“Kiss A Cowboy” Behind the Piano | Ry Rivers
Ry Rivers brings a little bit of the Florida coast, a little bit of the country and a whole lot of soul to Nashville.
The Florida-born artist joined Heart of the Gulch host Tony Mendoza to talk about his journey from Pompano Beach and Okeechobee to Nashville, developing what he calls “blue-eyed country soul,” and building a career as an independent artist.
Ry Rivers discusses his Florida upbringing, blue-eyed country soul sound and journey into Nashville's songwriting community.
Then, Ry did something nobody had done on the show before: sat down at the piano for a special performance of “Kiss A Cowboy.”
Beachside Florida Meets Okeechobee Country
Ry grew up between two very different sides of Florida.
There was the beachside lifestyle of Pompano Beach, but also time spent around his father's farm in Okeechobee. Those worlds eventually found their way into his music.
Traditional country vocals meet soulful runs and modern production in a style Ry describes as blue-eyed country soul—a fitting description for music that doesn't sit comfortably inside just one box.
Breaking Into Nashville Independently
Heart of the Gulch host Tony Mendoza interviews Ry Rivers about his vocal range, independent career and upcoming debut EP.
Moving into Nashville's songwriting and recording community requires more than writing good songs.
Ry talks about networking, meeting the right people and creating opportunities as an independent artist without waiting for someone else to build the career for him.
It's an inside look at the work happening away from the stage that listeners rarely get to see.
How Ry Rivers Protects His Voice
One of Ry's biggest weapons is his vocal range.
We get into how he maintains that voice night after night and the techniques he uses to keep his vocals consistent.
Ry Rivers makes Heart of the Gulch history with the show's first-ever piano performance during the Walk the Line segment.
Ry also shares practical advice for other singers looking to strengthen their voices and expand their range without sacrificing what makes their sound unique.
A Heart of the Gulch First
Then we head to the piano.
For his Walk the Line performance, Ry became the first artist to deliver a piano performance on Heart of the Gulch, performing a soulful rendition of his fan-favorite “Kiss A Cowboy.”
With CMA Fest appearances behind him and a debut EP expected in 2026, Ry Rivers is taking everything that shaped him—from Florida farm country to soul music—and turning it into something entirely his own.
Watch Ry Rivers on Heart of the Gulch
Watch the full Ry Rivers interview and special Walk the Line performance as he joins Tony Mendoza to discuss “Kiss A Cowboy,” blue-eyed country soul, vocal technique, his Florida upbringing and building an independent career in Nashville.
Tony Mendoza is the Nashville-based host and creator of Heart of the Gulch, featuring conversations with country artists, songwriters and personalities from Nashville and beyond.
