This young artist doesn’t fall into the trap of many new songwriters, of trying to cram too many words into a verse.  Ryan’s voice is difficult to describe.  It has an interesting grittiness that tries to override his natural singing voice that is usually busy with bluesy ballads.  The guitar doesn’t need description as it shines through bright and clear.

Ryan is young (just turned 21), but has been exposed to many experiences not common for most of his age.  He writes about the people that have passed his way: those from hard times, poverty, oil field hands, drinkers, those associated with drug traffic.  Most recently, he’s been a Tarleton State student for several semesters, and working where ever he can to support his lean life style.  He moved to Stephenville a few years back to be closer to his mother and her family. He started rodeoing with the junior circuit, moved up to steers, then on to bulls. As he puts it, “(I) don’t like to do anything half-assed.”  But, like Chris LeDoux, he figured music was a passion that might not be quite so hard on the body as rodeoing.

This summer, he plans to hang awhile with Doug Moreland around New Braunsfels where there are a few more musical opportunities than in the Stephenville area.  They intend to spend some of that time with Dub Miller at the River Road Ice House (past the swinging doors to the music “compound”). Sounds like he might be working on a few more light and pleasant life experiences to write before too long.  What do you bet his music has a slightly different tone by fall?

Let’s talk about his music now.  Track 1, “Oil Field Man”, is a matter-of-fact story about his father and the rest of the oil field hands Ryan has known.  It covers his growing up all over Texas, chasing the oil fields and all the crooked or poor folks associated with that kind of life.  Ryan treats us to a couple of interesting changes in tempo and guitar accompaniment.  This one is hard charging one minute, then a soft and gentle tempo takes over the next.  Reminds me of the mixed emotions the memory of most everyone’s father evokes, hard and unyielding one minute; soft and gentle the next.

“Hang On”, track 2, is a soft, soothing ballad about the things that are important to keep.  The song will transport you to instant serenity.  Don’t miss the mystical, tranquil guitar introduction.  It does what an intro should, sets the mood and whets the appetite for the tale to come.

“The Water Hole” (third track) was written about a bar in Stephenville where Ryan used to bring his guitar and sing for his friends.  Pretty soon, the bar management was asking him to come back and do it every week for everyone in the place.  Sometimes there is nothing wrong with the simple pleasures in life and the status quo is not necessarily bad- just like at the Water Hole.

The title track of “Lost Bound Rails”, was co-written by his roommate, Jeremy Hughes.  This song evolved as they were fooling around with Jerry Reed’s song, “Eastbound and Down”.  They decided they were pretty much directionless and were, therefore, “Lostbound” instead of Eastbound.  Ryan provides some great guitar work in this traditional train song that starts off kind of bluesy, then turns very up-tempo and light.

“I Been Burned” (track 8), is some defensive rhetoric about hypocrisy, pretense, society, and prejudice.  Pretty much on the mark about how things really are!

“Texas Song”, track 10, is your obligatory Texas tune, that quick steps through OKOM’s favorite pastimes, Texas music and beer drinking. Ryan adds some good acoustic treatment in this track.

Track 12, “Lonnie Mack”, is a ballad about an old hippie neighbor he once had. Lonnie used to call Ryan "Cowboy" and joke around with him.  Since Lonnie never had a car or truck (or even shoes, for that matter), Ryan would give him a ride to town for cigarettes.  After that, Ryan had a buddy for life.  Unfortunately, not long thereafter, Lonnie passed away at home and folks didn’t miss him for several days.  This selection paints a vivid picture of the daily difficulties faced by people stuck in that kind of rut.

I can’t decide whether this track (14) or the next is my favorite. But I love how Ryan forgets to sound gritty on his “Boys Town” ballad. He’s obviously enjoying the story and the music he’s created on this selection.  His personality even starts to sneak through.  This is a rowdy tale of a night in old Mexico near Del Rio.  These expeditions evolved into a tradition of the post junior rodeo trips to Del Rio to celebrate (and later, spend) their rodeo winnings.  His storytelling becomes a little reminiscent of the combination of Guy Clark, Tom Russell, and Robert Earl Keen.  This young man has been paying attention!

My other favorite track is 15, “No Federales in Sight”, also captures a fine story that comes through the music so well.  This old-Mexico ballad of life by a six shooter is actually about some of the things surrounding the drug trafficking business Ryan witnessed as he was riding in the Mexican rodeos.  Ryan has a guitar solo that makes you actually visualize horses galloping off in the moonlight.  Nice touch!

Ryan is definitely a face, voice and guitar to be watching in the future.  He has a real knack for this kind of music and just needs to continue perfecting his craft and widening his exposure.  Even though I like all the cuts, I especially enjoyed those that lose some of the grittiness in his voice. Think that ought to be judiciously used in small doses for effect as an accent, not the signature.  Keep strengthening that voice and guitar skill, Ryan, and the folks will clamor for your music.  Be sure to contact Ryan Bingham to get your own copy of “Lost Bound Rails”.  You can also reach Ryan to ask about his schedule at that e-mail address.