September 14, 2006, 8:44 am : Cory Ryan Sinks His Rock Roots in KC

From KansasCity.com

“There are music hot spots that are great, but you have more of a chance of doing something in a place like Kansas City,” said Cory, who decided to base his career in Kansas City.

He formed a band of Kansas City Musicians and won the first Bands Across Kansas City contest last winter. That helped the Cory Ryan Band get booked at many local clubs.

Cory was raised in Cleveland and loves to go home and play there and went to school in Nashville and has a strong following there as well. They recently just finished a tour of dates in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York City.

Cory started in music at age 8, in opera, then a rock band in high school and its been rock ever since. Even at Belmont University in Nashville the country music capital he stuck to his love of rock music. That is what convinced  Cory that he had to get his own career launched somewhere else.

Ironically, his sound now sometimes has a country feeling.

Cory really emphasizes energy in his live performances. Which he believes draws in people who may not be familiar with his music. Sometimes he may take and original song and morph it into a tune that everyone knows.

“You manipulate the situation so people can relate to it.” “It’s just fun. We encourage singalongs, we want people to leave feeling like we’re all friends.” The days of the musician who just walks on and walks ff and doesn’t interact with the audience are over.

From Kansas City Star, May 2006

August 9, 2006, 7:07 pm : Cory Ryan - One to Watch

So says Amazon.com

It’s good to hear different styles on the same CD instead of a bunch of sound a likes. Cory definitely doesn’t sound like “so-and-so”. THAT’S a good thing. Cory’s Blank Slate infuses rock-n-roll with a lyrical depth, whose original sound cannot be easily categorized. Reviewers say: “Cory Ryan’s Blank Slate is a rarity. At times it sounds as robust as early U2, at other times it takes cues from vaudeville sound and at other times sounds like the better end of singer/songwriter fare. The single-bound ‘Lauren’ is catchy as anything on the radio today and ‘Good Now That You’re Gone’ is a raunchy roadhouse jump-n-jiver that the Stray Cats wouldn’t be ashamed to cover. One of the best aspects of the album is its overall cohesion, despite the fact any of the albums songs could stand on their own, independently.” Cory Ryan is noted for his high energy and just plain fun style of delivering music, yet his music speaks to the soul. His fate has been sealed as a singer, songwriter, and electrifying performer. His breakout CD “Blank Slate” has been met with adulation and success.

Check out ‘Blank Slate’ or listen to samples!