The Tracks of Tyler Hilton

Background:

“My job in the 'music community' is to talk bout my life and adventures in songs and sing them. I mean, that's what I do! It's great.” Tyler Hilton

Rising singer/songwriter and actor Tyler Hilton began his music career at age 17 and released his debut album, “The Tracks of Tyler Hilton,” in 2004 when he was 21 years old. Since then, he has ventured into acting and could be seen playing a singer named Chris Keller (2004-2007) in the WB teen drama "One Tree Hill."

He gained even more recognition after portraying the young Elvis Presley, opposite Joaquin Phoenix's Johnny Cash, in the Academy Award winning musical biopic, “Walk the Line” (2005; also starring Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon), for which he also covered two of Elvis’ songs, "Milk Cow Blues" and "That's All Right," both of which are featured on the film's award winning soundtrack.

“I'd really like to meet my fans because it seems like there isn't anyone out there. So, if anyone reads this, even the Amish, I really want to meet you [laughs]!” Tyler Hilton

Most recently, Hilton co-starred as the school bully-turned-softie in the comedy movie starring Anton Yelchin, "Charlie Bartlett," which was released on February 22, 2008.

As for his music career, Hilton moved to Nashville in 2007 to write his second album, reportedly slated for release by Warner Bros. Records sometime in the future.

More personally, the 6' 4" performer who was one of People Magazines' "Most Beautiful People" in 2005 is currently dating his "Charlie Bartlett" co-star Megan Park.

“It's still all about dreaming for me. I've taken some really nice first steps that are inspiring even bigger dreams and goals. There's something very comforting, though, about having done this even as long as I have.” Tyler Hilton

Ty

Childhood and Family:

In Palm Springs, California, Tyler James Hilton was born on November 22, 1983, to Kristy and Robert Hilton. He has one sibling, a younger sister named Brittany who was born in 1985. He is of no relation to Paris Hilton.

Tyler, nicknamed “Ty,” grew up in Bermuda Dunes, CA, and briefly in Northern California, before his family moved back to the Palm Springs area. He attended LaQuinta High School in LaQuinta, California, where he started a band with some of his classmates. While studying there, he also began acting and played Danny Zucko in "Grease" for BEST Productions and D'Artagnon in the SCETA award winning production of "The Three Musketeers." After his graduation in 2002, Tyler went to Europe for a while.

Tyler, who loves to eat at diners, loves meatloaf. In his spare time, he enjoys playing Monopoly and watching “Lost” on TV.

Tyler moved to Nashville in 2007. He is good friends with singer/actor Jesse McCartney and close friends with his "One Tree Hill" (2003) costars Chad Michael Murray and Sophia Bush. On his 21st birthday, Tyler was taken out to celebrate by Waylon Payne and Joaquin Phoenix.

Walk the Line

Career:

“I don't remember there ever being a change. Music has always been in the back of my mind and in mind for me by anyone I've known.” Tyler Hilton

Born into a musical family, Tyler Hilton began playing the piano at age 8. By the time he was 17, Hilton had already released an independently recorded album.

On September 28, 2004, Hilton released his debut major label record, “The Tracks of Tyler Hilton,” which produced the breakout number “When It Comes,” along with Hilton's new single “How Love Should Be” and “When the Stars Go Blue” with newcomer Bethany Joy Lenz.

Hilton subsequently embarked on an extensive U.S. tour and became an opening act for Michelle Branch, Gavin DeGraw, The Wreckers, The Neville Brothers, Hilary Duff, Blues Traveler and alternative rock band The Goo Goo Dolls.

“I have come to terms with the fact that it's called pop music, that's what I play and that is what I write. I think it is a pretty broad category. It is really rock 'n' roll. It has a lot of roots elements and is acoustic based. I base my roots and history in old blues, old country and old bluegrass, and I like rock 'n' roll, and somehow it all came together and that is what I am playing now.” Tyler Hilton (on his music)

While his music career was on the rise, Hilton tried his hand at acting and joined the cast of the WB teen drama “One Tree Hill” in 2004, playing a singer and relationship wrecker named Chris Keller. Originally set to appear in the show only for 2 episodes, he was eventually picked as a regular as the show’s creator Mark Schwahn liked him so much. In the show, Hilton performed his original songs, “Glad” and “When The Stars Go Blue,” which was also featured on the compilation “Music From the WB Series One Tree Hill.” He later embarked on a sold-out national tour in early 2005 in support of the freshly-released “One Tree Hill” soundtrack.

Hilton played the supporting character during the show's second, third and fourth seasons (2004-2007) and received a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV Breakout Performance – Male for his performance. He was also nominated for Teen Choice Award's Choice Crossover Artist in 2005.

When asked how interested he is in acting, Hilton admitted, "I am pretty interested. I did it in high school and I really wanted to study it in college. I wanted to do theater and get into a touring company. I was doing music too and I got signed, so I haven't been [acting] much. This summer, I just finished filming a movie called ‘Walk the Line,’ which is about Johnny Cash. I had a small part playing Elvis in that. They asked me if I wanted to be in [One Tree Hill] and I found out it was filmed in Wilmington. I thought it would be pretty cool to hang out in North Carolina for two months. That's what I am doing here."

Hilton hit the big screen in 2005 when he was cast as the young legendary King of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley, opposite Joaquin Phoenix's Johnny Cash, in the Academy Award winning musical biopic, “Walk the Line,” which also stars Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon. For the film, Hilton covered two Elvis songs, "Milk Cow Blues" and "That's All Right," both of which are featured on the film's award winning soundtrack.

Recalling how he got the part, Hilton said, "They were asking for musicians to try out for the movie and I went in. They wanted everyone to play a Johnny Cash song. I may have been auditioning as one of his background musicians. I went in and auditioned and they asked me if I knew any Elvis songs. Well I grew up on Elvis songs, so I played them a bunch of old Elvis and they asked me to read some lines. It just happened like that."

In 2006, Hilton appeared in the Grammy nominated country singer Taylor Swift's music video "Teardrops On My Guitar.” The following year, he began filming "Charlie Bartlett," a comedy directed by Jon Poll in which Hilton co-starred as Murphey Bivens, the title role's partner and fellow student (played by Anton Yelchin), as well as the school’s bully-turned-softie. Originally set to be released on August 3, 2007, the release date was pushed back six months until February 1, 2008. The movie eventually hit theaters on February 22, 2008.

As for his music career, Hilton moved to Nashville in 2007 to write his second album, which is reportedly slated for release by Warner Bros. Records sometime in the future.

"I would say that my album is not unlike a great book or a great movie but I think it's good all the way through. I'm a huge fan of it. I didn't just put it out there to make money like a lot of products or to get famous. I just love the record. So, if you're a fan of mine and I would buy it, then so should you! [Laughter] and that's my infomercial." Tyler Hilton

Awards:
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