Published on 19, May 2023

The Life and Music of Uncle Ryano — Plus, A New Announcement For 2023

Country music is known for being the folksy mouthpiece of the working class. Whether comprised of heartfelt ballads or upbeat dance tunes, this genre has given voice to the struggles and triumphs of southern Americans. There are a number of famous names and hard-to-forget classics out there, and the one to shine a spotlight on today is singer-songwriter, composer, and producer Uncle Ryano. He’s been in the music circuit since the early 90s and has worked with a number of record labels such as Hayes Street, Imprint Records, Edel America, and Capitol Records to name a few.

Uncle Ryano makes what he would proudly describe as “real American music.” Inspired by the deep South, which he would describe as a true melting pot, he’s connected with organic folk music from around the world. This, in turn, has elevated his own works and allowed them to resonate with people of all ages from all walks of life. As a singer and songwriter, he’s already claimed a number of successes. 

In 1995, he signed onto his first record deal with Imprint Records, and he was listed as one of the Top 4 Artists alongside Alan Jackson, John Anderson, and Wade Hayes. In 2002, he won a SOCAN Song of the Year with Lisa Brokop for “I’d Like To See You Try” and was nominated for another in 2003 for “Whiskey and Wine”. He also had a chance to perform in Fenway Park in front of 55,000 of “his closest friends”. However, his rise wasn’t without its share of hardships.

Though his music video was a hit for eight consecutive weeks, Imprint Records eventually shuttered, and his single lost its hard-won traction. Then from 2000 to 2003, in the midst of gaining other accolades, his personal life began to take a toll as well. “I began to suffer many personal family losses,” says Uncle Ryano, “and my mother had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. I was no longer playing out or doing shows and was kind of in my own bubble.” Uncle Ryano was able to find a break in the clouds when he heard that his release “Cowboy Up” was a major hit in New England. From there, he experienced a breakout of unforgettable memories and a near meteoric rise through the pain until the moment, as he puts it, “I just ran out of time.”

Within eighteen months, Uncle Ryano lost a number of family, which ultimately caused him to walk away from music. He then spent the next three years focusing on family and self-discovery. As he overcame the pain and brought new joys into his life, he stepped into the music world again, but this time as a spectator. He, his wife, and daughter would go to support his friends when they headlined shows at local casinos. “My wife and daughter began asking me ‘Why don’t you write again?’ or saying ‘We wish you would play again,’ but I just didn’t have the desire to.”

And that was true… until 2021 when his luck finally started to change. In fall of that year, Uncle Ryano learned that Billy Ray Cyrus was interested in a couple of his songs. The two connected over the phone, and the inspiration was almost instant. “We began discussing alternate lines for one of the tunes,” Uncle Ryano recalls humorously, “and one of the lines that came out of the exchange was ‘twerkin’ with a twang.’ Within a day or so, it was written. That old part of my brain had reawakened and was arcing blue lightning!” And from that moment on, things began to slot together as if orchestrated by a higher power. Old friends he hadn’t spoken to in years began to reach out to him, and the next thing he knew, he was working on the Voices In My Head album, on which is the title that inspired it all: “Twerkin’ With A Twang”.

“We’re having a blast, and best of all, I'm taking every step with my family,” Uncle Ryano remarks with renewed energy. “I’m grateful for the amazing people who made me special. This time around, I’m fully aware that it’s not what I do that makes me special—it's the people who love me. They’re my magic! They’re my inspiration.”

Since donning his creative boots and rejoining the music world once again, Uncle Ryano has created his own music label called Bottle Rocket Records and is set to release his newest album under this mantle.

Voices In My Head released April 23rd and is available on all streaming platforms. Uncle Ryano has gathered a powerful team for his next album, New West, which is currently in development. He’ll be working alongside Bryan Austin, Renee Truex, A\Villain, Jason Parfait, and Kim Keyes. The album has a release date set for July 7th.