Photo credit: Daniel Brown
RYAN AND RORY’S SELF-TITLED DEBUT EP – AVAILABLE NOW
Listen to the EP HERE; Opening for Sam Hunt in Tennessee and Indiana in August
NASHVILLE, TN. – (July 26, 2024) – SiriusXM The Highway’s latest “Highway Find,” Ryan and Rory today release their highly anticipated self-titled debut EP. Joining the ranks of previous “Highway Finds” such as Luke Combs, Gabby Barrett, Parker McCollum, among others, Ryan and Rory’s debut features their buzzy party starter and a nod to the universal heartache band-aid “Pour Decisions”. Released earlier this year, Country Now declared the lively smash a “catchy, post-heartbreak summertime anthem.” Country Swag applauded that “the singer-songwriters are bursting onto the scene with a prime summer-ready song” and are “an act to pay attention to,” while MusicRow boasted that “Ryan and Rory are set to make major waves on the country music scene.” Listen to Ryan and Rory’s self-titled EP HERE.
The official video for ‘This Town’ drops at 7pm BST / 1pm CST today here.
Both immersed in music from a young age, Ryan Follesé is a Nashville native, 2X PLATINUM #1 hit singer-songwriter and American Music Award winner. Rory John Zak, from Raleigh, North Carolina, is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter who has played over 300 shows per year since he was 17.
“We are so excited for everyone to hear these songs,” says Rory. “Each one was inspired by real-life people and situations we’ve experienced over the last few years. The songs speak to the lives we live, and we hope that they do the same for everyone who loves country music like we do.”
“We see this first batch of songs as our musical mission statement,” says Ryan. “Great country songs are what we are about, and we could not be prouder to start our journey with these six. They are for true country music fans – the greatest fans in the world.”
Son of #1 songwriters Adrienne and Keith Follesé (Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride), Ryan co-wrote all six tracks on the debut, including five with his hitmaker family, while Rory added his masterful instrumentals and expertly smooth harmonies to Ryan’s robust lead vocals.
Kickstarting their catalog with a vivacious “Pour Decisions,” the EP exemplifies that vibrant, wide-open spirit with songs like “Drunk and Lonely”, a two-step singalong featuring dirt-floor dancehall vibes and Rory’s honky-tonk piano that would make Brooks & Dunn proud, “This Town”, a celebration of small-town dreams and freedom, and “State I’m In”, a rockin’ tale of regret that comes from chasing a lover across the country, only to find out that the entire passion-led journey was a dead end.
Rounding out the debut, the duo dial in on soul-stirring ballads like “Cowboy Cry”, a woeful she-done-him-wrong classic, and “Thanks Mama”, a song Ryan co-wrote with his dad, brother and sister as a surprise for his mom, whose wise advice narrates the touching track.
Up next, Ryan and Rory will open for Sam Hunt on Friday, August 23 in Memphis, Tenn. at Radians Amphitheater and on Saturday, August 24 in Gary, Indiana at Hard Rock Live. For tickets and tour updates, visit ryanandrorymusic.com.
Ryan and Rory EP Tracklisting:
1. Pour Decisions (Ryan Follesé, Kevin Bard, Emily Reid, Maya Kurchner, Remy Gautreau)
2. State I’m In (Ryan Follesé, Keith Follesé, Adrienne Follesé, Jamie Follesé)
3. Cowboy Cry (Ryan Follesé, Keith Follesé, Adrienne Follesé, Jamie Follesé)
4. Drunk and Lonely (Ryan Follesé, Keith Follesé, Adrienne Follesé, Jamie Follesé)
5. This Town (Ryan Follesé, Keith Follesé, Adrienne Follesé, Jamie Follesé)
6. Thanks Mama (Ryan Follesé, Keith Follesé, Jamie Follesé, Anna Follesé)*
Produced by Kevin Bard and Nick Zinnanti
*Produced by Dann Huff
KEEP UP WITH RYAN AND RORY
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | X | FACEBOOK
