Tyler Rich emerged as a California native whose powerful vocals, pop-inflected instincts, and knack for heartfelt romantic themes propelled him toward Nashville in pursuit of a recording career. Although his singing carries little regional drawl, his expressive phrasing and emotional intensity suit modern country radio, a quality evident throughout his first full-length project, the 2020 album Two Thousand Miles, and its 2022 successor, the EP Real Love.
Born February 24, 1986, in the small northern California town of Yuba City, Rich spent his childhood immersed in household holiday sing-alongs that fostered an early appreciation for both seasonal carols and classic rock. At age eight a cousin introduced him to country, sparking devoted admiration for Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Alan Jackson. His grandparents marked his fourteenth birthday by presenting a guitar, which he soon mastered while also beginning to compose original material. After high school, however, he prioritized academics, earning a college degree in economics before finally honoring his musical ambitions by moving to Los Angeles, where he experimented with assorted genres both solo and alongside various bands.
Eventually Rich returned to his country roots, issuing the self-released single “Radio” in October 2014 that caught the ear of programmers. The four-track EP Valerie arrived in August 2015, earning him the Country Music Social Media Awards’ “one to watch” designation. He built momentum through extensive touring, headlining intimate rooms and supporting Cole Swindell, Brett Eldredge, Justin Moore, and Dan + Shay on larger stages, then settled in Nashville to immerse himself in the industry. His abilities drew offers from Big Machine and Valory Music, which extended recording and publishing contracts. The February 2018 release “The Difference” became his first Big Machine single, amassing more than 47 million streams and setting the stage for Two Thousand Miles. Issued by Valory in September 2020, the album featured Rich’s co-writing credit on eight of its eleven tracks, among them the singles “Leave Her Wild” and “Rather Be Us.”
Additional 2021 singles paved the way for the 2022 EP Real Love, anchored by “Better Than You’re Used To,” while the Anna Bergendahl collaboration “Bottom of This Bottle” appeared as an independent release. Later that year Rich issued the Marie-Mai duet “Thinkin’ We’re in Love,” quickly followed by “Trucks Don’t Lie.”
