Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Weaver.
Hi Ryan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ryan Weaver is a high-energy, all-American, rockin’ country music artist who proudly served as an active-duty Black Hawk Aviator, Chief Warrant Officer 3, United States Army. Growing up with a family of eleven in a small town in Floral City, Florida, he joined the Army right after high school. After several years as a Military Intelligence Analyst, Ryan followed in his two older brothers’ (Steve and Aaron) footsteps by attending Warrant Officer Candidate School and flight school. He graduated top of his class in flight school, becoming a Black Hawk Aviator.
In April 2003, Ryan deployed to Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, and shortly afterward Aaron was deployed just west of him in Fallujah. On January 8th, 2004, Aaron was killed in action when the Medivac helicopter he was a passenger in was shot down by enemy fire. In 2013, Ryan’s brother-in-law, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy Billings, was also killed in action when the Black Hawk helicopter he was piloting was shot down by an enemy ground-detonated explosive device. This second heartbreaking loss made the Weaver family a two-time Gold Star family. Ryan used his heartache as determination to succeed. Both of his brothers’ ultimate sacrifices continue to fuel his fire to accomplish his dreams in music.
In 2014 and 2015 Ryan performed at the Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena and the Grand Ole Opry, and in 2016, Ryan released his hit single and music video “BURN” featuring Benghazi Heroes Kris “Tanto” Paranto and John “Tig” Tiegen. “BURN” immediately launched his career to the next level.
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) CEO Sean Gleason discovered Ryan at a Veteran’s non-profit 80’s rock concert, and in 2017, Weaver took Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler’s place as the PBR World Finals headliner for the Saturday night concert in T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. Throughout 2018 and 2019, Ryan performed as the “Patriotic Voice of the PBR” in 24 major arenas across the nation and internationally in Australia. Performances included Madison Square Garden and AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
In addition, Ryan recorded the first single on the album “Songs That Save Our Lives” with the West Point Military Academy’s Benny Havens Band which was nominated for a GRAMMY Award.
During the COVID-19 shut down, Ryan’s “Old Glory” cowboy boot line with Lane Boots expanded across the nation to the shelves of Boot Barn while he recorded two new singles, “No Second Chance” and “Let’s Talk About Heroes.” Both were released with music videos in September and November 2021.
In 2022 and 2023, Ryan continued speaking and performing across the US and in Australia, combining motivational speaking and concerts at the Great American Summit and Mitsubishi Electric TRANE US corporate events. He also expanded his partner brand relationships with Liberty Home Concealment, Grit Gear Apparel and Forj’d America. Showing his diversity, he was cast in his first major lead acting role in a feature film, “A Knight to Remember.”
2024 began with his long anticipated release of “What You Think of Me,” a single Ryan co-wrote in honor of his brother, Aaron. The single and two music videos(one performance, one extended director’s cut) were released on January 4th.
On July 2nd, 2026, Ryan released his newest single and music video, “I Wanna Go Back,” co-written with, and featuring, Craig Campbell.
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?
The music business is never smooth for anyone in “the grind,” and as a Veteran, I have worked hard to gain the respect of music business folks as an artist. Most people look at me as a Veteran first, which has the tendency to pigeon-hole me into a specific niche’. Though I am extremely proud of my military background, I have spent just as much time in the music business as I did in the military. The goal has always been to make a living as a country music artist, and to say I’m still doing so after 20 plus years, in spite of the speed bump of that being what people perceive secondly, is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an independent country music artist and entrepreneur, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish without formal management, a formal record deal or song on the radio. I’ve focused on a broader scope of brand partnerships with clothing and fashion lines as well as products that target our Hero demographics. I had my own cowboy boot line with Lane boots in Boot Barn and in several other stores on Broadway, downtown Nashville, as well as dozens of stores across the nation. I’ve stepped foot in the Center Circle on the Grand Ole Opry Stage, performed at the Ryman and Bridgestone Arena five times. There aren’t many independent artists who can say they’ve performed at Madison Square Garden and in front of 41,000 plus people at AT&T Stadium along with 26 other arena shows across the nation. I will always be proud of those accomplishments.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Spending time with my family, traveling with my wife, fishing, hunting, creating music. I’m most at home on stage performing, music business-wise, but family-time is where my true happiness resides.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ryanweaver.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanweavercountry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanweaver1
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanweaverofficial/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/weavercountry
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ryanweavercountry
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/ryanweavercountry
