Ries Brothers

The summer of 2014 I was doing my usual road trips. I had plenty of places that I wanted to explore for Sunrise Tones’ sister website, Road Trip Attractions and places that the photographer side of me planned to photograph.

My second to youngest daughter let me know that she really wanted to go to Florida to meet up with a music duo that she knew online. My daughter had talked to them on the phone and had been talking to them online for some time. Being as this daughter normally does not like to travel and I actually planned on going to Florida, I told her to pack her bags so we could go.

My two youngest daughters and I packed the vehicle and were on the road to Florida. I had heard all about this duo, The Ries Brothers, from my daughter, but to be honest I really hadn’t had much of a chance to listen to their music.

Ries Brothers 2014
Photo Credit: Jessica Kowalski

I’m thinking, these boys are 15 and 19 (at the time), best case scenario they will be okay & I get to to spend some time with my very happy daughters; worst case scenario, they sound awful but I still get to spend time with my happy daughters.

In July of 2014, we sat down at a table at Crabby Bill’s in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. These young guys took the stage and I was in shock. I had not planned on hearing music that I could relate to or get into. I sure did not expect the music sound these boys produced on that stage. It ended up being better than the best case scenario that I had hoped for; the music was good and I got to spend a very enjoyable night out with my happy daughters.

During our stay in the Clearwater, FL area, we were lucky to be able to spend some time getting to know this duo, the Ries Brothers. I enjoyed seeing them perform and getting to know them a little bit.

Yes, they are brothers. While I saw enough similarities to tell they are brothers, I also saw they each have their own unique qualities.

Charlie Ries

Charlie, the older of the two, is lead vocal and plays drums and keyboard bass (at the same time). While talking to him, Charlie came across as a very laid back, thoughtful, intelligent young man with a big smile. He seemed to be so soft spoken, it’s amazing the vocals that come out of him on stage.

Kevin Ries

Kevin plays guitar and does back up vocals. While Kevin obviously is an intelligent, good kid, I saw a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin to match. One look at him and I laughed to myself, thinking I bet he keeps things interesting wherever he goes. My youngest daughter has that same twinkle! 🙂 Along with his obvious passion for the guitar, Kevin clearly is passionate about skateboarding, skim boarding, & surfing. I got the impression that he would be happy to be in the water any minute that he is not on stage.

Charlie and Kevin are both extremely talented musicians. By the way, they also write music.

As for the question of what type of music they perform, I have to say that it varies. I have asked a few people, including someone very close to them, to describe their sound. The answers I received have ranged from rock, blues, beach rock, pop-rock, alternative, and occasionally a reggae undertone. Yes, I would say, that describes their variety of sound. 🙂 The Ries Brothers definitely have a different sound than many young musicians.

I look for the Ries Brothers to be very successful with their music careers. I would say they are up and coming and definitely going somewhere!

In 2013, the Ries Brothers were chosen to participate in the Los Angeles Grammy Museum’s Music Revolution Project. They have opened for performers such as Daughtry, REO Speedwagon, and the Little River Band. They went on a 10 city tour with Chicago in 2014. Also in 2014, they took part in the Vans Warped Tour in St. Petersburg, Florida. April 2015, the Ries Brothers will be opening, once again, for a show that Chicago will be performing in Florida. They perform often at various venues around Florida.

You can check The Ries Brothers’ website to find out where they will be performing.

View a sample of The Ries Brothers on YouTube