Hey Everyone!

In just two short days, I will begin the next big adventure in my
life: Moving to Nashville! When I first came to Rochester for college
5 years ago, music wasn't the first thing on my mind...let alone
country music. As with any new college student, I had aspirations to
get a degree and find a nice job. At the time, I was looking for
another musical outlet for my violin skills which didn't involve
classical music. Country music had been growing on me over the past
few years and thought that maybe I'd try that. It was "Julie Dunlap &
High Maintenance" that took a chance on me when their fiddle player was
taking off to Nashville and they needed a replacement. If you'd seen
me perform at my first couple gigs with them, you'd be like "that's not
Ryan!" Back then I was incredibly shy on stage and didn't want to be
in the spotlight. I was pretty much content with just standing in the
background. All that changed when Dan, the guitar player, more-or-less
shoved me up to the front of the stage for one of my solos. Of course
that wasn't cool at the time but it was the beginning of it all. After
about a year with the band, there was a need to downsize and a few
members got cut. I was upset at the time but looking back, it was a
necessary step. Now, I can't thank "Julie Dunlap and High Maintenance"
enough for their guidance and patience. Most importantly I must thank
them for seeing the potential in me.

It is now almost 4 years since then and I am amazed at how far I've
come....from an extremely shy "stand-up-straight,
don't-bend-your-wrist, don't-move-around-when-you-play" classical
violinist to a "stage-running, leather-pants-wearing, bow-twirling"
country fiddler! If anyone had told me in high school that I would be
pursuing country music, I'd tell them they were out of their mind. Now
I can't see myself doing anything else!

Through it all, I could not have done it without all the support I've
received from my family, friends, and all the fans who would come out
to the shows time and time again (even if it was the same set you'd
seen the week prior :-P ). That dedication and support has meant so
much to me and kept me going even when times were rough. So from the
bottom of my heart, thank you!

Even though I won't be in the Rochester area anymore, I will still let
you know what is going on down in Nashville....and I promise on a more
regular basis. Thank you again for all your love, support, and
dedication and for letting me entertain you over these past few years.

God Bless,

--Ryan