Amy Ryan (photo Ian Fisk)
Winner of the ABOTMA’s (Australasian Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association) Young Performer Grant for 2019 is Amy Ryan from New South Wales.
Amy attended MountainGrass 2018 with her father Andrew, following up on her performances at the 2018 Bluegrass Conference, Tamworth Battle of the Bluegrass, Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, where she hung out and played songs with Rhodeworks (last years recipients of the grant).
Some of Amy’s Highlights:
- April 2019 – Amy Joined the Redlands Modern Country Music Club and commenced practicing with the Redlands Bluegrass Boys at their social events.
- April 2019 – Amy was invited by the convener of the Boyne Valley Country Music Campouts to perform at their event in Ubobo, Central Queensland, with the Owl Valley Bluegrass Band, the headline act. The whole event went very well and Amy was asked to perform a second time. This was filmed by the CAMPR outdoor television Program and features Amy in their production.
- April 2019 – Invitation received to return and perform as a paid artist at the 2020 Boyne Valley Country Music Campout.
- May 2019 – Performed with Allen and Tom of tjhe Redland’s Bluegrass Boys, at the Redlands Modern Country Music Festival,
- June 2019 – received invitation from Don Jackson, from Bay FM Radio Station in Redland Bay, QLD, for Amy to record her first EP, in their studio, for free. This is part of a program run by the station to foster young talent.
- June 2019 – Amy performed at the Australian Pedal Steel Convention With Hall of Fame Pedal Steelers, Paddy Long, Christchurch NZ, and Milton Quackenbush from Texas USA.
- June 2019 – Amy played at a fund-raising event hosted by the comedian, Col Elliot. She once again joined Owl Valley Bluegrass on stage for this event.
- June 2019 – Amy received an invitation to perform at the inaugural Australian ‘Dolly Parton’ Convention. This is scheduled for April 2020.
- July 2019 – Amy opened for Catherine Britt, playing with Peter and Mark Nahuysen. Catherine then asked Amy to join her to play guitar with her for three songs during her show.
- The last year has been very busy for Amy. To her credit, she has taken it all in her stride and is cruising along nicely. Amy is looking forward to reconnecting with the Sonoran Dogs this year at Mountaingrass The whole band are very good instructors and they have been an important influence in bringing Amy to where she is today.
0 Comments