Tyler Braden’s Journey to Success
Tyler Braden is making significant strides in his music career. Though he’s facing challenges, his path to success feels surprisingly straightforward. At 31, he’s positioned well for success, despite the unpredictability of the music industry. The evidence of his talent is evident, with millions of streams of his music illustrating his growing popularity.
Recently, Braden shared that he and his videographer wife, Marisa Taylor, are taking a rare break to decompress. “We enjoy reading, maybe play a round of golf, or just catch a movie together,” he mentioned.
They’re often on the road, as he’s opened for big names like Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton, and has headlined his own shows. “Sometimes, we only have one or two days off in a week. She has her editing work to manage, and I have to get back to my performances,” he explained.
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Braden hails from Montgomery, Alabama, where he grew up singing with his musically-inclined family at churches and community events. Influences in his music range from Kenny Chesney to the Goo Goo Dolls. He recalls spending time at nearby Lake Jordan, enjoying kayaking and good company. After graduating from a high school class of just 74 students, he joined a rock cover band, honing his skills as both a player and a singer. Yet, pursuing music professionally didn’t cross his mind at that time.
“I never really considered music as a career; it felt more like a pastime,” he recalled, adding, “I wasn’t thinking in those terms.” Instead, he began his career as a firefighter with Montgomery Fire and Rescue, balancing his time between firefighting and music.
Turning Point in Nashville
Braden’s musical journey took a pivotal turn in late 2015 when he won a local singing competition that awarded him a trip to Nashville. The experience convinced him that if he wanted a career in music, he needed to be closer to Nashville’s scene. Shortly after, he searched for opportunities as a firefighter in central Tennessee.
Within six weeks, he was working at a Brentwood fire station, just south of Nashville, and found himself surrounded by many country music stars. In his first year in Nashville, he was invited to perform at Whiskey Jam, a showcase for up-and-coming artists. He met someone at a local studio, leading to the recording of his song “Little Red Wine.”
Braden continued to pursue opportunities, balancing his firefighter work with music. “After ‘Little Red Wine,’ I was playing softball, and a teammate introduced me to my current manager,” he recalled. He had several promising meetings with potential publishers, with many appreciating his songwriting but wanting collaboration with others.
His big break came in 2019 when he signed a publishing deal and joined Warner Music Nashville, prompting him to leave the fire department. His firefighter colleagues supported his leap into music, but then the pandemic hit. While on the road to a gig in Long Island, they were informed it was canceled. “The calls came in saying the gig was off, and we turned around to head home,” he said, reflecting on the uncertainty of that time.
What started as a two-week hiatus stretched into months, forcing Braden to adapt, like so many others. Thankfully, as life returned to some degree of normalcy, he toured once again to support his EP released through Warner Music Nashville in 2021.
Recent Achievements and Future Plans
In 2022, Braden made a memorable appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, marking a significant highlight in his emerging career. By 2023, he released a new five-song EP, “Neon Grave,” and embarked on the Real Friends Tour in 2024, selling out numerous venues across the U.S. and Canada. His music was nominated for the New Artist Song of the Year at the People’s Choice Country Awards.
As 2025 began, Braden traveled to Ireland and the UK, while also joining the Osborne brothers on a U.S. tour. Numerous plans are in the works for the future, though he’s remained tight-lipped about the specifics, teasing the possibility of new tours and music.
Balancing Two Worlds
Despite rising recognition, Braden still manages to stroll through Nashville’s Broadway without being recognized frequently, although that has changed a bit lately. His vocal style has drawn comparisons to Luke Combs, but Braden feels it has more to do with his delivery than the actual music. “Singing something slower or softer makes me think of Brett Young,” he suggested.
When asked about the transition from firefighting to music and whether his past role helps him stay grounded, he replied, “You wouldn’t think they’re related. But there are boring days in firefighting and emotional ones too, much like the music industry. You learn to maintain a level head through both the ups and downs.” After seven years as a firefighter and four years as a singer-songwriter, Tyler Braden has certainly established himself. He, Marisa, and their two dogs, Sadie and Leila, now call Mount Juliet, just east of Nashville, home.
