Ryan McGarvey - Redefined

"McGarvey shows limitless potential and stunning growth on sophomore release" by Tango Sho'Nuff (Blue Note News And Reviews) Back in 2007, a young teenager out of Albuquerque, New Mexico officially began his professional recording career with "Forward in Reverse", a strong collection of songs that showed remarkable promise and maturity for an artist not yet in his twenties. The album aptly displayed Ryan's well-rounded guitar prowess and 'beyond-his-years' songwriting. However, just three short years later, McGarvey got his first big break when he was chosen by Eric Clapton himself to perform at his 2010 Crossroads Festival. Since then, he has relentlessly hit the road across the US, (as well as 3 successful European tours) building a loyal following the old-fashioned way, all the while honing his craft and molding his own signature sound. Which brings us to his much-anticipated follow-up release "Redefined". Whether a conscious decision or not, the album's 11 tracks give the impression that McGarvey is uninterested in following in anyone's footsteps, nor will he bend to appease blues purists. No clichéd I-IV-V progressions, no cover tunes, pretty much nothing you'd expect to find on a post-SRV blues rock artists album. While there are plenty of stellar artists currently populating the blues rock genre, there's also an over-abundance of acts whose sole purpose seems to be throwing together uninspired songs as a vehicle to showcase how many licks they can cram into a 12 bar solo. While McGarvey has astounding technique and chops to spare, his playing never comes across as over indulgent, nor do the songs feel like platforms for six string wankery. The fact that Ryan is just 25 years old makes this trait all the more remarkable ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ryan McGarvey has in a relatively short amount of time not only gained a national, and international fan base, but admiration from his personal idols as well. In the past few years of Ryan's career he has had the honor, and the pleasure of sharing the bill with such top name act's as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Joe Bonamassa, Gov't Mule, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many more. His debut CD release 'Forward In Reverse' reached the top 20 (out of over 200,000 Artist's CD's) on the best sellers list on CDBaby.com (The worlds largest online independent distributor). With rave reviews complimenting everything from his fiery guitar chops, which range from everything from delta slide to heavy rock, his unique vocals, or mature songwriting skills, Ryan McGarvey's live shows will leave you breathless and wanting more. Absorbing influences from everything from early delta blues, to classic hard rock, to more contemporary blues/rock artist's of today. In 2006 Ryan was named Guitar Center 's 'Guitarmaggeddon: Next King Of The Blues' champion of New Mexico . In 2007 & 2008 he was named 'Blues Act Of The Year', in The Weekly Alibi's Annual Readers Poll. In 2007 Ryan took home the New Mexico Music Award for 'Blues Song Of The Year' for his song 'Cryin' Over You'. Ryan was featured by the editors of Guitar Player Magazine twice during the Summer of 2008 in their magazine. McGarvey was voted 'Best Musician' from Albuquerque The Magazine's Annual 'Best Of The City' Readers Poll in 2008, 2010, and 2012 (being voted Best Vocalist in 2009). In 2010 Ryan was chosen from over 4000+ bands from around the world to perform at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago. From 2011-2012 Ryan & his Band embarked on three very successful European tours to rave reviews. With a solid rhythm section backing him, Ryan McGarvey and his band are embarking on bigger and better things every day...Tours are constantly being planned.. Don't miss your chance to catch them in a town near you ! -------------- ' I met Ryan in 2006 and was very impressed at the depth of his influence and his ability to put said influences together in his own way.. To watch him grow as a artist and to hear his name mentioned to me as much as it has is a testament to his hard work and skill. ' -Joe Bonamassa.