For Jonathan Tyler, creating blues rock was just a natural progression. Growing up in his church in Dallas, Tyler was constantly around gospel music with blues roots. On the other hand, his father was a huge Southern rock fan.

"I think I was probably in the womb listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd," Tyler laughs.

After writing a few songs, Tyler hooked up with some of his friends, guitarist Kansas, bass and keyboard player Nick Jay, and drummer Jordan Cain, to form Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights in 2007.

They would record a debut album just three weeks after forming.

"Hot Trottin'" was recorded in five days and was regarded by many in the music business as an impressive venture, given the short amount of time everything came together for the band.

The album features a raucous blend of massive guitars, traditional blues bass and gospel keys. A couple of songs even include harmonica-laced twangy country beats and jazz saxophones. Think of the Black Crowes with a little more edge.

It all coincides with Tyler's soothing whispers and sultry screams. Tyler says no one inspired his singing voice, but a few ladies in his life inspired the lyrics.

The album's first track, "Gypsy Woman," is a hard rocker about Tyler's longtime ex-girlfriend and the frustrations he felt after their breakup as evidenced in lyrics like "I ain't down for no crazy games and your downright gypsy ways."

"It was just kind of the typical scenario after you break up and the girl's there and then she's leaving and then coming and going," Tyler explains. "There were things being said about me and it was just like, why is this girl coming and going like this and at the same time spreading (rumors about me) to people?"

Tyler's next relationship inspired the album's second, largely blues-laden, track, "She's From the Other Side." Tyler says this girl plucked him out of his church-based life and threw him into a world of drugs and alcohol.

"There was no heart in her," Tyler recalls. "She was just taking me down for the sake of doing it. It gave her some sort of satisfaction, and I think there are a lot of girls like that out there."

But things turned up for Tyler after that. "Sunshine," the third track, is a smooth, morning lullaby. It's a pure love song with the opening lyrics: "You're so sweet and soft, you're my baby doll and I can't get enough." Tyler also sends out positive vibes in "Time for Love" and "This Girl."

Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights will release "Pardon Me" in spring 2010 through Atlantic Records. And Tyler can't wait for everyone to hear it.

"This time, we had time to do surgery on the songs," Tyler says. "Sonically, it's going to sound a lot bigger. I just wish we could release it right now, man."

Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights has opened for Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Leon Russell, The Black Crowes, Erykah Badu and O.A.R., but they'll be opening for Cross Canadian Ragweed and Lucero at 7 p.m. tonight at Crossroads KC at Grinders. Tickets are $21.50 to $31.50. For more information www.crossroadskc.com.