Ryan Broshear may register as a newcomer to some, but he’s been making music for a few years. Named by Billboard Magazine as one of the “Top Ten to Watch in 2014,” Broshear has been cutting his teeth and gaining a fan-base within the country music community.
With the release of his newest EP Paint It Red, we caught up the Ohio native to talk about the album, lead off single “Spin Me,” and an incredibly busy 2016.
TCN: “Spin Me,” the single. How’s it doing so far?
RB: It’s doing great. Really, really excited. We’ve met with a lot of radio, and talked to a lot of radio -they’ve been excited about the single, and I’m excited about the single. It’s a song that I was really blessed to be able to write with my producer, Daniel Agee. He’s the lead guitar player and band leader for Joe Nichols, but long before all that he was my friend in high school, back in school. So we grew up in the same town, and his family had a little TruValue store in our town. And it’s just really cool how such a small world it can be. We can come from that small town and make a little noise in country music here in Nashville.
TCN: So tell us about the album, Paint It Red.
RB: Well this album, it was really awesome because we funded this through KickStarter. My fans funded this album. We raised over $21,000. We had over 190 people contribute their hard earned money to make it happen and got behind us. And so that’s why it’s so exciting as we take this first single off this album and put it out for the world the hear. They made that happen. And I’ll never forget that.
TCN: That is a true testament to who you are as an artist to have that kind of support coming from your fans. I mean everyone has a fan base, but for them to be like hey, we’re throwing in money. Tangibly you can see it. They have enough faith in you to help you make this record. That is phenomenal.
RB: It’s incredible.
TCN: So how’s 2016 looking for you?
RB: 2016 is a very exciting year. It’s a year of meeting new fans. We’re going to be going out on the road. We got a show with the Swon Brothers in a couple of weeks. We got things in Chicago, things in Texas. It’s starting to shape up our touring for the year. We’re just hoping to get out and meet a bunch of new people and play our music for them.
TCN: Are you going to be doing anything during CMA Fest that you know of yet?
RB: As soon as we finish this week, the focus will then go to CMA Fest. Definitely a lot of planning goes into that. I’m really hoping – I’ve been able to go around and meet people and be a part of CMA Fest but I’ve never had been able to perform or have my own booth. We’re hoping this year maybe that we’ll get to do that.
TCN: So looking forward with your career – you’ve got the album out, you got the single out. 2016 is going to be a big year. Is there anything on your career bucket list that you need to accomplish before it’s all said and done?
RB: Well I know I’ve got a long way left to go to accomplish these goals, but one of the things that I’d like to do this year and that I’m kind of manifesting and dreaming about is playing the Grand Ole Opry. I’ve always wanted to play there. I’d like to play the Ryman. There’s some venues around the country that I want to play.
TCN: Is there anything back home in particular?
RB: Anytime I can get back home is great. I’m going to be headlining a music festival for my hometown this year. My hometown fans will always be near and dear to my heart, but getting out and playing some of the big venues and stuff around the world – I want to get on some big tours very soon. There’s a lot of artists out there I’d love to play with.
TCN: Who would be your number 1 artist like “I need to play with this person? I need to open for this person?”
RB: Well, I’ve gotten to open for a lot of really cool artists. I’d love to be on a tour with Joe Nichols. I’ve gotten close with those guys. Blake Shelton would be an awesome tour to be a part of. I can’t say I that have one ‘cause I’d like to work with a lot of different artists ‘cause I think it would help round me out and expose me to a lot of different groups of audiences. But Garth Brooks was the first guy that got me interested in this. I’d love to find a way to do a show with him. I’ve gotten to do a show with one of my heroes – Merle Haggard. That was a bucket list thing. But just getting out and being where the people are and putting on the big shows. That’s what I live for.
TCN: So you’ve been around for a little bit now – what would be your advice to someone who hasn’t made the move yet to Nashville and wants to?
RB: Get here and put in the work and effort that it requires. It’s not for the faint of heart, so make sure you really love it. Make sure it’s something that you really want to do because it’s going to be a tough ride. I haven’t really made it, made it yet but I’ve had a lot of awesome accomplishments along the way. Focus on the positive and don’t let the tough times get you down.
For more information on Ryan, visit http://www.ryanbroshear.com/ or follow him on Twitter,Facebook, Instagram or Youtube.