Bio

Ryan John

Beautiful Scars

Ryan John might possibly be the most uniquely gifted person in the music industry for his age.

At age 13 Ryan started traveling part time and guest speaking at church conferences and youth rallies. Age 15 he was offered a part time church staff position. At age 17 he was the pastor of a church. The day after he turned 18 he became a licensed and ordained minister. Now at age 25 he is working on his Masters of Divinity Degree and continues to travel full time, but in a different capacity – as the front man for the up and coming new artist of the year.

About 8 years ago while touring as a speaker, he noticed a lot of churches were interested in bringing in a speaker…and a band. After struggling week after week to find available bands, Ryan prayed that God would give him the voice to sing and the talent to play the guitar in order to more effectively travel and minister.

Thus began the stirring in his heart for music ministry. The band consists of Ryan John (guitar, lead vocals), Mark Kirkland (bass, background vocals), and Andrew Mohney (drums). Ryan and Mark met in 2000 through a mutual friend. When Ryan and Mark started looking for a drummer, they immediately thought of Andrew, Mark’s friend from church. All three men immediately connected on a spiritual and musical level, and Andrew was welcomed into the band.

Produced by Marcus Acker (former member of the Christian band Inhabited) in Houston, Texas, Beautiful Scars is a diverse mixture of sounds with rich melodic notes that one might hear on a Jeremy Camp or Third Day record. With all the songs from the record being written by Ryan, this album captures his true heart. Ryan John shares: “Our mission through this record is to share the gospel and genuinely love those around them. Love that in such a way causes people to walk away knowing that it is not the love of man that they have experienced, but the love of God. “

From the opening strains of “Dance With You” to the ending chords of “Home With You”, each and every song resonate from a very personal place in Ryan’s life. “Better Man” talks about how everyone faces different trials and weathers a lot of storms, however it is only through these trials and tribulations that people start to become stronger, and in turn, become a better man.

With pop/rock sounds and catchy lyrics “Not Be Shaken”, “Breakdown”, and “Beautiful Scars” all stem from a place where the desire is strong to be resilient, strong, and un-moving in life. However we are imperfect people, and we do fail, and a time will come when the only place to go is up. When we are at the end of ourselves is when God can finally come in, clean up the mess, take us by the hand, and walk with us through the rest of life’s journey.

The catchy lyrics of “I Dance For You” add a fresh sound to the record, while “Pour Out Your Spirit” brings us back to a place of worship for God.

Ryan John shares the inspiration behind Beautiful Scars:

“It is our scars that often times define us. While physical scars change our appearance it is the emotional scars that define our character and growth. Some lose the battle in a difficult situation and it is the pain that controls them. The challenge is to place the pain in the hands of God and allow this BREAKDOWN to make us into a BETTER MAN.

The past year of my life has been filled with scars from both my jobs and my relationships that pose this very challenge. There have been times when the cause of these scars was too difficult to bear on my own. It is Christ that carried me and saw me through the pain. He is more than enough and sees the beauty behind my scars.”

Hailing from outside of Montgomery, Alabama this rock trio travels throughout the year ministering to youth and adults alike. With plans underway for a fall tour in the southeast – and another tour in the northwest – this band is sure to be busy in the coming year.