The life of a Rockstar! – If you like sleeping in a van, grocery shopping at gas stations, not knowing where or when home is anymore, then this is the life you want (if you will work for free and can tune a guitar email me.
This past year I played over 200 shows and pretty much traveled to or at least through every state in this country. Yes, even Palin’s country up there in Alaska. It is known that most of this country has become homogenized with the same strip mall stores off of any given exit off of any given highway. Our search to be comfortable has sucked out all the different-ness these places once had to offer. The only way now that I can appreciate where I am is by the people. What a gift it is to meet so many incredible individuals along this journey with my music. I treat myself after every show I play to meet everyone who sticks around. Often times, I will even grab my guitar and do some sing-a-longs or requests. You might be reading this because you have met me and know what I am talking about, but if you are here for the first time then let me assure you the greatest part about touring is touching each other.
If I were in Motley Crue circa ’88, that would mean something else, but for now I feel everyone is in a place where we need each other in different ways. It is a heavy time we live in now and I am sure every generation says it, but we know what we are going through right now. In a way, it is scary and uncertain, but in another way, you get to see the goodness of people shine. Meeting so many of you out there this year inspired me to make a music video for my song “Breathe” with a little more substance than your typical bootie shakin’ hotness. I made it about people and my experiences on the road. I even set up a web site called Breathe4jobs.com to raise awareness about the unemployment problem that I witnessed out there first hand. My belief that people are good started years ago being in NYC on 9/11. I truly saw what it means to be one for a brief moment and it was beautiful. This holiday season let us all give a hand, even if it’s just smiling at a stranger.
My observations from the road:
Prettiest girls – Louisville Kentucky
Darkness – New Orleans
If you want to live in a fairy tale – San Diego, (or as many know it as a whale’s vagina)
Most beautiful – Montana and Northern California
Best Food and Energy – NYC
Most Unique – San Francisco
Most Boring Drive but the best shows – Pennsylvania
Most Trouble – Vegas Baby
Surprisingly cool – Omaha
Artsy – Santa Fe
Most likely to get lost while late for a show – New Jersey
Most likely place for your band to get into a fight with drunk idiots and then have your asses saved by Hells Angels – Detroit
Easiest girls – Ohio (oh hi ho)
Twitter Updates
As a fan some of the most enjoyable times for me have been WATCHING the interaction you have with others after the shows. It’s really great to see the smiles on their faces after they walk away, all because you took the time to be human with them. And I know it goes both ways, and that is a small part of what sets you apart. But let’s get real for a minute…where the hell is Missouri on that list?!
Comment by hiedi ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 09:12 am
Agreed, especially the part about Jersey
Comment by Michelle ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 09:12 am
cant wait to see you back on tour and on the road. 2010 here we come!!!
Comment by thisrocks ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 09:12 am
Ryan, gotta say kinda sad I have never been to one of the shows where you played songs after the show. But I have been lucky enough to be at a few of your solo shows.the way you just sit out there and talk to us is so much fun. We have had some great conversations. I will always remember the nite yopu opened for eric hutchinson in michigan. You were in rare from that nite. I don’t blame you though since you chipped your tooth the nite b4 in Ohio. That was aslo a really fun nite. Thanks for the memories.
Comment by Emily ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 09:12 am
Easiest girls, hm? Yeah, well, when you keep grabbing me and hugging me am I supposed to push you away? I think not.
Seriously, I love your list. Detroit especially made me laugh (my hubby is from Michigan, God love him).
Comment by Nicole ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 09:12 am
Having met you in person for the first time in a place far far from home, I appreciate what you’ve written here. I have a different view of America after viewing it from the actual road. While there was a lot of heartbreaking visuals, shells of once thriving ma and pop businesses and people struggling, the spirit of the country was clearly still alive. Music is a common bond, without it, I wouldn’t be close to those I am now. It’s an amazing healer and can turn thought to be enemies into the best of friends. As you like to say and we have cheered together on occasion, ‘BELIEVE’!
Comment by Cat ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 09:12 am
Should I be offended that none of the great Florida cities were mentioned. I mean … Orlando should at least score the “Best Theme Parks to visit between shows” category.
Comment by Willo Keays ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Ryan, I can’t tell you how much we fans appreciate the time you take to meet us and talk a little. The musical experience is that much greater each and every time we put your music on our ipods or stereos, or see you live at subsequent shows. Some goes for your band members – you’ve pulled together an amazing group.
BTW, as a former Jersey boy, I have to agree: I think the state is really just one traffic circle with a diner, pizza joint and a church, and they just keep moving it down the road.
(Anyone reading this, who has not seen Ryan live, make it a point to do so. Pronto. Ryan’s not bullshitting-I can’t think of anyone who loves interacting with fans more).
Comment by Scott ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
I really hope I get to come to a show one day! You are one of my favorite singers! (David Cook is first
just sayin).
You are an amazing man. Keep up your amazing work!
(hehe. “oh hi ho”)
funny xD
Comment by Alexis ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Ryan, I hope you continue to blog. I enjoy reading your thoughts.
Comment by Karen ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
You mentioned the show I went to! I’m glad you enjoyed that show so much! I, sadly, didn’t get to meet you because we had to travel back to my hometown because we had stuff to do the next day, but hopefully someday we’ll get to meet! It means so much to me that you included it in there because that was my very first concert, and one of the highlights of my year. Thank you for everything, Ryan! You’re amazing!
Comment by FutureMusician ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
wish I had learned, somewhere in the distant past, to tune a guitar
in all seriousness, your comments on the “homogenization” are unfortunately sad but true, but you obviously enjoy the people you meet, which of course is the most important thing ….. did you not find anything unique about Montreal ??
keep up your wonderful attitude ……..
Comment by Kalan ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
I hope the easiest comments are for those Ohio girls down near Shawnee State when you were playing with Mr. Cook and not your headlining show in Cleveland. Cleveland was small but mighty
Comment by Kerri ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Ryan, I look forward to this blog everyday & will be sad when it stops. I will always remember 2009 as the year I met Ryan Star in Dallas,TX and got to hang out with you after the show on my birthday at Mohegan Sun! Thanks again for being so nice to your fans! You treated me like a friend! It was the best night ever. I’m glad I got the chance to meet you now while you can still meet fans after the show. Soon you will be so famous we won’t get to have that opportunity. I was hoping that my bday show would be one where you played some music afterwards, but with the fun I had with you, I really shouldn’t ask for anything more! I agree with your list of San Francisco being most unique & NYC having the most energy & best food( how cool is that-I have finally experienced NYC!!! I travel for my job too, and I know what you mean about cities looking the same. I always try to find something different about each one! I wish I could work for free. I think traveling with you would be a blast! Don’t know how to tune a guitar, but I could learn
I do have a PR & marketing degree so I could help with that! Too bad I need money or I would sign up! You are so blessed & fortunate to have such an amazing talent and get to do what you absolutely love! I am a little sad that Texas didn’t make your list. You will definitely have to come back and give it another try!
Comment by Lia (ryanstarfan) ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Hey Ryan, love your blogs. I saw you live 3x in ‘09. My favorite memories are of Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC. You were there without your band “I left my band in Texas – sounds like a country song” and as much as I love your band, you were so dynamic without them. NOT sayin lose the band (!); just that it takes a real artist to go out and blow away the audience, like you did that night, when that artist has “left the band in Texas.” There were some special moments that night, like when the whole audience sang the chorus to Breathe (readers, this is BEFORE Breathe was a single, and the whole audience KNEW and loved Ryan and Breathe well enough to sing his song back to him, which is what made it so special). And when David Cook’s band learned the music to your song Last Train Home and joined you on stage to back you for that last song. What a great night that was. Thanks. Looking forward to more great things from you in 2010. Rock on, Ryan Star!
Comment by Lori ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 11:12 am
I love when you are in tour, I always see videos by fans on youtube and your show seems amazing.
I hope one day read “My observations from the road: Brazil – the best fans ever!”
Comment by Sol ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 11:12 am
hmm. tone deaf here so i can’t help with the guitar tuning. sorry.
i love that not only do you stay out after the shows to meet your fans, you actually *want* to. i have seen you stay out for hours, exhausted but as long as there were people waiting in line, you weren’t leaving.
i became a fan of your music before I even knew who you were, but the day I saw you live and met you in person, i became a fan for life.
Comment by Brooke ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 11:12 am
I met you for the first time at Lupo’s this year and you were so sweet and then I spoke with you again outside of Rockwood on Halloween and you were so fun, we took the best pics ever that night and I still look at them and smile. At Mohegan Sun you asked me how I thought your set went and were actually interested in hearing my thoughts. I loved that. You are an amazing gift to us all. Thank you for taking the time to make us all feel appreciated.
Comment by Terri-Ann ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 11:12 am
Omaha? really? funny thing is that i lived 50 minutes away and couldnt get tickets to that show. To really experience nebraska you need to go to the other end of the state. the part where you have to drive 20 miles to get to a grocery store or gas station or to get fast food…love the blog and love your music….
Comment by mandy ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 11:12 am
I agree with Heidi at the very top, where is Missouri on that list, and being that I am really beginning to learn about you, I would have so hung around after if I would have known you would be playing a little after for your fans, ready for you to come back to Missouri, the show here was great but I wish there would have been more time for you.
Comment by Janna Pirtle ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
What a caring man you are! People love meeting you, too.
Comment by hoaloha ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
yay pennsylvania! we’re boring to look at but we have some cool venues and stuff (ok maybe just philadelphia does lol) Thank you for listening to our stories and staying and meeting with us after shows. It makes us feel more connected to you and able to appreciate your music even more.
Comment by Meg ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
You are asking for trouble with the prettiest girls! I can think of some beautiful girls in CA an NY.
Comment by Mangomelon ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 01:12 pm
I was lucky enough to have gotten to see you twice this year (in two days actually) and got the chance to meet you. I want to say quickly how genuinely nice a person you really are (bad grammar? Oh well *g*) and how much you deserve every bit of the success you’re getting. Not only are you incredible with a full (and loud) band behind you, but also with nothing but a stage and a guitar which is rare these days. I’ve been a fan for many years and will continue to be one for as long as you’re making music.
Comment by Kelly ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 01:12 pm
Ryan! St. Louis didnt make it!? That’s where I met you the first time at The Pageant w/SafetySuit. I had the Breathe ringtone!
Also,that’s when I saw you at Y98 for a parking lot concert and you performed two songs personally for me! 
Good times! I seriously love reading these, cause I’ve seen you two times with David and then once with SafetySuit. You are just so amazing with the crowd and us fans just love seeing you on stage. 
I hope I get to see you many times in the near future for 11:59, with you headlining! 
love ya Ryan! 
Comment by Hannah ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 02:12 pm
Despite the show I went to not being on that list (and I can’t blame you…brockport…really? haha) I loved being able to meet you and talk to you especially since seeing you in concert was something that I thought would never happen. You single handedly restored my faith in the music industry because, among other things, of your devotion to your fans and the fact that you actually care to talk to them and interact with them. Whenever I tell people about you and your music and tell them about how I got to meet you after the show they’re shocked when I tell them of how down to earth you were and how you cared to talk to people and your fans. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to see more of your shows in the near future!
Comment by Amber ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 03:12 pm
I know I probably say this way too often, but I still say you should come to the Philippines! We’d love to have you over here. I’m still dying to watch you perform live.
Comment by Miel ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 03:12 pm
It’s your incredible music and your appreciation for your fans that truly set you apart from other musicians. Never change. But where is Illinois on this list? Don’t judge the whole state on Macomb (site of the WIU concert), which is in the middle of nowhere:P It still was one of my favorite shows though.
Comment by Stephanie ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 05:12 pm
Tulsa Oklahoma, you with David Cook, & Phil Marshal @ The Cains Ballroom. BEST TIME EVER!!!!!!! come back soon.
Comment by Becky ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 05:12 pm
Ryan, thank you for being you! Thank you for connecting to your fans the way you do=D You’re so great…LOVE it!! You definitely put a smile on my face the times I met you=D
PA loves you too!! Well, at least THIS girl from PA does=D Come back soon!!!! I know, it is a boring drive…you have to really like cows and farms=D Mooooooooo!!!! But, you can always stop at Hershey for some awesome chocolate=D
Comment by Dana (pixie2214) ///// Monday, December 28th, 2009 @ 05:12 pm
Ryan! loved this blog! this has to be my favorite blog so far. i think you are a special artist and i completely love that about you. I think it’s awesome you genuinely care so much for people that like your music, it makes people more interested i think.
I love your observations…but no Illinois love? kind of sad. can’t wait for the next blog!
Comment by Juliana ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 12:12 am
The fact that i have never been to any of your shows or after shows and seen the interaction you have with your fans makes you wonder if it is really true but i’ve heard this from u and many other fans who have shared this experience wit u so well done to u and keep it up and i hope to see u in south africa soon
Comment by NAFISA14 ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 04:12 am
cant wait to see you back on the road in 2010 !
Comment by thisrocks ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 06:12 am
“Most Boring Drive but the best shows – Pennsylvania”
That turnpike is a bitch, isn’t it?? Heehee.
Camp Hill/York loves you, come back soon!!
PS – This was my favorite blog yet
Comment by shine45 ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 06:12 am
You say you treat yourself after every show, but you need to know that you treat us more. I was able to meet you in Myrtle Beach(which did not make your best list(I guess we will have to try harder next time). Don’t get me wrong you are great, but meeting you was not the highlight of the night for me. Before I met you I watched you. (not stalker watched you) but while waiting I watched. You made sure that everyone who came to you had their own special time, though brief, to be able to tell you their stories or show you pics or just get a hug. You are more special than you will ever realize, Ryan Star. Thanks for the memories. i will cherish them always.
Jenn
Comment by Jennifer ///// Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 @ 07:12 am