Ryan Chrys: Journeyman steps to the forefront

If you somehow managed to not notice Ryan Chrys as he has made his way around the country and chewed up the front range, you simply were blinded by the company he has kept.  But for many musicians on the front range, you mention his stage presence and charisma, or the sylish guitar sounds he crafts and you get it.  You get the head nod.  The one that says, "Yeah, that boy can play". 

I began to notice a common denominator in bands I was running to see, and it wasn't a trademark sound.  It was Ryan Chrys was in the band.  It was a mark of rock and roll credibility.  You see, if you are gonna have a guitaris or bass player in the band like that, and want the band not to be about THAT guitar player, you have to have it goin on.  And so Ryan has found his place with standouts from Aubrey Collins, to Chris Barber of SPIV, US Pipe, to his most recent work with Angie Stevens, because they can tap into that energy and make it a part of their own.  That's what makes them noteworthy and powerful performance bands in their own right.

Don't get me wrong.  He is not a steal the spotlight kind of guy by some 'look at me' needy nature.  Nope.   Just the opposite.  He was often called to lay back and make music the song calls for, the band needs, make it about the song- and he does that brilliantly.  But soon, you just begin to gravitate your attention to Ryan.   He can't help that.  Just ask the gal or guy next to you at a show.  Another head nod moment.  "Dude's a rock star".  Yep.  And that's comin from guys who can play a lick or two themselves.  Luckily for those in the audience, he does not tap into his guitar in some restrained music conservatory posture- with his guitar hiked up to his armpits, eyes fixed on the fretboard.  It's prowess wrapped in low slung familiarity, punctuated by flying jump kicks in the middle of a nice string bend.  Just writing it reminds me of being five years old listening to  KISS records and mauling a tennis racket as I catapulted off of the clothes hamper...nevermind.  I may or may not have done such things.

So, why go on about Ryan?  Because he is puting his stamp on a project in a way he has never done before.  He is owning it by name.   Crafting the tunes, holding down the show and claiming it as what he wants to bring and announce- this is what i am about.  I've seen a musician or two do this because being in the band was not enough, and the results were usually catastrophic.  No chance of that happening here.   Ryan has the songcraft and the performace to carry it.  This time he can let go of all the conflict involved with the compromises, good and bad, that comes with that team group dynamic thing.  This time, it's his.  And by my first listen to opening tracks, he should be proud to stamp his name on it.  And deserves to.

Just go back to the list of folks he has shared the stage, and the spotlight with.  They would be the first to say the same.  I'll say it for them...You own every stage you are on, Ryan.  And have played all the roles well.  There's plenty of stars in their own right ready to back you up, on stage or on the sidelines. 

See what I mean.  April 7.  Walnut Room.  Denver. 
his pals in SUG, Angie Stevens, and the host of folks he always helps to shine will be pushing the spotlight even brighter.
Then Ryan Chrys will release his solo album.  Word.

PS- oh, and some folksy songwriter dude will awkwardly take stage too.  Be nice to him
Don't miss it.
-russ