Interview With Tyler Layne

Tell us about yourself and your music:

I am currently 15 years old. I'm a freshman in high school, and I also go to The Governor's School for the Arts. I've been singing since I was 3. I started in my church's youth group, and then had my first solo at 5. I got into musical theater around 7 years old, and I did many productions, the biggest one being "Beauty & The Beast." I auditioned for a Radio Disney pop group when I was 10, and I got the opportunity to open up for artists such as The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, and some more. After that ended, I formed a group called Seven5Seven, based off the area code for our region, and we performed all around Hampton Roads at almost every festival and parade there was. I've been solo for about a year now, and currently working on my E.P, which will be coming out soon! I play piano and guitar, and in my spare time, I like to play soccer, hang out with my friends, wakeboard, and do a little bit of hip-hop!

Who or what inspires you?

When I was younger, I watched the Disney Channel all the time! I always said to myself, "I'm going to be just like them when I'm older!" And then I actually got to open up for them & meet them. It made my life! My first huge gig was opening up for Raven Symone in concert. I got to see through her eyes, and be on the same exact stage where she would be standing in less than 15 minutes. At that moment, I realized that this is what I'm going to do with my life, so that event was one of my biggest inspirations. I also believe that our military veterans are of great inspiration in accomplishing anything and fighting for what you believe in. I feel that way about my music.

Tell us about Guitars for Vets:

The organization is based out of Milwaukee, WI . It was founded by Dan Van Buskirk, a Veteran and student of guitar teacher Patrick Netteshiem, who really formed the organization after realizing that learning to play the guitar was really helping him deal with his post combat stress and improve his quality of life everyday. They are working with Veterans Hospitals to provide six weeks of basic personal and group lessons to vets, present them with a new guitar at the end of the period and continue with classes if the vet wants to learn more. Great support has helped jumpstart their efforts. It's great to see local music stores across the nation offer support to share information or host fundraising events.

Why are you so passionate about supporting veterans?

I got involved because I have veterans in my family's heritage and because I live in Hampton Roads which has a large demographic of military families from all 4 branches of service, so I see what military families go through and I think it's important that youth and teens know about the sacrifice military service families make for us as we are growing up to be leaders in the nation. I hope that I can give back to them through my support of Guitars for Vets. I would love to tour with the USO sometime and really spread the message about the great work the organization is doing.

You also raise awareness for music itself among youth, why is this important to you?

Well April is the month of the Military Child, and music can play an important role in helping military children handle the absence of a deployed parent or frequent changes that come from military life. I personally play guitar and piano, and I have always loved how I can really relax and re-energize myself through spending time practicing those instruments. I believe it has helped me make choices in life and stay away from other potentially harmful recreational situations, because my focus has been on bettering my skills. Kids can use music as a creative outlet for their energy; they can bond through music and find a relaxing, learning non-competitive environment to be creative in. Music also heals the soul, and that's why I feel G4V is important in helping our military vets., because there is something about the guitar that makes an instant bond between generations of musicians, no matter how old.

Since this is the Month of the Military Child, what would you like to say to your tween/teen peers about it?

As a teenager in a military service family, especially young men, there are a lot of extra duties that have to be taken on. A lot of times it can be really stressful. While other teens are hanging out with their friends, these teens are busy taking on jobs and chores that should be taken on by an adult. Military kids are constantly changing location, moving from state to state. It's hard to keep friends when your continuously moving. They don't get to spend as much time with their family as normal teenagers do, nor do they receive the same amount of attention. So I want to say that it's important for us to support our friends from military families in any way we can - go out of our way as communities to be friends with them, offer help when we can and find a way to bond with them for lasting friendships, like playing guitar and supporting the work of their families!

Please visit TylerLayneOnline.com and CarrieHillPR.com to learn more about Tyler Layne.