I started out early in life LOVING the country group, Alabama (I’m from Bama-so…yeah.) I, then, became a die-hard Beatles fan since the age of 7-and still am. I developed a deep love for hip-hop/R&B/rap around age 12, but as I grew up, I lost a lot of respect for most of the “new” artists in that genre. Maybe because I was gaining some maturity and was now somebody’s Momma, so I wasn’t as wild about the cussin’ and sometimes nasty lyrics….maybe it was because the quality of new artists after a certain point in time just really wasn’t up to par with what their predecessors had. I stuck with the rock classics - Beatles, Paul McCartney & Wings, etc. - for years…that is, until I stumbled upon Ryan Upchurch. I was absolutely speechless…blown away at what this dude, who lived just a couple hours up the road from me, was creating. I identified with him because I’m from virtually the same world he’s from - yet he was so unique that his music literally touched something deep down inside my soul. The only other artist to ever do that to me was Paul McCartney-and to be on par with the likes of that kind of genius is unheard of. That’s why it’s so fitting that his new album is called Pioneer. Ryan is the EPITOME of a Pioneer…and by gosh, I’m HERE FOR IT!! Hittin’ that “pre-order” button was the easiest choice I’ve made in awhile. Keep on lightin’ my soul on fire, Ryan. 🔥❤️ Love, Toni - from down Hwy 72 a little ways…in Bama🐘