Michael S. Ryan continues working with his better half – his wife, artist Kristen Herrington, not to be confused with his other half, Bruce Gillis of The Town Heroes – to produce a series of songs and videos reinterpreted as paintings. With his latest single, “Mexico,” Ryan makes it very clear just how far he’d be willing to go for either one of them, or anyone really. Michael S. Ryan is just that kind of guy.
Be honest, you’ve asked yourself how bad any given situation would have to get before you just ditched it all and took for the Mexican border. The question we don’t ask ourselves often enough is: could we really do it without Michael Ryan?
He’s already set to go. What you call a “bug-out bag,” he calls his “tour backpack.” You bring the clothes, fake passports, foreign currency and he’ll bring the Gravol.
While that possibility seems more like a reality each day, Michael Ryan has always been there for you. The song “Mexico” was written ten years ago, and he’s been prepared to take care of whatever it is you need the whole time.
“I guess, it’s really about saying that you’ll do whatever it is for someone you care about,” says Ryan. “If they need you in Mexico by tomorrow morning, you’ll figure out a way to get there. I’m not good at distances, but I’m guessing Mexico is about the same distance south as Yarmouth. If I start pedaling now I think I’m good….”
There’s a measured acceptance in Ryan’s voice as he calmly sings about the fateful day that could take you both across border. There’s almost a resignation that far superseded by the importance he places on your needs.
“I guess at the end of the day, it’s about the effort. Maybe I couldn’t realistically, but I’d try my damned hardest. Whatever it was: getting to Mexico, helping change a tire (I’m not very good at car things), or delivering a hot dog to a hungry pal… I’ll try to make it happen anway
“I’m realizing as I get older that I’ll likely never be totally happy by just looking out for myself. I think that helping people out and being there for both people you care about and strangers at the same time is something that’s really important.”
Maybe you should consider that next time you do something foolish that has you fleeing the country, or forgetting to pack a lunch. Because this isn’t just about you anymore. This about you and Michael S. Ryan. This has consequences.