American Idol Contestant Tyrone Wells Wows Students

As colored lights pan over waving hands, and screaming voices echo through the air, Tyrone Wells steps off the stage. Just another night in the life of a rock star. The musician has been on tour for almost six months and is still going strong. His stop at Phillips Exeter Academy last Friday was not something to miss, and if you did not manage to make it, you are about to wish you had.

Seattle-born and raised in Spokane, Wells has been playing music since he was a young boy, but his career in music did not start until his college years. According to him, his love of music was inspired by his sisters, who “brought out the music in him.” Wells began writing songs when he moved to California to attend school at Hope International University. Once there, he became a member of student band “Sinai”, which produced two LP’s. After leaving the band, Wells took his career solo, and began playing shows in and around Orange County, California.

With eleven studio albums to date and a twelfth due in March, Wells has had no shortage of success in the music world. His songs have been used in over 50 films and TV shows including “American Idol,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Vampire Diaries.”

Wells’ signature alternative-rock style and deep warbling voice are as unmistakable as the moving lyrics of his woeful ballads. Wells has managed to do what all songwriters aspire to do, not only create a song that is pleasing to hear, but also one that conveys a genuine message. While Wells himself is quite religious, few of his songs contain religious language.

Wells and his drummer Bryan Taylor took the stage this past Friday night in front of nearly a hundred Exonians. Students packed the tight venue in Agora in anticipation of one of the best school events this term. Wells wooed the crowd with a blend of low, folky ballads and some of his signature yodeling. Playing mostly tracks from his latest album, “This Love”. Wells did a fantastic job of making sure that the small crowd felt the energy from his songs.

Students also did their part in creating a great concert atmosphere by singing along to several songs. Taylor voiced his pleasure with the crowd after the show. “It was great out here. We weren’t sure what kind of crowd to expect, and it was super full and people were singing along,” Taylor said. “It was great because sometimes you go places, and people just sit there or they talk through the whole thing. But here, it seemed like everybody was engaged, which was really nice.”

Taylor joined Wells for this “mini-tour” after Wells’ former drummer left to pursue a career in music management. “I was asked through Tyrone to come perform, but I was excited to do it because I’ve never been to this city, so it was great to come out here.” Taylor also spoke about his experiences performing at other schools. “It’s fun to go to schools where people are interested in new kinds of music and interested in hearing different artists and stuff.”

Students were impressed and entertained by the performance. Upper Jan Stratmann spoke about his experience at the concert, saying “I think it was a very good concert. He wasn't just good as a musician, but also as an entertainer. His drummer was also impressive.” Lowers Jonathan Lee and Marvin Bennett Jr. also appreciated the concert’s atmosphere. “I think it was a beautiful experience, with an excellent performer releasing his soul through the art of his music,” Bennett said.

“He was good at keeping the atmosphere light,” Lee commented. “And the drummer was doing a crazy amount of things at the same time.”

Overall, the concert was a big hit, not only amongst the students who attended it, but for Wells and Taylor as well. Concerts and events that can entertain Exeter students are always a welcome respite during the cold winter months.