Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeannie Caryn Of SONIC JOYRIDE.
Hi Jeannie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For Sonic Joyride, the music has always been the heart of the journey. Today, that music returns to the stage — with a new lineup that carries the same fire, vision, and unstoppable drive that made the band impossible to ignore in the first place.
Founding member Rick Reese carries the spirit of Sonic Joyride forward, joined by guitarist Tommy Wails and drummer Thierry Bergeron — bringing the same relentless energy that drove the band’s legendary live performances across the country.
At the center of this new chapter is Jeannie Caryn, an award-winning singer-songwriter whose voice restores the emotional heartbeat of the band. She brings a new perspective to Chris Hobler’s songs and their story — honoring what he created while giving it new life for a new generation of audiences. Jeannie Caryn is currently a Finalist in the International Singer Songwriter Association in three categories– USA Female Entertainer of the Year, Rising Star, and Songwriter of the Year. Her latest single”Farm Girl” written by Jeannie Caryn and produced by Grammy Winning Producer, Larry Mitchell, has had radio play on Georgia’s favorite radio station: New Country 101-Five. She also produced her first album with Larry Mitchell and all songs are available on all streaming platforms. Jeannie is also an author and published her fun, rhyming verse Pug book, THE ADVENTURES OF HUGO THE ROUND PUG on Amazon – Book TWO is scheduled to release this August 28th, 2026.
Our new line up for SONIC JOYRIDE is carrying forward the music that began with Chris Hobler — honoring the past spirit of the music while allowing it to grow and reach further than ever before. This is a band on the rise.
So how did SONIC JOYRIDE begin? Sonic Joyride traces its roots to 1989, when songwriter Chris Hobler and bassist Rick Reese began playing together while Reese attended the Berklee College of Music. Their first project, Spamparis, became a Boston fixture — earning a spot as a semi-finalist in Musician Magazine’s “Best Unsigned Band” competition and landing in Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston” before the duo was 25.
In 1994, Hobler and Reese left Boston for the New Hampshire woods and the pursuit of something more inventive. Sonic Joyride was born. Their 1995 debut received airplay on 180 college stations and earned them opening slots for the Spin Doctors, Letters to Cleo, The Radiators, Ratt, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Their sound — layered, dynamic, and boldly emotional — drew comparisons to XTC, The Jam, and Elvis Costello. Sharp melodies and intelligent lyrics met an adventurous, restless musical spirit that refused to stay in one place. Rather than waiting for major labels to open doors on their terms, the band approached music as something meant to connect people and spark conversation.
That independent mindset soon led to the Cosmic Sled (a bus with a stage on top for touring and performing pop up concerts)— and everything that followed. The band’s single “You’ll Never Know” reached #84 on national rock radio charts. Their catalog grew to four albums on Anomaly Records. They were hailed as one of the most innovative independent bands in America.
At the heart of it all was Chris Hobler — a songwriter of rare intelligence and a frontman of magnetic energy. In 2001, at just 36 years old, Chris was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). True to his spirit, he refused to let it define him. His foundation, Hope Happens, entered a transformative partnership with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis — a collaboration that gave rise to the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders. That center thrives today, more than two decades later, with over 100 research laboratories — including one named in his honor: the Christopher Wells Hobler ALS Laboratory.
Chris passed away in 2005 at age 39, leaving behind music, a legacy, and an enduring message: happiness comes “from between your ears, not your circumstances.” ALS took his voice. His songs remain — and now they’re back on stage.
What’s fun about this line up is that we have all been good friends for years and now we are focused and determined to take this project as far as it can go. We have some exciting shows upcoming, The Masquerade in Atlanta on July 15th opening for MORNING IN MAY along with SCHMOOZE and CAROLINE REILLY, and we are playing the Historic Pioneer Saloon in Las Vegas, Nevada (Goodsprings), on July 26, 2026. Check out our Linktree for more shows: Linktr.ee/sonicjoyride
And we have a new bus– The Cosmic Sled II. This new bus is an old 2002, 40 foot International School Bus that has a long way to go to meet our vision, but we are already enjoying the space as a studio, green room, and stage backdrop– What’s really exciting is that the bus also serves Jeannie’s project MUSIC SPEAKS so that we can give back and continue to build a strong music community, providing other songwriters and musicians a stage and a chance to grow, travel, and play for new audiences. We have big dreams!
Follow the journey of SONIC JOYRIDE and The Cosmic Sled II as it is built into a wonder bus on our SONIC JOYRIDE and MUSIC SPEAKS Instagrams!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely been a winding, bumpy road—both on and off the Cosmic Sled II.
While many know Jeannie Caryn as a singer songwriter, lead singer of SONIC JOYRIDE, and founder of MUSIC SPEAKS, she’s also a university professor and real estate agent. But in the spring of 2025, something unexpected happened—her teaching opportunities disappeared, real estate clients dried up, and life suddenly took a dramatic turn.
Rather than give up, Jeannie and SONIC JOYRIDE bassist Rick Reese packed up what they could, put the rest in storage, and hit the road in The FROG—Jeannie’s tiny 17-foot r•Pod travel trailer that had once served as her podcast and music studio.
And they brought the entire furry crew — One Aussie, three pugs, and two cats.
It was cramped. It was chaotic. It was unbelievably hot. And somehow… it was also the beginning of an adventure.
From May until August, every day was focused on one dream: raising enough money to purchase the Cosmic Sled II. They played every show they could book, sold personal belongings, and were humbled by the incredible generosity of friends, family, and the music community through their GoFundMe campaign and meals along the way. Every contribution, no matter the size, helped move the dream a little closer.
Along the way they learned how to truly live on the road—finding campsites wherever they could. Walmart parking lots became dependable overnight stops, while Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds quickly became favorite hidden gems.
Even with all of their belongings in storage and the relentless Georgia summer heat, the band continued rehearsing and preparing for another big performance at MadLife Stage & Studios in Woodstock on October 1, 2025.
The old saying that we grow through adversity proved itself true every single day.
Then came the hardest chapter.
In July, Jeannie’s beloved Aussie, Wolfus Jones, lost his battle with complications from diabetes. His passing was far more devastating than any financial hardship or obstacle they had faced. Anyone who has loved a dog understands that kind of heartbreak.
But even in that grief, life had another chapter waiting.
A few months later, Jeannie adopted a spirited Blue Heeler puppy she named Ellie Mae. This pup brought laughter back to the journey, helped mend a broken heart, and ultimately inspired Jeannie’s original song, “Farm Girl.”
Looking back now, every twist in the road—the setbacks, the sacrifices, the heartbreak, and the victories all become part of the story.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Perhaps what we’re most proud of is that the Cosmic Sled II isn’t just about us—it’s about carrying forward a legacy.
That legacy belongs to songwriter Chris Hobler.
At the height of Sonic Joyride’s success in the 1990s, Chris was building something truly unique. Long before social media, streaming, or viral videos, he had developed a grassroots, “bring the music to the people” philosophy. The original Cosmic Sled became the band’s rolling billboard and stage, taking original music directly “to the people” — to audiences wherever they gathered.
The band earned national attention, appearing on MTV, CNN, Billboard Magazine, and many other television programs and publications. It seemed like the journey was just beginning.
Then everything changed.
Chris was diagnosed with ALS.
The disease eventually took away his ability to sing, speak, and perform. The Cosmic Sled was parked, and the dream that had carried 47 original songs across the country came to an unexpected stop.
For decades, it remained there. Until now.
Today’s SONIC JOYRIDE is honored to continue Chris Hobler’s vision. We perform his songs, introduce new music inspired by that same gritty ’90s alternative spirit, and continue the mission of bringing music “directly to the people”—just as he imagined.
The Cosmic Sled II is more than a bus. It’s a tribute to a songwriter whose voice may have been silenced by ALS, but whose music, passion, and dream continue to roll down the road through those of us fortunate enough to carry it forward.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Dreams rarely happen in a straight line. Sometimes they involve sleeping in a tiny camper, selling your belongings, playing every gig you can find, losing things you love, and trusting that tomorrow will be a little better than today.
So don’t stop. Keep showing up. Keep creating. Build a community, not a competition. Help other people along the way. And don’t be afraid to take the scenic route—because those unexpected twists often become the very stories worth telling.
And…..Don’t wait until everything is perfect. We certainly didn’t. We started with a little travel trailer, a lot of uncertainty, and a dream that still feels much bigger than our circumstances but we are getting closer every day.
Be willing to say yes to opportunities, work harder than you think you have to, and understand that success is usually built one small step at a time.
Play the small shows. Meet people. Support other artists. Keep creating even when no one seems to be listening.
Most importantly, remember why you started — if your purpose is to create something meaningful and connect with people, you’ll always have a reason to keep going.
Pricing:
- www.linktr.ee/sonicjoyride
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/sonicjoyride
- Instagram: @sonicjoyride, @jeanniecaryn, @musicspeaks_jc @hugotheroundpug
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonicJoyride and https://www.facebook.com/jeannie.caryn/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcaryn
- Twitter: @jeanniecaryn
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SonicJoyride and https://www.youtube.com/@jeanniecaryn
- Other: https://www.jeanniecaryn.com
