www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 13-19, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 33 MUSIC A third-generation musician, Sean Ryan had the support of his father as he branched out on his own after playing in his father’s jazz trio since he was 11 years old. With a strong stage presence and a gift of gab, Ryan quickly built a following covering ’70s hits, from Marshall Tucker to Van Morrison, which suited his deep-pitched vocals and southern rock drawl. Ryan often got lost in the music. And his knack for reworking songs gave familiar tunes a fresh perspective. Ryan’s interpretation of Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” became one of his favorites, perhaps because it seemed to mirror his own search for love. “Zombie Heart” is a raw, emotional track about a messy breakup. He wrote it in a moment of frustration, whiskey in hand, never expecting it to resonate. But the track soared in popularity. About this time, Ryan visited a friend in Nashville who shared “Zombie Heart” with Gretchen Wilson, who called it a hit. “It inspired me to lean more into my intuition,” Ryan says. His intuition told him Nashville would soon become home. In Nashville, Ryan has honed his craft, leading to his EP Mercy. While it features fast-paced, engaging tracks, the ballad “Deep Emotion” stands out as an almost-too-intimate depiction of one last night, ending with a violin solo that conveys strong feelings. The relationship only ended because of his career move. Ryan felt the loss so much he almost returned to Monterey. Nashville hasn’t changed his approach. His father once advised him to “play to the point where you’re on the verge of tears,” he recalls. “Now I do that, and I see people resonate more than ever,” he says. “Every song has more emotional impact on me—sometimes to the point where I tear up.” His latest release, “Never Felt This Way Before” is a melodic acoustic piece with backup vocals by his wife Rosa. “The blessing in this relationship is it was one of the times I wasn’t looking for someone. We melded in all aspects—heart and soul—and I wanted to capture that moment,” he says. Ryan’s most memorable gig remains the West End Celebration in Sand City. “My brother, my mother and my father—all listening, smiling,” he says. “In that moment, everything felt complete.” Sean Ryan plays 7pm Saturday, March 15. C Restaurant + Bar, 750 Cannery Row, Monterey. No cover. 375-4500, thecrestaurant-monterey.com. JAMES CHANG: TOP DOG IMAGES Ryan’s Hope With a rich voice and songs of powerful emotion, Monterey native Sean Ryan has found a home in Nashville. By Tonia Eaton In a technology-driven industry, Sean Ryan stays true to his roots, focusing on raw emotion to connect with audiences. TEA PARTY Not Your Grandma’s Tea Party March 22, April 19 & May 10 7th Ave & Dolores St, Carmel
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