Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Innes.
Hi Ryan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I’m originally from AZ. The oldest of seven kids. I grew up the majority of my life in Thatcher out in the Gila Valley. Music was always a part of my world. I was a member of The Phoenix Boys Choir as a young boy. My mother started me in piano at age 4 and being a teacher herself I continued playing all the way through high school. I couldn’t play football, which was my true passion then unless I played the piano. I was also in the school’s bands, marching, and concert, from elementary school to sophomore year, AND I sang in some sort of school choir every year I was in school. It was just as much a part of my life as any sport but just something I kind of always did. Not a true focus.
After graduating in 1999, I went on to attend Eastern AZ College which just happens to be in Thatcher. I was studying Pre-Medical Science but again still doing AAALLLL the choir classes. So much so that I received a scholarship in it to continue with the music while studying. When I graduated from EAC I moved over to Mesa, AZ, and started working at The University of Phoenix as an admissions counselor. I planned on attending online classes there for free to get a business degree and then eventually take the MCAT.
Well, life happened, a broken engagement rocked me, it was complete misery as a cubicle farm employee selling the online school to people, and I missed music. I had a buddy up at BYU studying Media Music and loved it. I had another buddy at UoP with me feeling the itch to leave and after a very significant moment of realization that music was what I needed to do we both headed up to Provo to attend BYU. I somehow made it into the school first, then the music school, and eventually auditioned and made BYU Vocal Point. A nine-man acapella group went on to win the International Championship of Collegiate Acapella in 2006. I cut my teeth as a soloist while at school. I learned to combine my piano playing and singing and began writing “real” songs.
After graduating, I was still working my job at Red Robin as a server and literally paid other servers to take my tables I hated it so much. Eventually, I was offered a gig playing the Vista Lounge at Montage Deer Valley a few nights a week which I still play to this day.
In 2013, I auditioned for The Voice for the 3rd time and landed a four-chair turn, and ended up on Usher’s team. I left after the 3rd round but the momentum kept gigging and writing up to this day. Just last year I had another stint on a TV show called “Songland” where I pitched an original song to Lady A. It wasn’t picked up by them but it was eventually cut by Todd Tilghman the winner of Season 18 of The Voice.
Right now I’m still gigging and writing for all kinds of outlets. Specifically, I’m focusing on writing for film and tv placements with my songs. I’ve been fortunate to have my songs on Netflix, ABC, CBS, NBC, Dude Perfect’s YouTube, The Bucaneers Instagram, Simple Mills annual marketing campaign, etc. There’s a ton more music and shows and placements coming and it’s all very exciting.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, struggles are a given in any entertainment career endeavor. It’s rather the rule more than the exception. For example, I didn’t make it on The Voice until after trying out five different times for similar style shows. I spent so many years paralyzed by fear of failure that it took me five years after leaving The Voice to put out any music at all. I’ve never had any interest from labels, publishers, managers, producers of any great life-changing significance.
The vast majority of my fan base was built from the two stints on TV shows. Otherwise, I’m not sure I’d have any grassroots fans to lean on. Yea, it’s a rough road as an independent artist and every journey is different. I’m just now starting to find my path I believe and it took over 10 years.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an independent musician, singer, and songwriter. I play live gigs for my own music, for corporate/private events, weddings, etc. I’m known for being a big ole soul singer but with an eclectic application of my voice to lots of different styles.
I’m most proud of not having had a 9 to 5 job in over 10 years. I’ve paid for my life completely off my musical endeavors. I’m my own boss, I own my business outright, I have complete autonomy and freedom of time.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love that Salt Lake isn’t too big yet. I can still feel like I know most of the people in my industry and others doing great things. I don’t like that there are still mindsets around music that make people think they have to look elsewhere for high-quality talent in every aspect when it’s all right here.
Contact Info:
- Email: ryaninnesmusic@gmail.com
- Website: www.ryaninnes.com
- Instagram: @ryaninnes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryaninnesmusic
- Twitter: twitter.com/ryaninnes
- Youtube: youtube.com/ryaninnesmusic
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ryaninnes
Image Credits
Anna Azarov, Russ Dixon, Joshua Tug, Savannah McKenzie, and Ryan Carter
