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When Ryan Ahlwardt emerged clutching his diploma from Indiana University in the spring of 2003, he was vastly unaware of the myriad places and people his talents would introduce him to over the next four years.
Having his share of illustrious highlights as a member and Musical Director of Straight No Chaser, IU's nationally renowned men's a cappella group - such as opening for The Temptations and singing the National Anthem at The Brickyard 400 before an international audience of millions - Ahlwardt graduated fully satiated with his unique collegiate experience. Along with three fellow SNC alumni, he accepted an opportunity to set sail as a guest entertainer onboard Celebrity Cruises in May 2003.
Forming the all-star powerhouse quartet The Coverdales - named after IU's star point guard in a rush to determine the group's name while in the studio recording their demo - the young men were soon underway, promising their parents they would put their hard-earned degrees to good use gallavanting upon the ocean singing doo-wop seven hours a week.
After an exciting tour of the world - and many die-hard Coverdale fans later - Ahlwardt returned to Indiana's familiar environs to hone his crafts as a songwriter, singer, and guitarist. The gears were slowly turning in what would become his early twenties filled with economy-sized portions of soul-searching, guided direction and support from his family and friends, and many leaps of faith.
"I returned to Bloomington to form a band and get reconnected with musicians who would challenge me as a songwriter," Ahlwardt said in a recent interview. He formed Mitchell Street Band - named after the group of friends' humble shoebox of a residence and rehearsal space for the next 15 months - with SNC/Celebrity alums Michael Luginbill and Nick Jaenicke. "With all the time to write songs out on the ocean, we came back with a sense of anticipation to begin performing them, create a buzz, and gather a following," Ahlwardt continues. He and his fellow band-mates cordially embarked upon different paths in early 2005, which marked a new milestone in his musical journey and an opportunity for Ahlwardt to gather a following of his own...
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