Thanks to everyone who emailed us questions for Ryan Laird.  Here are your answers – enjoy and keep watching for upcoming projects from Ryan.  We are excited to see what 2009 brings for him.

• Question from Riley – What age did you start playing guitar and writing music?
  My parents put me in classical piano lessons when I was 5 years old. I continued with the piano, but around age 7 discovered that it was “cooler” to play guitar, so I took lessons on and off to follow my “rock star” dreams..haha! My guitar training has come from a combination of lessons and just watching and learning the techniques from other players, mostly around Nashville. I started writing when I was 12…my first song was called “Me and Maria”…soooo bad! haha

 

• Question from Candace  – Can you cook? If so, what is your “specialty” and if not, what is your favorite take-out?
  haha..well I wouldn’t call me a chef, but I guess you could call me a very average cook. I’ve always loved eating healthy food that’s quick and easy to make! I love fruit and yogurt! I love Smoothie King too and I love Harvey’s veggie burgers (from Canada).  

 

• Question from Chrissy – Some people state that they can write their best songs while sitting on the toilet. Where do you write your songs?
  OK I don’t think I’ve ever been asked this question this way before. Honestly, I write my songs in a variety of places. Most often, I write them in a music publishing building in Nashville. But sometimes it happens in: the car; hotel rooms and lobbies; on napkins..haha..wherever I get an idea!

 

• Question from Char – Has spending his lifesavings on the billboard been worth it and what has been the most memorable part so far?
  Yes it has definitely been worth it! It’s given me a unique story as a new artist, which is really important. I’ve also made friends with so many new fans who have sent me messages on myspace which has been awesome! A lot of the music industry around Nashville know who I am now too. The most memorable part so far was the night a fan messaged me a link on myspace. I followed the link and watched wide-eyed as Taylor Swift talked about my music and the billboard. It was such a great feeling to see and hear her response, it actually brought tears to my eyes!

 

• Question from Sammy R. – I have a question about Ryan’s song “Luv Me”…where did the inspiration come from? What is the song “actually about”?
  I would have to say my song “Luv Me” has definitely become my most popular song so far! I actually just did an interview with KIXS 108 in Victoria Texas, and they liked the song so much that they decided to add it into rotation! That was SO cool!The song is basically a love story in progress…it’s kind of like a fairy tale romance before the happily ever after takes place. One thing I will tell you is that I wanted to write a song that Taylor Swift would like. I was just about to ask her to produce my album on a giant billboard, so I wanted my first song on myspace to really grab her attention! Turns out, she loved it!!

• Question from Jess – I want to know what gave him the idea to put the billboard up in Nashville.
  The idea for the billboard came to me one morning as I was waking up. I knew I needed a really unique way to reach out to Taylor, because she is extremely busy, but I thought it would be awesome if she’d produce my CD. I had to convince myself that first day, because I knew it was kind of crazy and had never been done before, but I decided it was the way to go. You have to take risks sometimes to achieve success! So I went ahead and did it!

 

• Question from Ashley - how tall Ryan is? I heard he is really tall before..

  haha yeah, I’m pretty tall… I am 6’ 4”, so basically, as I mentioned on myspace, you may not want to be the unlucky person sitting behind me at the movies!

 

• Question from Courtney - what songs do you think are the most played on your i-pod right now, and what songs will always be your favorite?
  
Fearless by Taylor Swift, Slow Dancing In A Burning Room by John Mayer, Sweet Thing by Keith Urban, The Cover Of The Rolling Stone by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show because getting on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine someday would be the coolest thing ever!Father & Son by Cat Stevens is one of my all time favorites because in some ways it reminds me of my relationship with my dad.

 

• Question from Troy-Have you ever waited in line for a star’s autograph ? If so,who ….and what star (besides Taylor) would you like to meet?

  haha when I was a little kid I would sneak backstage at shows all the time. When the security guys would question me backstage, I’d say that my dad was ‘on the crew’ lol…it actually worked most of the time! I eventually started performing at a lot of the music festivals around Canada. I would be one of the ‘opening acts’ on an earlier time slot, but it usually gave us backstage passes so I was able to meet some of my musical heroes that way… but I still haven’t met Taylor yet so… lol…maybe my dad will get a tech job on her new tour?? haha!! umm….I would have loved to meet Stevie Ray Vaughan….he was an AMAZING guitar player.

 

• The question that everyone wants to know – did he meet Taylor Swift yet and will she let him open up for her summer tour?

  whoops my bad… I guess I accidentally answered this question in my previous answer! We have heard from Taylor’s record label who requested my music. They now have that. Taylor obviously saw the billboard and has gone on camera saying she “definitely wants to meet”… I know she’s really busy, but I’m really hoping that will happen sometime soon!!

Thanks for all the questions guys!!



Peace & Luv,
~Ryan