Of all the various art forms, music has the distinction of catapulting, virtually overnight, unknown practitioners into widely known figures.
In other disciplines such as theatre or dance, an impressive body of work is typically required before such status is attained. In the music world, however, a song that immediately resonates with the masses via radio airplay, streaming, or social media often does the trick, and in very quick fashion.
Up until late 2019, country singer Tyler Joe Miller was relatively unknown. On Christmas Day of that year, the release of the Surrey, BC native’s first single changed the trajectory of his music career in sudden and dramatic fashion.
The lead single off Miller’s then-pending debut EP Sometimes I Don’t, But Sometimes I Do, “Pillow Talkin'” zoomed to the top spot on the Billboard Canada Country Chart — the first time a debut single by an independent artist had ever done so. In addition, the song earned the 70th spot on the Canadian Hot 100, and was certified gold in Canada for 40,000-plus sales.
For country music fans, Miller was no longer an unknown. Better still, they wanted to hear more.
On July 15 at Del Crary Park, Miller will headline as part of the 39th edition of Peterborough Musicfest, providing proof in the process that there has been life after his auspicious debut, and it has been good. As always, admission is free to the sponsored-supported 8 p.m. concert.
VIDEO: “Pillow Talkin'” – Tyler Joe Miller
Come June 2020, Miller had laid well to rest any notion that he would be just another name on the long list of one-hit wonders when “I Would Be Over Me Too” — his second co-written single from same debut EP — also hit number one on the Billboard Canada Country Chart, giving him his first chart topper as a songwriter.
After its November 2020 release, his debut EP also produced two more singles in “Fighting” and “Sometimes I Do.” During 2022, he released the singles “Wild As Her” and “Never Met A Beer,” the latter a collaboration with fellow Canadian country artist Matt Lang.
The following year was a big year for Miller, and a busy one. Following the February 2023 release of the single “Back To Drinkin’ Whiskey,” Miller released the acoustic EP The Band’s Packed Up, which included the single “I Know Jack” amongst its tracks. Then, in August, the inevitable happened with the release of Miller’s debut full-length studio album Spillin’ My Truth.
Among the album’s 11 tracks were some of the singles released earlier in 2023 as well as “Wild As Her,” peaking in the number eight spot on Billboard Canada Country Chart which, by this time, was quite familiar territory for Miller.
After signing management and distribution deals in 2024, Miller released the single “Broken Man” in March of that year, toured Canada, and released the single “What Good Is A Memory,” which was included on his EP Going Home. That same year saw Miller nominated for three 2025 Canadian Country Music Association Awards: Album of the Year, Fans’ Choice, and Male Artist of the Year.
In addition, Spillin’ My Truth earned a 2024 Juno Award nomination for Country Album of the Year while Going Home brought forth a 2025 Juno Award nomination, also for Country Album of the Year.
While the central themes of Miller’s songs of love, loss, and resilience are familiar to country music fans, his talent needed a springboard and that very first single “Pillow Talkin'” was clearly the jumping-off point.
VIDEO: “Broken Man” – Tyler Joe Miller
In a 2022 interview with Matthew Patania of Pulse Music Magazine, Miller expressed his shock over not one but two of his first singles attaining number one on the Billboard Canada Country Chart.
“It still hasn’t sunk in — I don’t think it ever will,” he said.
“It was crazy to hear Pillow Talkin’ on the radio for first time, and to have it go number one was nuts. It was the coolest thing I could have experienced as an artist, other than a crowd singing it back to me. To have a song you wrote be loved as much, or more, by your fans is truly an unreal experience.”
In the same interview, Miller recounted how living in British Columbia strengthened his passion for country music.
“Being out in the country up at my cabin and being out in nature really contributed to my love for music, because that’s where I remember listening to a lot of the music I grew up on,” he said.
“I remember listening to those CDs for the first time and coming up with song ideas of my own and feeling like it came to me so naturally in that environment. It made it easier for me once I started writing songs because I could just write about things I had experienced and that fit so perfectly into country music.”
VIDEO: “Fighting” – Tyler Joe Miller
His many musical pursuits aside, Miller — a carpenter and painter by trade — owns The Climb Outreach Society, a non-profit organization that provides housing, drinking water sources, emergency food funds, and healthcare for newborn babies in Central America. Indeed, that good work is one of his motivations for pursuing a career in music.
“I remember playing a few songs I wrote with a couple of people out on the patio at night and the next day someone from our group asked me if it was me singing the night before,” Miller recalled. “I said yes, and he questioned why I wasn’t pursuing country music. I explained that I was happy running my contracting business and doing non-profit work and he put the idea in my head that I could potentially help more people if I make a name for myself with music and use that to encourage others to help where needed, and here I am.”
Prior to Tyler Joe Miller taking the stage, the Cogeco-sponsored Future Sound Series will see Peterborough singer-songwriter Joanna Bronson perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., near the food trucks at the George Street entrance to Del Crary Park.
Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 16 free-admission concerts during its 39th season, staged in Del Crary Park on Wednesday and Saturday nights until August 19.
Overseen by executive director Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission remains “to provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”
For more information on this concert or the 2026 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or call the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a headline sponsor of Peterborough Musicfest’s 2026 season.
