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about the band

Ameripolitan Music Awards Outlaw Group

At a glance, Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts are a 4-piece touring band that shares male and female leads in a mix of old school country and rock n roll. Call it western outlaw, modern outlaw country, or just plain outlaw.

Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts bring forth new energy to music fans who love the heroes and outlaws of old. Influenced by the songs and personalities of legends like Waylon and Willie, they drive their sound with blazing guitars and a rock n roll attitude.  The band pays respect to classic styles, but anyone can tell from their overdriven sound that they’re far from traditionalists. Recommended for lovers of both classic country and 70’s rock n roll.

Recent highlights include direct support for Dwight Yoakam, Shooter Jennings, Blackberry Smoke, Justin Moore, The Bellamy Brothers, Asleep At The Wheel, Reckless Kelly, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Marshall Tucker Band, Shakey Graves, The Steel Woods, Cody Canada & The Departed, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Sunny Sweeney, Shane Smith & The Saints, The Kentucky Headhunters, Big Kenny, Love and Theft and more.  For a more detailed bio on the band and members check out the Meet the Band page.

The band: Ryan Chrys, Maria Colvett, Michael Jochum, Susan Phelan

“Fan Favorite Americana/Country Song of the Year 2021”
– Colorado Playlist

“Band of the Year, 2019”
– Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame

“Entertainer of the Year, 2018”
– Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame

Nominated “Outlaw Group, 2018”
– Ameripolitan Music Awards

“Songwriter of the Year, 2017”
– Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards

“Best Country Band, 2017”
– Westword Music Showcase Awards

“Best Band, 2016”
– Bandsmash

“Best Country Band, 2015”
– Westword Music Showcase Awards

“Best Country Band, 2014”
– Rocky Mountain Battle of the Bands

“Best Country Song, 2014”
– Colorado Music Association

“Ryan Chrys and his band embrace the attitude of outlaw country to produce an outstanding example of this fading genre. Western Abyss is an entertaining and unexpected winner.”
– Country Music People (cmpcountry.com)

“I can see it being on the soundtrack to a new age Western! Isn’t the Netflix original “The Ranch” based in Colorado and known for having some damn good music for their soundtrack? Netflix, y’all should look up Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts, just sayin. …. This album (Western Abyss) is something you need in your life. Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts are straight country and western with a rock n’ roll flair. Their shows with Shooter Jennings and Jason Boland & the Stragglers, along with their Ameripolitan award nomination, show that this band is doing it right.”
– Hillbilly Hippie Music Review

“Chrys’s deep vocal delivery recalls Shooter Jennings. Taking cues from outlaw-country pioneers like Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard, Chrys and company lay down a collection of fueled-up twangy numbers alongside some heartfelt ballads.”
– Westword Magazine

“Ryan Chrys’ career as a Colorado musician has mostly been in the background of bands, until the guitar solo. He is a guitarist’s guitarist, a country rock ax man. …he’s branched out on his own with A Lick and a Promise, an impressive album of country rock songs..”
– The Denver Post

The band regularly donates performances to charities, non-profits and causes that they believe in. Below are some of the organizations they have worked with and performed for:

St Jude Children’s Hospital – www.stjude.org
Ronald McDonald House Charities – www.rmhc.org
Children’s Hospital Colorado – www.childrenscolorado.org
Musicians In Action – “The Gathering Place” – for homeless woman and children
Children’s Miracle Network
American Cancer Society
Realities For Children – www.realitiesforchildren.com
Team 25 – Shjon Podein Children’s Foundation
Guardian For Heroes Foundation www.guardianforheroesfoundation.org
DPS – Denver Public Schools
Cadence and Cause – Teens Provided with Music Education – www.cadenceandcause.com
Jeffco Open School
CALF – Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation
Joseph’s Journey – dedicated to providing wilderness experiences to children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses. www.josephsjourney.org
H.O.P.E. (Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement) www.hopeforlongmont.org
Teach For America
National MS Society – Bike MS
Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame
Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, Denver
Colorado Blackjacks – 135th Aviation Regiment
We support combat vets!
..and countless fundraisers for individuals we care about!