Tito Ortiz is a film and television songwriter and vocalist specializing in Americana, indie folk, alternative rock, and emotionally driven music. His songs and vocal performances are built for story — blending raw emotion, atmosphere, and cinematic weight with a seasoned understanding of narrative developed through decades in film and television production.
SONG PLACEMENT & SYNC
Born to Be Wild from Celebrity Bear Hunt. Produced by Simone Benyacar and Stephen Phillips.
Born to Be Wild from the 2024 AFC Wildcard Game. Produced by Simone Benyacar and Stephen Phillips.
Oh Here We Go from Lucifer. Written by Tito Ortiz, Stephen Phillips and Tim Paruszkiewicz.
Born to be Wild from No Limits Portugal Ad. Produced by Simone Benyacar and Stephen Phillips.
High Above from Shameless. Written by Tito Ortiz and Stephen Phillips.
Born to be Wild from Gamer's Choice Awards. Produced by Simone Benyacar and Stephen Phillips.
SONGWRITING & REIMAGINED COVERS
BIO
The youngest of four children born to Ecuadorian parents, Tito is a first-generation American singer-songwriter raised in New York. Early on, he gravitated toward blues, classic country and folk, drawing inspiration from artists like Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, and Tom Waitts — storytellers whose music shaped his love of vivid, image-driven songwriting.
Tito later formed the Latin rock band Ernesto, earning a loyal following in New York’s East Village with an energetic live presence that quickly drew industry attention. After moving to Los Angeles, Tito worked as an actor before ultimately transitioning into film and television development, driven by a deeper interest in story and creative development. He worked with producer Mark Gordon before later becoming Vice President of Development at Illumination, where he contributed to the studio’s early growth and development slate.
In 2010, Tito met Nashville-based producer Chris Donohue, who invited him to record his debut solo album, Lonesome Rider, in East Nashville after hearing an early demo. The record featured contributions from an accomplished group of Nashville musicians, including pedal steel player Steve Fishell, multi-instrumentalist Tammy Rogers, harmonica player Pat Bergeson, and drummer Ken Lewis. Produced by Donohue, the album was recorded at Yackland Studios in East Nashville.
In Los Angeles, Tito later connected with producer, composer, and Bosshouse Music founder Stephen Phillips. Their collaboration produced tracks including Bad Things, High Above, and Will the River Rise, blending Americana, blues, and cinematic rock influences. Their continued partnership has led to placements across major television and streaming networks including Netflix, CBS, Fox, and Showtime.
Alongside his music career, Tito continues to develop and produce projects across film and television. He has also worked with Notes for Notes, a non-profit that provides music mentorship to teens in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and volunteered with The Art of Elysium, a foundation which brings music & art to children in hospitals throughout Los Angeles.
Contact: titoortizmusic@gmail.com