Ryan has been loving music, and yearning to play it almost since his first memory. His older brother’s eclectic record collection turned him on to punk from the U.K. &amp America, reggae from Jamaica, as well as myriad and diverse bands that eventually were labeled new-wave, industrial, goth, and “alternative”.

He began taking private guitar lessons in high school, learning basic chords, a few scales, and rudimentary theory. By this time, roots reggae music was his driving musical inspiration. He switched to bass, joined a band, and as they say….

In the 3 years of its existence, the band LionSound recorded an album and played numerous shows locally, as well as touring all over California and the southwest. After the band split up, Ryan decided to broaden his musical horizons. He played in a ‘classic rock’ cover band, and began studying funk and jazz bass. He then relocated to Colorado and joined several gigging and recording bands that touched on various styles: funk, rock, ska, surf music, rockabilly, free-form jazz, blues, and reggae.

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During this time he turned his attention back to the guitar. The acoustic blues and folk music that pervades the Rocky Mountains seeped into his ears and his blood, and gradually grew into his fingers. For many years afterward, playing acoustic guitar was enough to keep him occupied. Sporadic gigs on bass (temporarily) satisfied the yen for group interaction. But something was missing: he hadn’t progressed in a long while, and his playing felt stale and uninspired. A big change was needed to rekindle the fire that first ignited his imagination.

The solution arrived in the form of a brand new electric guitar! Ever since that day, he has renewed his zeal for learning and progressing on this musical journey, playing every day and gathering knowledge and techniques whenever and wherever possible. Music has been the greatest gift, and the catalyst for so many of the relationships and experiences that have made life worth living. Now seems like the time to try and pass on some of that magic to other people.