A good evening back in VA. Paul Norfleet, Nicole Belanus, Ron Fetner, Scott Varney, and me got together for a “Songwriters in the Round” @ JM Randall’s in Williamsburg.
Welcome to the web-home of Ryan Scarberry. Thanks for stopping by, however you found yourself here.
The House You Grew Up In - Album Review!
A generous review from the good folks at Liecester Bangs, across the pond in England:
Ryan Scarberry - The House You Grew Up In (Independent)
There’s no shortage of singer-songwriters in the world, which is no bad thing, but it’s not easy carving out a sound and style that sets you apart from the pack, and not many succeed. Ryan Scarberry is one of the few. I can spot lots of influences, from Paul Simon to Rod Picott, but nothing that overwhelms, and his songs have the knack of gently taking the listener by the scruff of the neck and not letting go. Foremost, he considers himself a storyteller, and he does spin a good yarn, but he does so with a voice that’s simultaneously easy and quite distinctive, and he doesn’t forget to pack tunes.
“The House You Grew Up In” begins with “While You Were Waiting”. It’s pleasant enough, but never seems to really get going. Perhaps its pleasures are too abstract, especially as it fades directly into “Good Day”, with its ingrained melodiousness, sublime backing vocals and instant hook. Backing vocalist Janelle Houston gets more to do on “While You Were Waiting”, including the opening lines. It’s a fine track, which gets even better when they sing together. Perhaps my favourite is “Riverboat”. Here Amy Corbett joins Scarberry on viola, and with its themes of loss and treasured memories, it might have been too weighted towards melancholy, but instead and it’s uplifting and altogether heartening.
Here’s the link to their site:
http://leicesterbangs.blogspot.com/2011/12/review-ryan-scarberry.html
Anonymous asked: How's it going in Charlotte, NC?
Charlotte’s really good. But, there will always be this little town in Va. :)
Click here to listen to the "Hunter at Sunrise Interview (WHRO H3 89.5)"
This could also be titled the “Unglamorous life of a twenty-something year old songwriter and the troubles and victories therein”. Thanks to Hunter Hughes for having me on.
Here’s two photo’s of Ben and I performing at the Aiken and Friends Fest in Smithfield, Va.
Two hams. Very fitting for the ham capital of the world.
Hurray! 1st place at the Mike Aiken and Friends songwriting competition! This means I get to play a set during the festival on October 1st. For more info check out http://www.aikenandfriendsfest.com/
Here’s a picture from the night. Mike Aiken is on the left, then me, Steve Varney (the guy’s incredible on bass), and Jim Masters. It was a great time.
Me and Ben performing “Oregon” at the Mike Aiken and Friends songwriting competition.
(P.S. we won!) Thanks to everyone there.
“Grandpa’s Old Guitar” @ Victorian Station
WRRW Radio Show
If you’re feeling saucy enough to listen to the radio show I hosted and played some live tunes on, click the link above and find the “In-Studios @ WRRW” section and then click on Ryan Scarberry (bottom right). You can download the file there. Happy listening! : )
102.5 Williamsburg pubic radio is going to air a 1 hour show that I hosted with them. If you’re in the area, tune in Saturday at 10pm or Sunday at 5pm to hear my record and some new songs done live. (And also listen for the inflections in my voice…it’s kind of obnoxious.)
