My Reason Why
I struggled for a long time to answer questions about what drives me to make music, why people should care about it, and what makes me special or unique. It turns out that the answer is really quite simple.
I’m not special. I’m not unique. I’ve never experienced something so extraordinary that someone else can’t relate to my experiences. I used to feel insecure with that idea, but now I find it really comforting. My experiences are shared. My feelings have been felt before, and will be felt again, by others. We’re all part of a circle…a community.
That sense of community drives me as a songwriter. I often seek out songs that express how I’m feeling, and when I can’t find one, I write it. I write it because someone else out there might be feeling how I feel. Maybe they’re looking for that song that captures the moment they’re going through…and I want to give it to them. It’s NOT unique. It’s about our shared experiences.
Growing up, I was bullied a lot by people who should have been trustworthy. It left me longing for deeper relationships and connections with people who could relate to me – people I could trust. So now when I’m looking for bandmates, I’m not trying to find “hired guns.” I want my band to feel like family, and my “fans” to feel like we’re friends.
If you’ve ever felt like nobody could understand what you’re going through, I want to be a voice that reminds you that you are not alone.
My name is Ralyn Gayle, and this is my fundraising campaign.
Up 'Til Now
I’ve been fortunate so far in this crazy ride that is the music industry. I released my fully independent debut album “Love Drunk” back in February of 2024, and since then things have been thriving! I had over 165,000 streams on Spotify last year, all while playing 200 shows and performing and interviewing with major market TV and radio stations.
I’ve had the opportunity to open for artists like Jake Bush, Amanda Kate Ferris, David Adam Byrnes, and Gary Kyle, and been asked to play some prestigious festivals and venues like Key West Chick Fest, Larry Joe Taylor’s songwriting competition, Grape Fest and Main Street Fest in Grapevine, and a ton of other incredible shows!
What I've Been Working On
I feel like now’s the time for me to take a big step forward in my career. I’ve established myself enough to crack open the door. Now I need to kick it down! I have a wonderful group of new songs that I can’t wait to share with everyone, but I’m going to need your help if I’m going to be able to record and release this new music in a professional way that reaches the masses.
The Challenge
Years ago, an artist like me might be able to go to a regional record label to get the funding it would take to produce and release a record like the one I’m trying to do. But now the streaming era pays artists and labels so little that it’s become almost impossible to find a label willing to invest in a developing artist.
So fully-independent artists like myself have to find a way to foot the bill for things that are essential but also expensive. Things like recording, mixing, mastering, pressing, promotion, touring…the expenses can be staggering, and I’m out here on my own trying to make it all happen.
This is where you come in, and why I’m asking for your support to help make this next record a reality! As a thank you, I’ve got a lot of perks I’m offering in exchange for your support.
Perks
I will have digital copies of the new record we produce along with handwritten lyrics just for you. I’ll have an exclusive early bird special where you can get your hands on the music way ahead of the public release date. I’ve got merch, private shows, and you can even be listed as an executive producer on the credits list of the record!
Here's How YOU Can Help
Here’s how you can help! Click the button on this page to support the project. Follow the prompts and enter your information, which will be stored securely, and please remember this: if I don’t meet my fundraising goal, you won’t be charged…but I also won’t get to move forward with this next crucial phase of my career. So if you can help, please do!
Thank You!!
Thank you all so, so much for being a part of this project with me. There’s no way I could do this without you, and I promise you your support is something I will truly never forget. Thanks so much for anything you can give to help me out, and I can’t wait to see each and every one of you sometime soon!
