Ryan Reid

Artist gets back to roots

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Local recording artist Ryan Reid is celebrating the release of a new CD, aptly titled “Home.” Reid has returned to his home state of Oklahoma after working for several years on the east cost.

Reid said the five song extended play CD is autobiographical.

“This CD really captures me, where I was at a certain period of time,” Reid said, noting the EP was a “shedding of skin.”

“My whole heart is in the EP,” he added. “I’m ready to share it with people.”

This acoustic recording ranges from the soulful title song “Home” to the highenergy “A Modern Day Tragedy.”

Reid effectively produces feeling through his music that listeners can easily identify with. Reid said he hopes listeners take whatever they want from the songs.

“It’s a privilege to be able to share it with people,” he said.

Reid, born in Stillwater, Okla., grew up in Cushing before leaving Oklahoma for school in New York where he developed his music.

Reid said he has been influenced most by artists who put a lot of themselves in their performances.

Those influences include a variety of artists such as Janis Joplin, “She gave you her whole soul,” and Eddie Vetter “whose passion grabs you.”

“It was nice to be able to come home to Oklahoma to record,” Reid said.

The artist is poised to sign with Tough Records, a label located in Stillwater. He will be the first rock artist under the Tough Records label. Reid said he is pleased to be working with Tough Records.

“It was great working with [Tough Records engineer] Tony Pierce,” Reid said. “Whatever he puts his finger on is magic.”

Reid is planning a lot of acoustic performances this year. He said he enjoys the intimate atmosphere during performing before a live audience, and appreciates it when he can connect with the audience through the music.

“There’s no place like Oklahoma,” he said. “People just make up this state. The love felt here is overwhelming.”

Reid said he’ll soon be performing in this area and the Oklahoma City area.

“Every single performance is just a gift,” he said. “Every time I get to step on stage is an honor.”

Besides performances, Reid also plans to start work soon with a band on a new fulllength album.

“Home” is available now on iTunes and on Reid’s website, www.ryanreidmusic.com, and during any of his live performances.

This is part of the February 12, 2009 online edition of The Journal.