For our third concert of the Winter series, we're happy to welcome Ryan McMahon as part of his Under the Influence Tour. Be sure to secure your seat early with a $25 e-transfer to
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Ryan McMahon likes to say he’s a late bloomer. But with seven solo releases, two acclaimed albums with his folk-rock trio Lion Bear Fox, and nearly two decades of touring under his belt, the singer-songwriter from Ladysmith, British Columbia has more than made up for lost time. His honest, dynamic blend of folk, Americana, and rock has earned him multiple Vancouver Island Music Awards, sync placements in hit television shows, and tour dates with Canadian icons Burton Cummings and
Tom Cochrane.
Born on Vancouver Island, McMahon’s first taste of performing came through impersonations of Eddie Murphy and Billy Connolly for family gatherings, before discovering his parents’ record collection of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, The Everly Brothers, and B.B. King. By high school he was sneaking into clubs as an underaged performer, honing his craft onstage. A move to Vancouver led to a decade of small clubs, open mics, and early recordings, culminating in the breakthrough album Weeks Months Years.
In 2008 he returned home to the Island, where his 2012
release All Good Stories swept the Vancouver Island Music Awards, winning Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Male Vocalist of the Year.
Soon after, McMahon co-founded Lion Bear Fox, a folk-rock powerhouse whose anthems “Shine,” “Freedom,” and “Going, Going, Gone” helped carry them across Canada, the U.S., and Europe until 2019.
Alongside his solo output, McMahon has become a fixture on the Canadian live circuit, sharing stages with Lisa Loeb, Brett Kissel, Sean Mullins, Mother Mother, Aaron Pritchett, and Nickelback, along with supporting national tours with Burton Cummings and Tom Cochrane.
McMahon’s songs have also reached global audiences through sync placements, including Californication, Chesapeake Shores, and an international TET Tea campaign. His contributions to music therapy through the Bandwagon Project; a mobile recording studio created with Music Heals further underscore his commitment to connection through music. Following the pandemic, McMahon returned with Live Now (2022–23), an album shaped by hope, resilience, and collaboration with longtime friend Aaron Pritchett. Its barn-burning lead single “One More Fire” set the tone for a record McMahon describes as “a reminder to myself of just how rich my life is, and how to dig in and persevere no matter what is going on around me.” Songs like “Lost and Found” and “A Song Can Change Your Mind” highlighted his evolution as a songwriter, drawing inspiration from modern Americana voices such as Jason Isbell, Nathaniel Rateliff, Father John Misty, and Israel Nash.
Now, McMahon enters a new chapter with his new single “There She Is” (October 24, 2025).
With a voice that carries both the dust of the road and the warmth of a campfire, McMahon delivers a song born from heartbreak, solitude, and unexpected reconnection. Written in the wake of personal upheaval and sparked by the encouragement of a childhood friend, the track captures his raw lyricism and evocative delivery resonating with anyone seeking love, peace, or a second chance.
Ryan McMahon’s music is raw, heartfelt, and deeply human; crafted with honesty, delivered with soul, and powered by a voice that’s balanced on that razor’s edge where Americana/folk meets rock.
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