Ryan
Smith began playing piano at the age of five. Raised in a musical family, Ryan
Smith's destiny as a musician and composer was sealed. However, there were
detours along the way; college and successful business ventures. Ryan Smith
Don't Look Back (It's over now)
Our Song
Ryan
Smith began playing piano at the age of five. Raised in a musical family, Ryan
Smith's destiny as a musician and composer was sealed. However, there were
detours along the way; college and successful business ventures.
In 1997, Smith founded International Student Tours, a student travel company and it quickly became one of the leading student travel companies in the Northwest. For his efforts, Smith received the University of Washington's Entrepreneur of the Year Award; was the Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year finalist; and awarded Seattle's prestigious Mayor's Small Business Award. In October 1999, Smith founded TripHub.com, an online travel company, assembled a high-profile board of directors and raised venture capital.
Ryan then met Michael LePaul Williams III and he immediately recognized Williams was one of the most talented guitarist he had ever heard. Meeting Williams became a turning point in Smith's life. He left the corporate world to pursue his dream: a career in music. Inspired by one of his heroes, Quincy Jones, Smith helped establish TrueBlueProductions.com in December 1999. True Blue Productions is a Seattle based music production house. Its mission is to re-vitalize Seattle's rich music scene and make global change through music. Together with Michael Williams, Smith and True Blue Productions formed and developed The Michael Williams Band. Smith also plays keyboards and tours with The Michael Williams Band, Felicia Loud & the Soul, singer/songwriter Jonathan Kingham and Kristin Connell.
Despite his work as a performer, composer and producer, Smith kept his hand in the Seattle business community. He served on former Seattle Mayor Paul Schell's Small Business Task Force and was a board member of Market Matrix, Inc. Currently he serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors of Oasis Entertainment.
Smith graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Business Administration and Certificates in Entrepreneurship, International Business, and studied Jazz Piano with Professor Marc Seales.
Ryan's music has been featured in "Hip Hoods" on KSTW Channel 11, in "Northwest Spaces" on KIRO Channel 7, and other documentaries on KCTS Channel 9.