News                                             

Tim is releasing a new single! It's a stripped down version of the blues rocker "Drinking for Two "(Gartland). It is available now on all streaming net -works! iTunes, Spotify and You Tube.  Go to his music video page to listen!

​

Tim's Bio

 

As an acclaimed contemporary blues artist, Tim has spent his life crafting his art.  Inspired at age 13 at a Muddy Waters concert in his home state of Ohio, he began his musical journey learning the harmonica and the blues genre. 

 

Through his study and immersion in the genre, Tim realized that if roots/blues music was going to stay relevant in today’s world, the songs had to tackle contemporary subjects. “The blues is essentially a genre in which the singer is having a cathartic experience. If you write about themes that are meaningful to your experience, you will create something new,” says Gartland.

 

He performed in local bands throughout college at Kent State.  After a move to Chicago, he immersed himself into the Chicago root/blues scene, playing with the greats such a Bo Diddley, Carey Bell, and Pinetop Perkins. Tim has noted to be influenced by Little Walter for his harp playing, Ray Charles for his interpretation of a song, Willie Dixon for his songwriting.

 

Tim’s journey led him to Boston where he became a key player in the blues circuit.  He was a finalist in the Boston International Blues Challenge and made frequent appearances at regional and national blues festivals. He also was invited to make prestigious guest artist appearances with the top tier musicians in this talent-rich area.  

 

To date, Tim has released five critically acclaimed solo albums. His first two albums were recorded in Boston. The albums “Looking Into The Sun” and “Million Stars” prompted The Boston Globe to declare “the bluesman is a true triple-threat performer, equally accomplished as an emotive vocalist, eloquent harmonica player and evocative songwriter”. 

 

Relocating to Nashville in 2015, he became an active member of the Nashville Songwriters Association and was named to their “ones to watch” list. The Nashville Scene wrote “Gartland shows he is a clever and talented songwriter, a skilled harp player and a soulful vocalist. And that’s the truth”. He is a prolific songwriter and collaborates with other Music City artists. He also performs regionally and continues to be in demand for session work.

 

Tim has released 3 solo albums in Nashville. “If You Want A Good Woman”, “Satisfied” and “Truth”.  A review of “Satisfied” by Downbeat Magazine opined that his: “His Little Walter-inspired harmonica work can send shivers down your spine, and there is a much distinction in his vocals and songwriting too”.  “Truth” reached #9 on the U.S. contemporary blues charts and #5 on Tennessee’s Root’s radio charts where it remained for over 4 months, one of the longest runs of any artist that year.

 

In addition to his writing and performing pursuits, Tim is a teacher and author. He wrote an instructional manual “The Talking Harmonica” and teaches online all over the country.