Wes Ryce Music

It may come as a huge surprise, but I am a musician from a long line of musicians (how cliche).

My earliest memories are of my grandfather, father, and uncles gathered around a table or a picnic table playing acoustic guitars.  That alone is probably the number one reason I love the stripped down single vocal version of any song more than the finished product.  

I began playing drums at 13, but was more focused on football and baseball until I graduated high school.  At the time, the passion for music exploded.  I played drums in several bands before sticking with one for a couple of years in college.  It was then that I wrote my 1st few songs and began singing harmonies.  A few of those CDs may still be floating around the universe.

I then ended up a contestant on MTV's Say What Karaoke in 2003, which lead to relocation to New York, then California, then back to NY.  I started out as a contestant on the 1st episode of the season, in which I lost in the final round.  Luckily, I had discussed previously with the producer that I would rather be the drummer in the live band on the friday shows.  So, as I walked off the stage a 2nd place loser, I was informed that I would be returning weekly for the rest of the season to sit behind the kit.  It was truly a blessing, as that introduced me to a lifelong group of friends that I would then spend the next 6 months with.

After moving back to MD in 2004, I joined "Bad Horse", a cover band focused on 80s/90s rock.  It was here that I began as a drummer and then became the singer.  After a couple of years I had my own plans of making the song list more current and I started "No Green JellyBeenz" in 2007.  We are still cranking out tunes from every genre from the 70s to current radio play.  NGJB is over a decade old and still playing 100 gigs a year all over Maryland and partying with some of the coolest friends we could ask for.

In 2012, my country roots really started trying to pry their way out so I began playing acoustic gigs.  It was then that I found a whole new side of myself.  I try to honor my greatest teachers by playing the songs I learned from them and their favorite artists.  My family introduced me to the honky tonk heroes I cherish now, Hank Sr, The Beatles, Waylon, Conway, Possum, Merle, Vern Gosdin, Bocephus, Alabama, Skynyrd, Seger, CCR, The Eagles, John Denver,  and the list goes on.  I have since become huge fans of Zac Brown Band, Jamey Johnson, Sturgill Simpson, Blackberry Smoke, Chris Stapleton, Whitey Morgan, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats, The Vegabonds, Alex Williams, and of course my fellow Marylanders, Brothers Osborne.

I have been playing 50+ acoustic gigs a year on top of the NGJB schedule, while writing and performing original songs.

My 1st EP, "Enjoy The Ride" was released March 7th, 2018, and can be found everywhere you download music or on CD in my store and live performances.