His first of six #1 singles on Texas Radio was selected as the 2014 Single of the Year by Texas Music Pickers; his co-write on Brad Paisley’s “Last Time for Everything” led to Paisley playing lead guitar on “The ReWrite” and became one of those six singles to top the charts; an invite in 2018 to play at the 4th of July celebration at the White House; a signed songwriter to Sea Gayle Music publishing. These are just a few of the accolades on Mike Ryan‘s resume. The San Antonio native is back and looking for his seventh #1 with his latest single “Ghost Town,” which hit Texas Country Radio this week (6/1).
We caught up with Mike to talk about growing up around music, his songwriting process, the new single and more.
CN: With everything that’s going on in the world in regards to COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
MR: Everyone’s pretty healthy around here. Kinda tired of these cooped up “groundhog day’s” but it seems like things are letting up a bit.
CN: Which musicians, country or not, have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
MR: There’s really too many to list… I’ve gathered so much inspiration all my life from bands and artists, actors and directors… but I’ll name a few. The Eagles, James Taylor, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Ray Vaughan.
CN: Your grandfather directed the Texas National Guard Band for three decades. Can you tell us about him and his love for music, and how he inspired you? You have been quoted as saying that you learned not necessarily how to play music from him, but why you should. Please elaborate on how you recognized the difference.
MR: He just made everyone he taught fall in love with music. It was kind of infectious… he was also a legendary storyteller. He’d get low key excited when he’d set up a good one. Always with this knowing smirk 😏
A lot of his tales were pretty tall but all of them were good. He found out what he liked and then got really good at it, and shared the love with everyone he met.
CN: What was the first album you ever owned?
MR: I’m pretty sure it was Elvis Presley Greatest Hits. If not it was Boyz II Men II.
CN: As a storyteller, can you take us through your songwriting process? What inspires you?
MR: I have many different processes it seems… sometimes it’s a lyric or a situation that inspires a song or an idea can be inspired by a word in a conversation. Most often for me, it starts as a melody and then I figure out something to write that matches the feel of the tune.
CN: In what ways has the current pandemic situation affected your craft?
MR: I’ve been writing mostly with other writers in Nashville for the past several years. Travel restrictions and work from home orders have put a halt to my writing trips for the past few months, but I’ve always got ideas I’m filtering through, and we’ll be getting back together soon enough.
CN: On May 15 you released your newest single “Ghost Town.” What was the inspiration behind this song?
MR: This one started as a vision that I was having… like a movie scene wandering through an old boomtown that hadn’t been occupied for years. A place that once was a hot spot and booming with life but dried up when the gold ran out. The haunting nature of a lost love seemed to pair well with that scene.
CN: The song seems to lend a great story for a music video – is there any thought about releasing one?
MR: Yes. I feel like this song needs a video.
CN: Texas Country is its own living being within the genre of country music, and to say you are a successful artist in its realm is quite an understatement. “Ghost Town” impacts Texas Radio on June 1, where you have already earned six #1 singles. You also have 100 Million cumulative career streams on Spotify to your name. What does this success and knowing so many fans connect with your music mean to you?
MR: It’s really incredible. We have such a supportive culture down here and as we play farther and farther away from home we keep finding new fans all over. I’m blown away by the response we’ve gotten so far.
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
MR: Dave Grohl
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
MR: I Saw Dwight Yoakam at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. It was about 1994.
CN: In our pre-pandemic society, you perform over 150 shows a year and have graced some of live music’s most famous stages including Billy Bob’s Texas and Tulsa, OK’s Cain’s Ballroom. Is there a venue that you have to play that is on your bucket list?
MR: Red Rocks Amphitheater, Madison Square Garden
CN: With the release “Ghost Town” are there plans for an upcoming album?
MR: Absolutely. We have a few more things to record and finish up on the album. So, as soon as they let us back in the studio we’ll make that happen and get it out.
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
MR: Hopefully a lot of live shows for live audiences. New music soon for sure.
For more information on Mike Ryan, visit his website at mikeryanband.com and follow him on Facebook, and Instagram.