Ryan Laird: Putting anti-bullying message to music

Ryan Laird is a success story, not only as a country music singer, but also as a mentor, using his music to help youths tackle the difficult issue of bullying.

It’s a tune he knows well, as someone who experienced bullying in grade school in Centre Wellington.

Many years later he turned that memory into the melody Hey Ashley, which became a hit song last year with audiences at anti-bullying rallies in over three dozen primary schools across the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), including his former public school.

This year the Belwood native is hoping to take his message of perseverance to schools across Canada.

“My goal is to inspire these kids to follow their dreams and not let a bully get in their way,” Laird said. “I get my message across through the music.”

Hey Ashley tells Laird’s personal story as an intermediate student who has a crush on the popular girl in his class. When she learns of his affection, she makes him the subject of ridicule amongst his peers.

“What your peers think of you at school is really important,” Laird said, explaining  many of his friends turned on him to follow the “in crowd.”

The message of the song is one of hope and following dreams, regardless of what others say. That’s exactly what Laird did, despite the torment he endured. At a young age he put his emotions into song and found the courage to take the stage, performing locally at fundraisers and events. Music became his outlet.

It also made him a target, he recalls, noting that his bully, Ashley, belittled his efforts to be a musician.

“I went through a lot of trials and tribulations but I never gave up on my dream,” said Laird.

That is the message he tries to impart in his presentation.

“It’s all about teaching kids that it’s about perseverance, to follow your dreams,” Laird said of his presentation.

“I want kids to see sometimes your dreams aren’t going to be handed to you on a silver platter. You have to get creative to achieve your goals. Believe in yourself and don’t let a bully stop you.”

At 19, Laird packed-up and left his family farm in Belwood for the Nashville music scene.

“I had written over 300 songs and figured out who I was as an artist,” he said.

For eight years, Laird worked his way up to perform and get his music heard.

“In the music industry, you hear a lot more ‘no’s’ then ‘yes’s,’” he said, adding there is a lot of negativity.

Self esteem is vital.

The singer admits he endured tough times, sleeping in tents in friends’ backyards or crashing out on their couches.

“I was fighting the good fight to follow my dream,” Laird said.

One of those couches happened to belong to rising Canadian country music star Jason McCoy, who would later become co-writer on Laird’s single I’m Your Man.

But Laird’s boldest career move came from a marketing idea he crafted to get the attention of country music star Taylor Swift.

In 2008 Laird rented a billboard sign across the road from Swift’s recording studio at Big Machine Records that showed a photograph of Laird holding up a sign that read: “Taylor, I LOVE your music, will you produce my album?”

While it didn’t earn him a direct call from Swift, she did endorse his music on the popular Entertainment Tonight television show, where she said the Canadian musician was “cute.”

Laird credits Swift with starting a momentum of interest in his music, connecting him to agents and managers who were able to help direct his career. That ultimately led to a record deal with Sony and Country Music Television, (CMT).

Since then he has toured with George Canyon, opened for Alan Jackson at tour dates across Ontario, shared the stage with Dierks Bentley and Terri Clark, and wrote a song with Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys.

He released his first album in 2012 and the self-titled effort earned him two nominations at the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) for Rising Star and Video of the Year for I’m Your Man.

It was at the awards ceremony in Saskatoon where Laird met Swift in person for the first time.

“I was amazed at how genuine she was,” he said, noting she posed for photos with him and talked to him about his billboard.

Laird is currently working on his second album, due out in spring 2014, with On Ramp Records and distributed through Universal Music Canada, which featured the artist at the label’s 2013 CCMA party earlier this month.

Laird has come a long way from the schoolyard, and he credits his maturity as an artist for enabling him to take a fresh perspective on his past.

“I’ve had to learn to do that as an artist. I’ve been able to work through things with my music,” he said, noting song writing is an outlet for whatever is relevant to his life.

“Hey Ashley just happens to be about bullying. But by me opening myself up and sharing my personal experiences with bullies, and seeing the smiles and how the kids are affected by it, seeing a positive change is a win for me,” he said.

Shannon Kennedy is a child youth counselor (CYC) with the UGDSB who last year shared her time between three area schools. She took the initiative to invite Laird to these schools and word quickly spread of the performer’s positive impact on the students.

“I know Ryan and his story,” Kennedy said. “I believe he has an important message that can mean something to students. As a musician he has a special platform to be able to share his experiences.”

She adds, “The students relate to all aspects of Ryan’s show. They love the music and him as a country musician. They hear and relate to his experiences as a student. That’s what is special about the show.

“Sure, it’s a celebrity visiting the school, but he’s a real person with real life experiences. He’s speaking to an audience who is dealing with the issues he once faced.”

The presentation grew to become a complete anti-bullying program with a package for teachers at the schools to prepare students for the show, come up with questions, create a dialogue with their students on the issue of bullying, and find creative outlets for the children’s self expression.

“Presentations like Ryan’s are so important. It creates a reason and an opportunity to talk and think about bullying,” Kennedy said.

“As a staff member and the CYC in a school, I know the adults in the building want all the opportunities available to bring attention to the issue of bullying. It’s a tough subject and can be a real problem.”

Occasionally, as part of the show, Laird invites children to the stage to sing with him.

“It becomes a real community hour together,” Laird said. “The kids sing along. And it’s mutual, we’re both having fun. It’s a deep-driven message so it’s good to have fun with it.”

Kennedy believes this is why the presentation has a positive impact.

“It’s like a concert with a twist,” she explained. “The students love the music and the presence of a country star.”

She noted Hey Ashley “has been a hit everywhere. Not only does Ryan speak about his experiences, he sings about them too. Ryan has a lot of really great songs and performing those can get the kids really pumped up, but Hey Ashley is special because it speaks a truth about the effects of bullying in really creative way.”

And that helps build a momentum that lingers after the show is over.

“What’s great about the presentation is that it generates a buzz. It doesn’t just create conversation between teachers and students, but students amongst themselves. It gets the kids thinking,” Kennedy said.

“Whether they stop and think before being unkind to wonder how the other person feels, or how bullying may affect someone … or who that person will grow up to be one day … it’s getting kids talking about the issues of bullying.”

For Laird, the buzz carries on to social media, where the artist encourages students to connect with him and tell their stories.

“It’s always a big win when I get a note from a child who says things are better and their lives are better now,” Laird said. “I’ve been able to help some of them.”

Kennedy attributes Laird’s genuine nature for his ability to reach the students.

“Ryan speaks his advice, he sings about it and most importantly he’s the real life example,” she said. “Ryan has found his outlet in music. He has, and still is, pursuing his dreams. He stands before students and proves that. It’s certainly a sense of inspiration in the air when the presentation ends.”

While focused on his music career, Laird continues to look at ways to spread the anti-bullying message. His goal is to find sponsors so he can take his message on tour to schools across Canada.

A video for Hey Ashley and a documentary are in the works. And now his efforts have caught the attention of Guelph MP Frank Valeriote.

“I’ve invited Ryan to come to Ottawa and meet with MPs,” Valeriote said, noting he plans to create a non-partisan event open to his colleagues, where Laird can perform and explain his national goals. For Valeriote, the anti-bullying message hits home.

“I have two young children and it’s not just mine, but all children who face bullying,” Valeriote said, noting he believes often bullies don’t appreciate the impact of their actions. “Bullying has grown in a sense that it can be done anonymously. It’s invisible.”

While there is no movement in Parliament to take action on this topic, Valeriote believes his fellow MPs can help encourage Laird’s message on a national level.

“If we can advance his efforts it will advance our nation’s efforts against bullying,” Valeriote said, adding, “We have a responsibility to address it.”

Last week, Laird performed at six Nova Scotia schools for anti-bullying week. Upon his return, he hopes to take his message to more local schools.

“Music is such a powerful tool,” Laird said. “Why not try and help the next generation?”

For more information on Laird or his anti-bullying tour, visit www.ryanlaird.com.

 

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