Tyler Warren, an alumnus of the MTSU School of Music and College of Liberal Arts, has quite a gig for the next year or so.

Tyler Warren

Warren, who earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 2008 with an emphasis in music industry, will be the drummer for “The Queen Extravaganza Tour” across North America in 2012.

The tour, which celebrates the music of the classic arena-rock band that still thrills generations of fans, was announced Dec. 8 in Los Angeles.

Queen, a British rock band that formed in 1971 in London, has sold more than 300 million albums, recorded 18 No. 1 singles and played more than 700 live concerts worldwide.

“I grew up listening to Queen, memorizing songs, studying (drummer) Roger Taylor’s technique and just fully engulfing myself in all the aspects of their music,” said Warren, a native of Camden, Tenn. “Not many people get an opportunity to meet one of their childhood heroes and promptly get judged by them.”

Warren said he has a 15-month contract to play in The Queen Extravaganza.

MTSU alumnus Tyler Warren keeps the beat during a recent performance. (photo submitted)

Warren was selected as Queen Extravaganza drummer after an 11-week challenge in which judges reviewed online auditions, weighed votes from Queen fans worldwide and supervised a final in-studio audition in Los Angeles. Five others were selected for vocal, guitar and bass roles with the band.

“As the audition videos began posting, we could see right away that the caliber of talent was very high,” Taylor said in making the lineup announcement. “But when I got into the studio with the final 25 musicians, I realized that these guys are seriously good players. They went way beyond my expectations.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision to choose the final line-up. I wish I could’ve kept them all, but in the end, I’m very happy with this group of exceptional musicians.”

Taylor will be producer and musical director of the road show. His Queen bandmate Brian May will be involved later in production.

Warren credits his MTSU professor Lalo Davila, a veteran School of Music faculty member, and former faculty member Tommy Giampietro for helping him achieve success. Warren plays several instruments and says his “drumming technique is a little different from most drummers these days, especially those my age.”

For more information, visit www.queenextravaganza.com.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)