Singer-songwriter Uncle Ryano recently released his new single/music video, “Twerkin’ With A Twang,” following on the heels of “Run Wide Open.”
Co-written with Billy Ray Cyrus, “Twerkin’ With A Twang” throbs with excitement and reaffirms Uncle Ryano’s place as a beloved figure in the songcraft arena.
Growing up in the birthplace of blues and rock and roll, Uncle Ryano has connected deeply with all forms of organic folk music from around the world. The Deep South is a true melting pot; his music reflects this cultural blend.
Believing that a true artist seeks to inspire others to shine rather than hoping to be a lone star, Uncle Ryano founded Bottle Rocket Records. His vision is to create a safe space for trailblazers to pave their own roads to success. Despite taking a break to focus on his family, Uncle Ryano never truly left music, and music never left him. Now he’s back in a big, big way.
The video for “Twerkin’ With A Twang” unfolds in a lively country bar setting, where our master of ceremonies takes center stage, belting out his infectious earworm. With its hilarious and salacious animated style, the clip for “Twerkin’ With A Twang” not only captures the essence of the song but also embodies the pure enjoyment of music, dancing, and togetherness.
Tattoo.com spoke with Uncle Ryano to find out how “Twerkin’ With A Twang” came to be and the story behind his distinctive name.
How would you describe your own music?
Every country and culture have contributed to the styles that became American pop, rock, and country. I call our music, ‘American Music for the world,’ without fences or walls.
Can you share the inspiration behind “Twerkin’ with a Twang” and the creative process involved in bringing it to life?
Billy Ray Cyrus and I were on the phone discussing an old song he was interested in cutting. He asked me to write some replacement lines, and we were basically ‘spit ballin’’ ideas. A funny replacement line popped into my head, and I just spit it out. We both laughed because it was obnoxious, and the mental image was funny. I said ‘Man…. I think this could be a song all by itself!’ Bikky was like ‘YEAH MAN!.’ and about four hours later we had a hilarious track, THAT WOULD ROCK!!
With “Twerkin’ with a Twang” what was your main focus? What did you want to try and achieve with this track?
I envisioned something that would groove, make people laugh and smile, that would tear down walls and fences. Music is the universal language, so I aim to create a song that pulls my fav aspects from three different genres. rock, hip-hop, and country.
What’s the story behind the name Uncle Ryano?
Growing up in East Texas, my aunts, uncles, and cousins called me Ryano. Only those closest to my past would know me by that name.
After suffering many family losses, I retired from touring and recording in 2008. I went back to my beginnings and rebuilt a version of myself that wasn’t known for the music. After the 15-year hiatus, when me and the team were discussing my return, the question arose what I ‘would go by?’ I was looking at family photos of a beach trip to Florida with my niece and nephew, and as we kicked around the different ideas from everyone, I finally said, ‘Hey…what do y’all think about Uncle Ryano?’ After some silence, it was unanimous. It fits me now, and it’s who I am.
How did you get started in music? What’s the backstory there?
Originally, my 1st time on a stage was for an audition. It’s what you had to do to lose a bet. I don’t remember what I would’ve received if I had won, or what the bet was originally on, but that 1st audition was wild. It was after a local Opryland show had ended and the crowd was leaving the venue. I had my back to the room, facing the band, the song was ‘Tulsa Time.’ I was one verse and chorus into the song when the band leader stopped everything and yelled to the booking lady ‘Book Him!’ I turned around to see around 80 people had wandered back in to listen, and I still wasn’t sure what was happening. From there I did my first performance, was booked on 6 more shows after that, was in an all-black band for a few months, then had my own band called Hired Guns by the time I was 18. We were off to the races y’all!
What can you share about your writing process?
Each verse is a minimovie, the chorus ties all the minimovies together, and the bridge sets up the final thought that should stick with people. The melody and groove stimulate the necessary emotion, and the lyric paints mental images and makes people think. When they all work together it’s magic.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far? Maybe touring or who you’ve played with, something that stood out.
Way too many to list! I have been truly blessed! Performing onstage with the ‘dream’ country band- Charlie Daniel on fiddle, Ricky Van Shelton on acoustic, Steve Warner on lead, Joel Sonier on accordion, George Jones and Jonny Paycheck were on a mic, Sarah Evans and I joined Merle Haggard to sing ‘Working Man Blues’ at Fan Fair 1997 in Nashville TN. That was one of many epic moments.
Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practicing, or playing live?
I truly love writing and bringing music to life in the studio. That’s my favorite part musically. I also love connecting with the people after the shows. They are ‘my rockstars.’ I love them.
Knowing what you know now, if you could go back and start your music career all over, what would you do differently?
I would’ve been more patient, and when it came to the ‘professionals’ with ‘experience’ in Nashville, I would have kept multiple options alive until the music was on the radio. I’ve made a lot of people wealthy, while still having to fight my own battles. I’m very forgiving and loyal, and that hurts me at times because most people’s love only extends to the point you can no longer do anything for them, and then the love stops. I was ‘ride or die’ before it came into style! I would’ve tempered that more if I could have and still kept being the truest version of myself.
Based on your own experiences and lessons learned, what guiding principles or words of wisdom would you share with aspiring artists looking to carve out their path in music?
Take your favorite aspects and vibes from all your favorite songs and play with them until you create a new vibe or style. Make it uniquely you! You are the only one who can! This is a marathon and not a sprint. If you don’t truly love it, it’ll never work. When it becomes work, it’s time to stop. The process is the payoff, the journey is the destination. Who travels the road with us is what makes it all epic. Remember that while you can.
What’s next for you?
The new animated music video for ‘Sicario’ is in production, and we are hoping for release in late August/early September 2024. It’s a cool fusion of Latin salsa, New Orleans jazz, and hip-hop, with country vocals.
We are playing the House of Blues in New Orleans next month; the team has begun discussions regarding tour dates for 2025.
We have two studio projects underway that are on opposite ends of the music spectrum…. it’s crazy cool as the songs are coming together. Can’t wait for you to hear the new music, and please check out the two,12-song albums I released last year!
