From Stage to Storytime: One Tree Hill’s Tyler Hilton on Music, Fatherhood & His New Book

In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, host Adina Oberman interviews musician Tyler Hilton, discussing the intricacies of blending fatherhood with his musical career. Hilton reflects on his time as both a touring musician and an active dad, with a special focus on how the pandemic afforded him a unique bonding opportunity with his young children. The conversation delves into the inspiration and creative process behind his new children's book, "Daddy Live in Concert," emphasizing the special bond between parents and their children and the power of music in fostering this connection.

Episode Highlights
00:00:09: Host Adina Oberman introduces the Helping Families Be Happy podcast and presents Tyler Hilton as a guest.
00:01:19: Oberman elaborates on Hilton's background in music and acting, mentioning his roles and collaborations.
00:02:02: Hilton updates his bio to include the recent addition of his eight-month-old son, expressing the chaos and joy of early parenthood.
00:02:29: Discussion begins regarding Hilton's new book "Daddy Live in Concert" and its inception following the birth of his daughter Winnie.
00:03:34: Hilton shares the evolution of playing music for his children and the broader idea for connecting parents and kids through music.
00:04:28: The process of turning home concerts into live-streamed events during the pandemic is described.
00:05:39: Hilton candidly talks about his daughter’s changing reaction to his singing, highlighting phases of children’s growth.
00:06:20: Music’s impact on young minds is discussed, and Hilton mentions his son’s current enjoyment of his music.
00:07:01: Hilton explores similarities between playing music for different audiences — from hospital patients to children.
00:07:50: Oberman refers to another popular parenting tool, the show Bluey, for its lessons on imaginative play.
00:09:36: Hilton explains the book’s perspective from a child and the magical view children have of their parents’ abilities.
00:12:39: The conversation on how parents should embrace imaginative play ensues.
00:13:16: Hilton shares his strategy for creating a song list tailored to his children’s tastes for ease and engagement.
00:16:34: Oberman asks about Hilton’s upcoming children’s album and his current tour details.
00:17:22: Hilton talks about his worldwide tour and its focus on One Tree Hill music, along with hints at future kid’s album plans.
00:18:05: Discussion on the differences between performing for children and for other audiences.
00:18:25: Information is provided on how to follow Tyler Hilton and access his music and tour dates.
00:18:51: The episode concludes with gratitude towards Tyler Hilton and the hope for future collaborations.

Key Takeaways

• Parents don’t need to be professionals to entertain and engage with their children through music; it's about presence and enthusiasm.
• Encouraging imaginative play fosters a deep connection between parents and children and creates lasting memories.
• Music can bridge the gap in communication with young children, tapping into their emotional understanding.
• The perspective taken in "Daddy Live in Concert" highlights a child's view of their parents as heroes.

Tweetable Quotes

• "Music is so great for kids anyway, whether it's being played on a speaker, but when they hear it live... it's a soul thing." — Tyler Hilton
• "Kids are just looking for reasons to have fun and be silly or stupid with their parents." — Tyler Hilton
• "Parents are the coolest people in the room for only a short time. This book encapsulates that magic." — Tyler Hilton

Show Notes by Barevalue.