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Herb Ryals

A native of Georgia, and being raised in the deep south, Herb was influenced by a broad range of singers and musicians (including big band, country, blues, rock & roll and more). His first performance was at the age of 3 where he sang “God Bless America” at a cantata in Albany, Georgia. He taught himself to play piano and saxophone while still a teenager and was playing professionally by the age of 18. At 20, he landed his first recording contract with a newly-formed record label in Memphis, TN known as Pepper Records. He recorded a remake of the standard “Heart And Soul”, which was successful enough to send him on tour with artists Frankie Avalon, Johnny Horton, Chuck Berry, Ferlin Huskey and many others. Herb worked as a singer, songwriter and musician in Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans and New York. He recorded “The Luckiest Guy” and “Suzanne” (with Jerry Willis) on Dot Records in 1961 (both songs which had considerable success in Europe). In 1968, Herb recorded “Like The Falling Rain” released on RCA Victor and “Goodbye Maria” was recorded in the early 70′s (released on Atco Records). When Elvis was in Germany, Herb played live with Elvis’ backing band members, Bill Black and Scotty Moore. Several of Herb’s songs were recorded by other artists, such as Arthur Alexander and Roy Hamilton. Herb has worked with top producers, such as Noel Ball in Nashville (who produced hits “Sugar Shack”, “You Better Move On” and “Anna”). In New York, he worked with producer Paul Vance (who produced “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” and “Catch A Falling Star”). In the 1980′s, Herb recorded his version of Percy Sledge hit “Warm And Tender Love”, which placed him in Billboard magazine. Today, Herb has written many country and gospel rooted Christian songs, some of which are featured on his CD, “Lifeboat”. It is his aim to glorify God through his music and his hope that you will hear something in his music that brings you closer to the Lord. Herb is currently working on an instrumental gospel album featuring tenor sax and still plays regularly in his church.

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