Parker, Colorado, native Tyler Ward didn’t always plan to be a musician. After spending his high school years focused on football, he jointed the sports program at the US Air Force Academy Preparatory School. However, when the rigidity of prep school sports and military discipline proved to be too restrictive, he quit school and started to focus more on his music. Am I ever glad he did!

Like many of the musicians I showcase, Ward got his start in music when his YouTube channel started getting attention. From shooting videos in his parents’ basement and his first concert (with 4 attendees) to being one of the most recognizable and successful music superstars of YouTube, his local-boy-makes-good story is fun to watch, and his music is deserving of attention. (And it doesn’t hurt that he’s a total babe.)

His YouTube channel is full of beautiful covers (his version of Pink’s “Try” was on Grey’s Anatomy!), successful collaborations,  his very-listenable original music, and some charming vlog entries. I recommend you go take a look around. In the meantime, here are some highlights from his rise (out of the basement) to fame.