Having played his original music in Portland clubs since 2005, Portland singer-songwriter, Tyler Stenson, has compiled a “supergroup” of Portland musicians to form a Counting Crows Tribute — a homage to the cultish band that Stenson cites as his absolute biggest musical influence.

Stenson is not your typical cover artist. With twelve albums of original music to his name, his prolific writing has earned him the title of Portland’s “Songwriter of the Year” by the Portland Songwriters Association and “Best Male Artist” at the Portland Music Awards. Stenson has also been hand-picked by Adam Duritz (of Counting Crows) to perform at his Outlaw Roadshow showcase at SxSW and NYC (out of 4,000), as well as being selected by legendary producer, Don Was, as a “Top 10 Finalist” in Guitar Center’s National Songwriter Search (out of 10,000).

Stenson admits his love for the craft that has earned such recognition stems from one source.

“I remember a particularly whiskey-soaked night in college when my friend put on a Counting Crows record,” Stenson recalls. “I had heard their radio hits, but on that night I heard something deeper. My writing – my life – was never the same.”

For the next decade, Stenson has written a brand of lyric-first, folky pop-rock that draws from several influences, most obviously, Counting Crows. This original music has attracted a national following, including play on SiriusXM’s “Coffee House” station, several national commercials, and television series; however, with this tribute act, Stenson aims to step outside of his own box for a bit.

“When you’ve been on the road, writing and performing for as long as I have, from time to time, you need to remind yourself of why you’re doing it,” reflects Stenson. “Honestly, it's an equal thrill to put my originals on hold for a night and simply sing the songs that lit this fire inside of me.”