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After her run as a 2005 Nashville Star contestant, Australian brunette Tamika Tyler joined with fellow singer/songwriter Debra Bradshaw to form a duo, Mayberry Down Under. Debra, originally from Mayberry, N.C., and Tamika have spent months fine-tuning the duo's unique sound, and co-writing new songs. "We've had lots of interest from record labels in Nashville," notes Tamika. "I'm very excited about Mayberry Down Under and can't wait for everyone to hear our new project!" - Country Music Weekly Magazine
Working With Celebrities
What was it like working with Leann Rimes, the host, and the celebrity judges?
We obviously got to see Leann quite a bit because she was there for rehearsals Mondays and Tuesdays and then, of course, Tuesday night for the show. We got to go through the whole process with her and just hang out and chat about different things.
Gosh, I remember sitting there over lunch one day chatting about pregnancy and having babies. Her and her husband are planning on having a family soon, so I was giving her all juicy lowdown on labor. (laughs) So, that was kind of cool. She was real nice to us - just a very down to earth person. She was really sweet.
We didn't get to hang out with the judges at all because that was against the rules. They'd come in the Tuesday evening and we weren't allowed to be in the Green Room with them; we had to be back in our dressing rooms.
The first time we'd ever get to see them was when we'd come out on stage for the show night and they would be sitting there in their judging booth. We'd kind of get to socialize with them a little bit after the show when we're all on the stage at the end of the show. We'd kind of chat and sometimes they'd give us advice. Otherwise, we never got to be around them.
So, the first time you got to talk to Phil Vassar was when you said "I can't believe I'm talking to Phil Vassar!" after your performance on the first episode?
Exactly. It really was the first time, and it really was a weird feeling for me. He's a guy that I've admired for a really long time. You know, there's me buying all these CDs with his little picture on the front and all the sudden I'm chatting with him. That was a very cool experience for me.
Did you get to meet any of the guest artists?
Oh, yeah. We got to meet Montgomery Gentry and Charlie Daniels. We didn't get to meet Sarah Evans; she kind of disappeared. Of course, Phil was on and we had met him and Brett. - Nashville Star
Discography
Debra and Tamika have recorded many orginal albums between them. The latest CD is being perfected by the finest in Nashville and will be available to you soon.
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Bio
Half a world away from Nashville, Tamika Tyler grew up in the small Australian beachside town of Coffs Harbour. She began to develop what would become considerable vocal skills singing in the open air market on the weekends, earning tips to help pay for her new guitar. Along with a love for singing came a love for songwriting, and an adult Tamika became a fixture in the small but lively Australian country music scene. 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. Tamika was one of ten finalists chosen from a field of more than 8,000 hopefuls. A creation of the USA Network cable channel gave Tamika the opportunity to quickly establish herself as a frontrunner among the talented field of Nashville Stars. She toured successfully with her band and released several well-received independent CDs, all the while honing her craft and continuing to grow as a performer.
Far from Australia (in Mayberry, North Carolina, no less), a young Debra Bradshaw was choosing country music as her first love, and began a career that kept her traveling and performing into adulthood. Debra attended Belmont University in Nashville, where she still lives. Debra has kept herself busy, to say the least. She's hosted a syndicated television show, entertained on USO tours, in Casinos and sung on countless Music Row demos, all the while pursuing a future as a solo country artist. Like Tamika, Debra also became a formidable songwriter and sharpened her skills while on staff with a Nashville publishing company.
Following a relocation to the U.S. and subsequent appearances on 'Nashville Star,' Tamika followed the suggestion of an interested Nashville producer and met with Debra to discuss a possible collaboration. The two quickly found that they spoke the same language in more ways than one, and that their voices blended effortlessly, creating a powerful, expressive and sultry sound. A whirlwind of rehearsals and songwriting sessions ensued, with impressive results.
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