Ryan Adams American alt-country and rock musician, singer and composer Date of Birth: 05.11.1974 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Influences
2. Musical Beginnings and Whiskeytown Days
3. Solo Success and Substance Abuse
4. Later Career and Artistic Explorations

Early Life and Influences

Born on November 5, 1974, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Ryan Adams began his creative journey as an eight-year-old by embracing the dark and enigmatic tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Inspired by these readings, he wrote short stories and limericks on his grandmother's typewriter. In his teens, he delved into the works of Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac, and Hubert Selby Jr., further fueling his passion for the written word.

Musical Beginnings and Whiskeytown Days

At fourteen, Adams received his first electric guitar as a gift from his mother and stepfather. He quickly mastered the instrument and joined the local band Blank Label. Despite the band's short-lived existence, they recorded several songs in 1991.

After dropping out of high school, Adams moved into a boarding house outside Jacksonville with a bandmate and performed with two other local bands, Ass and The Lazy Stars. He briefly joined The Patty Duke Syndrome, playing a single show at a Jacksonville bar.

After graduating high school, Adams relocated to Raleigh and The Patty Duke Syndrome disbanded in 1994 after releasing a single. Soon after, he joined the alt-country band Whiskeytown, which was gaining recognition with their second album. However, Adams eventually left the group to pursue a solo career.

Solo Success and Substance Abuse

In 2000, Adams released his debut solo album, "Heartbreaker," embarking on a successful career as an alt-country and rock musician. His song "New York, New York" from his second album, "Gold," became an homage to the city where he had lived for many years. He also collaborated on and produced albums for various artists, including Jesse Malin, Willie Nelson, Counting Crows, Norah Jones, Minnie Driver, and others.

Despite his musical success, Adams struggled with drug addiction, admitting in 2006 to a long-term cocaine and heroin habit combined with alcohol and prescription pills. However, he managed to overcome his addiction.

Later Career and Artistic Explorations

In 2009, Adams parted ways with his backing band, The Cardinals, and announced an indefinite hiatus from music due to hearing loss caused by Ménière's disease and disillusionment with the industry. The following year, he founded his own record label, PAX AM, releasing albums that had previously been unavailable. He also published two books, "Infinity Blues" and "Hello Sunshine," featuring poetry and short stories.

Adams married actress and singer Mandy Moore in 2009, but they divorced in 2016. He released his first post-hiatus album, the metal-influenced "Orion," in 2010.