FEATURED ARTIST: Tyrone Wells

A few weeks ago, my buddy music journalist Annie Reuter convinced me to go to NYC's City Winery and check out Tyrone Wells live. He's that guy you may have heard singing "Sink or Swim" for the "Grey's Anatomy" promo last year. (That series always picks the best songs for my burgeoning collection.) I figured I needed to get out of the house and the song was really, really good, so why not go...without hearing all of his albums, like I normally do? It's interesting going to a concert for an artist you don't already keep on replay. Once you realize that 1) they don't suck and 2) you've been missing out, every single note that escapes the performer has you holding your breath, anticipating the next lyric.

So after two hours of an incredible performance, I learned that Wells is not only an amazing live singer, but also really funny. Check out the clips below:

"Give Me One Reason": He gives a really passionate performance—it's one of those instances where I would rather buy the acoustic version. Tony Lucca, one of his very talented opening acts, accompanied him in the duet.


"Baby Don't Change": He introduces the song by telling the women of the crowd that they should never date a man who doesn't love them for who they are. Accompanying him is his percussionist Mark Chipello, who was mesmerizing to watch.


Towards the end he mixed a few songs seamlessly. Here's a remix/cover of Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love," Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved," and Train's "Hey, Soul Sister."


In between songs, he would talk to the crowd and tell anecdotes. He told a story of how, before he was TV-famous, he used to play at weddings, and then one day a guy asked him to "play his proposal." It's exactly as it sounds. The craziest proposal he played for was under a pier when it was pitch black outside. He was supposed to hide behind a pillar and then start playing when the couple got closer. The girl was understandably shocked to see one of her favorite artists playing a guitar under the pier in the middle of the night. lol Her boyfriend acted as though he was shocked too, but then he whipped out a camera, using it as a distraction so he could propose. When she accepted, 40 of their friends appeared from behind pillars and rushed towards them, scaring the crap out of Wells and the girl, but he kept playing, pumped up by all of the excitement. lol That sounds like one crazy night.

Here, he tells the story of when he met Renee Zellweger at a Starbucks and totally spazzed out: