A natural storyteller with a deep compassion for the lost and forgotten voices of our culture, Barb Ryman expects music to be more than entertaining. With a crystalline voice and skillfully played guitar, Barb delivers a rich mosaic of contemporary folk, drawing from country blues, Celtic balladry, and old-time gospel/bluegrass. Her latest CD, EARTHBOUND, is a fine collection of songs displaying the breadth and depth of her musical musings. EARTHBOUND is receiving airplay on folk programs across the nation including the nationally syndicated, Midnight Special and Nevada City’s KVMR. From the Cedar Cultural Center in Minnesota, to Uncle Calvin’s in Texas, and from the Portland Folk Society in the West, to Club Passim in the East, Barb draws in audiences with her captivating live concerts as she tours the U.S.

Ryman is distinguished for her ability to write music that heals. Having lost her father, a navy pilot, when she was four, Barb was intuitively drawn to the healing professions and became an accomplished speech-language therapist who helped children with special needs develop communication skills. Barb went on for her masters in counseling psychology, facilitated grief groups and delved into other spiritual pursuits. This background seamlessly integrated itself into her music, making her concerts both entertaining and restoring.

Her career launched in 1996 when the Minneapolis Star Tribune ranked her CD, LAY ME OPEN, a top ten release across all genres, and the St. Paul Pioneer Press proclaimed “You can’t help being amazed at the power of her presence and the sound of her voice. . . you can’t help but listen.” EARTHBOUND, Ryman’s fifth CD, features guest musicians of Prairie Home Companion fame, Peter Ostroushko, Adam Granger, and Prudence Johnson. Barb is known for her topical humor, and in 2006, ABC television bought rights to her satirical song “All American Dysfunctional Family” to promote a sit-com pilot. Currently Barb is working on a new CD to be released in 2009.

Selected Venues Barb has played:

• Cedar Cultural Center, MN
• Swallow Hill, CO
• Club Passim, MA
• Vanilla Bean, CT
• Gravity Lounge, VA
• The Purple Onion, NC
• Espresso Garden, CA
• Bluebird Café, TN
• Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse, TX
• Two Way Street, IL
• CSPS/Legion Arts, IA
• Maple Street Chapel Series, IL
• Cousin Andy’s Coffeehouse, IL
• Fine Line Music Café, MN
• Main Street Café, FL
• The Iron Horse, KS
• The Back Room, KS
• Cosmic Café, CA
• Portland Folk Society, OR
• National Music Museum, SD
• Wisconsin Singer Songwriter Series, WI

Festivals:

• Walnut Valley Folk Festival, Winfield KS - New Song Winner
• Telluride Bluegrass Festival, CO - Troubadour Finalist
• Fox Valley Music Festival, IL
• National Women’s Music Festival, IN
• Midpoint Music Festival, OH
• Storyhill Festival, MT

Radio Programs:

• The Morning Show - Minnesota Public Radio
• WFMT - Midnight Special
• KVNO - River City Folk
• FM Odyssey with Fred Migliore
• Live In Studio One, KUNI (Iowa Public radio)

Honors & Awards:

• 2007 New Song Winner - Winfield Folk Festival
• 2002 Winner of McKnight Composer Fellowship –
• Awarded by the American Composers Forum
• 1996-2002 - Minnesota Music Awards - nine nominations including:
o Songwriter Of The Year
o Recording Of The Year
o Song Of The Year
o Female Vocalist

Instrumentation
Barb Ryman - acoustic guitar and vocals

Discography
Earthbound (2007- Renegade)
Falling Down To Heaven (2002 - Renegade)
Like A Tree (1998 - Renegade)
Lay Me Open (1995 - Renegade)
Winds Of Good Fortune (1993 - Renegade)

Links
http://www.barbryman.com