The Band
Rio and The Ramblers is a five piece blues and classic rock influenced band from the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area. Rio and The Ramblers have a unique sound that blends standard blues and soul with contemporary rock and roll. Rambling together since December 2012, they have placed as finalists in The Madison Theater Band Challenge, competed in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN and are currently writing their first EP due to be recorded in July 2013.
Many of The Ramblers found each other through the Cincinnati Blues Society. Ryan Snyder (Lead Guitarist/Vocals) and Rio Van Risseghem (Lead Vocalist) met while playing in Cincinnati Blues Society’s Blues In The Schools Band. Wanting to break into the Cincinnati Blues scene as adult musicians, Ryan Snyder recruited high school friend, Eric Torres (Bass/Vocals). Needing a rhythm guitarist, Eric Torres invited long-time friend and bandmate Joe Schutzman (Rhythm Guitarist). The last piece of the puzzle was Alex Miller (Drums) who approached Ryan Snyder after seeing the Blues In The Schools Band at Cincinnati Blues Society’s Summer Blues Festival.
Rio and The Ramblers has accomplished a great deal since their first rehearsal in December 2012. They have performed in the International Blues
Challenge in Memphis, TN, become Finalists in The Madison Theater Band Challenge out of 96 bands, and are quickly building a fan base of both older and younger generations. Rio and The Ramblers continue to play at local venues around the Tri-state area such as the Southgate House Revival, the Thompson House, Madison Theater, and many other local bars.
Many of The Ramblers found each other through the Cincinnati Blues Society. Ryan Snyder (Lead Guitarist/Vocals) and Rio Van Risseghem (Lead Vocalist) met while playing in Cincinnati Blues Society’s Blues In The Schools Band. Wanting to break into the Cincinnati Blues scene as adult musicians, Ryan Snyder recruited high school friend, Eric Torres (Bass/Vocals). Needing a rhythm guitarist, Eric Torres invited long-time friend and bandmate Joe Schutzman (Rhythm Guitarist). The last piece of the puzzle was Alex Miller (Drums) who approached Ryan Snyder after seeing the Blues In The Schools Band at Cincinnati Blues Society’s Summer Blues Festival.
Rio and The Ramblers has accomplished a great deal since their first rehearsal in December 2012. They have performed in the International Blues
Challenge in Memphis, TN, become Finalists in The Madison Theater Band Challenge out of 96 bands, and are quickly building a fan base of both older and younger generations. Rio and The Ramblers continue to play at local venues around the Tri-state area such as the Southgate House Revival, the Thompson House, Madison Theater, and many other local bars.
The Members
Rio Van Risseghem (Lead Vocalist)
Rio is a Cincinnati native and veteran performer. Rio began singing at the age of eight in combination with playing classical piano. Transitioning from the musical theatre genre, Rio started her first band, Birdfinder, near the end of her high school career. After disbanding to attend college, Rio met fellow musician Ryan Snyder who introduced her to the blues. Initially playing with Jellico Motel, a melodic blues band, Rio wanted to find a way to sync the blues genre with classic rock. Ryan Snyder currently looking for a lead vocalist asked Rio to come jam with Eric Torres, Alex Miller, and Joe Schutzman, which was an instant success creating Rio and The Ramblers. In addition to playing with The Ramblers, Rio is a live performer at Kings Island Amusement Park and backing vocalist for Signs of Life: Pink Floyd Experience. Rio has shared the stage with Chuck Brisbin and The Tuna Project, Jellico Motel, Birdfinder, Cincinnati Frequency Band, and Dixie and The Airwaves. Rio enjoys getting a crowd on their feet with some classic rock and blues tunes while dancing around like a maniac keeping time with a tambourine. |
Ryan Snyder (Lead Guitarist)
Ryan Snyder is a rock guitarist from Northern Kentucky. He has been playing the guitar for a little over nine years and hasn't stopped playing since. He has been a member of the Cincinnati Blues Society’s Blues in The Schools Band since he was fourteen-years old and continues to mentor young musicians in the Cincinnati area. His musical style is a combination of the craziness provided by Angus Young and the sound of Slash and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Ryan was introduced to Rock and Roll at a young age and fell immediately in love with it. He was taught by some of the best blues musicians in the greater Cincinnati area, such as, John Reddell, Steve Barone, and Dan Walsh. He has been invited to play on stage with many local artists, Dick & the Roadmasters, 3 Heads Tall, Mid-life Crisis Ramblers, and John Reddell and the Company.Upon graduating high school, Ryan started a band called AbsoluteValue with Alex Miller and Eric Torres. Looking for a lead vocalist and rhythm guitarists, Ryan came together with Joe Schutzman and Rio Van creating Rio & The Ramblers. |
Eric Torres (Bassist)
Eric Torres started playing guitar in the 4th grade with Joe Schutzman. After a year of lessons, Eric wanted to explore the bass guitar, which ended up being the best option for starting a band—everybody needs a bassist. Combining talents with Joe Schutzman, Eric started Exit 186, a progressive rock band that lasted from fifth grade to Eric and Joe’s senior year of high school. During his tenure in Exit 186, Eric’s style became solidified as hard-hitting, complex, and raw. His sound is not your everyday background bass struggling to hold its own in a mix. Largely inspired by the pop of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the dynamic riffs of the hard rock icon Tool, Eric began to venture into the blues genre with Ryan Snyder’s previous band, AbsoluteValue. |
Joe Schutzman (Rhythm Guitar)
The always versatile musician, a guitarist, bassist, drummer, and vocalist, Joe has been a part of several musical groups in the Northern Kentucky region. Joe made his musical debut with the progressive hard rock group Exit 186. From there he went on to pursue a solo career while also drumming for the influential but short-lived punk band, Pregnant Safari. Today, Joe is ecstatic to be teamed up with the creative, bluesy, and impossibly rhythmic Rio and The Ramblers. This new musical project is Joe’s first stint as a rhythm guitarist. He is excited to bring his experience of playing with a variety of genres to Rio and The Ramblers. Joe is always an optimist, and whether he’s moving his hips to the drum beats of Alex Miller or loading music equipment, in regards to the future of Rio and The Ramblers, he is always looking up. |
Ben Maile (Drummer)
Ben Maile is a rock drummer born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Introduced to the tunes of Led Zeppelin early on, he became fascinated with the sound of classic rock and the thunderous beats coming from John Bonham. As a member of the Cincinnati Blues Society’s Blues in The Schools Band, Ben noticed the blues elements that Zeppelin had in their famous sound and became interested in the blues genre and its influence in contemporary rock and roll. Ben received his first set of drums at the age of fourteen and immediately took to learning songs using the methods he knew from playing the video game, Rock Band. A week later, Ben began playing with a friend who played guitar and started his first band. Since then, Ben has played in several bands over the last couple years and in venues all over the Cincinnati area. Ben plays with a powerful Bonham-esque style that has established him as a powerful local drummer. |