Joey Ryan, Singer/Songwriter ~ Future Legend

I first came across Songwriter, Musician Joey Ryan by accident. It was July 4^th, 2009, the place was Clayton, New York, a small fishing and boating town along the St. Lawrence River. The weather was not cooperating with rain and winds and cold temperatures set to ruin our weekend. That rainy evening, my husband and I found ourselves looking for some sort of 'something' to do. The fireworks were canceled, the temperature was well below normal and I just wanted to be indoors. Little did I know that I was about to experience the most riveting, rocking, inspiring, talent infused concert of my life and a man that is sure to become a legend in music history.

Rock the River

The spot was the Clayton Opera House, where approximately twenty or so musicians from all walks of life congregated to raise money in the annual Rock the River event (which by the way he will be at again this year). The concert, founded by local Thousand Island resident and musician Jay Nash was nothing less than awesome. What amazed both myself and my husband at the time was that we had never heard of any of these musical geniuses before! Underground music is my theory. No big labels here, only individuals touring the country; befriending others like themselves, selling their cd's out of a box. They came together to share a few days on the fresh waters of the St. Lawrence, hang out, practice, and finally to perform for us.
We were in awe. There were no cover songs played at this concert, not one. Each artist performed his or her own works, backed up by the rest of the gang to produce a riveting, performance. We were on the edge of our seats, entranced and truly entertained.

The Stand Out

One of those songwriters was a young man named Joey Ryan. His first song made us all laugh, smile and want for more. His voice was so good, his lyrics (on Long Summer) were funny and truly a perfect opener for the night. Joey Ryan's gentle demeanor was refreshing and warm. Who was this artist? I had to know. Returning to my live-a-board that night, I immediately looked up the event, found his MySpace page and bought, listened to every song and, naturally, bought one of his cd's I must add here one particular song that struck me ~ a father's day song that he'd posted for his dad. I cried at the thoughtful, loving lyrics written for his dad. I was hooked. Still am.

The Interview

Here, Joey Ryan has generously answers a few questions I asked him about himself.

AD (alison dittmar); JR (joey ryan)

AD: What do you prefer to be known as? Singer, songwriter? Or other?
JR: Songwriter, then performing songwriter (as in, singer)

AD: Where is Kenter Canyon and what inspired that title for your latest album?

JR: Kenter Canyon is in the Santa Monica mountains in Los Angeles. I grew up there, and attended Kenter Canyon Elementary School. The studio where we recorded Kenter Canyon (at Producer Tony Berg's house) is on Kenter Avenue in Kenter Canyon. I felt it was meaningful that this milestone record was made, after traveling the world, a half mile from my childhood home.

AD: Let me ask you about your impending European tour. I understand that you've gone to Europe in the past; what countries did you visit/when? And where do you plan to go this time? When? How was your experience in contrast to America? The fans?

JR: I toured throughout the UK supporting Beth Rowley, whom I love. I didn't really know what to expect and was very nervous to be playing to bigger audiences than I was used to with just myself and a guitar. Fortunately we played these beautiful theaters every night and the people really appreciated what I was doing. I went to Sweden for a couple shows at the end of that tour which was a first for me, and a beautiful experience as well. We wound up staying up until 5am on the island of Gotland after our show there, that was unforgettable.

AD: What song(s) are you most proud of and what is the reasoning behind that?

JR: From Kenter Canyon I'd say I'm most proud of Broken Headlights and Permanent. The former because the metaphor, albeit thinly veiled, is an apt one and runs throughout every section of the song. The latter because is very accurately captures the emotion I was feeling and thoughts I was having when I wrote the song. I accomplished what I wanted to with that one.

AD: You seem to me to have such a grueling/hectic travelling schedule, what does that entail? Non-stop? Do you take time off? And, when you are touring out west, do you stay at home with your parents?

JR: I live in Hollywood now, so when I'm here I spend a lot of time up in the Hollywood hills, and I do get to see my parents a good amount, but not to stay there. As for the touring, I've spent the last couple years trying to build a career that would keep me on the road, keep me working, and it's only just starting to come true. I'm not tired of it yet, although I do have the luxury of saying 'no' to some things that come up because the opportunities keep getting better.

AD: Tell me a tiny bit about your family. We all know a bit about your parents from your MySpace, and I know that your dad had the big C when you were younger, how about your brother? Any insight into family life would please your fans.

JR: My brother is an amazing kid. At 25 he has run a AIDS non-profit and founded another non-profit called the Global Health Corps. They do incredible work in Rwanda, Tanzania, and the US, employing 22 fellows in this, their first year, and sending 44 more into the field next year. Whenever I have extra money, I support their efforts and encourage everyone to educate themselves on what's being done and support as well.

AD: Okay, a funny one here: I saw the interview on You Tube with the girl who thought you were Joey Ryan the Hockey player. You were quite the gentleman, and she seemed a little confused about your identity. Have you ever met the ice hockey player? Has he ever commented on your music?

JR: She was kidding, she likes to be funny like that. But no, I've never heard from the hockey player OR the wrestler named Joey Ryan. I'd like to meet both of them though.

AD: If you had an unlimited amount of money for 7 days, what would you do?

JR: Unlimited? Well now you've asked a question with moral implications, and I'd have to think about it but it would be something charitable. If you're asking what is something I'd love to do for myself if I had the money? I'd make a record with T Bone Burnett.

AD: Goals: I am sure that you have goals, what are they for 1 year? 3 years? And 10?

JD: Career goals? I'll limit it to that. A year from now I'd like to put out a full length album on an indie label and tour the same rooms I'm touring now, but have about 200 people show up in each city in the country. Three years from now... same thing but let's put 500 people in the room. 10 years... same thing but let's put about 1500 in each room. Any more than that and you lose the intimacy. Basically I want to always do what I am doing right now.

AD: And, in the end (you are so young now!), but what would you like to be most remembered for?

JR: Writing at least one song that is a "classic", in that it becomes part of our culture - is very widely known, remembered, and loved.

I'd say that his tune California would be a perfect theme song for Joey's home state to take as its own!

As for that classic hit - gosh, there is no question in my mind that thissongwriter will be a someday be a household name and music icon.

In closing, I say thank you to Joey Ryan for allowing us into his world. For more information on his touring schedule, check out Joe's blog on MySpace too.

Additional sites to visit:

http://townofclayton.com

http://www.ask.com/music/T-Bone-Burnett/60998