Spencer Saylor

Aaron Carter was the Justin Bieber of the late 90's to early 2000's. Not to compare the two, but we all know its true. Every girl wanted to be with him, every girl wanted to see him in concert, and every girl thought they was going to marry him. But there’s one difference. Aaron Carter came back and a good portion of his fans, stuck with him Even after 11 or so years of complete silence.
Aaron was one of my first celebrity crushes. I had his posters plastered all over my wall, listened to his CDs over and over, watched his music videos every time they were on MTV… Everything. When Aaron first announced that he was going on tour, my 11 year old child in me started to freak out. I knew I had to go and I knew if I didn’t, I would regret it. I was far from wrong.
When the moment finally arrived and I got to the venue, I began to grow more and more nervous. No one was stranding in line, so I waited in the car until I noticed a line. I had never been to this venue before, so I wanted to make sure I wasn’t the first in line since I wouldn’t know where to go once they let us inside.
It was a cold and windy day. Everyone who was standing in line was shivering, but was too excited to really even notice it. They were about to finally see the guy they loved so much as a child, live in concert. When one of the workers came out and told the girls in front of me that they wasn’t opening the doors for a while and could go home and warm up if they wanted, they all stood there and shook their heads while telling him they wasn’t moving. By his reaction, I wondered if he had never held an event where people stood outside, an hour before the doors opened.
A few moments later, they let everyone in so they wouldn’t be out in the cold. This impressed me, because I have been to a lot of venues in the winter, in colder weather than that, and they just let everyone stand outside. I give a lot of props to that venues staff for caring about the people visiting, so much.
While standing in line, we could hear Aaron doing soundcheck. I was surprised by how good he was live. I expected him to be good. Or at least I hoped, but when I seen a girl had tweeted him, telling him he couldn’t sing live and lip synced, I was a little scared. I didn’t want to see a show where someone was not actually singing. I was beyond relieved to find out differently.
Even though he didn’t lip sync, I could see where the girl would think he was. He didn’t have a drummer, he didn’t have any guitarists or bass players… All he had was himself and his back-up dancers (who might I add, looks like Brandon from The After Party.) His tracks played through the speakers and he sang with two different microphones (at separate times of course); a headset and a regular. Hearing the difference between his voice now and how it used to be, was actually quite entertaining and enjoyable. I found myself hoping the fans would realize he was singing live. I didn’t want them to be disappointed and think any different of him than they did before.
Aaron had three opening acts. Up first was Spencer Saylor. Second was Nikki Flores, and last but not least, Pertrel. All three acts were incredibly talented. If you get the chance, check them out.
While everyone was waiting for Aaron to come on stage, he surprised the fans by watching everyone in an open area in the wall behind the crowd. Everyone got out their phones and took pictures and he just stood there, enjoying the moment. Who could blame him? Seeing a group of people who supports him even after so many years, is bound to make him sit back, smile and take it all in.
Waiting for him to come on stage was longer than expected. With as many concerts as I have seen, I have never seen an act take that long to come on stage. It actually started to feel like he was never coming out. I started to get a little impatient, and I have a lot of patience usually.
When the time finally arrived, they closed the curtains. About 15-20 minutes later, the lights dimmed and the crowd went nuts. They were even more excited than before. When they drew the curtains back, Aaron’s dancers came running on stage. The crowd screamed louder and louder.
During the entire show, his fans would grab him and pull on him, occasionally even almost pulling him off stage. At one point, he had to look at a girl and tell her to stop. I hate to say it, but his fans were some of the most disrespectful fans I have ever seen. I even got elbowed in the face and she didn’t even care to say she was sorry. She was too worried about getting Aaron to notice her sign asking him to let her meet him.
Aaron’s show was beyond exciting. He danced and did a few flips, and even brought two fans on stage to serenade them. At one point, one of them grabbed him and kissed him. I felt sorry for the other girl because he basically ignored her, only going to her once or twice and not even sticking around that long. He even grabbed the one who kissed him and took her backstage, leaving the other girl on stage all by herself.
When it was time for the meet and greet, we had to wait a good hour and a half before he came out. He was signing 100+ posters, but the wait was horrible. Everyone’s entire body ached and everyone had to use the restroom. If we hadn’t paid for the meet and greet, we would’ve left.
In the end, I was glad I didn’t leave. He was really nice and seeing how happy everything made him and how nice he was to the fans, was nice to see. The only other person/band I have seen appreciate their fans like that, is a band called Paradise Fears. A singer/band can say they love and appreciate their fans all they want, but not many will actually show it. I can’t wait to see what Aaron has in store for everyone and hope the best for him. He truly deserves it.
To see more photos from this night, visit my Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/livefreephotos - Lights Magazine

Spencer Saylor, a 2012 Canfield High School graduate, knew from a young age music would be his life and now he is making his dream come true.

Saylor, son of Alison Loree and Robert Saylor, is attending Capital University Music Conservatory for Music Business and Voice.

“Since my late middle school years, I always knew music was what I wanted to be doing for the rest of my life. I learned and began guitar around the age of 9 and decided to start writing my own lyrics when most of my musical influences became heroes to me and wrote their own music (John Mayer, Bob Dylan, Jack Johnson, James Taylor, Dave Matthews).

“I started writing but never really did anything with it but play it for myself and try to learn the trade. In my later high school years, I would take my work to local singer/songwriter Ryan Ross who would help me mature my writing and playing. When I got to Capital and saw the opportunity to make myself known and the resources were there, it was then that I decided to actually begin my singer/songwriter career,” Saylor said.

Saylor took advantage of what Capital had to offer and with the help of family and friends, quickly became a recognizable musician in the Columbus area.

“When I began my career, just three months ago in Columbus, I knew the opportunity was there to finally have my music heard that the Youngstown area could not offer for my style of music. In November, I got into the studio with a Music Technology student at Capital University, and got into one of the studios on Capital’s campus. We recorded my debut single, “Nothing to Fear,” and I released it once I got it back to distribute to friends and family.

“I utilized my resources and created a ReverbNation profile (a website which millions of artists across the globe use to create press kits and allow their music to be played by fans) which I then shared with all of my friends via Facebook and Twitter.

“Lucky for me, most enjoyed it and decided to share it with their friends as well and before I knew it, I had gone from No. 96 in Columbus to their No. 1 ranked singer/songwriter. This mass sharing from fans also led to a sound engineer of the nationally-recognized John Schwab Recording Studio hearing my music and having me come into their studio to record my songs “Church Bells” and “In Common,” Saylor said.

According to Saylor, he was given the tools he needed to be a successful performer by drama and music teachers in Canfield Schools.

“Not too many people knew much about my music in high school, so I did not ever really get music from teachers. However, I do owe big thank-yous to my music teachers and drama directors I had both in middle school and high school. They gave me tools that I need, not only in writing and playing my music, but also the keys to being a successful performer. From a teaching aspect, a lot of my thank-yous should go to Ryan Ross, who taught me guitar for about seven years and later taught and worked with me on my song-writing,” Saylor said.

Saylor said he is blessed in coming from Canfield, as the support he receives from the people of Canfield is phenomenal.

“Coming from Canfield was a blessing in itself. Not only did Canfield and its schools give me plenty of opportunities to get an incredible education and the chance to perform, but it is many of the citizens of Canfield who have been pushing my music to their friends and family and supporting me upon each step that I have taken over the last few months. Canfield will always be my roots and I will always be there to support and give back to the city that really allowed me to be where I am now,” Saylor said.

Playing larger shows and opening for larger artists has become a large part of the agenda as it helps Saylor gain more exposure outside of the Columbus area. Over the summer, he plans to begin spreading his music into the Cleveland and Pittsburgh areas.

“Another thing that could play out well is the record deal offers on the table for my debut album release,” he explained. “Picking the right one will be crucial in where my career plays out from here.”

Saylor will be opening for Aaron Carter on March 20 at 7:25 p.m. at Skully’s Music Diner in Columbus. Tickets are available for $20 through Ticketmaster. - Canfield Neighbors-- The Vindicator

Spencer Saylor, member of the Columbus Songwriters Association, has been rapidly growing in popularity since opening for Aaron Carter. We enjoyed chatting with Spencer last week:

Where did you grow up?

Canfield, Ohio—a suburb of Youngstown, Ohio.

When and why did you begin making music, singing and playing guitar?

Music has always been a part of my life—my mother and father both enjoyed singing, and my dad had been strumming a guitar since I came out of the womb. Growing up I always knew that I wanted to learn like my dad but it was not until the age of 9 that I began taking lessons. I went through phases of hard rock, grunge, alternative—like a typical teenage guitarist, and it wasn’t until about my freshman year of high school that I settled down on acoustic and the sound I knew I wanted. My influences in this genre at the time (John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, James Taylor) all were songwriters, so it quickly turned on to, writing my own music that is, and I began jotting down my work for about the 4 years of high school. My guitar teacher became somewhat of a producer to me once I had my guitar skills, and would help me mature and edit my work so that I could establish myself as a writer just as much as a performer. Once moving to Columbus came to begin college, I knew it was the most ideal situation for recording and releasing this music I had been writing and from then on the rest is history!

What is your Songwriting process? Is there a time of day when you write most of your songs? Is there a trigger point that leads to new songs?

I never really just sit down and write music; I have to either being feeling an emotion that I think will work good for a song, think of a catchy melody that I can work with, or think of a couple good lines that allow me to continue to work off of them. This happens at all times of the day so I cannot really pinpoint a certain time of day; I have written from the crack of dawn to the late hours of the evening. One thing as a songwriter that I have been able to accomplish in my songwriting has been beating the inevitable and often unbeatable ‘writers block’—I’ve learned to be able to write something marketable or based on a specific topic without having anything going on in my life or being able to write something personal. This has become easier as I often try different writing strategies that I have read about or learned from teachers.

What has been your most important or favorite performance to date?

Most important to my career and where my career could go was probably opening for Aaron Carter on his comeback tour at Skully’s Music Diner in Columbus, Ohio. It had a lot of hype behind it after its announcement, especially since my age group and primary fan base grew up listening to him. We sold about 80 tickets blowing the promoter away and setting a good foundation of people who knew us to play for at the venue. The crowd was awesome and loved us which really got us excited about the music we were making—the response from the viewers there on social media was immense and we were there signing autographs and taking pictures with new fans which was memorable in itself.

What has been the most difficult point of your journey as a songwriter and how did you overcome it?

Getting people to continuously listen and stay interested. People get bored and will not give you the time or day if you are not creating legitimate music and accomplishments in your career. The use of social media has been so beyond important to being successful and without it, I would never be here. My friends and family did an awesome job of believing in my initial recordings and work and shared it with their family and friends and the chain continued on and on. Now that I have a steady foundation and fan base, I no longer struggle as much with keeping people interested and continuously listening and watching.

What thoughts are going through your head regarding this contract with Tate Music Group?

Nervous at first, still a bit, but not as much—and of course excitement. Like many songwriters and artists, I sent my work to some labels with the hopes that someone would have my story catch their eye and they’d listen. Tate was the first to respond, expressing how much potential they found in my then new single, “I Was Meant For You”. The fact that they offered me a full blown contract that involves them laying it all on the line in hopes that I turn out big for them, really gives me the reassurance of how much they believe in me and my music. However, I am just of course nervous to how my music does once my debut EP is released—but based on the support I’ve received and how much people have enjoyed my performances to date, I think it will all go over great!

Is there a career strategy or personal philosophy that drives you?

Staying humble. I don’t ever plan on forgetting how I got to where I am and the man that my parents, family, and friends spent time raising. Remembering who I am and keeping to reality helps me write, market myself, and perform without letting the great moments overtake my mindset. Singer/Songwriting, in my opinion, is the most personal and ‘down to earth’ genre of music, so without knowing who you are and what makes you the person you are, you will quickly find yourself no longer making the music you wanted to or accomplishing the things you set out for in music.

What artists, friends, family or people have most influenced your path?

So many. Way to many to name! Of course I have to thank God for the gifts that he blessed me with and gives me the ability day in and day out to sing, play the guitar, write, and interact with my listeners! Then my parents—they have always and will always support the decisions I make, especially when it comes to my music. They are there with me through thick and thin because how I have expressed how much this all means to me, to them. Next, I’d have to thank my original guitar teacher, friend, and songwriting mentor, Ryan Ross. He taught me most of what I know and helped me mature my work and writing before I got to Columbus and without him, I’d be clueless in the field of writing and performing my own music. To the rest of my family and friends—well, what can I say; their utmost support leaves me speechless and blessed beyond control each and every day. They are at every show, share every thing I do, and most importantly, helped me shape who I am today. They mean the world to me and I do not know where I would be without each and every one of them!

When and where can we see you perform next?

This summer is definitely a busy one! I have plenty of shows I look forward to doing and continue to add a few here and there quite often! I’ll be doing a few down in Columbus with CSA members and founders Joey Hendrickson and Derek DuPont because a lot of my fans are in Columbus, a show in Canton, Ohio with Ryan Cabrera, Jason Castro, and Deleasa, and wrapping up my summer in Pittsburgh with a show on the VIP Stage for the Phillip Phillips and John Mayer show! So many dreams coming true, it is such a blessing and so overwhelming at the same time! Also, this summer will be my EP release and I am sure that will bring in a few more appearances as well! To stay up to date with my shows, you can keep track on all my social media pages and find an event list on www.reverbnation.com/spencersaylor.

What are your thoughts about the Columbus Songwriters Association? Do you think there are benefits in songwriters coming together in Columbus?

When I was introduced to CSA, I was instantly sold to the idea. I never understood the huge music scene until I arrived in Columbus and realized how overwhelming it can become. Columbus Songwriters Association offers help to those who can legitimately write and perform and gives them a voice in the crowded Columbus music scene! They offer opportunities, events, and showcases where artists can show the city what they have been preparing. Songwriting is not a very common thing among many artists today and this group not only allows those songwriters to have their work heard, but allows them to work with other songwriters and improve what they are doing and help others as well. - Columbus Songwriters Association

Let’s face it; not many of us had our lives figured out when we started college. There is so much to experience and learn, that even by the end of freshman year, very few people have a clear path to follow.

At a school flooded with talented musicians, it can be even harder to find your voice so early in your college career.

Spencer Saylor, however, is proving that stereotype isn’t always true, and that once in a while someone can make a huge impact early on in the game.

As a Music Industry and Voice major, Saylor already has an intense curriculum and not a lot of free time on his hands.

However, in the last four months he’s been named the number one singer-songwriter in Columbus, had successful releases on iTunes, Spotify, and on the radio, and even signed his debut record deal with EP records.

Adding on the success, Saylor is opening for Aaron Carter this month, which in itself, is more than impressive.

“I have a friend who opened for him [Carter] in New York and knowing that we both play the same style of music, I knew that it could be a possibility. I did some research and worked closely with my booking agent to make sure it happened,” Saylor said.

“After a lot of back and forth with the promoter, we were able to make it happen and I could not be more blessed and excited for the opportunity.”

Aaron Carter is no small name in music. Being a child of the 90’s, we all could probably still sing the lyrics to “Aaron’s Party,” or “How I Beat Shaq.” Saylor is no exception.

“The craziest thing is that I can remember putting his album “Aaron’s Party” in my CD player and jamming in my bedroom singing along all day long.”

“Now here I am playing a show with him. I never would have imagined it in a million years,” Saylor said.

Even though Saylor knew he wanted to write music at age 14, it wasn’t until about four months ago that he started to act on his song writing abilities.

“I was constantly writing my own stuff, from one to two lines that I thought were catchy, to choruses and full verses.”

“However, it was not until about four months ago that I did anything with my singing or songwriting. A lot of that writing from the past has been incorporated in my songs,” said Saylor.

“Waiting years after starting my writing really helped set a strong foundation; it allows me to continue to put out new songs without the pressure of having to write completely new ones.”

All of Saylor’s music is original and his inspiration comes from all aspects of his life.

“I have a switch in my mind that can either allow me to write based on my personal life and events, or when nothing is really happening in my life, I have the ability to just write something marketable that others can relate to,” Saylor said.

But don’t worry, Saylor hasn’t taken any advice from Taylor Swift and won’t be focusing his music on bashing exes anytime soon.

Now living in Columbus, Saylor is taking full advantage of the city and all it has to offer for his career.

“I decided to make it (my music) something that I would share with everyone just a few months ago. I realized the opportunity of being in a larger city and being at a college where people are willing to listen and share your work,” Saylor said.

Very humbly, Saylor admits that he knows his situation is not typical. Usually the kind of success he has experienced takes years to even get to where he is at now.

“I am so blessed; the big focus around my name has serious potential because the hard work and time I put in to allow all this to happen so fast,” Saylor said.

The Aaron Carter show is only two weeks away, and Saylor is hard at work preparing for the big night.

“A lot is riding on this show in many different ways. The concert is through a large promotion agency and playing a great show, and bringing a lot of people out that night to watch, is the perfect step in scoring more big shows,” Saylor said.

“However, aside from those nerves I’m blessed and excited; without the support I have received, I would never be here right now.”

If you’re interested in seeing Spencer, and Aaron Carter too, of course, tickets can be purchased through Saylor himself or with Ticketmaster.

“I do know the event is almost, if not already, sold out and they will be probably opening up an additional space for about another 150 people,” Saylor said.

Tickets are $20 and those who are under 21 will have to pay an additional $3 at the door. The show is March 20 at Skully’s Music Diner on High Street, and Saylor starts singing at 7:25 p.m.

“The best place to go in order to find most of my information is my ReverbNation page (www.reverbnation.com/spencersaylor). This page displays future events, photos, videos, blogs, some of my songs, and links to all of my other additional pages,” Saylor said.

“Of course though, you can find me on twitter (@spenmoneybeats), on my Facebook artist page, or on iTunes and Spotify.”

kshlakma@capital.edu - The Chimes

We want to introduce Spencer Saylor as this week’s featured Singer & Songwriter. When he is not studying music at the Conservatory of Music at Capital University, he spends his time writing and performing. In just a short period of time, Spencer has made himself known in Columbus, Ohio for his unique style and lyrics.

Thank you Spencer for taking the time to answer these questions. we appreciate all of your support and hope to see you soon on Frettie.

Q: Where do you call home:

Columbus, Ohio.

Q: Where did you grow up?

Canfield, Ohio.

Q: How did you get started with Songwriting?

I have been playing guitar since the age of nine (started electric but made my way to acoustic) and due to the shift in the genre of music I listened to, by the age of around 14 I wanted to start writing my own music.

We all look up to our heroes. My heroes were the musicians I was listening to; Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer—we want to be like our heroes and that’s how I took such an interest in writing.

Q: What books are you currently reading?

As a music student, you do not get a whole lot of time that can be spent on extra reading outside of school; however, I like to continue to educate myself on songwriting and the music business, so I am often reading forums and articles online written by some of the industry’s best.

Q: What album are you currently listening to?

I love all genres of music—therefore my music playlist is constantly changing. However, if you want me to pinpoint it down to one album or artist, I have really been getting into Phillip Phillips and his debut album since American Idol, “The World from the Side of the Moon”. He has a unique folk sound, and I feel like he and I have commonalities in our writing. Hopefully our similar stories can allow us to cross paths in the future.

Q: When it gets tough, how do you stay inspired?

One skill I have developed over the years is really how to fight writers block. It is almost as if I have a switch in my mind that can either allow me to write based on my personal life and events, or when nothing is really happening in my life, I have the ability to just write something marketable that others can relate to.

Q: As a Songwriter, what is your biggest challenge?

I think for every songwriter the big challenge is busting out of the walls of the city you have made a name for yourself in. For me, I did it quicker in Columbus than other Songwriters in other cities where it takes them years of playing out to become recognized.

Going to a school in Columbus where my music quickly spread and students hopped on board. They started sharing it and that really helped me skip a few stressful steps in becoming known. I am so blessed for this to have happened. My booking agent and I have now been working closely in finding more larger named artists to open for not only in the Columbus area but also the Cleveland-Youngstown-Pittsburgh areas. Hopefully in the larger shows that I begin to play, my national fan base and recognition can grow large enough to allow me to travel the country with my music—which is right now a top the pyramid of my goals.

Q: What time of day do you prefer to write your music and where?

I never really just sit down and write music; I have to either begin feeling an emotion that I think will work good for a song, think of a catchy melody that I can work with, or think of a couple good lines that allow me to continue to work off of them.

This can happen at all times of the day so I cannot really pinpoint a certain time of day. I have written from the crack of dawn to the late hours of the evening.

Q: To date, what has been your favorite memory as a Songwriter?

The start of my career three months ago til now—and I cannot even explain it. Everything has truly happened so fast and it all still seems so surreal. I have had this dream since I was just a little kid.

I can’t just pick out a certain memory because it seems that every single day something awesome is happening with my music. From becoming #1 singer/songwriter artist for Columbus via ReverbNation, having successful radio/iTunes/Spotify releases, working with some great sound engineers and studios, playing out more around Columbus, and now I am opening for Aaron Carter on his comeback tour at the end of March. For this to all happen in just 3 months blows not only other peoples minds but my own

But my true favorite memory and accomplishment is being able to do what I had always set out to do. There is no greater feeling than looking out into your audience and seeing people singing your songs word for word with you. Having fans let you know that your song is one of their new favorite songs, and that your songs are now apart of their favorite in the car playlist to jam to is amazing.

I had always and will always set out to create something that will help people when they are having problems or feeling a certain way. The fact that my music is doing that and to the point that they known it word for word—simply leaves me speechless.

Q: How do you maintain your professional growth?

In order to be successful in the music industry you have to be willing to put all of your time and effort into your career. I can’t count how many hours in the day I set aside to making sure my growth professionally is always going upwards.

I am not only always practicing, but I continually update information on my Facebook and ReverbNation pages, look into other tools and websites that will help me grow my name, and of course staying closely tied in with my fan base through twitter.

Professionally if you want to be successful put your fans first. They are really the people who will decide whether your name grows and gets spread so staying in touch with them as much as possible is what I make my priority. This journey is not just mine, my fan base will always be coming a long with me sharing every moment!

Q: What advice would you tell up and coming Songwriters?

Three things are important:

1.) Decide whether you are doing this as a hobby or want to make it a potential career. If you want to make a name for yourself and grow a fan base and have people take interest in your music, it takes a lot of time, effort, and work. You have to know whether you are willing to put in
that time.

2.) Stick to your roots. Remember who you are, where you came from, who the people who love you are. It will make the process so much easier, fulfilling, and allow you to know wherever your music takes you, you will always have home. (It is as cliché as the songs make it out to be).

3.) You are a songwriter; write YOUR songs. No matter where you go, write about what YOU want, what YOU feel, and the melodies that get stuck in YOUR head. The coolest thing about being a songwriter is that no one can tell you what to write— you write the story that people are going to listen and relate to.

If you are really a songwriter, if you get to the moment where you are given the option to see your name in lights but you are not the one writing the songs that you are trying to get others to believe in, then revaluate what you originally started doing this for.

Q: Would you like to add anything else?

Thank you for the opportunity. You can find my music on itunes. - Frettie