Troy Olsen




9:15 p.m.
Joe's Bar
940 W. Weed Street

That Troy Olsen's songs invoke images of deserts, tumbleweeds and small towns is not by chance. Growing up in rural Arizona, Troy has lived the life of the American cowboy. Raised in tiny Duncan, Ariz., not far from the New Mexico line, Troy split his time between his parents' ranch and his grandparents', where he worked with his cousins. His grandparents didn't have electricity, but during the day a portable radio pulled in the signal from a local AM station. Along the way, Troy has co-wrote a hit song for Blake Shelton, the top 10 "I'll Just Hold On," and a cut that Tim McGraw recorded for his Southern Voice album, "Ghost Town Train." He wrote the latter song, a plaintive cry for a lost lover, with hit songwriter Marv Green ( George Strait's "It Just Comes Natural"). The song represented a breakthrough for Troy. In the fall of 2009, he took six of his self-penned songs and performed them at a Nashville showcase packed with the industry's elite. His unique western sound, lived-in voice, and authentic delivery were unanimously well received.The following day Troy signed with the legendary EMI, home to Capitol Records artists as varied and successful as Frank Sinatra, Garth Brooks, and Keith Urban. His first single "Summer Thing," which he penned with Ben Hayslip and Jimmy Yeary, is an enchanting ode to warm weather and women. Troy's usage of modern techniques applied to traditional country songs creates a unique sound that's undeniably country, but fresh. His songs resonate with the richness of the American Southwest while still representative of 21st century culture.