Biography

Born in the Mountains of Southern Oregon, Ryan discovered a compelling interest in music at the age of eight, when he began playing violin and singing in choir ensembles. He excelled vocally and at twelve was invited to join such productions as the opera "Tosca" at Ashland's Angus Bowmer Theater, and the prestigious Northwest Children's Honor Choir presented at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon.

Ryan won first place in his first singing competition at age 9, wowing judges with his striking ability to interpret songs and deliver them with feeling.

At age 13, Ryan, accompanied by his beloved guitar, began writing original lyrics and music. In his high school years, Ryan was invited to join a working band, performing live in various venues around North Carolina, and beginning his recording career. Since that time, Ryan has crafted a large, diverse repertoire of original songs ranging stylistically from touching folk ballads to hard-edged alternative rock. Over the years Ryan has fronted and played with several bands, and has performed as a solo act in New York, California, the Northwest and the Southwest.

In 2003, Ryan successfully recorded, co-produced and released his first album entitled Bagdaddio on Wondergoat Records of New York. These 14 songs are a powerful mixture of rock, folk and experimental music that speak of healing and a better world. Bagdaddio was well received by fans and audiences alike from the east coast to the west. Fans describe his songs as "gritty and bluesy", "ethereal" "beautiful", and "emotional." In the words of Wondergoat Records Staff, "Ryan's music will affect your mind, body and soul." After the release of Bagdaddio, Ryan toured to promote it, playing a number of venues in New York, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico and California.

In 2006, Ryan completed a follow up to Bagdaddio entitled Subtlety of the Sudden, a thirteen track collection of inspiring songs that involve and move the listener. The album has yet to be officially released and the projected release date is sometime in the summer of 2008.

The most recently released album is a collection of mellow acoustic songs called My Fair February Notable Shimmer & Grin. Reminiscent of such classic folk artists as Nick Drake & Cat Stevens, the album is, in Ryan's words, indie folk. In a recent interview with Andrew Gilhooley of Monterey Bay INK, Ryan mentioned, "it is some of my most mature songwriting to date." Ryan's poignant, personal experiences and delicate understanding of the human experience shine through in each of these gripping, heartfelt compositions.

Equally powerful with just an acoustic guitar or with full accompaniment, audiences of all ages appreciate his performances, consistently respond with favor, and keep coming back for more. Ryan's ability to bring tears as well as a smile to his audiences, while gently playing guitar and expressing deep, perplexing and common emotions, makes him stand out as an incredible performer and master of his craft.

Ryan has recently relocated to California's central coast region and plans to broaden his listening audience in the United States and abroad, while sharing his beautiful, soulful songs, warm stage presence, and belief in healing our world through music.

Guest musicians:

On "My Fair February Notable Shimmer & Grin" -Dr. Teresa Dismuke/backing vocals, C. Joseph Gough/keyboards; piano

On "Bagdaddio" -Russell Tanenbaum, Todd Keeports and Ericca Heim/backing vocals on "Sitting Like Anger"

On "November Angel" -Dr. Teresa Dismuke/backing vocals on "The Way Back Home"

On "Subtlety of the Sudden" -Jeremy Miller/drums on "Jagged Edge"

Live performances have included Tom Maxfield on drums, Russell Tanenbaum on bass and percussion, and Seth Moutal on percussion

Venue Performances: John Henry's - Eugene, OR Café Paradiso - Eugene, OR Black Forest - Eugene, OR Foxfire - Springfield, OR Sam Bond's Garage - Eugene, OR Angus Bowmer Theatre - Ashland, OR Hult Center - Eugene, OR Allan Brothers Coffee - Eugene, OR El Diablo's - Eugene, OR The Wetlands - Eugene, OR The Wild Duck - Eugene, OR The Red Victorian Hotel - San Francisco, CA Brainwash Café - San Francisco, CA Crosstown Coffeehouse - Alameda, CA Santa Cruz Saturday Market - Santa Cruz, CA Marina Farmer's Market - Marina, CA The Ugly Mug - Soquel, CA East Village Coffee Lounge - Monterey, CA First Night Monterey - Monterey, CA The Works - Pacific Grove, CA Joe and Auburn's Garden Venue - Seaside, CA Unitarian Universalist - Monterey, CA Monterey Live - Monterey, CA Monterey Peninsula College - Monterey, CA KPIG Radio - Watsonville, CA Kaleidoscope Courtyards - Mission Viejo, CA Pig n' Whistle - Hollywood, CA The Palmer Room - Los Angeles, CA Epic Arts Studio - Berkeley, CA Fiddler's Dream - Phoenix, AZ Mama Java's - Phoenix, AZ Campus Coffee Bean - Flagstaff, AZ Altitudes - Flagstaff, AZ Epic Café - Tucson, AZ Rainbow Planet - Tucson, AZ The Greenhouse Nursery - Show Low, AZ Casbah Teahouse - Tucson, AZ The Branding Iron - Show Low, AZ The Tuscan Glass - Pinetop, AZ Unity of the White Mountains - Lakeside, AZ 2nd Street Brewery - Santa Fe, NM Kokopelli's - Santa Fe, NM The Grey Eagle - Black Mountain, NC Brevard College - Brevard, NC Black Mountain Music Hall - Black Mountain, NC Coffeelabs Roasters - Tarrytown, NY Unitarian Universalist - White Plains, NY Bar None - New City, NY Kenny's Castaways - NY, NY The Charleston - Brooklyn, NY CBGB's Gallery - NY, NY