There aren't many challenges of the music industry that Clayton Ryan hasn't met head on with his unique brand of angsty, twangy soul music. Raised in Iowa and South Dakota, his first successes in the industry came as a bassist and songwriter for Brandon Jones, opening for acts like Koe Wetzel, Jo Dee Messina, Flatland Cavalry, and Randy Houser. In the summer of 2022, his murder ballad "The Watchman of Spokane,” written for the duo Cottonwood Boys, was featured in American Songwriter Magazine, Americana Music Show, B Sides & Badlands, and South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and praised by both Grammy Award-Winning songwriter Marcus Hummon and William Fitzsimmons for its "compelling" and "emotional" songwriting.
Since 2022, the workaholic writer has penned songs regularly for Universal Music Production and Noise Candy Music in Los Angeles, working with producer Patrick Cunningham. The duo’s production highlights include songs in NASCAR, Fox Sports, CW's Walker, the Tennis Channel, WWE, the NFL, and Hallmark. The two released the powerful soul anthem "Better Man" in September of 2023.
The riveting performer has shared the stage or recorded with Canaan Cox, Liam St John, Cristina Vane, Tori Miller, Jalan Crossland, Julia DiGrazia, Jason Dea West, and Joshua Quimby, and appeared at Miner Music Festival, Big Turn Music Fest, Iowa State Fair, Des Moines Art Festival, Wild Bill Days, Sturgis Musicfest, Wild West Songwriter Festival, Pickin' The Backwoods Music Festival, and National Western Stock Show.
Currently residing in Minneapolis, Clayton has found wildfire success, selling out his first-ticketed show ever at the Bryant Lake Theater, opening for Canaan Cox at First Avenue's 7th Street Entry, and securing slots at Turf Club, Minnesota State Fair, and The Paramount Theater all within his first eight months. He began his debut solo LP in January of 2024 - GHOST TOWN - produced by Isaac Levy and Multi-Platinum selling artist Michael Shynes at Rockhouse Productions in St. Joseph. The ensemble has worked with artists including Ryan Lewis, Ed Sheeran, Cory Wong, Yam Haus, Chase Bryant, and Brian Setzer. The album includes collabs with Shynes, Julia DiGrazia, and award-winning Indigenous performer Ryan LittleEagle.
The record is set to release on July 18, 2024.
