Ryan Weaver is a high energy, all-American, rockin’ country music artist who proudly served as an active duty Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 3, in the United States Army. Ryan Weaver started in country music in 2005 while still on active duty, playing the club and festival circuit throughout the southeast. His performances are known for their unique blend of high caliber audience-connecting original songs and rockin’ cover material combined with a heartfelt message and genuine humor.
Ryan’s story is like no other artist in country music. Growing up with a family of eleven in a small town in Floral City, central Florida, Ryan joined the Army right after high school. After several years of working in the Military Intelligence field, Ryan followed in the footsteps of both of his two older brothers, Steve and Aaron, by attending Warrant officer Candidate School and flight school. He graduated top of his class in flight school, becoming a Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot, and in 2003 he found himself deployed to Baghdad International Airport in Iraq with one of his brothers, Aaron, who was deployed just west of him in Fallujia.
On January 8th 2004, Aaron was killed in action when the Medivac helicopter he was a passenger in was shot down by enemy fire. Ryan certainly understood mortality and the risks of combat. After all, Aaron survived the bloody 1993 battle in Mogadishu, Somalia that became the basis for the movie, Black Hawk Down. When Aaron died, however, something changed for Ryan Weaver. He returned from combat, taking a position training the next generation of Army aviators and officers at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and has not piloted a Black Hawk since that fateful day.
Ten years and one day after the last day Ryan saw Aaron alive in Iraq on January 4th, Ryan’s brother-in-law Randy Billings was laid to rest one row back from Aaron. Randy was KIA in Afghanistan on December 17th 2013 when the Blackhawk helicopter he was piloting was shot down by an enemy ground detonated explosive device. With a second heartbreaking loss to his family, Ryan became even more determined to succeed. Both of his brothers’ ultimate sacrifices fuel his fire to accomplish his dreams to be a nationally recognized country music artist.
Ryan’s most recent advancements are an indicator that he is on the edge of something truly special in country music. He released his first single to radio with a music video reaching national television audiences on ZUUS Country and The Heartland Network, performed on the Samsung Galaxy stage in 2014 as an official CMA Festival artist in Nashville, began working with Charlie Daniels’ long time manager David Corlew and performed on The Ryman Auditorium stage along with Charlie Daniels, Phyl Vassar, Ty Herndon, Andy Griggs and Jamie O’Neal. His notable 2015 performances were at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville for the historical 40th Anniversary Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam, the Castle Rock Colorado Freedom Festival and made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage on September 11th. For 2016, Ryan has several concerts in the works to include the Freedom Fest Colorado and Volunteer Jam.
To learn more visit www.weavercountry.com
Feature image courtesy of reverberation.com
Cited www.weavercountry.com
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On the Christmas list and very moving indeed. God Bless.
Thank you for that awesome account of a patriot. This is what sacrifice and service looks like in families throughout the US. BZ!
Thanks, Drew. Congratulations on your recent marriage! Sounds like you had a marvelous time. Can we have a photo of Mopsy please?
Thanks Drew. What a great song. I'll have to check out more of his music on Itunes. Congratulations to you and your new wife. May your marriage be blessed in every way!
ONE HELL OF A TUNE !!!!! SMOKIN HOT.