We were lucky to catch up with Ryan Wilson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ryan, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve always been interested in music. I can remember growing up, hopping in the car with my mom, and her having the oldies station blasting on the radio. We would sing along to lots of Motown and The Beatles. There’s something about those 60’s melodies, and mostly innocent lyrics, that were very appealing and satisfying to listen to.

I got my first guitar for my 6th birthday. My grandmother bought it for me at the local pawn shop. It was an old small scale acoustic that I could barely wrap my hand around. The first song I learned to play was a song from the 60’s called “Wild Thing” by The Troggs. That lasted a couple of weeks, then the guitar sat in the corner to collect dust for the next several years.

When I was around the age of 11 or 12, my older brother (who is 6 years older than me) started a band with some of his buddies from high school. They would come over to our house and rehearse. I think that’s when I fell in love with the guitar again. Only this time, it was the electric guitar.

Although my brother’s band didn’t last but a year or so, he and his friends made quite an impression on me, and I thought the idea of jamming with some buddies was one of the coolest things you could do. So, I got with some childhood friends of mine a few years later and started a band. Only this time, with us, we were serious. We played our first show at friend from school’s birthday party. We made $100. And it was probably at that point that I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a producer, mixer, engineer, songwriter, and musician based in Atlanta, Georgia, with over two decades of experience in the music industry.

My journey began as a musician and songwriter in local bands, and has since evolved into engineering for Grammy Award-winning artists and mixing songs for major labels.

Every project I take on is unique, and I believe in giving it the attention it deserves. Whether it’s a solo artist signed to a major label, a band just starting out, or somewhere in between, I love collaborating and bringing their musical vision to life.

I understand the importance of working closely with artists, regardless of the size of the band or budget. My goal remains constant – to unite with the artist, develop a shared vision, and transform it into reality by crafting the best sound recording possible.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

At the age of 23, I landed a major label record deal with Decca Records/Universal Music Group, thinking it was the big break I’d been waiting for. The CEO hyped up every song on our record, promising hits and success. However, reality didn’t align with those expectations. The first single didn’t perform well, and within a year, I was back home, an independent artist again.

Facing this setback, I reflected on the countless hours I spent self-producing and self-engineering our debut album, along with years of practicing and playing shows. Despite the disappointment, I discovered a new passion – making records. I took the lessons from that experience and decided to focus on the art of recording. Now, equipped with the unique perspective of having been on both sides of the glass, I find immense satisfaction in producing music.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Every day is a gift. I love what I do. There’s nothing more fulfilling than being immersed in a project, working tirelessly making every detail just right, then taking a step back, hitting play, and hearing what was in your head come out of the speakers. Then, seeing the artist’s face. The whole process is truly rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ryanwilsonfive.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanwilsonfive/

Image Credits
Adrian Waldron Jesse Scimeca