Cathie Ryan's career in Irish music began when she joined "Cherish the Ladies" in 1987. For as long as Ryan can remember she sang. From the age of seven, She was a popular fixture at Gaelic league sesiuns. She learned the rudiments of sean nos competing in feis' in Detroit. After moving to New York, she began to study with legendary sean nos singer Joe Heaney. "I appreciated every minute I spent with Joe, singing and talking about songs." Ryan says. "He brought me further into the art of the sean nos; but mostly he gave me great encouragment to sing. After spending the time I did with him I believed I could and should sing. It's strange because I then began to incorporate all the other musical influences within me into my own singing style." Those other musical influences came from growing up in an American city ripe with music to absorb. Her best friend's parents were from Appalachia and from them she learned about mountain music. And all around her were the burgeoning sounds of Motown whose influence can be heard in the groove of many of her quicker numbers, and in her complex, undulating bodhran playing.
Since leaving "Cherish the Ladies" in 1995 to pursue a solo career, Cathie has not looked back, "It was a tough thing to strike out on my own, but it has been the best thing for me as a singer, a writer, and a person. I am free now to express my own music. It's been a very creative and fulfilling time."
In 1997 Shanachie Records released Ryan's self-titled solo CD to critical acclaim. The Boston Herald hailed her "a major talent" and the Scotsmen proclaimed the CD "a brilliant debut." Her second CD, The Music of What Happens, has met with even greater success. It was called "a showcase of impeccable musicianship" by the Irish Voice and has been selected Best Celtic CD for 1998 by numerous critics and folk radio programs nationwide. In 2000 Cathie was named Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade by the Irish American News in Chicago and one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish America magazine.
Among the many collaborations Cathie has been involved with, Celtic Grove fan's may be most familiar with her lyrical and song work with Gerry O'Bierne
Edited from Cathy Ryan's official press bio
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