BIOGRAPHY
Mixing classic country music with modern satire, Ryan Cook forges a sound between contemporary folk and dyed-in-the wool country. With nuances of pop and western swing, Ryan's songbook reminiscences of the early hillbilly pioneers but stays very much in the current landscape.
On stage Ryan has toured as a solo performer opening for artists like Dwight Yoakam, Rosanne Cash, & Travis Tritt. Receiving over 20 award nominations in Canada including three Album of the Year awards, his acoustic live show combines thumb-picking guitar styles, original ballads and classic country from the 1940’s and 1950’s.
AWARDS/ ACCOLADES
As an independent artist Ryan has received over 20 nominations in Canada, three Album of the Year awards in Nova Scotia, written, produced and published music in Nashville, TN. Since 2008 Ryan has performed over 1500 concerts throughout eastern Canada, USA, Europe, and Asia. Ryan has performed on many big stages including the Ryman Auditorium, Ernest Tubb's Midnight Jamboree, Music City Roots, Maverick Music Festival (UK), Stan Rogers Folk Festival (NS), and Cavendish Beach Music Festival (PE).
Online Ryan has 1 million YouTube views, 7000 Facebook followers, and 2500 Instagram followers. Ryan is known for his theatrical tribute to Hank Williams Sr. and has performed tribute style shows of Country/Folk singers such as Merle Travis, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens and Johnny Cash.
Full List of Awards and Nominations
2019 East Coast Music Awards
Country Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
2018 Music Nova Scotia Awards
Country Recording of the Year
WINNER
2014 East Coast Music Awards
Country Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
2013 Music Nova Scotia Awards
Country/Bluegrass Recording of the Year
WINNER
2013 Music Nova Scotia Awards
Male Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
2013 Music Nova Scotia Award
Entertainer of the Year
NOMINEE
2012 Music Nova Scotia Award
Digital Artist of the Year
NOMINEE
2012 East Coast Music Awards
Rising Star Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
2012 East Coast Music Awards
Country Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
2011 Canadian Country Album of the Year
Country Music News
EDITORIAL
2011 Music Nova Scotia Awards
Male Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
2011 Music Nova Scotia Awards
Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
2011 Music Nova Scotia Awards
Country/Bluegrass Recording of the Year
WINNER
2011 Music Nova Scotia Awards
SOCAN Song of the Year
NOMINEE
2009 Music Nova Scotia Awards
Male Artist Recording of the YearNOMINEE
2009 Music Nova Scotia Award
Digital Artist of the Year
NOMINEE
2009 East Coast Music Awards
Country Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
2008 Music Nova Scotia Awards
Country/Bluegrass Recording of the Year
WINNER
2008 Music Nova Scotia Awards
New Artist/Group Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
2007 Music Nova Scotia Awards
New Artist/Group Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
2007 Music Nova Scotia Awards
Country/Bluegrass Recording of the Year
NOMINEE
PRESS
“He’s a cool customer with little regard for adhering to trends, which makes him dangerous.”
“Cook’s authentic sound reflects his desire to pay musical tribute to the very roots of a genre that has lost its way over the past two decades. Cook indeed holds the country torch high.”
“If you’re a fan of Hank, Glen and Merle then this is perfect for you.”
“Down with new country music! Owing a debt to country greats like Hank Williams Sr. and Johnny Cash, Ryan Cook would be a superstar if there was any justice in the world.”
“Nova Scotia’s real country performer, Cook defiantly makes music that sticks to the tried-and-true sounds of the masters”
– Bob Mersereau
“Wrestling With Demons is one of those you will grab to keep safe if your house catches on fire.”
– The Alternate Root
“…Content to tackle modern topics like Facebook, genetically modified crops and Lululemon. The end result is a good time that swings and smiles in equal measure.”
- Chronicle Herald
“Humour and powers of observation are a huge asset when the singing and playing is this solid too.”
– The Coast
“In Wrestling with Demons, Ryan Cook delivers a smackdown of what’s expected in country music, and the album just might be a TKO”
– GrayOwl Point
“From Cowboy songs and country swing with a dash of Bakersfield, Cook’s feet seem firmly planted in real life. As a result, you’ll find far more peaks than valleys here and the view looks truly promising.”
– Maverick Magazine, 4 ****
“Nothing short of spectacular…A terrific album that every fan of ‘good’ music should get to hear.”
- Country Music News (Canada)
“A smooth but still very genuine entertainer who knows how to cover his bases and reach out to a varying audience by appealing to our most basic, and shared, desires: to love and laugh.”
– Exclaim Magazine
“…hovered in a purgatory between classic jukebox songs you drop your last quarter to hear and something new that stops you in your tracks.”
– Herohill Music Blog
“He can still burn a torch with real sincerity on a ballad like If I Know Nothing Else, but shows more character than most Nashville artist on few tunes like The O.C.D Blues and a season-appropriate zombie love story, Dead Like Me.”
- The Chronicle Herald
“…provides a nice pu pu platter of the country & western, roots, and jazz brew that comprises his polished, but still earnest sound.”
– My Old Kentucky Blog
“Cook’s at his best when emulating the old stuff, bringing humour to O.C.D. Blues and zombie love song Dead Like Me.”
– NowToronto.com
“Fitting somewhere between dyed-in-the-wool country and indie rock, the band’s crossover appeal has translated to a lot of live shows… Beginning his music career with punk music and switching gears to country has also brought about a sentimental, introspective quality to his songs.”
-The Coast
“It’s hard to know what Hank Snow would say about Ryan Cook’s mohawk, but there’s no way he would deny that Cook is true country through and through.”
– The Chronicle Herald
Photos
Email ryan@ryancook.ca for Hi-Res Photographs, Posters, and other promotional materials
Video
