Ryan Shaw has a new album out, "Real Love." He plays the Mt. Airy Night Market on August 16th, and will be joining us for a Free At Noon Show on August 10.

Gospel and soul music has been a key part of Ryan Shaw's life from birth. The Decatur, Georgia native was born into a deeply faithful southern Pentecostal family. He began singing in church regularly at the young age of five; joining his four brothers in a family group. Shaw's musical upbringing was strictly religious – secular pop music was not part of the picture.

Shaw has thus far released two albums and has been nominated at the Grammys twice for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. Shaw's powerful music showcases a blend of traditional gospel melodies and arrangements – musical elements he feels are neglected in black music today – with some more contemporary lyrical content. Shaw's most recent studio album, Real Love, was released on May 15 of this year on Dynotone Records. The album's title is quite apt; Shaw tackles the topic of love in all its forms with his exalted tenor and deep palpable emotion.

Shaw left college after successfully landing apart in the gospel musical A Good Man is Hard to Find (Part II). He later helped Tyler Perry's musical I Know I've Been Changed become a massive hit, performing sold-out shows at the Beacon in New York. After spending some more time in New York gaining exposure to other forms of music, Shaw joined the classic soul and doo-wop act The Fabulous Soul Shakers in 2004. By 2006 word of his talents reached the ear of the in-demand session percussionist Jimmy Bralower, who recorded a 4 track demo with Shaw. Columbia signed Shaw soon after. Since then Shaw has gone on to be called a "massive talent" by Billboard and open for Van Halen. The seemingly strange choice was a good one – Shaw more than proved his mettle in front of massive audiences.

Website: thisisryanshaw.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/ThisIsRyanShaw
Recent Release: Real Love
Release Date: May 15, 2012
Label: Dynotone Records
Hometown: Decatur, Georgia