Belinda and I would like to thank Gary and the staff at Green Valley for allowing us to participate in the Benefit for Francis Board and Joyce Williams. We would also like to thank Modern Woodman and everyone else who made the event such a success! A big thanks to auctioneer David Alexander and all of those who donated and bought items during the auction. Thanks again to the Breckinridge County community for lending a helping hand for such a wonderful cause. Our best wishes to Francis and Joyce on a speedy recovery.

After standing in line at 2AM Saturday morning, Belinda and I, unfortunately, were not able to make it on to the next round of ‘Can You Duet’ Season 2. We were however, very close to the taping outside again, as well as to new host Lance Smith, also the host of CMT’s Top 20 Countdown. We were also much closer to judge Naomi Judd this year when she made her grand entrance into the Wildhorse. Stay tuned for pictures of the whole day and be sure and catch the shows when they air on CMT later in the Spring.

‘Can You Duet’ which turned out acts last year like Joey & Rory, Caitlin & Will, and the Capollas returns for its second season this Saturday March 7th at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Auditions will begin at 8AM sharp.

Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time to cast your vote for me (and the band) to be able to open up for Little Big Town; whether you just voted, told someone about it, forwarded e-mails on, etc…. I can’t thank you enough! Your support was truly amazing! My fans back home are such a blessing to me…….. So Thank You!! Also a big thank you to WXBC for allowing to do an interview about the contest with them and to WAMZ for their help in promoting it on their website.

Now for the results of the contest which ended Friday Feb. 27th 2009:

As you probably already know, we just came up a little short on placing in the top 4 to get the opportunity of a lifetime to open for Little Big Town. We did receive over 2500 votes and that was good enough to put us in 6th place overall out of 322 bands. I’d say that is pretty good. Even though we didn’t finish in the top 4, we still came away winners with all of the love and support shown by so many new friends and fans. For that I am forever grateful! Hopefully through this contest…… more people know a little more about Ryan Ross and his music. So thank you to everyone for putting your time and effort into trying to make an independent country artist’s dreams come true. I will never forget these last few weeks. It was an amazing journey. Thank you!!!!

Sincerely,
Ryan

I  just wanted to let everyone know that you can comment on my blogs after you read them! If you happen to have been at a show I’ve done… or if you’re just stopping by reading them to catch up with what all I’ve been into… you can leave me a comment!! If the blog has a picture, just click on the picture and it will take you to the page for you to leave a comment. If the blog doesn’t have a picture with it, there is a small line below the blog that contains the words ‘No Comments’ - just click on that link and it will then take you to the page to leave a comment for me. If a comment has already been left on one of the blogs it will say ‘1 Comment’ or ‘2 Comments’, etc… Just click on the ‘1 or 2 Comments’ link and it will take you to the page that will allow you to leave a comment for me on my blog as well. Feel free to leave me a message regarding the shows you attend, the music on my website or even if you just want to write and say hello and let me know you’ve visited my site. I enjoy the feedback very much, so please keep the comments coming! Also, I am in the process of getting some shows together in Nashville and back in Kentucky as well, so please check back on my calendar page very soon and if I happen to be close to you, please come on out and see me. Thank you again to everyone for your prayers, love and support throughout my journey! See you all out there soon!

Ryan

If you have been wondering what I have been up to lately (other than spending time with friends and family for the holidays), I have been working on recording songs for my new CD that will be released here in a couple of months. Currently 6 of the songs for the CD are complete and can be heard on my website under the music tab. If you have time, please take a moment to listen to them and send me an e-mail to let me know what you think. Once the CD is released I will be hitting the road to promote it. I will also be taking the CD to several radio stations in Tennessee and Kentucky and possibly a few other surrounding states to try to get some air play for a few of the songs. WXBC 104.3 FM in Hardinsburg, KY has agreed to play the CD on the air soon. If you happen to hear any songs you like, please call in to the radio station and request the songs again. Please let me know if and when you hear them. It’s you (my fans) that can get the ball rolling! I have received many compliments already in regards to the songs that are complete. I really do appreciate all of your support and hope you will continue to check back on my website for updates as to when the CD will be released and ready for purchase.

Went to a ‘Writers In The Round’ Songwriters Night at the Bluebird Cafe and saw Ty Herndon, Joanna Cotten (writer of ‘I Need You’ and ‘Some People’ for LeAnn Rimes), Dennis Matkosky (writer of ‘Maniac’ from the movie ‘Flashdance’ and Keith Urban’s ‘You’ll Think Of Me’ and Greg Barnhill (writer of Trisha Yearwood’s big hit ‘Walkaway Joe’). Ty sang several of his hits from the mid 90’s. It was a surprise to us to find out that Ty had invited a special guest to sing a few songs for everyone. After a few rounds from the others, Lee Roy Parnell joined in and worked his magic on the slide guitar. We had the pleasure of meeting all of the writers that night. Belinda was able to get her picture taken with Ty… and I got an autograph from Mr. Parnell. If you are ever in Nashville it would be worth your time to check out the Bluebird. A lot of artists got their start there including Garth Brooks and Faith Hill who had big showcases there. It only holds a little over 70 people but there is a lot of history there and a really great place to check out if you are in town.

Thanks to Gary and staff for asking Belinda and I to come sing and share in the celebration of Green Valley’s 15th Year Anniversary. Also a major ‘Thank You’ to Jay Henderson for stepping in and playing fiddle for us on such short notice. You really saved us, and got us out of a big pinch! Also thank you to Mr. ‘Punkin’ Milburn for letting us use his wonderful sound equipment. It was great sharing the night with you and getting to hear your music collection while we took a break. Thanks to our backup dancers/singers: Megan, Alexis, and Lydia. You gals really know your Taylor Swift songs! Great job guys! Thanks again to Jennifer Gardner for making more shirts; short AND long-sleeve. Thanks to Belinda French, Carolyn French, and all those who help to promote the event, and to Carlie Ross and all those who helped to decorate the stage. And last but not least, Thank You to all those who came and showed your support for Gary and who helped make the day a big success! It was also a night of fun. In the wee hours of the night we got to hear some jokes on stage - AND then—— as the night started to wind down, ‘Punkin’ played some tunes that got people to kick up their heels a little bit. Well….. maybe a lot. Man, was there ever some dancing going on! And yes, there are pictures. However, to save those from embarrassment, we won’t post any of them on myspace. Ha! Thanks again to everybody who participated.

One of the hottest Hoedown Day’s I can remember, especially to be in the middle of October. But with the warm temperatures, it was also one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen. It was great to see everyone again! So many familiar faces. You made a Breckinridge County boy feel very welcome! It’s always great to come back home. Thanks to Gary Tom Smith for the nice introduction on stage and to Ints Kampars for his nice comments on the microphone. It was also a treat to visit my WXBC family in their booth. Thank you for your continued support Dennis and Jo Ann. Hopefully I’ll see ya next year!

I had the time of my life this past Saturday, laying down the tracks for 6 songs to be put on my new CD. I recorded with Jim Vest, Producer on Independent Label, BSW Records. We worked in the ‘Funhouse Studio’ in downtown Nashville. My musicians were incredible! I was so amazed at how fast they were able to learn the songs and make them come to life! They were only given the charts moments before they walked in. Most of the songs were done on the first take. I guess that’s why they’re called Studio Musicians. I cannot thank you guys enough. What an honor! The experience alone was enough for me to believe that I was dreaming. Then, after my session was over, in walks Paul Overstreet and Scotty Emerick to do their own session. See, I told you - More Stars…. I was honored to be able to meet Paul and get a picture with him. You know Scotty as songwriter and guitar player for Toby Keith. Man, what a day! I’ve been listening to the tracks over and over since I got a rough copy on Sunday. I can’t get over it. I’m still amazed at how well they turned out. Now it’s my turn. From here, I will go to another studio with Jim in Hendersonville, TN, and start laying down my vocals on the tracks beginning this Thursday. Very exciting! Stay tuned…….