Not every 17-year-old singer and composer can say that their song was covered by the one and only Justin Bieber! Well, California native Ryan Beatty had the surprise of his life last September when Justin tweeted out a Viddy video to millions of his fans covering Ryan’s song “Every Little Thing.”
Like Justin, Ryan had his start on YouTube posting covers of songs recorded in his bedroom including covers of Justin’s songs. Now, he’s released a successful EP, is playing concerts and festivals across North America and will soon be embarking on a tour with Cody Simpson and Before You Exit.
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THE MAGAZINE recently chatted with Ryan about his upcoming full-length album, tour pranks, meeting Justin Bieber and “Every Little Thing.”
Your EP, ‘Because Of You,’ was released last year and quickly became #1 on the iTunes Pop Album Charts. What is your favourite song off the EP?
My favourite song on the EP would have to be “Like Me Or Not.” I think it has a really cool feel to it and it represents me most as an artist out of the six songs.
When can we expect a full debut album?
I’m working on that right now. Due to the tour it’s been held off for a couple months, but I’ll be writing on tour as well. I don’t have an exact date at the moment but it’s going to be worth it, I know it for a fact. People will love it.
You’re touring this summer with two of the hottest teen acts right now, Cody Simpson and Before You Exit, on Cody’s Paradise Tour. How did you meet Cody and join the tour?
His sister, Alli, invited me to one of his shows in September 2011 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA. After the show Cody and I met and we all started hanging out together more often. It came out really naturally. He said, “Hey, you guys wanna come on tour?” And I was like sure! It’s really chill. It’s gonna be awesome.
Since you’re touring with your friends, can we expect any good tour pranks?
Who knows! This is my first time actually being on a tour so I don’t know what it’s like, but I hear there’s a lot of that. I’ll probably be the one being pranked. I’m a pretty gullible person.
What can fans expect from your Paradise Tour set?
They can expect some really cool music. I don’t have my full band with me – it’s just me, a guitar player and a percussion player. It’s going to be stripped down a bit, but I think it’s going to be pretty cool and intimate. I’m going to do some new songs that people will like as well as a couple of old songs. Maybe I’ll try and throw in a cover. It’s going to be really chill and fun.
What was your reaction when you saw that Justin Bieber had posted a video cover of your song, “Every Little Thing”?
It was crazy and it was definitely the last thing that I thought would ever happen to me! Like, Justin Bieber is covering my song!! The best way to explain it is I just felt really grateful. It was one of those feelings where I was like, “WOW that’s awesome!” It really means a lot. When people saw that, I started gaining more supporters. It was all really cool and I appreciate it a lot.
Have you ever met Justin?
I met him last December and it was really cool. It was at the Chicago Jingle Bash and we were both playing there. My sister wanted to meet him so she went in the meet & greet line and after he walked out and saw me and said, “What’s up, man?” And I said, “What’s up?” And he was like, “Love your song, man.” And I was like, “Thanks, dude. Thanks for covering my song.” We got a picture together and then he went on and performed. He was a really cool guy and really nice.
You’re a spokesperson for AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign which aims to stop texting and driving. You’ve also backed the organization Defeat the Label and you’re an ambassador for TOMS Shoes and their “One for One” Mission. Why do you think it’s important to give back?
I think it’s super important to give back. Giving back not only helps the people you’re giving back to but also does something for your soul. It changes you as a person. Once you start giving back, it becomes something that you want to constantly do because it’s such an incredible feeling. I also thought that if I was going to do this and have a career and have a bunch of supporters, why not use my voice for something positive and good and influence other people to help other people out?
Do you have anything you want to say to your fans that have supported you and helped you reach over 35 million YouTube views and 375,000 Twitter followers?
I LOVE YOU GUYS!! You guys are amazing. I know you hear it all the time, but I really appreciate everything you do. I just want you guys to remember that I see everything you guys say and I love you guys so much. You guys are a part of my life now and forever will be. You guys are incredible.
What’s next for you?
Working on my album and just kind of taking it easy. Once I put that out then hopefully it will be all uphill from there.
Thank you, Ryan!