We had the good fortune of connecting with Curt Ryle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Curt, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I spent 25 years running recording studios for other people. I made many of them wealthy yet, I was to afraid to go in debt and start my own business for fear of failure. I had always been successful as a songwriter and musician but the thought of opening a recording studio was something I didn’t think I could do. it seemed to risky. After many years of managing other studios and having to deal with the owners, I realized that I would just always get by financially. I bought some property and started piecing a studio together and was able to pay cash by working hard as a musician/songwriter. after a few years, I had bought and paid for most of the equipment without going into debt. I opened the doors to my studio in 2007 and walked away from the most sought after recording facility in Nashville. what I discovered was this, all the people followed me to the new studio. My business never slowed down, and, the people I had always worked for who had taken me for granted and paid me just enough to survive on were now offering to pay me big bucks to stay with them. I wished them well but I never looked back. Many people coast through life just getting by because they are afraid to take a chance. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was discovered in the late 80s by Country Music legend Mel Tillis. Mel had heard a few songs that I had written and flew me to Nashville. I signed with the largest publishing company in Nashville at that time, “Cedarwood Publishing”. I had songs recorded by Country music legends, George Jones, Billy Ray Cyrus, Gene Watson, Lee Ann Womack and many others. I always felt that I was a better musician than I was songwriter and started playing guitar on recording sessions. I went on to play on recordings for Chris Stapelton, Vern Gosdin, Taylor Swift, Steve Holy and many many more. I was never satisfied being just a songwriter or musician, so, I started getting involved in Production, audio engineering, publishing etc. I wanted to be involved in every aspect of the music business. I went on to Produce a platinum LP on Mel Tillis and produced many others. My most proud achievement however, was when I opened my Record Company Clarksville Creative Sound and started producing my own artists that I had mentored. Jadyn Rylee, my son Brayden Ryle and many others who have become internet stars with millions of viewers and fans. We will have a new TV show in 2024 on the American Country Network out of Nashville. God has blessed me beyond anything I could ever imagine!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to Opryland Hotel as it has the most beautiful scenery of any hotel I’ve ever seen. I would definitely take them to see some of the finest musicians in Nashville and my best friends, The Time Jumpers and 45 RPM. A must thing to see would be the Country Music Hall Of Fame and some of the recording studios I’ve worked at in my career including Reba’s studio. if there were time, I’d take them to Dolly Wood about three hours from Nashville nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Mel Tillis, One of the greatest Country Music stars in history.

Website: bigmatadorrecording.com

Facebook: Curt Ryle’s Songwriter’s Workshop

Youtube: Brayden Ryle, Jadyn Rylee, EV Mae

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