Ryan Cook (musician)
| Ryan Cook | |
|---|---|
 Cook performing onboard "The Canadian" en route from Toronto to Edmonton, April 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | April 3, 1981 |
| Origin | Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | No Scene Records, Independent |
| Website | ryancook.ca |
Ryan Cook (born April 3, 1981) is an award-winning Canadian folk & country music singer/songwriter. Cook performs original country music to largely non-country audiences and has released three independent albums - Hot Times (2008), Peaks & Valleys (2010), and Wrestling with Demons (2013). Cook has toured across Canada and the United States performing original songs as well as tribute concerts to historic songwriters Hank Williams, and Merle Travis.[1][2]
Early life
Cook grew up on a dairy farm in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, the eldest of four children. In high school Cook wrote and sang for local punk rock and heavy metal garage bands.[3][4] He graduated from Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School in 2000. While in college, he worked part-time at a retirement home and began taking requests to perform traditional country music. He developed a passion for the genre which led him to pursue a career in folk and country music.[3]
2008–2009: Hot Times
In 2008, Cook recorded with his then touring band, Sunny Acres, and released his debut LP Hot Times. The record won a Music Nova Scotia Country/Bluegrass Recording of the Year award, was nominated for an East Coast Music award, and named the eighth Best Canadian Country Album of 2008 by Country Music News.[3]
2009–2011: Peaks and Valleys
In 2009, while performing at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee, Cook met John Walker, a producer for Music City Roots. The two established a partnership which brought many Nashville musicians together to record at Quad Studios. The album features Lloyd Green, Andy Leftwich, Guthrie Trapp, Bruce Bouton, and Alison Brown.[3] The album received and won award nominations including Best Canadian Country Album of 2010 by Country Music News (Canada) beating some of Canada's most recognized country artists such as Gord Bamford, Johnny Reid, Deric Ruttan, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and Dean Brody.[5][6]
2011-2014: Wrestling with Demons, Solo Career
In 2011 Cook began performing as a solo entertainer and toured as the opening act for country music artists such as Sammy Kershaw, Travis Tritt, Dwight Yoakam, and Rosanne Cash. In 2013 Cook released a third album, Wrestling with Demons, which featured former members of Hank Snow's touring band The Rainbow Ranch Boys. The album was produced in Canada and also featured Canadian guitarist/fiddler J.P Cormier. Wrestling with Demons was nominated at the ECMA & Music Nova Scotia awards in 2013 and won an award for Country Album of the Year.
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Hot Times (as Ryan Cook & Sunny Acres) |
|
| Peaks & Valleys |
|
| Wrestling with Demons |
|
Awards
Music Nova Scotia Awards
Music Nova Scotia Awards is an annual awards ceremony established in 1997 as part of the Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week.
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Sunny Acres EP | New Artist/Group Recording | Nominated |
| Country/Bluegrass Recording | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Hot Times LP | New Artist/Group Recording | Nominated |
| Country/Bluegrass Recording | Won | ||
| 2009 | Hot Times LP | Digital Artist | Nominated |
| Male Artist | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Peaks & Valleys LP | Album | Nominated |
| Male Artist | Nominated | ||
| Country/Bluegrass Recording | Won | ||
| 2011 | Gaspereau Valley | SOCAN Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2013 | Ryan Cook | Entertainer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2013 | Wrestling with Demons | Album | Nominated |
| Country/Bluegrass Recording | Won |
East Coast Music Awards
The East Coast Music Association is a non-profit association that hosts an annual awards ceremony based in Atlantic Canada for music appreciation on the East Coast of Canada.
| Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Hot Times LP | Country Recording | Nominated |
| 2011 | Peaks & Valleys LP | Country Recording | Nominated |
| Rising Artist | Nominated | ||
| Digital Artist | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Wrestling with Demons LP | Country Recording | Nominated |
Other Awards
2011 Canadian Country Album of the year, Peaks & Valleys - Country Music News
References
- ↑ Yarmouth's Ryan Cook finds his way back to country
- ↑ Michael Thomas. "Review – Wrestling with Demons – Ryan Cook". Grayowl Point. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 CBC Radio: Ryan Cook
- ↑ Ryan Cook brings old-time country to Haley's Lounge
- ↑ Country Music News Names Peaks and Valleys Album of the Year
- ↑ Screenshot of Albums of the Year
- ↑ Coastal Country Music: Ryan Cook
- ↑ The Coast: Hitting the road with Ryan Cook
External links
- RyanCook.ca official website