By Steve Svetovich
His preschool teacher said he had his own agenda.
And 20 years later, he’s taking his agenda with him to the Theatre at North, Scranton, where he will perform with the Rock Royalty Tribute Band on Saturday, December 16, at 7 p.m. It’s a show fans of classic rock will most surely want to see.
Son of Steve Svetovich and Beth Svetovich Hofmeister, Ryan, 24, of Dunmore, used to carry a bag of his dad’s CDs with him when he attended preschool at the Jewish Community Center, Scranton.
His preschool teacher used to tell him if he completed his class work, he could play the CDs in class. The artists Ryan listened to included Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, Tom Petty, Jim Croce, Jackson Browne, Jethro Tull, Elvis Presley, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Van Morrison, and The Rolling Stones, among other classic rock greats.
Today he performs the very same music of the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s with Rock Royalty Tribute Band, an eight-piece group of highly talented musicians led by the legendary Pete St. James.
Ryan is a lead guitarist, but also plays harmonica and conga drums. He is one of the three lead vocalists along with Samantha and Sara St. James, the talented daughters of Pete. And the St. James girls are truly amazing.
Other members of the group include Joel Kline, keyboards; Myke Halchak, drums; Ben Roper, bass; and Mitch Miller, lead guitar.
Pete St, James, who has toured throughout the United States and Europe, is lead guitarist and vocalist. He is also busy raising awareness for those with kidney disease and on dialysis. St. James last month received a new kidney after a long wait for a match. He remained positive throughout his ordeal focusing on his music and band.
“He’s been great to me,” Ryan said. “The whole band is like family. I love the guy.”
The feeling is mutual. “I find Ryan to be a young, very talented musician,” St. James said.
“He was our missing piece. Ryan articulates music beyond his years. His great love and dedication to music is evident at every show.
“We want everyone to come and check the amazing talent of Ryan and the rest of these local musicians.”
St. James described Rock Royalty as a band about music diversity from the 60’s to the 80’s featuring three amazing concert vocalists. “My vision six years ago when we started was to pay tribute to more than just one or two artists.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with so many great bands over the years, but this is the best project yet.”
The Rock Royalty Tribute Band pays tribute to the Legends of Rock featuring artists such as Steely Dan, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, The Eagles, Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, Pat Benetar and more.
Rock Royalty plays the theater circuit throughout Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. The band recently performed at the historic Roxy Theatre in Northampton. The Roxy is the site where Billy Joel performed his very first concert and also hosted the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Steely Dan, Shirley Temple, Buddy Rich, and W.C. Fields.
“I really enjoy playing in these old theatres,” said Ryan. “There is so much history. The Roxy is so historic. It was such an honor to play on the same stage that Billy Joel once played on.”
Ryan’s family knew he had musical talent from the get go. At age five, during a Christmas visit at his Uncle George’s home in Green Ridge, Ryan went to the piano and began playing the “Charlie Brown Christmas Song.” He simply played it by ear.
Self-taught, he shortly after picked up a guitar and started playing it. And then came the drums, harmonica and other instruments. He plays about 10 instruments by ear.
His grandfather, Stan Svetovich, was a big musical influence. He also plays by ear and is the drummer and leader of The Fabulous Fortunes. He turns 90 this month and has been performing for 76 years.
Ryan performed his first band job with The Fabulous Fortunes playing in a Dunmore bar on Chestnut Street at age 14, ironically the very same age his grandfather first performed in a local club.
Ryan has been filling in playing drums and guitar and helping his grandfather with his instruments for the past decade.
“My grandfather has been a big influence on me musically,” Ryan said. “I’ve been going to his band jobs ever since I can remember.”
Ryan has always had a taste for classic rock and even the music of the crooners before that time.
His dad remembers a time when Ryan was only three strolling around the old Hill’s drug store. The song “That’s Amore” came on the loud speaker. The cashier said to Ryan, “I bet you don’t know who sings that song, little boy.”
Ryan was quick to respond, “Of course, I do. That’s Dean Martin.”
The cashier was truly astonished.
His dad took Ryan, at age 3, and his brother Dylan to see Bob Dylan in Wilkes Barre in 2002. It was Ryan’s first concert and he was hooked. Soon he became a regular companion with his dad at numerous concerts, including the late Tom Petty, the late Jimmy Buffett, the late Chuck Berry, Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Bob Seger, Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys, Elton John, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and other Dylan shows.
Interestingly, Ryan’s parents named him after Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan. Ryan’s brother Dylan was named after music legend Bob Dylan. And as it turned out Ryan became the talented musical artist and his brother Dylan became a talented baseball player.
Ryan also began writing and composing his own music at age 18 and started honing his vocal skills shortly after.
“I love playing with Rock Royalty,” he said. “These musicians are so talented. Pete has done so much musically. He’s the best.
“This is a band you won’t want to miss.”
Ryan attended All Saints Academy from kindergarten through 8th grade. He graduated from West Scranton High School before moving to Dunmore.
His dad remembers one of his grade school teachers saying, “He’s probably going to be one of those musicians.”
She was right.