Sherry Ryan

MUSIC NL Female Artist of the Year 2008 & 2006



Raised on a land fertile for songs and storytelling, Sherry Ryan has proven herself a gifted musician and writer who leaves the stage with a small piece of your heart every time. But that’s Ok - you get a big piece of hers with every song.



Growing up on the same land her great-great-grandfather farmed in Middle Cove, Newfoundland, Sherry roller-skated to piano lessons on Saturday mornings, listened to Carol King records on rainy afternoons, and put on her long dress to dance to the Irish Rovers television show on Sunday nights.



To showcase Ryan's evolution as a songwriter, producer Mark Bragg chose to work with less musicians in a live setting for her latest release, Wonderful Cures, creating a more soulful, stripped down record. This folk-rock-soul blend has Up! Magazine naming her ‘St. John’s answer to Lucinda Williams’. Described by Exclaim! as “clearly not one to be tied down stylistically” Ryan has musical influences from Soul, Classic Country and Appalachian Music. These sounds are combined with a strong undercurrent of Irish from Sherry's musical upbringing in a place where traditional Irish music is a powerful and vibrant force.



It is said that the best songs take something personal and make it universal. Sherry Ryan has been perfecting this art for years. With potent songs and a voice “so good - so distinct - it’s absolutely unforgettable” (Exclaim!), Sherry has earned nation wide attention, extensive radio play and showcases across Canada and the US. She was named Newfoundland & Labrador Female artist of the Year for 2006 & 2008.



Exclaim! review of Bottom of a Heart

By Eric Thom



That the human voice is a finite commodity is a truism. That is, until you hear a voice so distinctively different that all the rules are changed. Sherry Ryan is a relative unknown — but only because not enough people have caught wind of her sizeable talents. Weaned on country out of Middle Cove, Newfoundland, Sherry’s musical personality reflects that wondrous blend of Newfoundland influences that kick any kitchen party into overdrive through the wee hours of the morning. The overriding direction on this first release is deep country, her voice powered by the haunting spectre of Patsy Cline and Kitty Wells. Closer in timbre to a darker, huskier version of Margo Timmins, Ryan’s vocals soar above predominantly sombre material interspersed with hints of rockabilly (“Best Kiss Ever”), bluegrass (“Simple Things”) and country (“You Broke My Heart”). “One of Those Amazing Nights” is a slow, disarming number that deserves to be on the radio — falling into that awkward alt-country category, but a good representation of Ryan’s best foot forward. A gifted songwriter, these 14 tracks are her own, and clearly not one to be tied down stylistically, her future looks bright. Her voice is so good — so distinct — it’s absolutely unforgettable. If this is the bottom of her heart, I can only look forward to the top



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