Kyle Riabko

Kyle’s been performing since he was 10, so he’s already a road warrior of sorts. Still, this extended road trip, which led up to the recording of his full-length album, Before I Speak, was the most demanding form of musical boot camp, as he opened for the likes of John Mayer, Robert Randolph, Keb Mo, Buddy Guy and Maroon 5, playing in front of crowds who had absolutely no idea who he was. Chances are they know him now. No shrinking violet, Kyle relished every minute of the experience, scrambling up that steep learning curve like an expert rock climber. “What I’ve learned over the last year you can only pick up by playing every night in a new place,” he says. “There’s nothing I love more than playing with a band, but playing solo is the best way to learn about yourself as a musician.” The words you hear most often from him are “I’ve learned.”