Born and raised in the tight-knit town of Luverne, Alabama, Ryan Waters grew up with a typical southern childhood steeped in community and tradition. In a place where everyone knows your name—and your business—Waters quickly learned the value of hard work and perseverance. His debut album ‘All I've Ever Known' is testament to that.
Waters' first brush with music came during high school when he picked up a guitar, despite having no strong musical lineage apart from a grandmother he barely remembered. Determined to teach himself, Waters dove into YouTube tutorials, mastering Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Sweet Child of Mine' and honing his skills. Singing was a steeper climb, but his relentless practice turned his early efforts into a genuine talent. Later, he broke family norms by attending college on a baseball scholarship, but as his love for the sport waned, he transferred to Troy University, where songwriting became his passion.
The path to country stardom wasn’t straightforward. After dropping out of college during his senior year to chase his Nashville dreams, he discovered why it’s called a “ten-year town.” Splitting his time between Troy and Music City, he finished his degree, taught during the week, and played bars on weekends, all while refining his songwriting. The breakthrough came when his sister encouraged him to share his music on TikTok. The platform catapulted Waters into the spotlight, leading to streaming hits like 2021’s ‘Tomorrow’s Not Tonight' with over 10 million Spotify streams, and his 2023 cover of ‘Chasing Cars' which surpassed 7 million streams. Now firmly rooted in Nashville, Waters continues to craft authentic, heartfelt country music throughout his debut album.
‘All I’ve Ever Known' provides a lesson or blueprint in blending heartfelt storytelling with modern and classic country influences. Born from the life experiences of a Southern upbringing, the record delivers twelve tracks that traverse themes of love, loss, resilience, and self-reflection. From its bombastic opener, ‘Deer God' to the deeply emotional closer ‘In the Mirror' Waters proves he’s not just a newcomer to the country music scene but a force to be reckoned with.
The album kicks off with the aforementioned ‘Deer God,' a clever play on words that captures Waters’ knack for lyrical storytelling. With echoes of Chris Young in his commanding vocals, the track combines prayerful introspection with the ruggedness of a hunting trip, setting a muscular, energetic tone. Tracks like ‘Whiskey Talkin’' and ‘Shadow of the Doubt' further showcase Waters’ versatility. The former, a Morgan Wallen-esque, beat-driven ode to poor choices and alcohol-fuelled missteps, is as catchy as it is relatable to twenty-somethings navigating life. ‘Shadow of the Doubt,' meanwhile, leans heavily into outlaw country territory, with dark, brash guitars underscoring Waters’ determination to stay true to his roots and not sell out—a sentiment reminiscent of Brantley Gilbert’s raw swagger.
On the more introspective side, songs like ‘Bloodstream' and ‘Her and Nascar' reveal Waters’ depth as a songwriter. ‘Bloodstream' carries a haunting 90s Grunge edge and a little Johnny Cash vibe as it explores the darker side of alcohol dependence, its evocative lyrics and powerful guitar solo resonating with listeners who’ve faced similar struggles. In contrast, ‘Her and Nascar' strips back the bombast for a tender acoustic ballad about a single mother’s sacrifices: its emotional weight magnified by Waters’ plaintive delivery. “Mama tried her best to play both parts, all I had was her and Nascar,” Waters sings, paying tribute to the woman doing her best in a challenging situation.
Tracks like ‘Leavin’ a Little' and ‘Back Way Back' further delve into heartbreak and nostalgia, balancing relatable lyrics with radio-ready melodies that highlight Waters’ rich baritone. The former finds Waters accepting the inevitable end of a relationship in it's death throws, watching the girl check out one day at a time whilst ‘Back Way Back' is a mature, nostalgic look at simpler times that highlights Waters' maturity as both an artist and writer. Both songs are deftly handled, grown up Country songs dealing with relatable, everyday experiences – which is what makes this album so engaging and likeable – it doesn't pretend to be anything other than the collection of lived-in experiences that Ryan Waters has documented in the form of these 12 songs.
The album’s standout track, ‘When It Don’t,' expertly combines modern and traditional country elements, delivering a bittersweet anthem about the inevitability of heartbreak until love finally works out. With shades of Keith Urban and Chris Young, its infectious chorus and soaring guitar solo cement it as a future fan favourite. Similarly, ‘Take It From Me' and ‘Wasn’t the Truck' showcase Waters’ ability to craft emotionally resonant yet crowd-pleasing songs, the former being a fist-pumping anthem and the latter a measured reflection on personal accountability.
Closing with ‘In the Mirror,' Waters pays a poignant tribute to his grandfather, tying the album together with an intimate and evocative testimonial. Its Grunge-meets Outlaw inspired tones and expansive lyrics create a fitting finale for an album rich with emotional highs and lows. ‘All I’ve Ever Known' lives up to its name, offering a deeply personal glimpse into the trials and triumphs of growing up in the South. With his debut, Ryan Waters delivers a collection that feels both lived-in and refreshingly new—an impressive foundation for what promises to be a long and successful career in country music.
Tracklist: 1. Deer God 2. Whiskey Talkin 3. Shadow of the Doubt 4. Bloodstream 5. Whiskey on a Weekday 6. Her and Nascar 7. When It Don't 8. Take it From Me 9. Leavin A Little 10. Back Way Back 11. Wasn't the Truck 12. In the Mirror Release Date: 17th January Record Label: MDDM Record & The Orchard Buy ‘All I've Ever Known' here
