Today we’d like to introduce you to Tylor Ketchum.
Hi Tylor, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Helix, Oregon, with my two brothers, and music has been a part of our lives for as long as I can remember. Our mom introduced us to guitar and singing when we were kids, and we were lucky to grow up surrounded by cousins and other family members who also played music. It really became a family tradition.
As kids, we started a band called the Bushman Brothers and played local shows around Pendleton, Oregon. Those early experiences gave us a love for performing and helped build the foundation for what we do today.
When I was 22, I moved to Boise, Idaho, to pursue more opportunities in a larger music scene. After getting established there, I started what would eventually become Tylor & the Train Robbers. My brother Jason Bushman was the first to make the move to Idaho and joined the band on bass guitar. Then, a few years later, after our youngest brother Tommy Bushman graduated from high school, he moved to Idaho and joined the band on drums. Since then, the three of us have been performing professionally together, touring, putting out albums, and building a career doing what we’ve always loved.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the early days, we really cut our teeth in the Boise music scene, playing every Wednesday night at Pengilly’s Saloon while also touring the surrounding towns. We were fortunate to already have connections in Eastern Oregon from our younger days, so we’d regularly head back to play shows around Pendleton and our hometown of Helix. That gave us the chance to build a following in both Idaho and Oregon at the same time.
As the years went on, we gradually expanded into neighboring states, one market at a time. Along the way, we had opportunities to open for larger touring acts, and eventually we were invited out as an opening act for some of our favorite bands. Those tours introduced us to new cities and new audiences, helping us grow our fan base little by little.
For the first seven years, we booked all of our own shows. It was a lot of work, but it taught us the business and helped us build lasting relationships. Eventually, we signed with a booking agency, which allowed us to start touring nationally. Today, we’re still doing the same thing we’ve always done—writing songs, playing shows, and earning fans one performance at a time—just on a bigger scale.
There really aren’t any shortcuts in this business. It takes years of hard work, persistence, and believing in what you’re doing, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to see that dedication pay off.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We’re a touring Americana and country band that focuses on creating and performing original music. Our work is split between life on the road and time in the studio, writing songs inspired by our experiences and the places we’ve been, then recording and bringing those songs to audiences across the country.
The band consists of myself, Tylor Ketchum, on lead vocals and guitar; my brothers, Jason Bushman on bass guitar and harmony vocals and Tommy Bushman on drums and harmony vocals; and Antonio Vazquez on lead guitar. Together, we’ve released four studio albums along with a live album that came out this past January.
One of the accomplishments we’re most proud of was having our live album featured in Rolling Stone. Getting that kind of recognition was a dream come true and a milestone we’ll never forget.
We’ve also been fortunate to perform at some of the most iconic music venues in the country, including Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas, the Old Quarter Acoustic Café in Galveston, Texas, and The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia—venues that had been on my personal bucket list for years. Along the way, we’ve also been featured on Texas Music Scene TV and have had the opportunity to record and collaborate with musicians we’ve admired for a long time.
I think what truly sets us apart is our commitment to the road, our dedication to continually writing and releasing original music, and the unique chemistry that comes from being a family band. The sibling harmonies and lifelong connection we share create something that’s hard to replicate, and we believe audiences can feel that every time we step on stage.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to play in front of live audiences as much as you can. In the beginning, it’s all about getting exposure, honing your craft, and figuring out what kind of artist you want to be. The more you perform, the more comfortable you’ll become on stage, and over time you’ll learn how to read a crowd while still staying true to the music you want to make.
If your goal is to build a career around original music, keep writing. It’s completely normal to play cover songs early on, but don’t stop creating your own material. Eventually, you’ll have enough songs to fill an entire set, and that’s when people really start connecting with you as an artist rather than just a performer.
Once you’ve built a following, having recorded music is incredibly important. It gives fans something to take home, learn, and share with others. Releasing that first album is a huge milestone, and it can also create another source of income to help support touring and future recording projects.
I’d also encourage musicians to start selling merchandise as soon as they can. T-shirts, hats, vinyl, CDs—those sales make a real difference and can help fund travel, recording, and everything else that comes with being an independent artist.
Most importantly, be patient and bet on yourself. Building a career in music doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of hard work, consistency, and believing in what you’re doing, even when progress feels slow. If this is truly what you want to do, stay committed, keep showing up, and don’t let other people’s doubts define what’s possible for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tylorandthetrainrobbers.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylorandthetrainrobbers
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tylorandthetrainrobbers
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tylorandthetrainrobbers2126
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tylorandthetrainrobbers
