press bio
Post's musical landscape ranges from Acoustic Soul, to Roots Rock, to Southern Blues, with a splash of Adult Alternative. His lyrics convey stories of everyday people. He calls it "Rock N Soul." Starting out as a San Diego based artist in the mid 90s, Lee opened for the likes of Missing Persons & Blink 182. Then came live TV appearances on The KUSI & KNSD Morning Shows, and a regular performer at The San Diego County Fair.
In 1999 Lee relocated to Nashville, TN where he honed his craft playing alongside such greats as Tony Lane. Moves to Austin, TX, and Seattle, WA followed as he searched to develope his own sound and style. Over the past 7 years, LTP has built a reputation as a road warrior with his blue-collar approach. Performing over a 1000 shows, and driving 25,000-40,000 miles annually. He has also released 5 studio albums during this period. His tours, which some call a "perpetual tour", take him through cities as far away as Seattle, NYC, Tampa, San Diego, and everywhere inbetween!
Lee’s marathon live performances (sometimes 2-3 hr sets without pause) have been described by his fans as "an Emotional Roller-Coaster," "Passionate, Powerful and Moving," "Honest & Pure," and "Intense and Straight from the Heart.” His down-to-earth on-stage persona compliments his dynamic voice and electrifying shows.
Always eager to lend his time and talents to charitable causes, Lee has performed at benefits for M.A.D.D., the M.S. Society, and The Ramona Cancer Resource Center. As well as at benefit fundraisers for camps for seriously ill children like The Victory Junction Gang Camp owned by Kyle Petty, the racecar driver. Along with Bikers Who Care/Toys for Tots to help under privileged children. And most recently for The Heartland Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center in San Diego, CA!
Currently Lee resides in Asheville, NC where he is finishing up his next 2 releases, "Gathering The Stones" & "Half Painted Windows" at Miracle Somethings Studio. He will then embark on a coast-to-coast Spring & Summer tour in 2008 to promote both albums!
This quote might best describe Lee and his music: "...Post's sound is as much Springsteen and Van Morrison as it is Otis Redding and Al Green: blue-collar heartland grit mixed with Motor City soul..." The San Diego Troubadour
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Birth Name: Lee Tyler Post
Place of Birth: San Diego, CA
Musical Style: Rock 'N' Soul
Main Influences: Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley, Tom Waits, Don Henley, Neil Young, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, John Hiatt, Sam Cooke, Elton John, David Bowie, John Lennon, Greg Allman, Bonnie Raitt, CCR, Prince, Eric Clapton, Wilson Pickett, Tracy Chapman, Allman Brothers, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, The Band, The Cult, The Stones, and vocalists like - Aretha Franklin, David Ruffin, Patti LaBelle, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, and the whole Motown Era! (Temptations in particular)
Bands Formed: Deprofundis, Euphoria, Bloodstone, Black Mountain, Gypsy River, The Rainmakers, The Velvet Gallery, and Lee Tyler & The Mystics.
Personal Projects/Goals: Marshall Saint Mission Foundation which will aid the homeless, abused children & recovering addicts. Rock The Soul Foundation which will aid cancer stricken children and their families.
Self-Released Label: Rock 'N' Soul Productions (Windian Records)
Self-Released Albums: Half Painted Windows 2008, Gathering The Stones 2008, Life Without Fences 2005, Emancipate 2003, House of Miles 2002, Under The Strained Umbrella 2000, If Hope Had Reason 1999, Wicked Ways of Wisdom, Bootleg Vol.1
Favorite Quote: "...What is it about art anyway that we give it so much importance? Art is so respected by the poor because what they do is an honest way to get out of the slums. Using one's sheer self as the medium. The money earned proof, pure and simple, of the value of that individual, the artist. The picture a mother's son does in jail that hangs on her wall is proof that beauty is possible even in the most wretched places. And this is a much different idea than the fancier notion that art is a scam or a rip off. But you could never explain to someone who uses God's gift to enslave, that you have used God's gift to be free...!" - Rene Ricard ("The Radiant Child")
My story: (by repeated requests to say a little about myself, here's how it went! )
I got started in music in my early twenties after hearing Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Doors" on the radio on my way to work. True story. I was so moved that I went out and bought a 12-string guitar the next day! I learned to sing and play guitar simultaneously and have never taken a lesson of any kind.
At first I wrote solely for myself (still do), in the confines of my garage, with zero intentions of ever playing out live. But after a few persuasions from a close friend, I soon joined his band. A month later I played live for the first time at a club called "The Spirit" in San Diego (1991). Ironically, it was on Bob Dylan's Birthday. I did not know that at the time. I was immediately hooked.
I realized early on I didn't like singing my words to other people's music so, after a few more shows passed, I put aside live performances for a couple of years until I was good enough to play my own songs. I then formed a band. Henceforth, my musical quest began.
After playing mostly bars and clubs for the better part of four years, I started hitting the coffee houses around town. It didn't take long to figure out I liked being solo as much or more than fronting a band, so I decided to do both. During this time Jewel was a local favorite, as were The Rugburns.
I only saw Jewel and the Rugburns perform once, and have to admit I didn't really know who either of them were. But during this time the acoustic movement happened. So I kept on with the solo thing, as my band "Gypsy River" became more recognized. The band then opened for "Missing Persons" in 1996, and shared the stage with Blink 182 (although I doubt they'll remember).
By this time I had become very eager to venture out and see the country. My musical heroes at his time were Van Morrison, Dylan & Springsteen. These guys were traveling Troubadours and I knew the best way to enhance my progress, and find my sound, was to hit the highways. I also started to feel my style of writing was not what you'd call an ideal fit for Sunny Southern California at that time. So I decided I needed a change of scenery altogether and moved to Nashville, TN - the songwriting capital of America! I had heard it wasn't just country anymore, and figured - acoustic music is acoustic music! Thought I'd take a shot. Headed east ...
In Nashville I found out pretty quick there's a lot more to singing and playing than just singing and playing. I met and played alongside people who lived the life of a songwriter. Walked the talk so to speak. The kind of folks who came straight from work with pipe glue still on their jeans, and lyrics written on crumpled up paper, my kind of people. I was also shocked how many really good songwriters were out there that had come from all across the country for the exact same reasons as me, to find out where they stand.
It was here I decided my approach would not be to seek fame or accolades, (although the city breathed the opposite) that the craft or art of it would be the reward. So finally after five years or so of live performing, I felt like I belonged. Playing late, in smoke-filled rooms, with soul sufferers at every table awaiting their chance to tell their tale. It really was a true, blue-collar atmosphere to me. But I'm not talkin' Music Row here; I'm talkin' about the clubs and bars, open mics.
I then saw a guy named Tony Lane perform his song, "Little Past Little Rock" (his version is by far superior to anyones) at the famous "Broken Spoke Saloon." Blew me away. He delivered a song like no other. I knew then that's what had been missing. Not to just tell a story, but deliver a story. So after sharing the stage with Tony a few times (an honor) and anxious to put into motion what I'd learned, I moved back to California (to use as a homebase) and built my own recording studio, called "Miracle Somethings".
I did not care for the "slick sound" of the digital world at the time, I prefered the "old school" approach and sound, so I bought an 1970 MCI Analog Machine (2-inch 16-track reel-to-reel) and began recording my music to tape. Now, 5 CDs later, I still produce/engineer (or co-produce/co-engineer) all my albums and have never used pro tools to digitally edit, enhance or correct my records. I am currently working on an all acoustic "bootleg series" with Vol. 1, "Life Without Fences" already released in 2005, and "Gathering The Stones" & "Half Painted Windows" to follow in the Fall of 2007!
Over the past 7 years I have lived/performed in Austin, Seattle, Nashville (twice), San Diego, Albuquerque, and spent time in Los Angeles & Las Vegas. I've performed in almost every state in America during this span, and somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,000 shows. Driven all the miles to and from the venues myself. Never used a manager or booking agent. Never entered a songwriting contest. Never been signed to a major label (my choice, been asked).
I have never learned/played a cover tune in my musical career, (yet) and only perform my own material live on stage. I've had the privilege of working with some amazing talent along the way like guitarists Simeon Flick, Andy Machin, Greg Love, Jose Serrano (Carlos Santana's buddy) Claudio Martin, and Dr. George. Drummers like Jeff Winkler and Craig Zarkos. So many more, too many to mention...
For me the quest or journey has always been the reward. I love to see new cities, small towns along the way that most people don't even know exist. I like to connect with others through the music. Maybe share a moment while I'm on stage. Something to remember we were there together. In a way, I envy the days of Woody Guthrie. Traveling by boxcars, playing for food.
So my goals are simple - to somehow make a decent living at the one thing that is truly mine, that I created - my music. To pass time with "strangers in the night" who may have even felt the same way as the people or places I'm singing about. The stories I write have either happened to someone I know or to me or relatable circumstances. Basically I just love to play, express emotion, and explore the land of the free. To personally see what has been fought for and died for so that we can live as we do as free Americans. I really feel I owe them that much (Veterans past and present). I owe them more...
I still have aspirations of living in New York. And a little part of me still wants to be signed (whatever that means now) to a small label that lets me travel and continue my quest, my way. And to play in every major city (or small town) across America before I'm too old. Dylan's still going strong in his 60's so I know it's possible if you want it bad enough. I really could live on the road in motels, my van, and campsites forever - it's the Gypsy in me!
Well, that's my scoop. Nothing fancy or hyped up - it is what it is, just another day in the life of a singer-songwriter...a million others have the same story!