Tyson
Vanek
I sing. I also run the sound. Usually at the same time.
I'm a singer in the Chicago area. Right now I sing harmonies and backup in The Big Richards, step up front for lead on a bunch of songs, and mix the band from the stage. Before that I was the lead singer of One And The Same, a 90s rock band. I'm looking for a band that needs a lead singer. I'd be just as happy joining a band that's already up and running as building something new from scratch with motivated musicians who love this as much as I do.
- Range
- Tenor. About two octaves in chest voice (roughly C♯3 to C5), plus falsetto for the high harmonies.
- Genres
- 90s rock & grunge · Alt & modern rock · Country · Pop & classic hits
- Influences
- Foo Fighters · Chris Cornell · Dave Matthews Band · John Mayer
- Based
- Algonquin, IL · Chicago area
Ants Marching · Dave Matthews Band · The Big Richards · Niko's Red Mill Tavern · 10.04.25
Scenes · full songs, start to finish
I step up front for this one.
Input 02 · Live sound
I mix
from the stage.
With The Big Richards I sing and run our live sound at the same time, from the stage, on a digital mixer. It keeps me honest. If the vocals are buried or the monitors are a mess, I hear it first, and it's usually my job to fix it.
More recently I designed and built my own custom software to help with that. It's tailored to the way I run sound, and it helps me dial in how the band sounds in rehearsal and at shows, both on stage and out in the audience.
Before that, with One And The Same, I ran sound for every rehearsal and every gig, including our in-ear monitor (IEM) rig and everyone's in-ear mixes.
Also: before AI image tools, I did the One And The Same logo and branding, our stickers and event posters, and the artwork that ended up on Joey Ossey's kick drum head.
- Line checkEvery input up and clean before the first song.
- MonitorsWedge and in-ear mixes the band can actually play to.
- Front of houseThe room mix, nudged song to song.
- Load-in, load-outI set up and tear down the rig with everyone else.
Input 03 · Set book · 191 songs / 101 lead
The set book
Songs I sing out front, and the rest of the book. The nine Scenes above are the proof. Use Highlights or Solo to narrow it, or dig through the full 191.
- 0013AMLeadMatchbox Twenty · TBR · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 002AliveLeadPearl Jam · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 003All My LifeLeadFoo Fighters · OATS2000s rock
- 004All the Small ThingsLeadBlink-182 · TBR · OATS · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 005American IdiotLeadGreen Day · OATS2000s rock
- 006Ants MarchingLeadDave Matthews Band · TBR · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 007Are You Gonna Be My GirlLeadJet · OATS2000s rock
- 008Are You Gonna Go My WayLeadLenny Kravitz · OATS90s rock
- 009Basket CaseLeadGreen Day · OATS90s rock
- 010Beautiful DisasterLead311 · OATS2000s rock
- 011Best of YouLeadFoo Fighters · TBR · OATS2000s rock
- 012Better ManLeadPearl Jam · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 013BlurryLeadPuddle of Mudd · TBR · OATS2000s rock
- 014BoomLeadP.O.D. · OATS2000s rock
- 015Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)LeadLooking Glass · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 016Bright LightsLeadMatchbox Twenty · TBR · OATS2000s rock
- 017Bullet With Butterfly WingsLeadThe Smashing Pumpkins · OATS90s rock
- 018CollideLeadHowie Day · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 019Come As You AreLeadNirvana · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 020Come Out and PlayLeadThe Offspring · OATS90s rock
- 021ComedownLeadBush · TBR90s rock
- 022Crawling in the DarkLeadHoobastank · OATS2000s rock
- 023CrazyLeadGnarls Barkley · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxFunk & soul
- 024CrazyLeadSeal · Acoustic JukeboxPop
- 025CreepLeadRadiohead · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 026CumbersomeLeadSeven Mary Three · OATS90s rock
- 027Dani CaliforniaLeadRed Hot Chili Peppers · TBR · OATS2000s rock
- 028Dirty Little ThingLeadVelvet Revolver · OATS2000s rock
- 029DriveLeadIncubus · TBR90s rock
- 030Even FlowLeadPearl Jam · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 031FaithLeadGeorge Michael · Acoustic JukeboxPop
- 032Far BehindLeadCandlebox · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 033Fast CarLeadTracy Chapman / Luke Combs · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 034Flagpole SittaLeadHarvey Danger · OATS90s rock
- 035Free Fallin'LeadTom Petty · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 036Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)LeadGreen Day · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 037GravityLeadJohn Mayer · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 038Hard to HandleLeadThe Black Crowes · TBR · OATS · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 039Harder to BreatheLeadMaroon 5 · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxPop
- 040Hash PipeLeadWeezer · OATS2000s rock
- 041Hemorrhage (In My Hands)LeadFuel · TBR · OATS2000s rock
- 042Hey JealousyLeadGin Blossoms · TBR · OATS · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 043I AloneLeadLive · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 044I Heard It Through the GrapevineLeadMarvin Gaye · Acoustic JukeboxFunk & soul
- 045I Wanna Be SedatedLeadRamones · OATSClassic rock
- 046If You Could Only SeeLeadTonic · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 047In BloomLeadNirvana · OATS90s rock
- 048Inside OutLeadEve 6 · OATS90s rock
- 049Interstate Love SongLeadStone Temple Pilots · TBR · OATS · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 050Joy of My LifeLeadChris Stapleton · OATS · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 051Just the Two of UsLeadGrover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers · Acoustic JukeboxFunk & soul
- 052Killing in the NameLeadRage Against the Machine · OATS90s rock
- 053KryptoniteLead3 Doors Down · TBR · OATS2000s rock
- 054Last ResortLeadPapa Roach · OATS2000s rock
- 055Learn to FlyLeadFoo Fighters · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 056Like a StoneLeadAudioslave · TBR · OATS2000s rock
- 057Lose ControlLeadTeddy Swims · TBRFunk & soul
- 058LowLeadCracker · OATS90s rock
- 059MachineheadLeadBush · OATS90s rock
- 060The MiddleLeadJimmy Eat World · TBR · OATS · Acoustic Jukebox2000s rock
- 061Moves Like JaggerLeadMaroon 5 · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxPop
- 062Mr. BrightsideLeadThe Killers · TBR · OATS2000s rock
- 063Mr. JonesLeadCounting Crows · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 064My HeroLeadFoo Fighters · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 065My Own Worst EnemyLeadLit · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 066My SacrificeLeadCreed · OATS2000s rock
- 067One and the SameLeadAudioslave · OATS2000s rock
- 068ParalyzerLeadFinger Eleven · OATS2000s rock
- 069Piano ManLeadBilly Joel · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 070PlowedLeadSponge · OATS90s rock
- 071PlushLeadStone Temple Pilots · OATS · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 072Possum KingdomLeadToadies · OATS90s rock
- 073Purple RainLeadPrince · TBR · OATSFunk & soul
- 074PushLeadMatchbox Twenty · TBR · OATS · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 075RemedyLeadThe Black Crowes · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 076Run-AroundLeadBlues Traveler · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 077SanteriaLeadSublime · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 078Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)LeadBig & Rich · TBR · OATS · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 079Save TonightLeadEagle-Eye Cherry · TBR · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 080Semi-Charmed LifeLeadThird Eye Blind · OATS90s rock
- 081Seven Nation ArmyLeadThe White Stripes · OATS2000s rock
- 082Sex on FireLeadKings of Leon · TBR · OATS · Acoustic Jukebox2000s rock
- 083Sex Type ThingLeadStone Temple Pilots · OATS90s rock
- 084She Talks to AngelsLeadThe Black Crowes · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 085ShimmerLeadFuel · TBR90s rock
- 086SlideLeadGoo Goo Dolls · TBR · OATS · Acoustic Jukebox90s rock
- 087SlitherLeadVelvet Revolver · OATS2000s rock
- 088Smells Like Teen SpiritLeadNirvana · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 089SmoothLeadSantana feat. Rob Thomas · TBR · OATSPop
- 090Smooth CriminalLeadAlien Ant Farm · OATS2000s rock
- 091Suck My KissLeadRed Hot Chili Peppers · OATS90s rock
- 092Sugar, We're Goin DownLeadFall Out Boy · TBR · OATS2000s rock
- 093Tennessee WhiskeyLeadChris Stapleton · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 094This LoveLeadMaroon 5 · TBRPop
- 095Under the BridgeLeadRed Hot Chili Peppers · TBR · OATS90s rock
- 096Use MeLeadBill Withers · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxFunk & soul
- 097ValerieLeadAmy Winehouse · TBR · OATS · Acoustic JukeboxFunk & soul
- 098Waiting on the World to ChangeLeadJohn Mayer · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 099Walking in MemphisLeadMarc Cohn · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 100The Way It IsLeadBruce Hornsby & the Range · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 101Wonderful TonightLeadEric Clapton · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 10280s MedleyMedley · TBRPop
- 103All Summer LongKid Rock · TBR · Acoustic Jukebox2000s rock
- 104American GirlTom Petty & the Heartbreakers · TBRClassic rock
- 105American KidsKenny Chesney · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 106Another Brick in the Wall (Pt. 2)Pink Floyd · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 107Beautiful CrazyLuke Combs · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 108BeginningsChicago · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 109Blister in the SunViolent Femmes · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 110Blue Ain't Your ColorKeith Urban · TBRCountry
- 111BreakdownTom Petty & the Heartbreakers · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 112Brown Eyed GirlVan Morrison · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 113Burning LoveElvis Presley · TBRClassic rock
- 114Can't You SeeThe Marshall Tucker Band · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 115Castle on the HillEd Sheeran · TBRPop
- 116Chicken FriedZac Brown Band · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 117CirclesPost Malone · TBRPop
- 118Country Girl (Shake It for Me)Luke Bryan · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 119Dirty Little SecretThe All-American Rejects · TBR2000s rock
- 120DOAFoo Fighters · TBR2000s rock
- 121Don't You (Forget About Me)Simple Minds · TBRPop
- 122Don't You Worry ChildSwedish House Mafia · TBRPop
- 123Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small TownPearl Jam · TBR90s rock
- 124Eminence FrontThe Who · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 125Everybody TalksNeon Trees · TBRPop
- 126Forget YouCeeLo Green · TBRFunk & soul
- 127Free / Into the MysticZac Brown Band · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 128Free BirdLynyrd Skynyrd · TBRClassic rock
- 129Friends in Low PlacesGarth Brooks · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 130Gin and JuiceSnoop Dogg · TBRFunk & soul
- 131God Bless the U.S.A.Lee Greenwood · TBRCountry
- 132Here I Go AgainWhitesnake · TBRClassic rock
- 133Hey Hey What Can I DoLed Zeppelin · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 134I Had Some HelpPost Malone feat. Morgan Wallen · TBRCountry
- 135I Wanna Dance with SomebodyWhitney Houston · Acoustic JukeboxPop
- 136In the EndLinkin Park · TBR2000s rock
- 137Island SongZac Brown Band · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 138It's Not My Time3 Doors Down · TBR2000s rock
- 139Jessie's GirlRick Springfield · TBRClassic rock
- 140The JokerSteve Miller Band · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 141Just Like HeavenThe Cure · TBRClassic rock
- 142Keep Your Hands to YourselfThe Georgia Satellites · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 143Layla (Unplugged)Eric Clapton · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 144The LetterThe Box Tops · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 145Listen to the MusicThe Doobie Brothers · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 146Long Train Runnin'The Doobie Brothers · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 147Long Way DownGoo Goo Dolls · TBR90s rock
- 148Love YourselfJustin Bieber · TBRPop
- 149MargaritavilleJimmy Buffett · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 150Miss YouThe Rolling Stones · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 151Night MovesBob Seger · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 152Old LoveEric Clapton · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 153Peaceful Easy FeelingEagles · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 154Pink HousesJohn Mellencamp · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 155A Pirate Looks at FortyJimmy Buffett · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 156Play It AgainLuke Bryan · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 157Pumped Up KicksFoster the People · TBRPop
- 158Rain KingCounting Crows · TBR90s rock
- 159Ramble OnLed Zeppelin · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 160Ramblin' ManThe Allman Brothers Band · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 161RespectAretha Franklin · TBRFunk & soul
- 162Roadhouse BluesThe Doors · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 163Roll with the ChangesREO Speedwagon · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 164Running on EmptyJackson Browne · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 165SangriaBlake Shelton · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 166Shotgun RiderTim McGraw · TBRCountry
- 167Shut Up and DanceWalk the Moon · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxPop
- 168(Sittin' On) The Dock of the BayOtis Redding · Acoustic JukeboxFunk & soul
- 169Somebody Like YouKeith Urban · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 170Southern CrossCrosby, Stills & Nash · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 171Starting OverChris Stapleton · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 172Stuck in the Middle with YouStealers Wheel · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 173Summer of '69Bryan Adams · TBRClassic rock
- 174Sunshine of Your LoveCream · TBRClassic rock
- 175Suspicious MindsElvis Presley · TBRClassic rock
- 176Sweet CarolineNeil Diamond · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 177Sympathy for the DevilThe Rolling Stones · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 178Tangled Up in YouStaind · Acoustic Jukebox2000s rock
- 179TequilaThe Champs · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 180TipsyShaboozey · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 181To Love SomebodyBee Gees · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 182Wagon WheelDarius Rucker · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 183Wake Me UpAvicii · TBRPop
- 184Walk on the Wild Side / Feelin' AlrightLou Reed / Joe Cocker (medley) · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 185Wanted Dead or AliveBon Jovi · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxClassic rock
- 186Where Everybody Knows Your NameGary Portnoy (Cheers theme) · Acoustic JukeboxSoft rock
- 187Where the Streets Have No NameU2 · TBRClassic rock
- 188Whiskey GlassesMorgan Wallen · TBR · Acoustic JukeboxCountry
- 189Who KnewP!nk · TBRPop
- 190Would?Alice in Chains · TBR90s rock
- 191Yellow LedbetterPearl Jam · TBR90s rock
Input 04 · Routing · 4 buses
Where I'm
plugged in
Being the one at the front mic has never meant I get more say, musically or otherwise. Everybody's opinion counts. That's how a band keeps having a good time, and how everyone gets what they need out of it.
- Bus 1The Big RichardsNow
Harmonies and backup, lead on a bunch of songs, and live sound. Facebook page. A 6-piece cover band. Brandon Chick sings lead. This is the band's second run. A few years after the first lineup wrapped up, the band came back together: Chris Haley and Brandon, plus Frank Merlin (guitar, vocals), Kevin Burian (keys), and Jason Campbell and now Mike Baisden on drums. I came back on vocals and sound.
Routed here: Ants Marching Moves Like Jagger Use Me Lose Control Harder to Breathe Kryptonite
- Bus 2Acoustic JukeboxNow
Lots of lead vocals. The Big Richards minus Brandon Chick, usually with drum tracks, a BeatBuddy, or no drums at all. Chris Haley (vocals, acoustic guitar, sometimes bass), Kevin Burian (keys), and most nights Frank Merlin (vocals, guitar). Lighter songs, with some overlap.
- Bus 3One And The Same2019-22
Lead vocals, 90s rock. Facebook page. Tom Rossiano (guitar) recruited me. He'd already pulled the band together with Lech Czerwinski on bass guitar (and even some vocals) and his nephew Joey Ossey on drums. A few years in, Lech moved to Florida, and my brother Wes Vanek took over bass for the last few years. We rehearsed for about a year before our first show at Sammy's in Huntley in July 2019, then played clubs around Chicagoland, including the Foundation Room at House of Blues.
Routed here: Even Flow Even Flow (GoPro) Bullet With Butterfly Wings
- Bus 4The Big Richards2016-18
Harmonies, some lead, and live sound. The first lineup: Ron Lincicum, Dave Cesario, Brandon Chick, Chris Haley and me. Bars, bowling alleys and block parties around the northwest suburbs. That lineup wrapped up in 2018, and I went on to front One And The Same.
Show history · 39 shows
| Date | Venue | Band |
|---|---|---|
| 10.30.26 | Port EdwardAlgonquin, IL | Acoustic Jukebox |
| 06.07.26 | Bandito Barney's Beach ClubEast Dundee, IL | Acoustic Jukebox |
| 05.30.26 | Bandito Barney's Beach ClubEast Dundee, IL | The Big Richards |
| 11.21.25 | Emmett's Brewing Co.West Dundee, IL | Acoustic Jukebox |
| Nov '25 | Private party | Acoustic Jukebox |
| 10.18.25 | Checkers II · Cider FestUnion, IL | The Big Richards |
| 10.04.25 | Niko's Red Mill TavernWoodstock, IL · Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival | The Big Richards |
| 08.30.25 | The Big Show · McHenry County FairgroundsWoodstock, IL · Opened for bands made up of former members of Boston, Styx and Journey | The Big Richards |
| 08.23.25 | Bandito Barney's Beach ClubEast Dundee, IL | The Big Richards |
| 07.19.25 | Old RepublicElgin, IL | The Big Richards |
| 06.14.25 | Bandito Barney's Beach ClubEast Dundee, IL | The Big Richards |
| 09.27.24 | Bandito Barney's Beach ClubEast Dundee, IL | The Big Richards |
| 10.08.23 | Rosie's Video Gaming LoungeGilberts, IL · Grand opening | The Big Richards |
| Jul '23 | Private party | Acoustic Jukebox |
| 11.19.22 | The Fremont Bar & GrillWestmont, IL | One And The Same |
| 10.30.21 | The Fremont Bar & GrillWestmont, IL · Halloween show | One And The Same |
| 10.02.21 | Red, White & Blues Family Fun DayCary, IL | One And The Same |
| 08.14.21 | Private partyNew Lenox, IL | One And The Same |
| 07.16.21 | Clayton's RailMorris, IL | One And The Same |
| 05.08.21 | Compass ArenaWillowbrook, IL | One And The Same |
| 04.17.21 | The Fremont Bar & GrillWestmont, IL | One And The Same |
| 10.17.20 | The Fremont Bar & GrillWestmont, IL | One And The Same |
| 08.29.20 | Private party | One And The Same |
| 08.16.20 | Sky Bar at Indiana BeachMonticello, IN | One And The Same |
| 04.17.20 | Jamo's LiveMokena, IL | One And The Same |
| 03.05.20 | Foundation Room at House of BluesChicago, IL | One And The Same |
| 01.25.20 | The Fremont Bar & GrillWestmont, IL | One And The Same |
| 12.14.19 | Hawthorne's BackyardWest Chicago, IL | One And The Same |
| 11.23.19 | Reilly's DaughterOak Lawn, IL | One And The Same |
| 07.20.19 | Sammy's Bar & GrillHuntley, IL · First show | One And The Same |
| Jan '18 | Bowl-Hi LanesHuntley, IL | The Big Richards (2016-18) |
| 09.23.17 | Private birthday party | The Big Richards (2016-18) |
| 08.05.17 | Private block partyCary, IL | The Big Richards (2016-18) |
| Jul '17 | The Drink · WACO WingfestAlgonquin, IL · Annual event | The Big Richards (2016-18) |
| 04.08.17 | Bowl-Hi LanesHuntley, IL | The Big Richards (2016-18) |
| 07.16.16 | SideoutsIsland Lake, IL | The Big Richards (2016-18) |
| 2016 | Thirsty WhaleAlgonquin, IL | The Big Richards (2016-18) |
| 05.21.16 | Bowl-Hi LanesHuntley, IL | The Big Richards (2016-18) |
| 03.19.16 | D'Hangout Bar & GrillElgin, IL | The Big Richards (2016-18) |
Input 05 · Talkback · Book / talk to me
Press to talk.
If your band needs a lead singer (and wouldn't mind one who can also run your sound), I'd love to hear from you. And if you're a motivated musician who wants to start something from the ground up, I'm just as excited about that. I'm in Algonquin, IL and play around the Chicago area.
What I bring to the patch bay
- Lead vocalsLead singer of One And The Same
- Harmonies & backupsEven the ones I can't quite explain
- Ad-libsHappy to wing it on songs I don't know yet
- Live soundMixed from the stage
- Band firstEveryone gets a say. Me too, just not more.
- Chicago areaBased in Algonquin, IL