Mountain Empire

Mountain Empire is the brainchild of Ryan Browning of Roanoke, Virginia. Ryan first began his venture into music by playing the guitar of his older brother, who would become a prime influence on his music and in his life. At the age of 12 he acquired his own guitar and by the age of 14 he had written his first song. From the beginning music was in his blood. His grandmother sang in a gospel trio and his brother had already been writing and performing his own songs.

In 2006 Ryan decided to follow his dream and head down to Florida to attend Full Sail University, with aspirations of recording music and learning about the business. During this year he harnessed his talents and developed as a songwriter. It wasn't until a year later that he decided it was time to unveil some of his songs at an open mic night. The audience was floored. It was evident at this point that Ryan Browning needed to concentrate more on his music career and start getting his name out on the circuit.

These days Mountain Empire can be found crooning and pounding out their unique blend of folk, rock, country and blues in bars and coffee houses throughout the state of Virginia. Guest and Past members of the band include Drew Pull (MC Squared, The Still Life Experiment), Sean Egan (Alex In Wonderland) William H. Fryar (The Johnathan Project) on drums, Thom Frankie (The Johnathan Project, Solo as Thom Frankie) on Guitar, and Brandon Wilson on Bass. They are known for their energetic yet intimate live performances and extremely friendly demeanor. You have to understand that this band is not one to reckoned with, and also not one to be easily understood. These guys exist in a world of dualities, playing the roles of both the preacher and the sinner, the sheriff and the outlaw; Mountain Empire play songs like cowboys with broken hearts and smiles on their faces.