Get To Know Ryan Ahlwardt, Singer-Songwriter

You were an Indy Now host for almost five years. What made you decide it was time to step away and pursue music full-time?

I felt called to spend more time with my wife, Lauren, and our two children, Olivia and Gus. I also wanted to create a career that reflects all of who I am as an artist and entertainer. Music is a big part of that, but so are hosting events, voiceover work, and collaborations with my creative community. I want to do it all. 

What has been the hardest part of leaving television?

I’ll miss the daily excitement of putting on a live show and the relationships with friends at Fox 59, especially with Jillian Deam, my amazing co-host and work sister of five years. Thankfully, those friendships will continue long beyond my time at the station.

What is your musical background?

I grew up singing in church and school choirs, including at Hamilton Southeastern. At IU, I joined Straight No Chaser, and we toured the world, performing everywhere from the Hollywood Bowl in LA to the Royal Albert Hall in London. I’ve shared the stage and studio with artists like The Beach Boys, Barry Manilow, Sara Bareilles, Shania Twain, and more. My roots are in Fishers, which has been my home since 1992, and it’s a joy to live and work in
the same community where my creative passions and talents began to grow more than 30 years ago. 

What can fans expect from your upcoming album?

Crying in the Canyon is rooted in the golden age of acoustic singersongwriter music that was born out of Southern California in the early 1970s. If you love James Taylor; the Eagles; America; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; or Carole King, these eight new songs will send you back to that warm and mellow era of breezy listening music. I’m deeply proud of it and can’t wait for people to enjoy it on a sunset cruise on Geist, in the car with the windows down, or around a firepit with close friends and a bourbon or two—drink responsibly!

So fans will have more chances to see you live now?

Beyond my album release party at the end of the month, I want to put on annual concerts at the Palladium and
beyond. I’ll also continue performing throughout Central Indiana with my wife, Lauren, and The Indy Nights Band, along with hosting special events around the state. All of my tour dates, music,
and videos can be found on my website, ryansongs.com

What inspires you creatively? Where do the ideas for your songs come from?

I’m nostalgic at my core and inspired by ordinary moments and settings that often get overlooked: lazy Sunday afternoons listening to records as a family, conversations on road trips with friends, the feeling of late October in Bloomington. Usually, a title, phrase, or melody shows up first, then I live with it for a while. Rarely will a song come to me fully formed; more oft en, I’ll find a few other songs by my favorite artists that could be cousins to the one I’m writing and use them as a palette of sorts.

As a performer, musician, and songwriter, what’s your “north star”? What guides you?

I want to create songs, stories, and experiences that bring people together, help them notice the beauty in ordinary life, and maybe even encounter God’s goodness there. If people leave my concerts a litt le lighter than when they arrived, I’ll feel like I’m doing what I was created to do.

You have quite an impressive resume. What’s the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Being a part of Straight No Chaser and being signed to Atlantic Records changed my life. Winning an Emmy Award this year with the Indy Now team at Fox 59 was certainly meaningful. I’ve been fortunate to perform on Late
Night With Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, several PBS specials, and during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Some of my favorite moments are much smaller: hearing someone tell me that a song I wrote helped them
through a difficult season, watching an audience become completely present together during a show, or hearing our
kids singing a song from my new album. 

Biggest influences?

There are no Ryan Ahlwardt songs without James Taylor, The Beatles, Brian Wilson, or John Mayer. I also love
the nostalgia of Ben Rector, the soul of Jonathan Splithoff , and the production of Kacey Musgraves and Olivia Dean.
I’m also inspired by painters like Mark Rothko, Edward Hopper, and my local friend Justin Vining and Hoosier
writers like Jean Shepherd, Hoagy Carmichael, and Cole Porter because I believe songwriting benefi ts from
learning how other art forms tell stories.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

In this current season of life, I’d have to go with Ben Rector. Lauren and I got to meet him backstage after his recent show with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and he made us feel like we’d known him for years. If you’ve never heard his music, his albums Magic and The Joy of Music would be great places to start. While we’re putt ing some big dreams out there, I’d also love to sell out the IU Auditorium and be part of the prerace music at the Indy 500. Doug Boles, have your people call my people!

What are you listening to lately?

My favorite Beatles album, Revolver. I usually have ’80s and ’90s music on when I’m driving the kids around, including Oasis, Michael Jackson, Tears for Fears, and Tom Petty. Wealso listen to worship music, like Elevation, Forrest Frank, Maverick City, and instrumental and classical from Mozart, Beethoven, Glenn Miller. On any given day, you could find me listening to everything from Frank Sinatra or Chet Baker to Boyz II Men or Nirvana. I’ve also been known to sing some Friday night karaoke at Syd’s Bar on the square in Noblesville, where I’m happily becoming a regular.

Favorite album of all time?

If I only get one … James Taylor’s Greatest Hits. I remember listening to “Shower the People,” “Sweet Baby
James,” “Mexico,” and “Carolina in My Mind” when my feet couldn’t even touch the fl oor in the family Volkswagen camper circa 1986. My parents raised my sister Heather and me on the music of their high school and college days, and those influences are an indelible part of my songwriting.

What advice would you give to young musicians and singers?

Know and serve your audience! Play for 50 people as if there are 5,000. Study your favorite artists’ songwriting moves and careers. Build a creative community of diversely talented friends and collaborators. The future of music will be even more personalized and niche as new technologies allow artists and listeners to find one another, so lean into your unique style of storytelling, singing, or playing.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, never let praise go to your head or criticism go to your heart.