Today, we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Ryder.
Hi Isaac, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed with your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started playing punk rock music when I was about 14 years old. I used to play air guitar and just knew that I was going to be a guitarist. My older brothers were fantastic musicians. I found a $100 bill on the sidewalk next to a Family Dollar just days before my 12 birthdays while walking with my brother to his band practice. I took my birthday card money and that $100 bill and bought my first guitar from the pawn shop.
I learned basic open guitar chords and mostly taught myself from there with some serious attention towards my peers and favorite musicians. I shifted from Punk to Pink Floyd and Jazz music somewhere around 16 years old. I’ll never forget putting “Dark Side of the Moon” on the dusty sound system the day the shift happened. I learned a lot of soloing and chordal techniques from listening to Paul Desmond, Dave Brubeck, and Miles Davis and inherited them into my Guitar Playing. I started listening to many jam bands and played in numerous bands before. I came to Flint, MI, and made my way as a new father.
There, I ended up getting into the working/careering musician, and now I perform all over the state. Detroit, MI, is my hub! I am a part of the International Musicians League and have my projects, serving clients for weddings, corporate events, and private events. I still write, arrange, produce, and release my music as well. I fell deep into the addiction of the band Phish and followed them around quite frequently. Trey Anastasio remains one of my biggest influences.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It has been far from a smooth ride. There is so much beauty in the trials and tribulations, though. I’ve endured so much pain and grief throughout life, but my story isn’t the worst. My current path has led me back to serving God and my purpose as a father while I continue to live and breathe music as a full-time income. I would like to “not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing” because my obedience preservation in my struggles is more important than my public recognition.
However, my youngest and beautiful 5-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a lifelong disease last September 2023. I grabbed the bull by the horns and have been advocating for her medical condition to my very best. I have worked passionately every single day towards making sure that she is covered and taken care of through these trying times. Although it’s a great struggle, I don’t feel the sense of impending doom like I used to in life. My children need me to be as strong and confident as I can be. I was in a near-death car accident nine years ago this May that kicked me into gear to become the musician that I am now. My motto now is to find peace in the suffering.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I used to only play original music and promised myself that I would never play other people’s songs. However, it’s God’s gift that I get to do what I love to do best and make a sustainable living as a musician and set my kids up for a future. I work with clients all year round to provide entertainment for their engagement. I perform solo as an acoustic guitarist and vocalist as well as a “party band” tailored to size and genre of music for all kinds of clients.
My heart is in writing music. I always have working projects and publish my music across all streaming platforms as well as on Vinyl and CDs, still believe it or not. I have a new project in the works, and this will be the first time that I have teased this to my music supporters, but otherwise, I will keep this project close to my chest until it is ready. I am primarily a guitarist and vocalist, but I also play many instruments: Trombone, Percussion/drums, Piano, Bass guitar, and more. I have played every instrument in some of my published music. I really enjoy layering, arranging, and producing my music in the studio.
I have had a great working relationship with David Roof of Rooftop Recordings and Glenn Brown of Glenn Brown Productions, and having them on my team for recording, mixing, and mastering my original music. I perform just about every genre of music out there. I am a sucker for stepping outside of my comfort zone. That seems to be where I best fit with everything in life. I love learning songs that I never thought I would play.
Currently, I really enjoy playing bluegrass and folk, but with some elements of ragtime and just straight-up shredding! I often find myself singing like my life depends on it.
What do you think about happiness?
At the core of who I am, what makes me happy is being a father and helpful person to the communities around me. I love helping people in their struggles, especially the underserved or people feeling helpless. I often take my life for granted, so helping others in need grounds me. I look forward to being a family man one day and working towards being the best guide as a man, father, and husband.
Music will always be an extension of me, and I find great happiness in my solitude when playing music, whether it’s in front of 1,000 people or in the bathroom while the kids are asleep. What makes me happiest is knowing that the people most important to me feel supported and loved, and if I ever fall short, the guilt and shame are what keeps me up at night. Trying to process the balance between shame and success at making my people happy and taken care of is ironic but drives me to be better, not the best. There is always someone better!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.isaacryder.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaacrydermusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isaacrydermusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/isaacrydermusic
Image Credits
Amanda Conklin of Filmbird Productions
