Country star Tyler Farr on musical evolution and success.

Tyler Farr has had a circuitous route to becoming a celebrated country star. At 21, the classically-trained opera singer, left his native Missouri and took off for Nashville eager to be a country star. From there, he spent years as a physical laborer, short order cook, construction worker, landscaper and worked at a halfway house for kids.

He spoke to the Weekly about his path to fame and his love for country music, and performs tonight at the Golden State Theatre in Monterey. 

Weekly: Has there been any recent heartbreak in your life? 

Farr: No recent heartbreak beside my bloodhound passing away. I’m happily married and have had plenty of heartbreak in previous years, so I’m just glad and blessed I haven’t had to deal with that recently.

Musically, what's next for you?

I’ll have a new album out soon that Kristian Bush helped produce. I’m extremely proud of it and him. It’s like a breath of fresh air in the room. Other than that i will just keep doing what I do: making and playing country music. 

What is the most emotionally challenging tune you've ever written?

It has to be “heaven has a dirt road," for the fact that I wrote it with a couple buddies the week after my best friend past away for unknown reasons. Having to write a song like that brings you peace but a lot of sadness and memories as well. 

Is there a song on Suffer in Peace that you are particularly proud of?

Without a doubt, “A Guy Walks into a Bar” is the song I’m most proud of. It was country and it was different than anything on the radio. I like taking risks, even though they sometimes fail, in the end I like to swing for the fence. That song is living proof that country music is still here, and won’t be leaving soon.

How do you think you've evolved as a songwriter since Redneck Crazy?

"Redneck Crazy" was a career starter for me so it will always be that song that changed my life. Since then a lot has changed. You learn your strengths, your weaknesses, and how to overcome obstacles that stand in front of you that you don’t want to face, but you do it anyway because the music and fans is what it’s all about. 

Nashville is full of talented singer-songwriters who are all as hardworking as the next guy. What keeps someone like you going when you're constantly inundated by folks all going after the same thing you are?

I think the thing that keeps me going the most is the fans and my love for music. I don’t do it for the money or fame. I do it because I truly love it and that’s what makes me work so hard. That will never vary.  

At what moment did you realize you could quit your day job and for a full time music career?

When the fans started showing up to shows more and more. Then they started singing my songs. It was the best feeling in the entire world.