Tyller Gummersall has built a career on traditional country with room to roam — Western swing,
honky-tonk, singer-songwriter storytelling with a little roots-rock grit, all served up with a rotating cast of top-tier musicians. Ahead of his next show, Gummersall spoke with Prescott NOW about his band, his sound and what brought him to Prescott.
Prescott NOW: How long have you been playing together as a band?
Gummersall: I met my main rhythm section, Jim Kelley on bass and George Lilly on drums, in 2021 when I first moved to Arizona.
Mike Smith (pedal steel) has been playing with us off and on since 2023. [He was a real treat to have along at our June Elks Theatre Show]; he has three gold and two platinum albums for his work with The Gatlin Brothers and has also toured the world with The Judds, Charlie Rich, Hank Williams, Jr., Jerry Reed and others.
I’ve had the pleasure of performing with so many talented folks. Prescott in particular has a wonderful music scene, and I’m so lucky to have a solid list of players I can call on! Rick Schmidt (pedal steel/guitar) has been part of the core since 2023. Terry Kirkendall on drums has been trading chairs with George the past few years; they’re both incredible drummers.
Prescott NOW: What’s the story behind the band’s name?
Gummersall: Honestly, we probably should come up with one eventually! For now it’s just the Tyller Gummersall Band. The musicians I play with all have their own projects and careers too, so it’s always felt more like a rotating family of great players than a traditional fixed band.
Prescott NOW: How do you connect with the audience during a show?
Gummersall: I always try to read the room first. Every crowd is a little different, some folks want to dance all night, some want to really listen to the lyrics and stories. My goal is to meet people where they are and bring them into the show.
Some of my favorite performers were songwriters in Nashville and Texas who could hold a room completely captive with a story or even just a simple moment between songs. The best shows feel less like a performance and more like everybody sharing the same experience.
Prescott NOW: How would you describe your sound?
Gummersall: The short answer is traditional country, but there are a lot of influences mixed in there. With the full band, we can move from western swing and honky-tonk to singer-songwriter material and even some bluesier roots-rock sounds.
I like a show to have dynamics and variety. No matter what, the goal is always to serve the song and let the musicianship shine through.
Prescott NOW: What is the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Gummersall: One that really stayed with me happened while I was playing dancehalls down in Texas.
After the show, the bass player handed me a note left in the tip jar. It said: “Thank you. This is the first time my husband and I have danced since his open-heart surgery. I was afraid we’d never dance again.”
Music can sometimes feel like a grind when you’re out there trying to make a living, but moments like that remind you how meaningful it can be for people.
Prescott NOW: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Gummersall: Enjoy the ride a little more, and trust that things have a way of working out if you keep showing up and doing the work.
Prescott NOW: What brought you to Prescott?
Gummersall: Less snow and more music! My parents, who are both artists, moved to Prescott first, and my dad kept telling me about how vibrant the music scene was here. I’d been looking for a western town where I could still make a living playing music.
The support for live music here is special! The venues, musicians, restaurant owners and audiences all play a role in keeping it alive.
