DESCRIPTION:
Ryan Montbleau Band ~ "Songbird" ~ KSPN ~ Aspen, Colorado

"My Story"
They create and encourage everything I Love about Music, and everything I Love about seeing a Band play Live.

Dancing, singing along, Laughing, thinking, Listening.

This is the Ryan Montbleau Band. One of Boston's most popular touring exports; and they are coming to a venue near you.

You really should listen to all their Music.
Then, when they pull into your whirlwind town, you really should Go see 'em play Live.

Just by chance, I caught them playing in Denver last Fall.

How much did I know about the Ryan Montbleau Band before this show?

Well, I walked in a little late to the Denver venue, Swallow Hill Music, and after a few songs I was sharing my thoughts about the Ryan Montbleau Band with a stranger.

STRANGER: "This is the opener, Ryan Montbleau Band is the NEXT band..."

ME: "Oh."

(Awkward sip of Beer.)

I was clearly in the minority.

The palpable anticipation for the "next band" on stage made it clear. The Good Word about this band had hit this town. Montbleau would later tell these Dancing Denverites how Colorado folks have always seemed to be ahead of the new Music curve.

After a great show, after really liking what I heard and saw, and after keeping my commentary to myself, I bought 2 Live CDs which were recorded at the "Life is Good" offices back in Boston.

(As in, "Life is Good" Bumper stickers and T-Shirts)

I gave the 2nd CD to my girlfriend Beth, and in no time we became Ryan Montbleau Band know all the words Nerds. It was great, as we were both listening to them nonstop.

And now, we were determined to see them play Live together.

We learned the band offered pledge opportunities for their Live shows. And one of these packages was a "Day in the Life" opportunity where you get to hang with the band on Show Day.

The money raised goes towards the production of Montbleau's albums, such as, "For Higher", which was just recorded in New Orleans. And part of the pledges also go to great causes like Voice of the Wetlands which protect Louisiana's coast lines.

And so, Beth and I made the pledge....then, we booked the Trip.

We decided "our" Spring Break 2012 Trip would be to Colorado to spend "A Day in the Life" with the Ryan Montbleau Band before their show that night in Aspen.

We made the drive into town, and although it got a little nippy going through the pass back there, we were able to meet the Ryan Montbleau Band at Aspen's KSPN Studios to watch their performance and interview promoting the night's upcoming gig.

So, I got out my iphone, and here, from the threshold of a bursting KSPN studio door is their performance of "Songbird"; an inspiring, fun, reggae jam, that is clearly a crowd favorite.

{Obviously, from my position, the iphone Aud/Vid is not ideal. But hey, how about that Panning action, huh?}

After the KSPN performance Beth and I were invited to a private soundcheck at the night's venue, Belly Up. The guys in the band could not have been cooler hosts to both Beth and I.

They "let me" carry some gear, and they even took a request during soundcheck covering "That Was Your Mother" after Ryan and I discussed our mutual Love for Paul Simon. Beth and I had the dance floor to ourselves. We did the Zydeco (or something like it) and we knew we were in for a Special night.

Late in the evening, the whole Ryan Montbleau Band, now complete with keys and Drums that didn't fit in the KSPN studio, took Beth and I, along with all the smiling folks at Belly Up, on what Montbleau so appropriately called "a Ride" during his interview earlier in the day.

We danced with the ever thickening crowd, and at times, we just sat and listened to this professional touring band with a sound, a message, and a Spirit, that will only have you asking...

"Can we Go on that Ride again?"

After the show, and after a phenomenal "50 Ways" encore cover, we got a few pics and pints with the whole Ryan Montbleau Band.

And Beth & I left even more inspired to Sing Their Story.

Check em out. See em Live. Spread the word.

Do all the things you do when you find a New Favorite Band.

www.ryanmontbleauband.com

The Ryan Montbleau Band is

Lyle Brewer - Electric Guitar
James Cohen - Drums
Jason Cohen - Keys
Matt Giannaros - Bass
Ryan Montbleau - Vocals & Guitar
Yahuba - Percussion