Ryan Adams | |
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Adams performing live with a Gibson ES-355, September 2006
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Background information | |
Birth name | David Ryan Adams |
Born |
Jacksonville, North Carolina, United States |
November 5, 1974
Origin | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | |
Years active | 1991–present |
Labels | |
Associated acts | |
Website | paxamrecords |
Notable instruments | |
Gibson ES-355 Fender Telecaster 1974 Guild D-25 Harmony Sovereign H1264 Fender Jazzmaster Buck Owens American Gibson Hummingbird Gibson Les Paul |
Ryan Adams (born David Ryan Adams; November 5, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, poet and painter. He is best known for his prolific solo career, during which he has released fifteen albums, and as a former member of alternative country band Whiskeytown, with whom he recorded three studio albums.
In 2000, Adams left Whiskeytown and released his debut solo album, Heartbreaker, to critical acclaim. The album was nominated for the Shortlist Music Prize. The following year, his profile increased with the release of the UK certified-gold Gold, which included the hit single, "New York, New York". During this time, Adams worked on several unreleased albums, which were consolidated into a third solo release, Demolition (2002). Working at a prolific rate, Adams released the classic rock-influenced Rock N Roll (2003), after a planned album, Love Is Hell, was rejected by his label Lost Highway. As a compromise, Love Is Hell was released as two EPs and eventually released in its full-length state in 2004.
After breaking his wrist during a live performance, Adams took a short-lived break, and formed The Cardinals, a backing band that would accompany him on four of his next studio albums. In 2009, following the release of Cardinology (2009), Adams disbanded The Cardinals and announced an extended break from music due to complications from Ménière's disease. The following year, however, Adams resumed performing and released his Glynn Johns-produced thirteenth studio album, Ashes & Fire, in 2011. The album peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200. In September 2014, Adams released his fourteenth album, Ryan Adams, on his own PAX AM label, and formed a new backing band, The Shining, to support the release.