Ryc Powers

Biography
Before I was born, my mother knew I’d be a musician, and bought a guitar so she could sing along. I started playing piano at the age of eight, but when my piano teacher taught me “Steamroller Blues” my classical training was over. Then I found guitar to be easier, and began playing in 1970 at the age of twelve, starting with the Eagles, James Taylor, Steve Miller Band, and the like. I learned some country and blues, and began playing in pubs and coffeehouses 25 years ago, and collecting great songs wherever I could find them.
When my family moved up north, I continued to develop as a songwriter and performer. I discovered folk music on the radio, and Irish music, learned at least a hundred of each, and began writing in those styles, too. I’ve got the right to sing ‘em, you know – I’m English, Irish, and Scotch mostly. European immigrants brought their music over, and it blended with other styles to become the rich cultural and musical heritage we now call our own.
Still, it was Pubs that continued to be my main gig, and so it was the old time rock and roll that sort of took over at first. But then I also played at nursing homes occasionally over the last ten years, and fell in love with some of those great old songs, too. I’d learn a whole book of other people’s songs, then write another one just like ‘em. All of these styles became part of the reflexive lexicon I could work from, and began to roll out naturally into a style of my own. If I had to give it a name, I’d call it “Original Americana”
I played in a bluegrass band for two summers in Pennsylvania, 20 years ago and still play some of those tunes.
I’d play in the pub, but the folk festivals and original showcases were where I wanted to be. So, I played what the people wanted to hear, but it was the real music I always liked best; music that people wrote from the heart.
My main claim to fame so far is that in the summer of 2004, I made the top 32 out of 600 in the song contest at the folk festival in Kerrville, Texas. Then I made the top 40 out of 1200 with that same winning song, “Up The Road From Tennessee!” at Mountain Stage competition in West Virginia.
This year I have some new songs I’m excited about, (check out “White Lightnin’” and “Cool Pappa Bell!”) and am in the process now of making a CD and also recording and producing several more, drawing from some of the best material I have written over the last twenty years. I am planning a tour to Nashville this summer, to be part of the Nashville Songwriter’s Festival and Open House on Music Row, and meet some of the good people down there. Keep an eye on the audio portion of this press kit, ‘cause I will update the tunes from here!