NASHVILEL, TN. (Magic Valley Records/ www.HopeRiverEntertainment.com/ www.ryanholladay.com) - Magic Valley Records announces the release of twelve-year old Ryan Holladay's new album entitled 'New Kid in Town'. This highly anticipated project is Holladay's third album and the first release for Magic Valley Records. Tracks include an original song entitled 'Midnight Radio' written by Ryan's good friend
Dierks Bentley and Mike Ward.
Bentley raved, 'What can I say about Ryan that his music doesn't already say? He is an incredible talent and well represents the future of bluegrass music. This is the first time another artist has recorded one of my songs and I'm very honored Ryan chose it for his new project.'
'This guy is a STAR! It's hard to imagine that someone could have this much music savvy at twelve years old. This is by far Ryan's best effort to date. What a talent. What instincts. This young man not only plays the banjo, mandolin and all lead guitar parts, he also arranged all the singing on this CD. Remarkable!!! Put that together with being one of the nicest, most charismatic young men that I have ever met and there you have it folks, the whole package as they say. Look for great things from this extraordinarily talented young musician.' - Larry Cordle.
Carl Jackson who wrote the liner notes for the project and said, 'The first time I met Ryan Holladay, he told me he thought I should be the President of the United States. I'm not kidding, he really did say that. I have to admit I was instantly blown away with his political knowledge at such an early age, but when I heard him play banjo for the first time it made an even bigger impression. Here was this kid only a few short years out of diapers playing things on a five string that he simply wasn't supposed to be able to do. Then he proceeds to sing tenor with me on a tune called 'Lonesome Dove' that I co-wrote with by good friend, Larry Cordle. Folks, if I do say so myself... that's not the easiest song in the world to sing harmony to, but Ryan did it flawlessly. I even took him on stage with me while hosting the SPBGMA Awards several years back and he delivered some of the funniest one liners of the night. Oh by the way, did I mention that he picks the strings off the mandolin and guitar as well? Now that he is all grown up at the ripe old age of twelve, Ryan has assembled a wonderful cast of pickers and singers to help showcase all his musical abilities and does so with precision on this excellent project.
The title track, 'New Kid in Town', is especially appropriate considering the fact there is and he is such a force to be reckoned with. That 'new kid' is my buddy, Ryan Holladay. Remember the name - you'll be hearing a lot more of it. Come to think of it, what's the age requirement for a vice-presidential running mate? Hmmm...'
Ryan Holladay has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry since the age of five and is credited with being the youngest performer on the famous stage. He tours nationally with his band and most recently was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show's 'World's Most Talented Kids' segment.
Other television appearances include, The Grand Ole Opry, Crook & Chase, Ralph Emery Morning Show, Nickelodeon's Figure it Out and PBS's Zoom. Ryan is an accomplished musician playing the banjo, mandolin, guitar and dobro.
Ryan has performed on stage with the best in bluegrass music including the Del McCoury Band, Mike Snider Band, Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time, John Cowan Band, Lonesome River Band, Blue Highway, Lynn Morris Band and so many more. Ryan performs with his band at festivals, concerts and other events all across the country. He has also opened shows for Roy Clark, Nickel Creek and more. On September 25 and 26, 2004, the 1st Annual Ryan Holladay Bluegrass Festival will be held in Camden, Tennessee.
Musicians on the project include Ryan Holladay band members Ryan Holladay, Mark Holladay, Mike Holladay and Tyler Andal as well as special guest Doc Holladay, Jason Carter, Gretchen Priest-May, Lisa Holladay and Chris Josliln. For more information on Ryan Holladay and his festival, please visit www.RyanHolladay.com
