Chris Ryan

Inland Empire Weekly
Volume 3, Issue 41
January 15-January 21, 2009

CHRIS RYAN
Band of the Week

By: Waleed Rashidi

CITY OF ORIGIN: Grand Terrace
MOST RECENT RELEASE: Colors (Take 2 Productions, 2009)
KINDRED SPIRITS: Jack Johnson, John Rzeznik, an acoustic Jimmy Eat World, and a solo Patrick Stump all jam around the campfire
WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/chrisryanartist

Just what were you doing when you were 17 and totally bored? Spending countless hours traipsing a mall a la Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Gluing pennies in the disk drives of your enemies’ computers? Engaging in knuckleheaded shenanigans that you’d still never admit?

Chris Ryan’s a 17-year-old singer/songwriter who’s made much more adult-like decisions about the use of his spare time. See, the high-school senior’s spent it composing a batch of terrific acoustic-based rock jams that have earned him the respect of his peers, placement on major television shows, plus a recording deal to boot. Next month will find the release of Ryan’s EP, Colors, and he’ll be performing at the Best Buy in San Bernardino to promote his latest endeavor. (Makes that Super Mario Bros. bonus level you finally aced as a teen look pretty petty, now, doesn’t it?)

Ryan’s a multi-instrumentalist—he plays bass and drums, too—who’s toured with hardcore acts, though his latest offerings are anything but the aggressive edge that his punk-based past espouses. In fact, ask Ryan about embarking on his singer/songwriter journey, and he’ll tell you that he didn’t think he’d get this far.

“My goals have changed once I started working with Take 2 Productions,” he says. “They felt I had the potential it took to go farther than I'd ever expected from myself.”

Prior to wrapping Colors, Ryan’s songs were placed on ABC’s General Hospital: Nightshift and on an American Airlines in-flight radio show. Influenced by artists including Nick Drake, John Mayer and the Goo Goo Dolls, Ryan plans to tour schools and colleges to further spread his musical word.

“I've realized that I now have goals that can actually be achieved,” Ryan says. “Ultimately, I would like to be able to make a living as a recording artist.”

And where does this budding recording artist find himself the most comfortable penning his cuts? “My roof,” he says, enthusiastically, “because I can see all of the stars from there!” Here’s one that’s got his wish.
–Waleed Rashidi - Waleed Rashidi

The trials and tribulations of teenage love are the stories of text messages and e-mails, but not every teen gets a chance to tell his through songwriting and a CD released at Best Buy.

Chris Ryan, of Grand Terrace, just released his debut EP, "Colors," and will perform a free CD release show Saturday at the Best Buy in San Bernardino.

Nearing 100,000 plays on his MySpace page, the 17-year-old wrote his first song in October 2007, spending a month or two working on it for his girlfriend at the time.

"That was a scary thing," Chris said about songwriting.

The relationship ended right before he presented her with the finished song. However, he got more material out of the situation.

With influences such as John Mayer, Nick Drake and Coldplay, Chris follows a singer/songwriter vibe, a contrast to his earlier music forays into hardcore punk.

His music has been picked up by Paste Magazine and American Airlines for an in-flight radio show in December.

Chris spent time growing his fan base online, connecting with local listeners and asking them to comment on his music.

"I don't care if you hate it. I don't care if you love it -- just tell me what you think," he said.

Reach Vanessa Franko at 951-368-9575, vfranko@PE.com, www.myspace.com/Audio_File or PE.com/blogs/music - Press Enterprise Riverside

HEAR LIVE MUSIC AT THE MUSIC STORE
(San Bernardino County Sun (CA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Feb. 5-- By Wes Woods

SAN BERNARDINO -- Chris Ryan is just 17 but plans on a long future in the music business.

The Grand Terrace resident's acoustic album "Colors" is out this week on iTunes, and he performs at 3 p.m. Saturday at Best Buy, 888 Harriman Place, in San Bernardino.

"This is the real start of my career," Ryan said in a recent interview. Of his album he said, "I'm looking forward to seeing how it does and how people react to it."

In October and December, Ryan's single "Color of Your Eyes" was featured on a Paste Magazine and American Airlines' inflight radio show.

Ryan's song "Did You Know" was played on Aug. 12, 2008 on "General Hospital: Night Shift."

"I don't really follow any rules when writing a song," Ryan said.

Born in Riverside, Ryan said he has been home-schooled since the fifth grade after he went to Terrace View Elementary School.

"It was my parents' decision," Ryan said. He's now a senior who has one more semester of online classes.

"I want to play music and see where I can get with that. I'm hoping I can get on a college tour and maybe start doing that."

Ryan, previously a hardcore punk bassist and drummer, said he is currently listening to Coldplay, Nick Drake and John Mayer. - The Sun Newspaper

Next on the playlist is Chris Ryan. A young man with a gift of melody presented through well-formed acoustic work, earnest vocals and reflective lyrics minus the usual overwrought teen angst. He might make it anyway. Beat the bandwagon and herd of swooning young ladies sure to flock his way once they catch a glimpse of that rarity of rarities — heartthrob looks with actual talent behind the dreamy sigh-inducing eyes (so I’m told — like how would I know?). Get hooked now over at his MySpace page (myspace.com/chrisryanartist). Make a point to check out “Color Of Your Eyes.” It’s a hit, or at the least ought to be. - Jerry Wilson/Goldfish and Clowns