Brayden Ryle

If it wasn’t for my dad, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now. He helped me find who I was and helped me grow a passion for music. He jump started my career and I’m extremely thankful for it - Brayden Ryle

Brayden writes many of his own songs, some with collaborations, and plays guitar.

BRAYDEN RYLE WALKS IN HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS BUT NOT IN HIS SHADOW

By David C. Lannan 

You could say 18-year-old Brayden Ryle of Clarksville is following in his father's footsteps but Brayden is charting his own course, with help as needed from a man who knows the music business. Brayden is the youngest of five children, born to Curt and Mia in 2006. Curt is a singer, songwriter and producer as well as co-owner of Clarksville Creative Sound.

Early in his music career his father paired Brayden with a Canadian artist he was working with, Jadyn Rylee. Over the years they have recorded several duets together and have won an awards at the Josie Music Awards. Brayden has recorded 4 solo albums (about 40-50 songs), recorded about 15 songs with Jadyn, 4 or 5 with Jasmine McDonald and 1 duet with EV Mae, with some others being unreleased so far. He has also performed at shows with other CCS artists Steve Markwardt, Austin and Mackynsie McKedy, plus many package artists he's not too close with.

Brayden has been playing guitar for about 6 or 7 years. “With writing I mostly start off with a melody. I then mess around with it and eventually write lyrics behind it,” he said, “I love doing it and it kills a lot of my free time. I’ve written almost half of the songs I record and most of the time it’s with other co-writers. I’ve written many with my dad and many with other artists on the label.”

I exchanged emails with Brayden to give you a little more background on his musical journey. Here’s our Q&A session.

Q&A WITH BRAYDEN RYLE

DL: Do you remember the first song you sang in public?

BR: The first song I performed publicly was at Auburn University singing “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. I was about 10 years old and was definitely nervous but I made it through!

DL: What is your inspiration for your songs?

BR: All of my songs that I write or create are based and sound very similar to other popular country songs. When I love a song, I like to write a song that sounds very similar (melodically) to the country song. For example, the song “Pray” was originally based on “Where I Find God” by Larry Fleet, “I’d Have Never Met You” was based on “Just To See You Smile” by Tim McGraw, “Who’s That Girl” was based on “There Was This Girl” by Riley Green, and “Man I Should’ve Been” was based on “Spin You Around (1/24)” by Morgan Wallen. If you listen and compare the songs, they’re different yet sound similar in nature.

DL: What is your favorite part of the music business and why? Your least favorite?

BR: My favorite part of the music business is creating. I love to write and create melodies. It’s very entertaining for me especially when those songs are for my catalog or maybe other artists catalogs. My least favorite is definitely dropping my guitar pick in my guitar and trying to get that pick out, but on a serious note, probably the grinding in the recording studio making my vocals as perfect as possible. This is most likely every singer’s least favorite thing because a lot of the time it's very hard work. But it’s worth it in the end.

DL: If you could perform with anyone in the music business who would it be and why?

BR: If I could perform with anyone in the music industry, it would of course be Morgan Wallen. I love his music and I know most of his songs. Female artist would probably be Megan Moroney for the exact same reasons. Both are amazing and very talented and hope to meet one of them some day.

DL: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

BR: In five years I hope to see myself as a singer doing concerts all around the world or even a working professional actor. I’m hoping that my music can reach more people everywhere and people get to hear songs that I wrote.

DL: What advice do you have for anyone wanting to get in the music business as a singer/songwriter?

BR: Not everything is rainbows and unicorns. A lot of it is hard work and making connections with people. Fortunately for me, I got very lucky and am very blessed to be where I’m at, but nothing is impossible. If you really want something, go for it, but also be careful because the world will try to trick you or even bring you down. Get back up and keep pursuing.

DL: Did you have professional coaching or lessons when you first started?

BR: Other than my dad teaching me how to play guitar or helping me vocally in the studio, I’ve never really had a “coach” when it came to vocals. Most of it is really just maturing overtime and trying new things vocally.

DL: Do you feel like you have missed anything or had to make sacrifices for your musical career?

BR: Honestly, I haven’t missed out on anything when it comes to music or even outside of music. I’ve always been athletic and played sports, always had time to write songs, and spend time with people I love. I’m very fortunate to have what I have and was never forced to do anything I didn’t wanna do.

DL: Is there anything you would like to add about your music journey or life in general?

BR: I’m very happy to be where I’m at and I have God, my dad, and my mom to thank for it all. I’m excited to see what the future holds for me as well as other artists and friends on the label.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Brayden said when he was little, he wanted to be a police officer, but since music came into his life he would "choose music in a heartbeat.” However, if he wasn’t in the music industry and had to pursue a job now, he would become actor.

Brayden is no stranger to acting or being on camera. He's been in video duets with CCS artists. And recently, he and the cast continue shooting episodes for “Small Town Sound,” which airs on the American Country Network. “I love the idea and concept behind ‘Small Town Sound’ and an amazing aspect to it is that I get to work with people that I’m very close with,” he said, “I love the cast of the show and I love the production crew behind cameras as well."

"Small Town Sound" is a reality-based TV program showcasing the process of writing and producing music.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND BRAYDEN?

Buy digital downloads of Brayden's music at www.i2irecords.com

YouTube: @BraydenRyle

Social Media: Brayden doesn't use social media much

Brayden's music can also be found on most major streaming platforms

HAVE A LISTEN...

Love Flashed By

Pray

Master of Illusion

In addition to writing this blog for KICR, David C. Lannan is a freelance writer with feature stories published across the country. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors for The Branson Opry. If you would like to be considered for a future blog, send your contact info and links to your music to dlannan@LFE.design.