Ryan Bingham defies easy classification. With his unique combination of folk songs in the vein of Woody Guthrie and Spanish balladry as well as gritty hard rock music, this singer/songwriter blends genres effortlessly to craft his uniquely American sound.
His last album, 2019’s “American Love Song,” featured foot-stomping rave-ups that feature bull-riding. But he has experienced his share of tragedy, including losing both parents.
Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award-winning singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham stands as an oasis of authenticity in an industry often driven by trends and marketability. Recognized for his weathered vocals and raw, emotive music, Ryan has amassed a loyal fan base through his weekly #StayHomeCantina Sessions social media series as well as appearing as one of Yellowstone TV series stars.
Bingham’s childhood could easily have come straight out of a country song; his journey included both thrilling highs (he won both an Oscar and Grammy before turning 30) and devastating lows (losing his mother to alcoholism and his father to suicide), all of which played into creating 2019’s American Love Song; his most fully realized album to date.
He is currently touring to promote his EP “Watch Out for the Wolf”, as well as filming season 5 of Yellowstone alongside Hassie Harrison who portrays Walker/Laramie respectively in this neo-western drama.
Bingham began his career begging for gigs in dive bars, eventually going on to win an Academy Award and Americana Music‘s top award (The Weary Kind from Crazy Heart). Later he married his Yellowstone co-star Hassie Harrison in a special Western-themed ceremony at her family home.
But his distinctive Texas rasp reveals hardship and loss. Just one year after winning an Oscar for “Crazy Heart”, Bingham tragically lost both parents as well as actress Anna Axster; through music he found solace. Growing up nomadic as a rodeo cowboy working day jobs served him well when creating songs of heartache and hope; just recently released with earth-rattling tunes, and coming soon to Palladium!
Ryan Bingham’s voice is that of a folk singer; his Texas rasp is rich with history, suggesting a life lived beyond many twice his age.
Life experiences influence his music, which encompasses elements of country rock and blues that defy classification. He won an Academy Award for “The Weary Kind,” featured in Crazy Heart movie; more recently his 2019 release American Love Song offered a critical take on current affairs.
Bingham endured an extremely arduous childhood, including his parents’ divorce and mother’s death from alcoholism, which greatly shaped him as an individual. To find relief he turned to writing songs and performing, eventually earning himself an audience thanks to his talent and perseverance.
Bingham, an expert bull rider by trade, takes a pragmatic approach to life – something likely due to having seen more than his fair share of challenges along his journey.
His life story reads like a country music album, with stops in Hobbs, New Mexico; West Texas oil fields; Bakersfield; Odessa; Houston; Laredo as a rodeo cowboy and stints as an entertainer or rodeo cowboy throughout their respective regions – Baker is still able to connect with audiences across the nation and internationally due to his powerful stories and captivating guitar riffs.
Bingham’s music has defied easy classification since his critically acclaimed 2007 debut Mesalito. From Woody Guthrie-esque folk songs and Spanish balladry to hard rock anthems, Bingham blends genres with heart and integrity.
Since starring as Walker on Yellowstone since its first season, he has found success as an actor – even finding romance off-screen with fellow actor Hassie Harrison who he currently has an on/off relationship with.