Artist to Watch: Troy Olsen

Newcomer Troy Olsen’s story is one well-versed in applying the qualities of determination and hard work to honing your craft, a great lesson to be learned and one that is paying off for the singer-songwriter in the form of his debut single “Summer Thing.” Troy, who is an Arizona native, grew up splitting his time between ranches own by his parents and his grandparents.

The country music of the 1970s and 1980s was soundtrack blasting from an AM station he tuned into on his portable radio as he worked hard alongside his family. That music kick-started a passion inside of him and with the influence of his musical heroes which include Dwight Yoakam, Glen Campbell and Steve Earle, Troy picked up a guitar and taught himself to play. Soon, he was penning his very own songs. Ever the industrialist, Troy figured out to jimmy-rig his Walkman into a recording device and launched his recording career. In high school upon meeting a pair of bothers who were into music, Troy began playing gigs on the weekends earning quite a reputation for performing in the area all the while recording his own music on the sly.

In 2002, Troy packed up and moved to Nashville for his shot at the big time. Once he got there, he fully dedicated himself to becoming a better songwriter and singer and immersed himself in the studio learning everything he could about the recording process all in order to achieve his dreams. Along the way, he penned a couple of tunes that caught the attention of Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw, both of which added those songs to their respective albums. Blake even earned a Top 10 hit with Troy’s “I’ll Just Hold On.”

In 2009, just seven years after his move to Music City, Troy felt prepared enough to pursue obtaining his own record deal. He hosted an artist showcase in town attracting many of Music Row’s movers and shakers. On the strength of that performance, Troy earned his record deal at EMI Records Nashville as the imprint’s flagship artist. And, all that time in the studio paid off for Troy as he self-produced his debut album set to be released later this year.

Nikita Palmer for Citadel Digital © 2010

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