ... for the second time.

Tallman first entered the global contest for indie musicians in 2008, when his song "Don't Think Twice" earned him the runner-up position as Best Male Solo Artist. He was flown to London to perform at the awards ceremony, but I can guarantee you, his music sounded just as good when he played live shows at Market Street Tavern or JJ's Bohemia.

For this year's awards, Tallman's song "Get Back" has landed him one of five finalist slots in the Male Solo Artist and Pop categories.

Public voting for this round will start Tuesday and will continue until April 5. The two finalists in each category will perform in London. Be sure to register to vote at www.thepeoplesmusicawards.com.

Besides forcing locals to pay attention to a local artist, Tallman said winning would benefit him on numerous levels.

"It would be huge, as far as [being] a good indicator that this is where I can feel confident in going with music," he said. "I've had a lot of opportunities, but it's never gone to the next level. A win there would set me up to do that."

As far as I'm concerned, Tallman doesn't need to make the finals to be worth paying attention to. He was good enough when he was just that local songwriter at one of the taverns.

So please, Chattanooga, get rid of this belief that local music is somehow less worthy than music from Nashville or Atlanta or New York. It simply isn't true, and it doesn't take a mad scientist (or a space marine or a wizard) to figure that out. - Chattanooga Times Free Press

While surrounded by people dressed as life-size Pokemon or in glowing fashion inspired by "Tron" at Con Nooga last weekend, the local music scene was pretty low on my list of subjects of conversation.

Nevertheless, this year's fan convention featured more bands -- both local and out-of-town -- since starting four years ago, so maybe it was bound to come up.

Originally I only intended to waylay Husky Burnette and Burma Shave after their set Friday night to discuss their thoughts on playing for such a diversely attired audience.

Instead, we ended up wrapped up in the same discussion I've had time and again about the disappointing lack of support for local musicians.

Based on the frequency with which I've had this conversation (if perhaps with fewer wizards present in the past), I gather that few Chattanoogans would go out of their way to hear Burnette (or any local artist) if the show isn't A) free or B) part of a larger event's schedule.

There seems to be a widely held view that quality is inversely proportionate to how close a band lives to the listener. I know that's not true, but short of forcing people into venues at gunpoint, it's a hard perception to change.

Well, if my opinion doesn't carry enough weight, perhaps that of an international awards show will perk up some ears.

Local pop singer/songwriter Kyle Tallman recently beat out about 2,000 entrants to become a finalist in Britain's People's Music Awards ... for the second time.

Tallman first entered the global contest for indie musicians in 2008, when his song "Don't Think Twice" earned him the runner-up position as Best Male Solo Artist. He was flown to London to perform at the awards ceremony, but I can guarantee you, his music sounded just as good when he played live shows at Market Street Tavern or JJ's Bohemia.

For this year's awards, Tallman's song "Get Back" has landed him one of five finalist slots in the Male Solo Artist and Pop categories.

Public voting for this round will start Tuesday and will continue until April 5. The two finalists in each category will perform in London. Be sure to register to vote at www.thepeoplesmusicawards.com.

Besides forcing locals to pay attention to a local artist, Tallman said winning would benefit him on numerous levels.

"It would be huge, as far as [being] a good indicator that this is where I can feel confident in going with music," he said. "I've had a lot of opportunities, but it's never gone to the next level. A win there would set me up to do that."

As far as I'm concerned, Tallman doesn't need to make the finals to be worth paying attention to. He was good enough when he was just that local songwriter at one of the taverns.

So please, Chattanooga, get rid of this belief that local music is somehow less worthy than music from Nashville or Atlanta or New York. It simply isn't true, and it doesn't take a mad scientist (or a space marine or a wizard) to figure that out. - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Chattanooga native singer-songwriter Kyle Tallman has been performing for half a decade. He has performed in Knoxville a number of times and even attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville for a year, but anyone familiar with Tallman and his previous shows should be pleased to see his latest developments as he has at last assembled a complete band.
While Tallman wraps up his college experience at UT-Chattanooga, he has made his base out of that small scene; however, this has not stopped him from making valuable connections throughout the state as he frequents larger markets like Nashville and Knoxville.

"Chattanooga can draw some awesome artists, but I feel like it's more of a steppingstone for many musicians," Tallman says. "I think bigger cities like Knoxville and Nashville are where musicians get the chance to really be heard. Chattanooga has a couple of venues, but it's hard to introduce new music there, so I mostly play out of town. I have played in Knoxville a handful of times at places like New City Cafe and Preservation Pub. I've also played in Johnson City. I usually play on the Nashville-Chattanooga-Knoxville circuit."

With the help of longtime friend Robert Williams, Tallman recently put together a full ensemble of backing musicians. Williams took the role of lead guitarist in Tallman's project and is also producing Tallman's first release in Williams' Chattanooga studio.

"I have been playing music for about six years," Tallman says. "I started writing music my first year in college, but with the help of my producer, Robert Williams, I recently got a group of guys together to play with me. I feel like the full band adds a whole new element to the show. It is interesting to see what can happen when you let other people play around with your songs. It can change it completely, but not in a bad way. I feel like it has given me an edgier sound."

Tallman's songs follow the standard prototype of a traditional acoustic singer-songwriter's, with heartfelt, intimate sentiments often detailing different relationships. The subtle music takes a new shape with full, forceful instrumentation to fill in gaps of inflection so often left empty in solo acts. Denser instrumentation enhances the emotional accuracy of most acoustic performers, and while this aid isn't a necessity for a catalog as eclectic as Tallman's, it still serves to make the music more accessible.

"My songs are very situational," Tallman says. "I am a journal keeper, so I look at different things that really trigger me emotionally. It's really a process of writing a ton and keeping a few. I am fortunate to be in a community of friends who I can collaborate with and produce solid material."

Saturday night, Tallman will open for Staircase and Nashville alt-rock band Merced at Preservation Pub. Music is slated to start at 9:30, and the cover charge is $5. Tallman will return to the Knoxville area March 30, when he plays The Downtown in Morristown.
- Knox News Sentinel