Search - Ryan Holladay :: New Kid in Town

Bluegrass prodigy's superheated Skaggs Family debut

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 05/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chances are good that if you look up the word "precocious" in the dictionary, you'll find a picture of Ryan Holladay as the illustration. His singing appearance on the Grand O' Opry stage at the age of 5 (youngest in the history of the venue) might seem like a fluke if he hadn't followed it up with three solid albums of bluegrass by the age of twelve, festival and opening-slot appearances, all showing off his preternaturally fine instrumental abilities.



Unlike other country kids, Holladay isn't saddled with finding contemporary music whose words are fit for a pre-teen, but deep enough for adults. Instead, he digs into the instrumental bluegrass canon with his fleet-fingered mandolin, guitar and banjo picking, and leaves most of the lead vocals to his dad, Mark. Better yet, Ryan's occasional lead vocals (notably Steve Wariner's "When It Rains" and Dierks Bentley's "Midnight Radio") work surprisingly well, even with the novelty of a pre-teen being hounded by the bank or having his car breakdown. The Eagles' title tune provides a bittersweet closer, with a lyric that transforms into a cautionary tale from father to son.



The harmonies of Ryan, Mark and uncle Mike add a closeness to the standard tightness of bluegrass' high-and-lonesome, filling out to a foursome for an a cappella family sing on the traditional "There is a God." Mix in fiddle prodigy Tyler Andal, and the Ryan Holladay Band is ready to slay audiences at this summer's bluegrass festivals (including perhaps a repeat of the Ryan Holladay Bluegrass Festival in his hometown of Camden, TN). Their first CD for the Skagg's Family label is a superb introduction."