Meet Featured Artist: Ry Bradley
Good music deserves appreciation just like any other art form. Hard work and determination should be valued. Country music singer Ry Bradley puts his all into his career and is educated in the form of music, whether it is famous singers or the beauty of playing an instrument. For him it's not about becoming rich and famous and going about it however he can. Instead he sticks to his guns just like those who have come before him.
A fan of Waylon Jennings and enjoying the stories he heard about him growing up, Ry finds inspiration from the classic country music artist. Listening to him talk about his admiration of Waylon, Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash you hear something in his voice that goes beyond appreciating their songs. Ry says of Waylon “he wanted to do his own thing and didn’t sound like anybody at the time; his sound was just so raw and bluesy.” As far as current country musicians, Eric Church and Keith Urban are also on Ry’s playlist.
Ry was at first reluctant to embrace a few newcomers that have changed the face of country music by bringing in elements of hip hop and rap into their sound. He appreciates how others are trying to do their own thing even though it’s not his style. However, Ry has learned to appreciate such artists as Sam Hunt and his songwriting abilities.
Ry has the special ability to craft songs, whether they are born out of a riff that comes to his head or lyrics that came to him first. Of all his songs he says “Gone” is the one that best represents him because it “exemplifies this rockin’ country sound that I do. It’s still a county song that’s true and real but at the same time has a rock beat that you can dance to.” If you haven’t heard any of his songs he feels you should start with this one. If you have a chance to see him perform live, “Gone” is almost always included in the set.
Seeing Ry perform a show means you are guaranteed fun. In preparation for each gig Ry says of himself “I remember that it’s about having for me and for the people out there. I get in a very happy and excited state because that’s what I want to give to the audience.” He also reminds his band members this as well, because if they are having fun on stage then the audience will as well. Ry loves the connection with the crowd and seeing them enjoy themselves. His favorite part of a show is “the spontaneity and pushing it to another boundary. For example, fans up front getting into it, my guitar solo goes into something new or we play a song slightly different. Anything can happen while we’re up there”.
Ry’s shows have taken him all over the southwest, as he has toured California, Texas, New Mexico and even Oregon. When asked how audiences differ in the various places he has toured, Ry says that some areas take their music very seriously, such as Texas. Another area that isn’t usually associated with country music is Northern California. However, one thing that remains the same is audiences are always there to have a good time. “Everywhere I go, all over the country, people are enthusiastic, being the moment and doing something new” he says.
The hard work he puts into his songs, his singing, his playing, his overall craft is evident to anyone that listens to him perform, but also you hear it his humble voice when he talks with you. Ry Bradley simply states “I come from a working people and I appreciate that”.
