Surprise!
Lately, I have been known to fly last minute. The secret late night shows have been all in good fun, but the other night when I got the email from Taylor’s parents, knowing how much it would mean to stop by for her 14th birthday party, I could not resist. I took the drive upstate and there is not much to say except that there are some magical moments you get when you play music for people and this was one of them. I will not forget the look on her face and I will not forget the feeling it gave me.
Here is a taste of the night. The beauty of a basement birthday party, 1/2 slices of pizza, cake, awkward silence between boys and girls…
We are strong, we are young!
- r
April 5th, 2008 at 11:17 am
This is why you are amazing. Not only are you a phenomenal artist, whose voice is reason enough to adore you. You connect through what you truly love and you do it on your own terms. Ryan, I hope every moment of your career you’ll remember that your fans are proud of what you do. Love what you do. Because you can be assured that look on Taylor’s face isn’t the first and it won’t be the last.
April 5th, 2008 at 11:20 am
You are so awesome! What a Birthday for Taylor to remember for years to come.
April 5th, 2008 at 11:22 am
How amazing are you? It’s not often a rock star will take the time to make a young girl happy. Look at her smile! You’re a good man Ryan!
now .. my 40th birthday party is coming up in June. If you happen to be in Orlando … well … Big girls like surprises too! Hahahahahaha!!!
April 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
And this is why the world loves Ryan…..you are the best!! So sweet!
April 5th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
you keep proving my point over and over again. You are not just a great artist, but you are a great person too.
I’m proud to be a fan of yours.
April 5th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Oh my, you just filled my heart with pride of the man you are. Making a litle girls (I should say young ladys) dream come true and making such a great memory for her,
that will stay with here the rest of her life. WOW. These are truly the highs in life for
sure. Anything but a ordinary man, would be putting it mildly. Being successfull
isn’t fulfilling unless you can share it and make a difference. The love you gave will
come back to you twice fold……This is why we your fans love you…. it the man you
are. Happy 14th Birthday Taylor. Yolanda
April 5th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
wow. that would be the best birthday present a girl could ever get! she is the luckiest person ever, i love that you would do something like that ryan! your amazing.
wanna drive to canada for my birthday? haha kidding!
?hannah j.
April 5th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
The third picture down fills my heart and renders me speechless……
April 5th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
thats so sweet of you. every girls dream to have her own personalized concert that shell never ever forget.
you can tell you love what you do and just to give back to other people. that’s good karma and this world needs more like you.
peace and rockon xo L2
April 5th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Ryan, you are absolutely the most amazing man I have ever had the pleasure to meet. There is no other like you and the kindness in your heart is just unbelievable. God bless you for all the wonderful things you do. Much love to you and yours…
(and by the way, my birthday is Nov. 29th! lol ;OP )
xoxo
April 5th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
What can I add that hasn’t already been written here….You are so wonderful and you keep giving us more reasons to love you. You gave Taylor an amazing memory that she’ll never forget.
April 5th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I don’t really know you that well, but remember Rock Star still vividly!
You had there some unbelievable performances including that sliding move on the piano
I stumbled across this blog and am truly surprise how well you handle the connection between your music and listeners. Maybe not all of them are your fans yet, but reading
your blog and especially this touching story makes one wonder what else this individual
has to offer. Thank you for letting us pause and smile in this ever-running-unstoppable world. All the best!
~IWO
April 5th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
wow that is really cool of you to stop by for her birthday party i couldn’t imagine how happy it must have made her your really a great guy
i love all your music and you’ve really inspired me to keep working at my dream of also becoming a musician thanks Ryan you rock!
April 5th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Yup, way way cool! But just so typical of you. Another great memory for someone. I smiled as I read the story and imagined the look on her face when you showed up. You are so incredibly personable and lovely. I still remember seeing you in Seattle with great fondness. thanks again for you and your music.
April 5th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I love you! You are an amazing soul.
April 5th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I can’t add anything else to what has been said. What a cool present for Taylor. I’m sure she will treasure the memory always.
April 6th, 2008 at 1:59 am
ryan, you are the sweetest.
that’s an amazing story and you are one amazing person.
thanks for sharing.
i’m sure you just made taylor’s life.
April 6th, 2008 at 3:42 am
So cool. Hope to see you soon.
April 6th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Ryan,
What a story! So rare. I’m from France - didn’t think you music reach overseas? well, it has - and I’m a music journalist. So my daily job involves meeting a lot of artists, and lately it seems to me that most of those who have a record deal take everything for granted. So unfair for the struggling artists, huh? I don’t understand, where did the LOVE for music go? You know that burning flame that moves you deep inside, that love that makes it so hard to breathe at times - especially when you listen to a new act and just fall head over heels for it - in one word, where has PASSION flown? I don’t think of me as a pessimist, but it kills me to witness what has happened to MUSIC, the one true love of our lives. I suggest we all join forces to save it! Just kidding! But thank God U2 is still around! Anyway, I know your next record will blow people’s mind. It feels like YOUR time’s coming, and when it does, you’ll be able to help some of your artist friends. At least, I hope so.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:09 am
This is why we love you - you make the fan feel like a friend! I wish more musicians were like you, Mr. Star…
April 6th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Very Cool!!! Tomorrow is my birthday
hint hint nudge nudge wink wink
April 6th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Wow! How awesome of you. You are incredible. The look on your’s and Taylor’s faces on the 3rd photo says it all! Simply priceless!!
April 7th, 2008 at 1:59 am
This is why I adore you Ryan. You are a talented musician, yes, but you have a heart of gold and you give. You aren’t in this for the money like so many artists are, you seriously change people’s lives. I’m honored to know you and your music and watching you on your musical journey for many, many years now has been breathtaking. Taylor is one lucky girl, and I hope she knows what playing at her party gave you also.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I started to write something…but I am speechless. (That never happens!)
April 9th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
this is awesome-you are such a sweetheart. Love the picture of you two hugging-that’s priceless-those smiles are great. you are truly remarkable.
April 14th, 2008 at 2:23 am
you are definatly a person of the people. so rare
May 15th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Those pictures are…different. jajaja I love the Ryan’s music and he also…He’s the best.
He’s so cute…
Kisses