Ryan Spearman

Ryan Spearman was raised in St. Charles County, MO and began an interest in traditional/acoustic music in his late teens. His first band, The River City Buskers, worked in the St. Louis area for seven years performing as a jug band, old time band, and eventually a more contempary acoustic act featuring original songs. Ryan was the utility man in the group, taking care of the mandolin, guitar, and fiddle work as well as some of the vocals and songwriting. In 1999, the River City Buskers placed third at the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest. Shortly thereafter, the band released their debut CD, “Pleadin’ the Fifth”. This effort is still turning heads across the nation.In April, 2001, Spearman relocated to Nederland, CO where he was a founding member of the band, High on the Hog. The band focused on traditional American fiddle tunes and other early, rural country music predating the onset of bluegrass in the 1940’s. In 2002, the Hogs placed second in the Telluride Band Contest. Ryan played the fiddle and guitar for the Hogs and did a great deal of the vocal work. Ryan has been a professional musician & songwriter, solo and otherwise, for twelve years, has over seven years experience in teaching guitar, mandolin, & banjo, hosts open jams, and has recorded as a session musician on several recordings. He has performed professionally in countless cities across eighteen states in festivals, concert halls, barn raisings, weddings, house concerts, and everything in between.Spearman harbors a wealth of talent, experience, and credits including the sharing of stages with such greats as Tony Furtado, Mike Marshall, Darol Anger, Nick Forrester, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Keller Williams.Presently, he has been focusing his musical energies on reviving his solo performances. These solo sets showcase his skills on multiple instruments including guitar, banjo, fiddle, harmonica, mandolin, & even the musical saw. His repertoire features: folk, country blues, honky tonk, old time, bluegrass, jazz, and distinct original songs that tend to magically combine an exceptional command of language with a broad understanding of American musical form.His perpetually delayed and long awaited "virtual" release, “Cornfed Visions”, is due on the cyber-shelves in late June, 2006...no, really...that's a promise!