Tamika's Bio page 2 - Moving to America

From Down Under To Out West
      Tyler moved to Colorado in 2000 to be with Eddie and start a family. It was a major life makeover that understandably put her music career on hold.
      "Any one of those changes would be enough to shift your focus a while," Tyler reflects. "Getting married, moving to the other side of the world, having a child - I did them all at once! But it's been an incredible journey, and my son, Samuel, who's now 3 years old, makes any sacrifices in my career seem pretty insignificant."
      While she took time off from performing to find her feet in America, Tyler's muse wasn't idle. She continued to write songs and perform the odd solo show "just to keep a toe in the water."
      In 2003, Tyler re-engaged the clutch on her music career. She put together a band of top-notch Denver musicians and went into the studio to begin cutting demos. The results were satisfying, especially the demo of her song "Lift You Up," an edgy yet optimistic rocker that shows off her considerable vocal talents.
      She says, "It was great to get back into the studio and back on stage. I really like the guys in my band. We have a very collaborative relationship, and it's fun to hear my songs - my other babies - grow and take on a life of their own."
      Tyler had also been making contacts in Nashville during her fallow time. One of them was heavyweight producer Butch Baker. Impressed with her fresh songwriting, polished voice and engaging stage presence, Baker began shopping her to record companies in Music City.

Chasing a Nashville Star
      Although Baker was making progress, he knew Tyler needed to do something big to make an impact on an industry that was in a sales slump, with labels downsizing their artist rosters. That's when the idea of pursuing Nashville Star came up. A creation of the USA Network cable channel, Nashville Star is essentially a country music version of the hugely popular American Idol talent search television series.
      "Butch suggested that I audition for the show," Tyler explains. "I had actually thought about auditioning in previous years, but this year the format was different, with less emphasis on off-stage stuff. Plus, Samuel had grown a little more independent, so I said 'Let's give it a go.'

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