Ryan grew up in East Tennessee and has stayed. His grandfather was a “folk” singer who combed the Appalachians collecting songs that he would later sing and play for various audiences. Now, Long carries the gift with him as he goes. Long has sold over 85,000 of his 5 recordings independently and another 50,000 songs on itunes. He performs nationally for over 25,000 high school students each year. The majority of his work is with Young Life, a global non-profit mission for kids. What people say: “There is something beautiful in his music that has made Long an exceptional songwriter and a consistent favorite at PasteMusic.com” Josh Jackson Co-Founder Paste Magazine “There are some recordings whose depth and sophistication defy easy description. Long’s intimate, multi-layered lyrics are set in acoustic guitar-driven arrangements that perfectly complement the complex content and mood of each song. To hear his music is to be enlarged.” Kemper Crabb, Grassroots Music Ryan Long is a storyteller who seems to help me find 'the suburbs of Eden' in his art for the recounting of life's panoply of simple moments. - Joe Novenson