Ryan John
Montgomery, Alabama, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Ryan John, of Alabama, at 25 years old is already a veteran of the stage. He became a pastor at the young age of 17. The years of speaking and playing worship music have given this EP a sense of maturity not seen in most independent releases.
I expected more of a worship sound, but it also has songs with a CCM flavor as well as a few tracks, In Too Deep & I Want To Be Home, with a country sound, (not surprising considering his Alabama roots). The strongest cut is Better Man. Pour Out Your Spirit is a rocking worship song that really allows his backing band to shine through.
If you like Kutless’ or Jeremy Camp this is a great independent release to pick up. - CHRISTIAN MUSIC ZINE
Project Receives High Marks From CCM Magazine, ChristianityToday.com
Alabama native Ryan John reprises his signature modern rock sound on Beautiful Scars, the latest offering from this pastor/speaker turned artist. The album, available now, has already received enthusiastic reviews from critics, including CCM Magazine and ChristianityToday.com
Produced by Marcus Acker of Houston-based band Inhabited, Beautiful Scars is Ryan’s second independent release. Written entirely by Ryan, the album is reminiscent sound-wise to projects from popular artists like Jeremy Camp or Third Day. Lyrically, the record talks about facing life’s challenges and learning to grow emotionally and spiritually from those trials.
Ryan explains, “It is our scars that often times define us. While physical scars change our appearance it is the emotional scars that define our character and growth. The past year of my life has been filled with scars from both my jobs and my relationships. There have been times when the cause of these scars was too difficult to bear on my own. It is Christ that carried me and saw me through the pain. I hope this record will encourage others who are dealing with their own scars.”
Early reviews of Beautiful Scars are singing its praises, with ChristianityToday.com calling the album “fresh and inspired,” while CCM Magazine hails, “...a promising beginning for this Alabama native.” Music blog Christian Music Zine applauds the CD for its “maturity not seen in most independent releases,” adding “this is a great independent release to pick up.”
Fans can purchase the CD online where digital music is sold as well as at ryanjohn.com. The disc is also available at physical retail outlets nationwide. For additional information, visit ryanjohn.com or myspace.com/ryanjohnband.
Hailing from a suburb of Montgomery, Ala., Ryan John began speaking at church conferences and youth rallies when he was 13 years old. By age 18 he had become a licensed ordained minister and pastor of Grace Point Community Church in Wetumpka, Ala. He began his music ministry with fellow bandmates Mark Kirkland (bass, background vocals) and Andrew Mohney (drums) nearly eight years ago. Since then the trio has released two independent projects, the first titled Deeper Waters (2002), and tours regularly ministering to youth and adults alike. An updated tour itinerary is available at ryanjohn.com. You can also follow Ryan John on Twitter at twitter.com/RyanJohn18.
- CMSpin
Style: Modern rock; compare to Lifehouse, Inhabited, Jeremy Camp
Top tracks: “In Too Deep,” “Better Man,” “I Want To Be Home”
At 25, Alabama-bred singer/songwriter Ryan John already logged eight years as a pastor and speaker, which translates to a mature writing style. On this debut disc, he isn’t afraid to expose personal imperfections, while reminding listeners to lean on God no matter how messy life gets. It’s a straight-up modern rock record, but the dynamic shift between charging romps and introspective ballads sounds fresh and inspired. John continues his church commitments, but could also make the cut in Nashville should he decide to pursue music instead. - Christianity Today
Discography
Beautiful Scars-2009
Deeper Waters-2003
Photos
Bio
Ryan John is a uniquely gifted minster of the gospel!!!
Ryan has served along side ministers and worship leaders such as Dr. John MacArthur, Wade Morris, Rush of Fools, Zoe Girl, Aaron Keyes, Charles Billingsley, and Shawn McDonald just to name a few.
At age 13 Ryan started traveling part time and guest speaking at church conferences and youth rallies. Age 15 he was offered a part time church staff position. At age 17 he was the pastor of a church. The day after he turned 18 he became a licensed and ordained minister. Now at age 25 he is working on his Masters of Divinity Degree and continues to travel full time, but in a different capacity as the front man for the up and coming new artist of the year.
About 8 years ago while touring as a speaker, he noticed a lot of churches were interested in bringing in a speakerand a band. After struggling week after week to find available bands, Ryan prayed that God would give him the voice to sing and the talent to play the guitar in order to more effectively travel and minister.
Thus began the stirring in his heart for music ministry. The band consists of Ryan John (guitar, lead vocals), Mark Kirkland (bass, background vocals), and Owen Carothers (drums), and Anthony Oliver (lead guitar). Ryan and Mark met in 2000 through a mutual friend. Oliver had been a long time friend that adapted well to the group and Owen was referred to the group from a local friend. All four men immediately connected on a spiritual and musical level.
Produced by Marcus Acker (former member of the Christian band Inhabited) in Houston, Texas, Beautiful Scars is a diverse mixture of sounds with rich melodic notes that one might hear on a Jeremy Camp or Third Day record. With all the songs from the record being written by Ryan, this album captures his true heart. Ryan John shares: Our mission through this record is to share the gospel and genuinely love those around them. Love that in such a way causes people to walk away knowing that it is not the love of man that they have experienced, but the love of God.
From the opening strains of Dance For You to the ending chords of I Want To Be Home, each and every song resonate from a very personal place in Ryans life. Better Man talks about how everyone faces different trials and weathers a lot of storms, however it is only through these trials and tribulations that people start to become stronger, and in turn, become a better man.
With pop/rock sounds and catchy lyrics Not Be Shaken, Breakdown, and Beautiful Scars all stem from a place where the desire is strong to be resilient, strong, and un-moving in life. However we are imperfect people, and we do fail, and a time will come when the only place to go is up. When we are at the end of ourselves is when God can finally come in, clean up the mess, take us by the hand, and walk with us through the rest of lifes journey.
The catchy lyrics of Dance For You add a fresh sound to the record, while Pour Out Your Spirit brings us back to a place of worship for God.
Ryan John shares the inspiration behind Beautiful Scars:
It is our scars that often times define us. While physical scars change our appearance it is the emotional scars that define our character and growth. Some lose the battle in a difficult situation and it is the pain that controls them. The challenge is to place the pain in the hands of God and allow this BREAKDOWN to make us into a BETTER MAN.
These scars may come from jobs and relationships and change who we are as a person. So, could it be that these wounds that we experience and find so ugly could be seen from the perspective of: BEAUTIFUL SCARS? After all, this story is founded in Christ. He wore both physical and emotional scars and it is the redeemed that see the beauty behind his pain.
There have been times in my life when jobs and relationships posed this very challenge. Times when the cause of these scars was too difficult to bear on my own. It was Christ that carried me and saw me through the pain. He is more than enough and sees the beauty behind my scars.
Hailing from outside of Montgomery, Alabama, this rock band travels throughout the year ministering to youth and adults alike. With plans underway for a fall tour in the southeast and another tour in the northwest this band is sure to be busy in the coming year.
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