On The Row: Ryan Hurd Plays New Tunes, Visits With Old Friends

Ryan Hurd. Photo: Haley Crow

Sony Music Nashville artist Ryan Hurd stopped by the MusicRow offices on Wednesday (April 24) to play some new tunes and visit with old friends. In the midst of his first headlining tour, Hurd is seeing his breezy, romantic single, “To A T,” climb the charts.

After years of success as a songwriter, writing hit songs for Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley and more, Hurd is finally putting out music of his own. “I’m just going to play you songs that are on my own project, because I can actually do that now,” he quipped.

Ryan Hurd and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow

Hurd played his climbing “To A T” and “Michigan For The Winter,” as well as a yet-to-be recorded tune called “Wish For The World.” “This is the song that after we do all the songs, this is like my prayer to my audience before they go and do whatever else they’re going to do on a Friday night or Saturday night.” he said.

Hurd is set to record the song next month. “If I can make a wish for the world, everyone would say they’re sorry when they knew they were wrong, and if they don’t, we’d still forgive. If I can make a wish for the world, there would be more music,” the verses read.

Hurd is continuing working with long-time collaborative partner and friend, Aaron Eshuis, and has also began working with the hit-making Dann Huff.

“For me it’s about trust,” Hurd said. “I can call Aaron and say ‘This is wrong but I don’t know why,’ and he will say ‘I got you’ and go try to figure it out. Maybe with a different producer I wouldn’t be as brave, but I think if you’re making any kind of art, the trust part is very important.

“Dann is the most positive producer I’ve ever met,” he continued. “He gets the best out of every single person. I think we both learned so much about what it means between the difference in a good record and a great record. Without both of those dudes, I don’t feel like I would be making creative strides like I have been in the last year.”

Hurd also mentioned his gratitude to SiriusXM and The Highway, where he had three songs—”Diamonds Or Twine,” “To A T” and  “Michigan For The Winter”—hit No. 1 in 2018 on the Highway Hot 30 Countdown.

Pictured (L-R): 42ent/Red Light Management’s Dallas McVey; MusicRow’s Eric Parker, Haley Crow, Sarah Skates; Ryan Hurd; MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson, Jessica Nicholson, LB Rogers, Alex Kobrick. Photo: Wendy Pearl, Sony Music Nashville

Hurd talked about his connection to MusicRow, knowing staff member Eric Parker since their college days at Belmont University. MusicRow‘s Sarah Skates wrote Hurd’s first bio.

“I got my first challenge coin right when y’all started doing that with The Swon Brother’s ‘Later On,'” Hurd said. “The only award we ever got from that tune was a Challenge Coin from MusicRow. I feel like I’m among friends which is really fun for me.”