Throwback soul singer Ryan Shaw grew up singing in the Pentecostal church, and gained professional experience when he dropped out of college to join the cast of Tyler Perry's I Know I've Been Changed. When the play's run ended, he eventually found work as a member of the band the Fabulous Soul Shakers, which he joined in 2004. Signed to Columbia for a solo contract, in 2007 he released This Is Ryan Shaw, a collection of covers from artists like Wilson Pickett, Bobby Womack, and Jackie Wilson, as well as some original songs. Following its release, he opened for Van Halen and found additional success with 2010's It Gets Better. His third album, Real Love, appeared on Dynotone in 2012. ~ Marisa Brown