Born in Lafayette, Louisiana
in 1986, the 10th of 12 children, Billy Ryan Droze grew up in Alabama.
As far back as he can
remember, he knew that music was his life. “It’s as if I was inserted with a
computer chip that made my life revolve around music.” But, the reason is just
as likely the influence of his father, Bob Droze, a dedicated country, gospel,
and bluegrass musician. Billy was on stage with his dad by the time he was 4
years old, and spent his childhood singing with him everywhere from churches to
bluegrass festivals to honkytonks, developing a passion for traditional
country, gospel, and roots music that has influenced him ever since. He learned
to play guitar when he was 12, and as a teenager would perform anywhere,
anytime, for anyone who would listen, sometimes walking miles down country
roads, carrying his guitar, just for the chance to play a few songs.
When Billy was 16, his dad
had moved to Texas, so he followed him there and spent a year or so playing
with his band. After rambling around Texas for a while, he decided it was time
to move to Nashville and has lived there ever since. He continued to play
anywhere he could, constantly honing his skills as a songsmith and musician. Using
the name, Billy Ryan, his ever-growing fan base dramatically increased singing
lead on several tours for the Grammy-winning Shenandoah.
After a family tragedy, Billy felt the need for a change of
scenery. Billy booked a thirteen-city, nine-country tour of Eastern Europe to
promote his third independent album, “Ready For The Ride” which was extremely
well-received by fans and reviewers. ”Ready For The Ride” earned him
three #1 singles on the European Hot Disc charts. This tour also led him to Lithuania where he
found his soul mate. When he returned to
the United States, it was with his new wife, Marija and their son Nickie. Billy has appeared in “Country Weekly”
numerous times, as well as other magazines and Web sites in the US and Europe.
Billy has had 2 major-network country music videos.
And, this “truly
unique artist and highly prolific songwriter, with lyrics that dig deep into the
heart of life, melodies and guitar style that combine his traditional roots
with a modern twist that’s all his own, and a voice so beautiful, earthy and
sincere that every song gives you goose bumps,” is just getting started.
