• JUNE 2008 - We are proud to announce that Ryan is now on tour and accepting performnace dates for 2008 and beyond. He did take some time off after his family lost their home and personal belongings in a devasting house fire.
• MAYVILLE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL - JUNE 2008 read more
• RYAN E-NEWS - We are currently updating the Ryan Holladay mailing list. Even if you have signed up in the past to receive news, please send us an email to ensure you continue getting monthly updates.
• Bluegrass Now Magazine article June 2007
• Savannah Morning News (March 21, 2007)
• Bluegrass Blog
• Jackson Sun (March 11, 2007 )
• Review of "New Kid in Town" - Skaggs Family Records
  The Audiophile Voice (2/06)
  click to read pdf file
• Review of "New Kid in Town" - Skaggs Family Records
  Spirituality and Health Magazine (1/06)
• In 2005, Ryan Holladay appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show's episode featuring "The World's Most Talented Kids" and was introduced as a 12 year old bluegrass prodigy from Camden, Tennessee. "Self-taught on the banjo, at age five Ryan played the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, the youngest-ever performer on that legendary stage. In New Kid in Town, Ryan expresses strength in the face of adversity in the song "When It Rains". He draws fortitude from simple faith with a convincing bluesy twang in the anthem "There is a God," backed up by harmonies from his mother, Lisa, his father, Mark and his uncle, Mike. In addition to family solidarity, Ryan's nimble, dynamic mastery of the banjo, guitar and mandolin make his listeners feel energized and exalted. Small wonder that his hometown has launched an annual Ryan Holladay Bluegrass Festival as a way of further sharing the inspiration."
• IBMA Press Release (11/05)
  Attendance Soars for 2005 World of Bluegrass
  "Seasoned young performers like Ryan Holladay and Sierra Hull performed for student groups, answering questions about how they got interested in bluegrass music and how they learned to play their instruments."
• Ryan Holladay, John Anderson, Bobby Osborne and more perform at Dollywood (10/05)
• South China Post
• RAM Radio - Ryan Holladay Music Festival Story (09/05)
• "Stellar Lineup Announced for the 2nd Annual Ryan Holladay Bluegrass Festival" (09/05)

REVIEWS

California Bluegrass Association Review of "New Kid in Town"

Power Source Magazine (06/05)
Review of "New Kid in Town" - Skaggs Family Records " I normally would put a CD in and if it is someone that I think I have missed or fell through the cracks I would say "Where has he been?" But, since Ryan Holladay is at "the ripe old age" of only 12 years old, I can't really ask that question, or only his parents would know for sure. Bluegrass is definitely the genre of this album and this boy knows how to play it! The talents of this "young" Ryan, along with others from his family are a great combination. Ryan's vocals have some growing to do, but I am sure in time, which he has plenty of that, this will happen. The No. 1 cut "Boston Boy" shows off Ryan's great talent on all the stringed instruments. I can see why this cut was placed first on the project. This CD was put together very well and the title cut puts it all very clearly, "New Kid In Town." Ryan is in "Town" and is not going to be quiet about it either!

Country Music & Dance in Scotland and N. Ireland (05/05)
Review of "New Kid in Town" Skaggs Family Records

First off let me clarify something, when I received this CD is was from Magic Valley Records but within a few days I discovered that the CD had changed labels, as had the artiste, now signed to Skaggs Family Records who have now issued the CD on their label. Not only the New Kid In Town but the hottest new ticket in Bluegrass I'd say after hearing this CD, its AWESOME…and I've never said that about a CD I've reviewed. Ryan Holladay has accomplished more in his brief twelve years, than most musicians accomplish in a lifetime. His first Grand Ole Opry performance was aged 5 and he's been back over a dozen times since. He is credited with being the youngest performer on The Grand Ole Opry. Ryan and his band made their Opry debut in early May 05. His previous 2 CD's include guest appearances by Earl Scruggs, Mike Snider and Ronnie Mc Coury. Tom T. and Dixie Hall produced and wrote songs for Ryan's "Old Soul" CD including the title song. He plays banjo, mandolin, guitar, and Dobro and sings lead and harmony vocal. "Ryan has an exceptional ear and an almost eerie grasp on every aspect of bluegrass music." says Chris Thile-Nickel Creek while Ricky Skaggs said before he signed him “…I'm truly amazed. He just keeps getting better. He truly has a special gift…”. OK so lets talk about the CD. 12 tracks, 40 minutes long, 5 outstanding instrumental tracks and 7 vocal tracks. The musicians are The Ryan Holladay Band which consists of Ryan Holladay - banjo, mandolin, guitar / Mark Holladay on Guitar / Mike Holladay on bass and Tyler Andal - Fiddle with additional guests Jason Carter on Fiddle, Gretchen Priest-May on violin, Chris Joslin on Dobro and David "Doc" Holladay on guitars, acoustic and gut -string , bass, cello, percussion and he also produces the CD. All the Holladays sing (except Doc) and that adds variety to the album. The choice of material is great including traditional pieces like “Boston Boy” and “There is a God” (with voices only), newer pieces like the Mike Ward Dierks Bentley song “Midnight Radio” and the Eagles' “New Kid in Town” . This is all about musicianship talent, and the future of bluegrass in young hands.
OTHER TRACKS :- When It Rains - My Caroline in Carolina - Shadow Ridge - Kaymoor Mine - The Road to Donnelaith - Blackjack - Hurry Sundown - 99 Years (And One Dark Day).

Country Music Today

April 2005
The Messenger Inquirer - By: Keith Lawrence
"Ryan Holladay is 'New Kid in Town"

The Eagles' "New Kid in Town" was already a golden oldie when Ryan Holladay was born in 1992. But, boy, does it fit as the title track for his major bluegrass label debut. Holladay is the latest bluegrass prodigy in a long line of child stars that includes Skaggs Family Records' head Ricky Skaggs. Skaggs performed on Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs' TV show when he was 7 and hit the road full time with Ralph Stanley when he was 15. Chris Thile of Nickel Creek won the national mandolin championship as a 12-year-old. Josh Williams of Rhonda Vincent's The Rage formed his first band as a 10-year-old and released his first album the next year. And Alison Krauss began playing bluegrass as a 12-year-old and cut her first solo album four years later.

But Holladay's credentials are even more impressive. He made his Grand Ole Opry debut at 5 and has already released three albums at 12. He plays banjo and mandolin on "New Kid" and shines on such cuts as Thile's "Shadow Ridge" and J.D. Crowe and Doyle Lawson's "Blackjack." Holladay sings lead on "When It Rains" and "Midnight Radio," a great new song about fulfilling "hillbilly dreams." But, at 12, his vocal cords need a little aging.

So, Mark Holladay, Ryan's father, handles lead singing on "My Caroline in Carolina," "Kaymoor Mine," "Hurry Sundown," "99 Years (And One Dark Day)" and the title cut. Ryan is joined by his parents, Mark and Lisa, and his uncle, Mike Holladay, for some good four-part a capella gospel harmony on the traditional "There Is A God."

A final note on prodigies: 16-year-old Tyler Andal, who plays fiddle on the album, is another young musician to keep an eye on.

April 14, 2005
Shelby County Info
Ryan Holladay Band Showcases Rare Talent!

He is self taught. He started playing when he was 3 years old and by 6 years of age was doing very well. He liked his Grandpas Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs records. He is now 12 years old. . . has his own band . . . a CD entitled "New Kid In Town" and has already done some national television shows, including "Oprah!" His name is Ryan Holladay and he is very serious about his pickin' He likes pizza, potatoes, and corn on the cob, fresh from his grandparents garden. But most of all, the young man from East Tennessee is so full of talent and loves what he does that you might just appropriately exclaim - "unbelievable!"

He is currently the Banjo and Mandolin Champion back home and his CD is now being distributed nation wide! When he plays, you might notice a ring on his left hand and get curious about it. The answer is simple, it's a "Mood Ring" Ryan bought on a school Adventure and Science trip at a museum in Nashville. And his music has many moods!

Ryan plays his music in every form of bluegrass that you can imagine. He also does some gospel. He also sings, introduces his Mom, his sister Hannah - they sing too! It is just one proud family affair! Ryan plays and acts like an old showbiz trooper, loving what he is doing and enjoying the audience to whom he performs. He also has a lot of fun doing what he likes best! He is the best at what he is doing!

Words cannot truthfully describe this young talent - you just have to hear and see him for yourself. Ryan ended up playing at Leatherwoods Ol' Time Opry in the evening after he had already performed for fourth and fifth grade students at Springmore/Boiling Springs, Fallston, Marion and West earlier in the day, starting at 8:30 a.m! Now, here he is ending up at Leatherwoods with his last banjo tune and it's after 10 p.m.! A lot of talent. A lot of energy. If you missed him, you must get his CD. If you doubt that he is talented, ask anyone who was there, or better still ask all those girls at the Fallston School that were screaming and did not want Ryan to leave!

He may be the "New Kid In Town", but before long, this kid may own the town! Pictured: His Uncle Mike; his Dad, Mark; 12 year old Ryan and 16 year old friend Tyler make up the band!by M. A. Andrews

Knoxville Zoo Opening of Kid's Cove (3/05)

MTV.com News

CMT.com news story on new album

Skaggs Family Records Press Release for "New Kid in Town"

JigTime.com

Country Standard Time - Album Review

Louisville Music News
"He's How Old" by: Bob Mitchell

New Kid is Holladay's third release but it is my first exposure to his work and, in a word, it's impressive. Amazingly, he is only twelve years old, but anyone who did not know that would believe he is much older. Carl Jackson's liner notes say, "He is playing things on a five string he simply wasn't supposed to be able to do." Holladay jumps all over the opening track, "Boston Boy," but he does not limit himself to the banjo. No sir, he also provides remarkable solos on mandolin and guitar.

Holladay has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry since the age of five and he's been featured on Oprah Winfrey, Crook and Chase and Ralph Emery. In addition he's performed on stage with Del McCoury, Lonesome Standard Time, Blue Highway, Lynn Morris and the Lonesome River Band. Not impressed yet? Try this one: He's opened for Roy Clark. Of course, the best way for you to know the extent of his talent is to listen for yourself.

He puts the pedal to the metal on a barn-burning instrumental, "Blackjack," and a no-nonsense cover of Chris Thile's "Shadow Ridge" (with some fine bow work from Jason Carter). Not content to play three instruments, Holladay also includes several vocals, including an exciting cover of Steve Wariner's "When It Rains." After the vocal verses, the band propels this song into overdrive for the last two minutes of a five-minute arrangement. It is especially thrilling when Holladay and Jason Carter's fiddle go toe to toe with a barrage of dazzling solos.

New Kid is definitely a family project. Holladay's mother, Lisa, lends vocal support on an excellent a capella gospel number, "There Is A God." His father, Mark, provides solid guitar work and several first rate lead vocals, including a driving "Kaymoor Mine" and the title cut. Cousin "Doc" contributes guitar, bass and cello while Uncle Mike adds a steady bass line. Other musical support comes from Tyler Andal on fiddle and Chris Joslin on Dobro.

New Kid is an excellent showcase for an incredible young talent with great musical instincts. Larry Cordle said, "We can look for great things from this extraordinarily talented young man." This reviewer agrees.

Cybergrass.com

Top 40 Charts - Album Release