Early in his music career, Tyler found a mentor in drummer and composer Yonrico Scott, known for his long tenure with The Derek Trucks Band. “Yonrico was my spiritual teacher but deeper than a teacher. He was my role model in a lot of ways. He was the first person to tell me that I could be a musician. In that moment, it changed my life.”

Later, Tyler came to know Col. Bruce Hampton and eventually spent years performing as the lead guitarist for his last band, The Madrid Express. “I learned so much from that from that man — to play quieter, to turn it down, to be patient, to just hold on, to hold your horses…to let it be what it is right now.” 

The two of them continue to play a large role in Tyler’s life even after their passing.