Singer-songwriter Ryan McMahon will bring his mix of folk and country music to Knox United Church in Parksville on May 14.
McMahon, who calls Ladysmith home, recently released a new single, ‘One More Fire’, about getting back to work on his music after some dark pandemic times. He said the new music was inspired when some friends encouraged him to get back in the studio while live performing was put on hold.
“It lit a fire back under me again. I’ve been working really steady ever since and we built a record around it,” he said. The album, titled One More Fire, is due out in early 2023.
McMahon said his mantra is, “I want to be happy and if I want to be, I can be.”
He said he realized a while ago that happiness is a choice and tries to get up every day believing it can be the best day of his life if he goes into it with a positive mindset.
He has described himself as a genre fence-sitter, right on the edge of country music, but not quite.
McMahon will head out on a radio tour of the U.S. this summer, including stops in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. This will be his first performance at Knox United Church.
“If I can get in there and do some singing I think it’s going to be a good night of music,” said McMahon.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through Eventbrite or at local retailers Fireside Books and Close To You Boutique in Parksville.