Today we’d like to introduce you to Travis Tidwell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I began my musical journey at age 9 when I got a small keyboard I asked for for my birthday present. I learned very quickly and by age 14 I got interested in the guitar. My dad played the honky tonks locally with his band and a couple years later I was fibbing about my age in order to play gigs with him, I learned very fast on the guitar, faster than the keyboard even. Then by the time I was 18, I was approached by Big Smo’s producer about doing some things in the studio and that led to me joining his live touring band and he ended up signing with Warner Bros records and we actually scored our own reality show on A&E! It was very exciting. We toured all over and really succeeded. After that tapered down, I joined another artist who done well at the time and that was mostly fun while it lasted. And after that, right at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, I went solo and put out my first record! I ended up being sponsored and affiliated with Shelby American and done some events with them and even had a cool Shelby Super Snake Mustang made in my honor! It was great! I’m still writing and recording and trying to get on some nice shows and get booked! I recently got married in April and just spent most of this year in Paraguay where my wife is originally from. She believes in me and I’m blessed to have her. She began as my fan when I played guitar for Upchurch and saw me in a video and began following me. We never thought we’d ever meet in person, much less be married to each other! God is good.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely been rough in my experience at times. I’ve been apart of a lot of big records and never got credit and it really hurts me on the resumé end of things. Like it took from me credibility that would’ve led to more jobs. And of course monetarily it hurt me big time. But mostly it has been great and very fun. Aside from the mentioned troubles, I’ve been blessed!!! God is good.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a musician and a solo artist! I play everything from metal to country to blues and try to give what the job requires. As a solo artist I tend to be a bit versatile but fall in the southern and blues rock categories. I’m known for my work with other artists mostly. Big Smo/SMO was my biggest gig. We had a tv show on A&E for a bit along with a major record deal and touring a ton. I don’t see that I am so special or different from others to be set apart, I’m just blessed and give all the glory to God! Maybe that’s it!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was very reserved and shy. Not a ton of friends really and usually stayed to myself and in my room practicing guitar. I would play upwards of 12 or more hours a day because I loved it and really wanted to “make it”. Music is all I thought about and that was about it haha. I was brought up to respect people and have manners. Southern hospitality really. And to always be kind and give grace to people.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thetravistidwell
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/TravisTidwell001
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@travistidwell01?si=oMYx9ZvjjJSJRBFZ
