Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ryder Grimes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ryder, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Growing up in my home, there was always some sort of music playing whether it was my mom playing it off of the TV while she cleaned the living room or my dad, (who still does this by the way) getting up every single morning with a different song stuck in his head and singing it out loud. My dad sings in a local country band and I have been onstage with them since I could hold a guitar. They used to bring me on stage and just let me stand up there with my guitar, not plugged in…But I didn’t care one bit, I was on stage and I was a happy little dude haha! We have a place called Sweetwater Grill not too far from our house and when my dad would play, my mom would always bring me up there to watch and to help out with the band, I learned almost everything I know because I did that for so long. A few years down the road that led to me being on stage with them for real and I still play with them sometimes when I have an off day and they are playing! After a few years of being the actual guitar player in his band, I knew that I wanted to play and do it for a living. I started learning how to sing and continued to expand my playing abilities to where I could play a full gig by myself and I’ve been doing it ever since, but I’m still learning and growing every time I get on stage. I I’ve had a deep passion to play music since I was about 6 years old and that came from my loving family, I can’t even begin to thank them enough for what they’ve done for me.

Ryder, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Well, to start off, I’m Ryder and I’m a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist from a tiny town in North/East Texas called Poetry and I’ve been playing music since I was 6 years old, I’m 18 now and this is what I do full time. I think the main reason that I got into the business of playing/writing country music is because of the people I looked up to when I was younger. Whether it was my dad and his musician friends or big time artists like Brad Paisley and George Strait, I always wanted to live my dream of singing country songs and doing it as a career, I’m so unbelievably blessed to get to say I’m doing that now. I grew up on country music but I always remembered my dad loving rock and roll, that sparked a whole new love for music in me and it caused me to start exploring other genres outside of country, something I think that has helped me out big time as a musician in general. As I’ve grown as a songwriter, I’ve tried to broaden my horizons and do something different. In my latest collection of work that I’ve written, I’ve really focused on combining the sweet and smooth lyrics of the classic country music I grew up on, but making the instrumental side of things a little rougher to give some songs a rock type feel. I like songs with loud drums, heavy bass and long guitar solos, so why not change it up and combine the two? When I mentioned Strait and Paisley earlier as inspirations, this is exactly what I’m talking about. I wanted that smooth sounding lyrical melody similar to George Strait and Alan Jackson but I wanted the guitar and music parts to be filled with unique chords and ripping solo’s similar to Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. I feel that expanding my musical tastes has boosted my confidence as a writer, forcing me to step outside of my comfort zone and try to create something different and unique, but still staying true to myself. I always say this when people ask me to describe what I play: “Classic country but with an edge.” I learned almost everything I know about being in a band from my dad and the musicians I grew up hanging around with. Now with my own group, some of my best friends on the planet, we are running the roads in the van and playing our songs for the greatest people ever, Texas Country Music Fans! At only 18 years old, I have already gotten to play some of my dream venues such as the Texan Theater in Greenville, Texas and Arlington Music Hall in beautiful downtown Arlington, Texas. Sidenote: I have always had a fascination with theaters and music halls so getting to play at those two legendary venues is an honor. The thing that I’m most proud of is the time that I’ve gotten to spend with one of my hero’s and best friends, Mr. Deryl Dodd. Deryl has taught me so much about the business side of music and has helped me tremendously in the process of learning how to write, record, tour and the whole nine yards. I’m so incredibly blessed to play music as my full time job and I can’t wait to share what we have been working on with all of you great people!

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

I could go on and on about this one, but to keep it short and sweet, here it is. Meeting other artists will forever be my favorite thing about being a musician. I have been playing professionally for about 7 years now and I have learned SO much about being a musician, a writer and even a person in general from interactions with other artists that share the same love as me.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My main goal in my journey as a country music singer is to write music that takes you back. Simple songs that everyone can relate to about topics like life, love, heartache, healing and growing up, we’ve all dealt with it and I hope that people can relate to and enjoy the music I write. Seeing what music can do to people is what drives me to work harder to go to the next level, music is so impactful and I love seeing the different ways that music touches people’s hearts. It’s healing and I know that for a fact because when I’ve dealt with hard times my Lord and music are the two things that got me through the toughest of times. Seeing someone enjoy the music that we write makes me so happy that I truly can’t even explain it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Rydergrimesmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rydergrimesmusic/
• Facebook: Ryder Grimes Music
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNCgj9dJ0lZHTkZlsH1b0_Q
• Other: Booking/Information Email; rgmusic7780@gmail.com

Image Credits
Seth Holland