Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 117, No. 24	June 17 , 2009

Ryan Ross and Belinda French – reaching for the stars

Photo by Vickey Carwile
Country singers Belinda French and Ryan Ross performed in Brandenburg at the Relay for Life River Jam 2009 held at Little Dave’s Down On The River June 13.

By VICKEY CARWILE
Messenger Staff

Music has always been a big part of Ryan Ross’ life. He was born Feb. 20, 1983, in Bewleyville, the only child of Carlie and the lateConnie Ross. Carlie is retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Rough River. Presently, he is an interim speaker at Rosetta United Methodist Church in Breckinridge County.

Ryan’s parents, as well as his grandparents and uncle were responsible for cultivating Ryan’s talent. Besides encouragement and support, his dad taught Ryan to play the guitar and his uncle, Buddy Ross, located places for him to perform.

Ryan began singing Christian and gospel music in church when he was very young and wrote his first song at the tender age of 10 years old. After graduation from Breckinridge County High School, he later attended Western Kentucky University where he received a degree in radio and television operations. When he was 23, Ryan began working as a disc jockey at WXBC Radio in Hardinsburg. After a year and a half as an employee of the radio station, he moved to Nashville, Tenn., to pursue his dream of becoming a country music singer.

Ryan enjoys singing Christian and gospel as well as country music. Some of his favorite Christian artists are Michael W. Smith, Chris Rice and Steven Curtis Chapman. Ryan’s inspirations in country music include George Strait, Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley. He has performed at many festivals and events throughout Breckinridge and Meade counties – The Music Ranch in West Point, Jay’s Country Music Dance and Show in Brandenburg, and Calvin Ray’s Live Music in Leitchfield, just to name a few.
In November 2003, Ryan’s beloved mother lost her battle with melanoma cancer. According to his father, Ryan was very close to his mother. “Mom encouraged me to go with my dream,” Ryan said. He recorded a CD entitled, “In Memory,” which is dedicated to his mother.
In August 2007, Ryan met Belinda French while performing at a picnic in Custer. Belinda is the daughter of Kelly and Carolyn French, Irvington. She also has a younger brother, Brian. Kelly is a deacon at Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Breckinridge County and Carolyn is starting her own children’s learning center soon. Ryan and Belinda realized their mutual love of country music and began performing together. “I just knew Ryan and I were going to sing together,” Belinda recalled after hearing Ryan sing for the first time. The two became best of friends as well as singing partners. They both now live in Nashville.

Ryan recorded two CDs while in Kentucky. The first one entitled, “Western Roots,” which is a collection of popular country songs and the aforementioned “In Memory,” which is a compilation of inspirational songs. In May 2009, Ryan released his newest CD, “Thank God For You and Me,” produced by Jim Vest. Belinda sang background vocals on several of the songs including, “Daddy’s Little Man,” which Ryan and his dad co-wrote together. “He got the talent from the Good Lord and the idea from me,” Carlie said of his son, “He influences a lot of people with his music and he takes a stand for what is right. I am very proud of him.”

To learn more about Ryan Ross and to follow his career, go to his Web site at www.ryanrossmusic.com. Belinda French’s Web site is www.belindafrench.com.

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