Howard City’s Tyler Gitchel already has opened for national artists and released several singles in 2025. Get his back story and listen to one of his original songs at Local Spins.
Inspired by George Jones, Hank Williams Jr. and His Family: Tyler Gitchel (Courtesy Photo)
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Fast-emerging singer-songwriter Tyler Gitchel is not only carrying on a long-held family tradition of playing music, but also aims to bring his own personal brand of sincerity and storytelling to the world of country music.
The 18-year-old Howard City native and fifth-generation musician has already gotten airplay from thousands of country radio stations across the country and received recognition for a soulful, older-than-his-years voice that fits right in with the traditional country styles that have inspired Gitchel.
Gitchel readily concedes he’s been singing ever since he can remember, but really started taking music seriously and learning guitar at the age of 13.
“Everyone at all of our family get-togethers would be picking and I eventually picked up a guitar,” said Gitchel.
By the time Gitchel was 17, he had won awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year at the 2023 North American Country Music Association International competition.
He’s also released a handful of tracks throughout 2025, including his first original song, “The War.”
LISTEN: Tyler Gitchel, “The War”
Gitchel’s previous releases were written by his father, Luke Gitchel, who first introduced Gitchel to the country and bluegrass scene by bringing him to local festivals when he was young. Luke Gitchel, a multi-instrumentalist, has performed solo and with a number of West Michigan bands over the years, including The Rogue River Boys, Full Cord, The Midnight Cattle Callers and others.
“My dad, he can write about anything even if he hasn’t experienced it. I have to experience those things to make something out of it. Something that heavily impacted me is usually what I choose to write about,” Tyler Gitchel said of his current songwriting inspirations.
A Robust Family Tradition: Gitchel (Courtesy Photo)
Tyler and Luke Gitchel will perform together at Frosty’s Amble Roadhouse in Howard City at 7 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 13), with “lots of new songs” on the set list.
Gitchel cited several classic country artists — George Jones, Hank Williams Jr. and Keith Whitley to name a few — as his musical influences. He also spoke of his admiration for modern country artists who are keeping the traditional country sound alive, including Zach Top.
Already, Gitchel has had the opportunity to open for a number of rising country stars in recent years, including Johnny Paycheck Jr., Whey Jennings and Dale Watson.
“I think what new country music is lacking is truth behind their lyrics. When I write songs, it’s all truth, you know? And I think that’s what people connect with,” said Gitchel, whose music features bluesy slide guitar, lively fiddle melodies and lyrics straight from the heart.
While Gitchel doesn’t have many shows planned for the remainder of 2025, he is gearing up to release even more music in the coming months and hopes to connect with the Michigan music scene and his audiences across the state in 2026.
“If I don’t make it in the music world, I’m not disappointed, you know, I’m just seeing where it’s going to take me. I’m just having fun with it,” said Gitchel, “One day it would be cool to play Van Andel Arena if I’m shooting high.”
Given Gitchel’s success at a young age, it’s a goal not outside his reach, as his career continue to grow and evolve while settling into his own personal writing and vocal approach.
Learn more about Gitchel — including his lead role in an award-winning short film, “Finding Chase” — at tylergitchel.com.
Copyright 2025, Spins on Music LLC
