Dave Matthews, Amos Lee, Matt Nathanson, Chris Thile, Damien Rice, Rod Stewart, Tom Petty, Jakob Dylan, Missy Higgins, Johnny Rzeznik, Glen Phillips are just a few of Ryan McDermott's influences. Ryan grew up both on the baseball field and in the choir. He excelled in sports- and music. In his freshman year of high school Ryan picked up a guitar simply because he wanted to learn. Self taught, Ryan quickly found guitar was a natural fit. But, after getting recruited by Division 1 baseball teams, Ryan had to make a choice. After getting to school and realizing baseball wasn't where his heart was, he turned his focus to music, and started writing and playing songs for his friends and family. He quietly stole the hearts and minds of all that hear his evocative and earnest songs. He has played at his college's coffeehouse "The Need" Open Mic night twice and won the students vote at Battle of the Bands.