About |
In recent months, there has been a grassroots buzz brewing in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area surrounding rising singer-songwriter Ryan Skyy, a rapidly developing artist still in the beginning stages of his career. Carla Bianco (#1 Billboard singer-songwriter/ASCAP award) raves "Ryan Skyy is the real thing...the male version of Alicia Keys. A consummate pianist, vocalist and composer with a hip-hop groove." It's no wonder that Ryan's soft-spoken charm, down-to-earth character, melodic gifts, and natural ability to write instantly relatable music that strikes an emotional nerve have connected him to a steadily growing fanbase; which, originated in the hallways of his top-rated performing arts school and has since begun to spread through local venues and online music communities.
Despite an avalanche of overwhelmingly positive feedback from fans, Ryan still considers his music to be in its developmental (i.e. ‘beta’) stage. In fact, Ryan’s debut independent demo release titled “BETA version 0.9” (due out November 12th) is already receiving scores of pre-orders from fans. He explains: “It’s important that I communicate to fans that while I believe my demo is ready for release, it only represents one stage in a career that will consist of continuous growth and evolution. As my music matures and I grow, I want to document that path and give fans the ability to follow me on my journey. The ultimate culminating release will be version 1.0, but that will not be released until a record label contract is signed and a professional LP is released.”
Ryan is a self-taught musician who comes from a growing line of pianists. His Great Grandmother played piano for silent movies in the 1930’s and his Great Aunt, who taught Ryan his first song on her piano, which she later passed on to him, was a very accomplished musician who kept her talents private.
Ryan’s love for writing began at the age of 13 when he composed his first classical piece on the piano and was asked to showcase it at a school convention. The following year, after putting together an a cappella quintet for a talent show, Ryan and his group “U 5 Guys” found themselves quickly becoming local celebrities in their home town, which eventually led to a five concert tour of Italy and a featured spot on national television.
Following the success of “U 5 Guys,” Ryan was a featured performer in the 2002 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He was also a finalist for both the “Pittsburgh Idol” contest on a local radio talk show and the McDonald’s sponsored “Gimme the Mic” contest in Philadelphia.
Ryan spent the next two years developing his writing, piano, vocal, acting, and dance talents at Point Park University (a top-five rated U.S. performing arts program), as well as establishing and managing several immensely successful internet businesses. After his time at Point Park, Ryan began channeling all his energies towards developing and cultivating his solo music career.
Ryan is currently creating a new “technology-driven” live show to support the release of his demo and is being considered in the final casting rounds for ‘Spring Awakening’ on Broadway (a new, raw and cutting-edge folk/rock musical that swept the Tony Awards last year and is being hailed as the ‘RENT’ of his generation). After a three month campaign of live performances and record store appearances in the tri-state area, Ryan will relocate to Philadelphia in March 2008 to pursue getting signed to a record label and fully realizing his dreams as a recording artist.
Ryan is poised to emerge in the forefront of today’s musical scene with what he hopes will be a modern pop renaissance of a piano-based singer/songwriter legacy established by Elton John and Billy Joel. With vocals similar to Gavin Degraw and Justin Timberlake, and a writing style reminiscent of Alicia Keys, Ryan’s catchy, socially conscious, and emotionally driven music is bound to push the envelope on a new era of pop music.