NEWS & SHOWS

BIOGRAPHY

DISCOGRAPHY

MUSIC

FIRST & LAST

PHOTOS

LINKS

FAMOUS PHOTOS

CONTACT

PRESS KIT

Buy the CD
album cover
click to order


Lorne%20Ryder

Copyright Lorne Ryder 2008
Lorne Ryder is a Toronto based singer-songwriter with many stories left to tell. Since studying piano as a child and playing his first show at the age of 14, Lorne’s music has found him on stages throughout Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec as well as Nashville, Tennessee. His peers have also recognized him for his work in the music industry.

Awards and Achievements:

  • 2009 Canadian Smooth Jazz Award -- Nominated for Best Original Composition for "Beautiful Feeling"
  • 2008 Ontario Independent Music Awards -- Nominated for Best Country Artist
  • 2007 Ontario Independent Music Awards -- Nominated for Best Country Artist
  • 2006 Billboard Songwriting Contest -- "Silverwound Strings" Honourable Mention
  • 2006 International Songwriting Contest -- "Silverwound Strings" Second Round Finalist
  • 2006 CCMA Top-Ten Nominee -- Keyboard Player of the Year
  • 2005 CCMA Top-Ten Nominee -- Keyboard Player of the Year
  • 2004 CCMA Top-Ten Nominee -- Keyboard Player of the Year
  • 1998 -- FACTOR ALBUM GRANT

  • 80s-90s
    In 1985, Lorne played his first gig at the age of 14 in Etobicoke. In 1988, Lorne co-founded the band First & Last with his brother Kent (Max Bent). They toured Ontario and Manitoba off and on, as well as produced numerous demos and albums up until 1994. Click here for more information on First & Last.

    In 1993/94, Lorne took a break from the hectic tour life and filled in on keys for Alt-Rock pioneer Purple Joe. He then hit the road as a duo, 2 On Tour, again touring Ontario and Manitoba.

    Lorne returned home in 1995 ready to switch gears and with plenty of songs to write. It was then that he started working with Toronto writer and producer Peter Linseman (Angelica Dicastro, Sarina Paris.) In 1998, Lorne received a FACTOR Grant and started production on his debut solo album, Ice Cream And Guns. The album was recorded at the Metal Works and was co-produced by Lorne, Juno Award winning engineer L. Stu Young (Guns 'N' Roses) and Linseman. The title track was co-written with Juno Award winning writer Naoise Sheridan (Kenny Chesney & Jimmy Rankin.) Three of the singles were featured nation-wide on the television show "Up And Coming" produced by the New VR (A-Channel.)

    2000 and beyond...
    After releasing the album, Lorne chose to split his time between promoting his solo material as well as playing in various bands to continue improving his skills. He played with two rhythm and blues cover bands, two tribute bands, and also played keys, harmonica and sang harmonies from 1999-2006 for country singer Donna Ferra. It was during his time in Ferra’s band he earned 3 CCMA Top-Ten Nominations for Keyboard Player of the Year (2004, 2005, 2006.) Lorne has also recorded and played keys, harmonica and sang harmonies for the Max Bent Blues Band since 2003.

    During that time Lorne continued songwriting and performed at various songwriter clubs, including the C'est What Club and Free Times Cafe in Toronto, and the Broken Spoke and Boardwalk Cafe in Nashville, TN. Many of Lorne’s songs he has written with Peter Linseman have been recorded by other artists, most recently by vocalist Angelica Dicastro.  Ms. Dicastro's cover of Lorne's song, "Beautiful Feeling," has received airplay across Canada.  Lorne’s song “Silverwound Strings,” a song he co-wrote with Andrew Mech, has received recognition at both the Billboard Songwriting Contest and the International Songwriting Competition. Lorne continues songwriting and is also available for co-writing opportunities.

    In the fall of 2004, Lorne was the music director for a hurricane relief concert, "Canadiana For The Caribbean." The concert was held at the Kool Haus in Toronto, and featured Ronnie Hawkins as the Emcee. The show included performances by Rik Emmett, Barney Bentall and the Good Brothers. Lorne has opened up for artists including Doc Walker and Jason McCoy and has shared the stage with Jeff Healey, Ken Moores (front-man from CCR tribute Green River), Colorado folk legend Mo Kauffey and Mike Fitzpatrick from the Downchild Blues Band.

    Lorne is also available for session work and has played on a mixture of country, blues, pop and rock recordings. In 2006 Lorne played keys on “Mistletoe, My Cowboy and Me,” by Judy Kanyo. The song spent six weeks at number 1 on the European Country Charts and was nominated for ECMA song of the year.

    Lorne is busy writing new material for a follow up to Ice Cream & Guns, and is currently getting a band together to hit the road promoting his solo music again.


    LORNE'S INFLUENCES (click on name for web page)

    Alice In Chains ... April Wine ... the Band ... Barney Bentall ... the Black Crowes ... Black Sabbath ... Blue Rodeo ... Boston ... Jackson Browne ... Eric Clapton ... Tom Cochrane ... Burton Cummings ... Alice Cooper ... Bob Dylan ... the Eagles ... Fred Eaglesmith ... Steve Earle ... Vince Gill ... Merle Haggard ... John Hiatt ... Ron Hynes ... Iron Maiden ... George Jones ... Kris Kristofferson ... Allison Kraus ... Daniel Lanois ... John Lennon ... Little Feat ... Jeff Lynne ... Max Webster ... Delbert McClinton ... John (Cougar) Mellancamp ... Nazareth ... Willie Nelson ... Nirvana ... Dolly Parton ... Tom Petty ... Pink Floyd ... Robbie Robertson ... the Rolling Stones ... Rush ... Saga ... Bob Seger ... Bruce Springsteen ... Stone Temple Pilots ... George Thorogood ... Triumph ... Muddy Waters ... the Who ... David Wilcox ... Sonny Boy Williamson ... Steve Winwood ... Neil Young