RYAN LANGDON

This week's 'Now & Then' Thursday featured artist is Ryan Langdon!

We first met Ryan through one of his relatives 8 years ago before we had even started C To C Canadian Country Music Insider and we have been following this 6'3 former MLB prospect & Ontario Country artist's career ever since then! His family even included us in his debut single release party for 'Leave Me Right' in April 2018. We instantly fell for his deep baritone voice and his one-of-a-kind personality.  Signed with  Slaight Music  as a songwriter, it didn't take the company long to realize that he would be a perfect recording artist also as his sound was something missing on Canadian Country radio. Fast forward 6 years and many trips back and forth to Nashville to do writes with well-rounded collaborators old and new such as DWave Thompson, Patricia Conroy, Jim Witter, Karen Kosowski, Jesse Slack and Emma-Lee, Ryan was encouraged to show off some versatility after mastering rock-country songs.   Known for his country party anthems like “Lit In The Sticks,” (that is at over 4 million streams on Spotify) “Crossfaded,” and “Buck Wild,” (both singles released during the height of the pandemic) he also has proved to be a balladeer with a beautiful song he dedicated to his now wife entitled 'Best Night'. 

Ryan and his wife Katherine welcomed a baby girl 'Austyn' in 2023 but assured his fans that despite becoming a new parent, he is still that badass party guy in the right moments. You can hear his transition to becoming a family man in his recent hits, “Country Like You,” and “Feel Like Home,” a duet with the up-and-comer, Karli June.  He's collected several accolades since we first forged a friendship with him. In 2019 he was up for Country Music Association of Ontario 'Rising Star' Award and was featured as their 'Artist Of The Month' in December of the same year. In 2023 he was up for the CMAO 'Video Of The Year' award for his radio single 'Country Like You'. That Top 40 single has been his biggest so far! He's also been able to have the creative freedom to recreate favorite music from his past and give them a country twist with singles like 'No Diggity' and the Backstreet Boys mega hit 'I Want It That Way'.   Some of his other notable releases include 'Bad Choices' 'Soul & My Sanity', Whiskey Bottle' & 'Friends Don't Let Friends' of which we were a part of the official video! His most recent single 'We Were There' is currently headed to radio and is available for download here~> https://open.spotify.com/track/2T8ToN72mgPOGMArZf3Hes 

While he’s racking up accolades including over 8 million catalogue streams worldwide and four Top 40 Canadian Country radio hits, he’s still taking time to enjoy daddy duty when his daughter hits her own milestones like her first steps and first words. While growing up, our parents are our heroes. That’s what country singer Ryan Langdon’s father was to him, and that’s who he aspires to be for his daughter. Juggling fatherhood and pursuing a music career is not an easy thing, but it’s worth it and we can't wait to see what is on the horizon for Ryan, personally & musically! One thing is for certain..Ryan Langdon is "Country Like You."

For our very first 'NOW & THEN THURSDAY' Feature we'd like to spotlight a very special lady who we first showcased as our February 2019 'Emerging Indie Artist'. Kelsi Mayne emerged that year as one of the top three finalists of the SiriusXM contest in Calgary during CCMA week.   Shortly after she released her debut album, “As I Go,” in March of 2020, Covid hit and the world literally shut down. Unfortunately with it, her new album-launch plans, including release parties and Canadian tour were put on hold. It was a big blow for the Windsor native and Toronto transplant, who had put her life savings and nearly three years into creating, writing, and producing the 11-song labor of love.

Instead of dwelling on what she couldn't control she put her own music career on hold to help others throughout the Covid 19 pandemic, dusted off her nursing degree, and jumped directly into being a Frontline worker.  Despite the pandemic, in 2020 she was up for 'Rising Star' at the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards and in 2021 she was nominated for 'Female Artist of the Year'!  Fast forward to 2024, Kelsi Mayne has seamlessly transitioned into one of Canada's fastest-rising independent artists who single-handedly is proving that there is nothing she can't accomplish when she sets her mind to it! With over 3 million streams under her belt and a track record of performances alongside industry heavyweights, the 3x Country Music Association of Ontario Award nominee, SiriusXM Top of the Country finalist, and 2024 International Songwriting Competition winner she is just hitting her stride. 

Recently hailed by 519 Magazine as "hands-down one of the best up-and-comers in Canada today," Kelsi enthralls audiences with her infectious melodies, high energy, and powerful stage presence— gracing major festivals like Boots & Hearts Music Festival, Calgary Stampede, and Cavendish Beach Music Festival, national television, stadiums, and has supported theatre tours with Meghan Patrick  and Russell Dickerson.

We can't even count the times we've been lucky enough to see her perform live in the last 6 years and we're taking bets on 2025 being the best year yet for Kelsi. She brought in the New Year turning heads with her latest single 'All Or Nothing' which is looking to be a lot of people's country/rock anthem of the year and which will hopefully propel her to the next level of stardom in the Canadian Country music genre!  Drawing inspiration from her Detroit Music City roots, her latest blend of Rock & Soul-infused Country has got the #MayneTrain racing full steam ahead so grab your seat now cause that train is burning up the tracks!