Originally from Missoula, Montana, Ryan is a longstanding name in the Colorado music scene, he has performed as a guitarist for acclaimed bands as Aubrey Collins, Spiv, and U.S. Pipe. Currently he performs with two Westword Showcase Award winning bands, Demon Funkies and Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck. In addition, Chrys has performed at premier venues and events such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Summerfest and the Fillmore Auditorium, and has opened for the likes of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, The Fray, and the Flobots.
Ryan’s voice is often likened to that of Johnny Cash and performances always include multiple Cash covers, the Man in Black being one of his greatest influences.
Q: What sets you apart from other artists?
RC: That’s such an important question, and as more and more artists rise into the scene it becomes increasingly difficult to answer. The basis, I think, is less about what makes me different and more about my connection with others. Is there something of substance there.. ..something that can be felt? It’s certainly not my clothes or attitude, which are qualities that often work for other artists. I may not spring into anyone’s attention with undeniable uniqueness, but to the people I am able to connect with, I know there is something valuable and honorable in that connection that becomes the most important thing, and thus, “the difference.” It takes a little more consideration on all our parts to find out if such a connection exists between the artist and the observer, but I’ve noticed that it is always time well spent. Being an avid fan myself, when I do find a special connection with an artist, I treasure it deeply. I begin to know that artist either through fact or assumption and I become invested if I feel we’re on the same path. This inherently makes the artist’s art even more enjoyable to me and songs I maybe hadn’t liked before take a new meaning. As I go along, its less to me the immediate differences that set artists apart, and more about what I find when I look a little closer at the person that artist is. In my case, I’m constantly reminding myself to be as conscious as possible about what’s going on around me, what the foundation of the situations surrounding us are, and what the most beneficial ways forward are. I begin to look for the same in others, and when I find it, I also find that I’ve become a fan of whatever that person is releasing and material differences fade away. In terms of music there are only two things on my requirements list, tone and soul. Aside from that, it’s all about the connection I feel when I look into that artist as a person. For me, I am interested in connecting with like minded people to create greater awareness and to progress our community with kindness, honor, and good times. Thus what sets me apart is the same thing that sets every human apart, our own unique consciousness and the choices we make in how we spend our time. If we share similar values and we share a connection, we can accomplish more together as friends than we ever thought possible. It’s this connection that I’m after, and it is my ultimate desire to direct this connection in ways that will advance the community both physically and mentally.”
“Rock n Roll’s always there for you babe” – 2004
“Jesus is love rock” – 2005
“Good music is composed of two things: Tone and Soul” – 2005
“Good times come and good times go. It’s a circular flow. What else you need to know?” – 7-17-07
“Love today, peace tomorrow” – 5-28-08
“I’m not cheap, I’m free!“
“The mind is an interesting game to play, the heart is a wonderful experience to live.“
“Time is what we make it, lets make it good times” – 5-13-10
-RC
