Tyler Farr

The album also sports singles “Hello Goodbye” and “Hot Mess,” which he wrote with Rhett Akins. He also co-wrote “Hey Y’all” with Colt Ford, having been Ford’s touring singer.

Farr stands out because of his unique, classically trained voice. His pedigree has been building since grade school. His stepfather, DeWayne Phillips, played lead guitar for George Jones and when Farr was 16 he’d visit with Jones on the tour bus and watch his performances. The native of Garden City, Mo., eventually found his way to Nashville. At Tootsie’s he wound up performing from 10 p.m. to closing. It took a few more steps backward before Akins helped put his career into overdrive.

Manager Haley McLemore met Farr a few years ago through Farr’s friend, Lee Brice.

“I immediately connected with him,” McLemore told Pollstar. “His voice is so different but then he hits these registers of Vince Gill or Michael Bolton. He was so versatile. I absolutely loved him the first time I heard him. He was out on the road with Colt Ford.”

McLemore said the two of them had the same vision.

“He is edgy and hip but also really sensitive and has the ability vocally to go to a place of hurt when he sings,” she said. “The vision was to pull out who he really is. I think playing in bands, playing other people’s music, you don’t get to be who you are. When we started talking about vision, and who he was in his heart and mind, I think it was exactly who you’re seeing right now: sort of rough around the edges. He’s a tough guy but also has an emotional side. He’s gone through a lot of heartbreak; he hasn’t had an easy life.”

Farr’s options are wide open. When he wraps the Aldean tour, he may consider USO shows, take a break, do a club tour or even hop on the next arena tour that comes along.

“That’s a really good thing at this point,” McLemore said. “That’s just a fantastic place to be.”