Ryan Alfred and Matt Wheatley’s Ludlow roots shine through in their music
Walk down Broadway in Nashville on any given evening and you may just hear a couple of familiar voices coming from the bars on Music City’s main drag. Ludlow natives Ryan Alfred and Matt Wheatley (Mr. Grit and Mr. Grind, respectively) love it when someone they know from Northern Kentucky wanders into one of the honkey-tonks where they are performing.
“They’re surprised to see us here,” says Alfred. “Of course, a lot of times we have trouble getting people to understand what we’re trying to do.”
Alfred, the older of the pair, has always dreamed big. Born Ryan Alfred McKenzie, his football career at Ludlow High School earned him a starting spot as defensive tackle at Morehead State University. At the time, his head was filled with dreams of playing in the National Football League. After college, he took up guitar and, inspired by the likes of Tom Petty, Alfred began playing out around Northern Kentucky.
It didn’t take long for Alfred to begin thinking big again. Leaving what he saw as a stagnant career path in his wake, he headed for Nashville. When Alfred arrived, he discovered there was already a writer in town with the name Ryan McKenzie, so he switched his last name for his middle name and the Ryan Alfred brand was born.
Matt Wheatley took a different path to Music City. A few years younger than his fellow Ludlow Panther, Wheatley has been playing music since he was 16.
He could not find a college program that interested him until he started working towards a degree in music production. After obtaining his degree, Wheatley headed west for Los Angeles. There he worked producing songs for alternative rock bands and began composing his own music. Next stop—Nashville.
And while Wheatley enjoys the performance side of music, his true love is composing and production. His calling is working with artists who possess raw talent and pushing them to a new level. This summer, Wheatley produced Alfred’s second EP, When It’s Time to Go. A song they wrote together, “One Light Town,” is featured.
Neither Wheatley nor Alfred tries to deny the influence Northern Kentucky has had on their music. Wheatley says he “can’t be 100% authentic” without Ludlow coming through in his songs. Alfred believes “you can hear my Ludlow blue-collar upbringing come through in my gritty vocals.”
The pair make it home quite often and can be seen chasing their dreams at music venues around Northern Kentucky.
If you go see them, remember that music is not some side hustle for Ryan Alford and Matt Wheatley. They are two very talented and purpose-driven people trying to find success in a town of very talented and purpose-driven people.
As for me, I’m betting on the boys from Ludlow.
Visit ryanalfredmusic.com or facebook.com/wheatleymusic for more information and dates of upcoming shows.
Rick Robinson is the author of the award-winning series of Richard Thompson political thrillers available on Amazon and at bookstores.
