BIOGRAPHY Jim Ryan played his first gig at the Randolph AFB Officers Club "Back to School Dance" in September of 1963. The band included his friend, and later "Outcasts" band mate Jim Carsten. This booking led to jobs at all the Randolph High School home football game dances, and a career was born. About a year later Jim got a call from Jim Carsten asking him to audition for a group called "The Outcasts", and the next four years were filled with nonstop engagments including shows with The Stones, Animals, Hermans Hermits, Lou Cristy, and a Texas state battle of the bands victory in 1965. Outcasts records are collectors items, and "I'm in Pittsburg", and "1523 Blair" sell for over $800.00 in mint condition. After "the Outcasts" broke up Jim played with "The Swiss Movement" another Texas Battle of the Bands winners before moving to Los Angeles in 1969. While with "The Movement" he opened shows for the "1910 Bubble Gum Co.",and "Spirit". After the great earthquake of 1971, Jim Returned to San Antonio, and played in "Kickin Can" with former LA escapee, Skip Maxfield. After Kickin' Can Jim started his own group with Skip called "RYANS EXPRESS" in 1973. It was in 1973 that Jim returned to college at Incarnate Word as a voice major. During this time he was fortunate to study with outstanding voice teachers including; Sr. Patricia O'Dollell, Arthur Newman, and D. G. Swain. His experience with Aurthur Newman changed his life, and his voice. Authur early in his career a member of "The Robert Shaw Chorale" famous for their radio broadcasts under the baton of Toscaninni, and later a constant soloist with the "New York Opera Company", often singing with Beverly Sills. Arthur taught at Wtchita State before retiring in San Antonio, where he taught Americas premier baritone Gerald Rainey. His technique was steeped in the Belle Canto, and brought out the beast in Jim. Jim also auditioned, and was accepted into the San Antonio Master Singers during his college days, and sang in fourteen Operas with the San Antonio Grand Opera. During this period Jim worked with "Augie Meyers, and the Western Head Band", opening shows for Willie Nelson, David Allen Coe, Jimmy Reed, and most of the Texas Outlaw crew. After graduating in 1976, Jim began a second career as an elementary music teacher. He spent his first five years of teaching in the Edgewood ISD where he absorbed the enchiladas, and the Hispanic culture of South Texas. This experience would lead to great publishing opportunities in the future. In 1988 Jim opened his own publishing company, "Braindance ink". He authored 5 book, and CD sets including two of Hispanic folksongs. More information about "Braindance ink" is available at www.braindanceink.com. In 1983 Jim was hired by Stahl Elementary in the Northeast ISD. This would be the begginning of a twenty five year career that ended with retirement in 2006. Over this period Jim would lead his own successful country band "Ryans Express", and play with a number of great San Antonio bands including: " the Levis", "The Gold Rush Mountain Band", "Focal Point", and "The Models". During this time Jim's bands worked with country greats, Johhnie Bush, Darrell McCall, Janie Frickie, Gene Watson, and many others.
JIM RYAN BAND LINKS
Jim Ryan Band Home Page
Country Song List
Texas Trail Blazers
