By Ben Olson
Reader Staff
Those who have been around the Sandpoint music scene for a while will undoubtedly recognize the name Tyler Stonehawker. The gravel-voiced troubadour has traveled the American West for years, from dive bars to music festivals, reeling out his brand of cosmic country, bluegrassy Americana and roots rock.
Stonehawker will play a special show Saturday, June 14 at Mitzy’s Lounge (807 Fifth Ave., in Sandpoint) for just $5 at the door. The show goes from 8-10 p.m., but Stonehawker said be prepared for the party to continue longer.
Accompanying Stonehawker will be Tony Powell of Tonedevil Guitars on the mandolin and Tanner Brown from Coeur d’Alene on the bass.
Ty Stonehawker will play Mitzy’s Lounge June 14 from 8-10 p.m. Courtesy photo
Stonehawker said his music has taken on more thoughtful qualities in recent years.
“I have more of a John Prine vibe now,” he told the Reader. “That’s how he toured, actually — a guitar, mandolin and upright bass, but we’re using an electric bass at Mitzy’s because it’s more danceable.”
Stonehawker has been drifting in and around the music scene for 24 years, leading various bands and chasing the dream with a notebook full of songs and guitar licks.
“I moved to Nashville one year ago because I’m a slut for attention,” he said. “I moved out there to half get discovered and half get better at my craft.”
In 2022, Stonehawker went into a studio recording as his former band Stoney Holiday and the encounter started off a new phase of his life.
“I went in all tuned up — half a bottle of wine — and went up and introduced myself to this famous producer, Mark ‘Mooka’ Rennick, and said, ‘How much to make a record for me?’ He said, ‘I’ll do it if you get sober.’ I went to rehab directly after, called him up three months later clean and sober and said, ‘When do we start?’ I’ve been clean and sober now for two years.”
Stonehawker said it started out tough, but the will to make music and be in control of his craft — and wits — encouraged him to stay sober.
“It was hard at the beginning, but now it’s really easy for me,” he said. “I was in a bad place. It had started as a psychedelic experiment to expand my mind, but the experiment ended long ago and I was just left with addiction.”
Stonehawker recently released two albums: Gamblin’ Man and, just this year, Songs of a Ramblin’ Man, available on streaming services or at tystonehawker.com.
Both albums contain Stonehawker’s songs written about his life. In the meantime, he’s looking forward to playing again in Sandpoint.
“I love it here,” he said. “When I hit the Long Bridge, I feel like I’m coming home.”
