Ryan Stevenson
Appearing on Unity Main Stage Presented by Country Dairy – 2021
The music of Ryan Stevenson blends influences from soul, pop, and some of the great guitarists to create engaging acoustic guitar driven melodies. Embracing the idea that some of the most profound moments of worship emerge not from mountain-top experiences but from difficult, perhaps even catastrophic circumstance gives Ryan’s lyrics a poetic vulnerability reflecting honestly on the difficulties everyone faces.
At the age of 18, his youth pastor surprised him by placing a guitar in his hands, stating, “I felt like the Lord was telling me to buy this for you.” Ryan matured his musical gifts by playing at youth groups, summer camps and mission trips. While attending Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, Ryan formed an acoustic duo with fellow Christian artist Paul Wright and played in local coffee houses. After adding a full band to the mix, they played throughout the northwest, packing venues and opening for renowned Christian artists. When Wright pursued his solo career, Ryan worked with him as a co-writer, singer, and guitarist on each of Wright’s mainstream releases. Ryan’s own music reflects the wealth of experience garnered from his time with these endeavors.
Following a seven-year stint as a paramedic, Pacific Northwest native Ryan Stevenson signed an exclusive agreement with Gotee Records in 2013 after capturing TobyMac’s attention by co-writing the No. 1 and Grammy® nominated single, “Speak Life”. His first recording for the label was the Holding Nothing Back EP in 2013, which garnered the Top 25 single “Holding Nothing Back”. This was followed by 2015’s full-length album, Fresh Start, which featured the 14 consecutive weeks No. 1 radio single “Eye of the Storm”. The follow-up album, No Matter What, was released in 2018 and features five Billboard Christian Airplay Top 30 singles, “The Gospel”, “Lift You Up, “No Matter What”, “Child In Your Arms” and “With Lifted Hands.” With three No. 1 Billboard singles (two as an artist and one as a co-writer), a GRAMMY® nomination, Billboard Music Award nomination, two K-LOVE Fan Awards nominations and a 2017 Dove Award plus major tour bills with the likes of TobyMac, Newsboys, MercyMe and Matt Maher, Ryan has already distinguished himself as a rare talent whose unique perspective guides his honest lyrics and sonic sensibilities.
