Ryan Tennis - Singer, Songwriter - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

by Michelle Freeman
(Philadelphia, PA, USA)

RYAN TENNIS MUSIC - I have seen over 500 acts during my time running this event, and Ryan Tennis is among the best. He's a great songwriter and has a wonderful voice. He reacts fabulously with the crowd and he's unique in his ability to get a laugh just as easily as a tear (and he's a nice guy as well). "-Keith Armitage, Songwriters Live-Sydney Australia, www.songwriterslive.com.au

ARTIST SUMMARY
Genres: Folk / Acoustic Rock / Folk Pop

ARTIST BIO
The charming authenticity of Ryan Tennis' soft on the soul sound leaves the listener with the comfortable feeling of time spent with an old friend. His singable melodies and disarming lyrics have drawn comparisons with Paul Simon, James Taylor and Amos Lee.

Tennis took a big stride to end a big year this fall, releasing a new collection of upbeat, emotionally nuanced songs — Goodbye To The Ground. The release also served as a fundraiser in conjunction with non-profit group The Philadelphia Sessions, which sent him on a Latin American tour to start 2011.

Tennis’ eventful 2010 started with the emergence of his single “To The Moon” as a local crossover hit. With a video by Emmy-winner Brook Silva-Braga, the song’s sweet strains and optimistic message earned it repeat airplay on multiple formats, including WMMR and WXPN. He has since appeared on NBC's "The 10! Show" and 6abc's "Tuned In." In April, Tennis emerged atop more than 600 entrants in the Philadelphia Songwriters Project 2010 Contest, winning over a seasoned industry panel to take the prize. He opened for Shawn Colvin in July, debuted with his band at the Philadelphia Folk Fest in August, and shared the stage with folk legend Ellis Paul.

Says Grammy-winning producer/songwriter Scot Sax: “Ryan’s voice and songs are confident, natural and true. He has what you can’t buy and you can’t learn: Appeal.” Tennis has performed in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Laos and Thailand — a journey of personal redefinition that followed the end of his career as an All-American college football player.

Tennis credits Philadelphia's music scene with inspiring his sense of groove. He’s organized a monthly series of “Clubhouse Concerts” in his home featuring standout musicians and reaching beyond the traditional folk scene. “What I learned from a couple years of listening to and playing with other Philly artists,” Tennis says, “is that if it feels good and it sounds good — and if it’s true — then it’s good music.”

Ryan Tennis
Contact Michelle Freeman for booking.
Email: michelle.a.freeman@gmail.com
Phone: (267)738-5709
Music: www.ryantennismusic.com
Rate for 6 piece band: Approximately $600 (flexible). Can also play as a solo act.
Travel Distance: Unlimited schedule permitting.