Check Out Ryan McClain’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan McClain.

Hi Ryan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hey Guys!!

My name is Ryan McClain (AKA RyanBluFinney), I am a Production Sound Mixer, Post Production Audio Editor, Audio Engineer, Music Producer and Professional Musician based in Woodland Hills, California. I am currently active professionally in both the Recording Industry and the Film Industry but I first got my start as a child talent in music as a Drummer.

Picking up drumsticks for the very first time as a 9 year old was absolutely electric!
The Drums were a perfect outlet for me as a young person finding themselves in the world and gave me a way to connect with my peers and hone my craft. As the years went on I began excelling very quickly and studying under a number of world class Industry leading music mentors such as Fred Dinkins (Performed with artists such as Al Green, Stevie Wonder and Denice Williams), Marvin Smitty Smith (The Jay Leno Show, Sonny Rollins, Steve Coleman and Five Elements) and Steve Roth (INTO THE MIXX, DrumSet4U) who were integral in my journey of growing not only as a high value industry professional but as a person as well . I wanted to learn everything there was to learn about music, play every style I could, and get into any Entertainment related spaces that challenged me to be my absolute best.

After I graduated High School, I began my tenure at Musicians Institute Hollywood where I earned my first Degree in Audio Engineering – Studio Recording and was placed on the Deans list every single semester I attended while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. A then (and now) current mentor of mine Fred Dinkins was a Professor at M.I. and he continued to pour his knowledge, discipline and expertise into my younger self which played a huge part in shaping who I was as a young man and setting me on the path of being a future Industry leader. I began working with up and coming recording artists in Hollywood and all throughout LA as a Recording Engineer, Music Producer and Drummer such as Ariana Myshall, Zere Amirbekova, Alf The Mad Scientist, Dilana Ismailova and surf rock band Frieda’s Roses (amongst others!) which helped me make a name for myself early on in the Recording Scene and I soon caught the attention of the late Veteran Talent Agent Barry Squire who connected me with a seasoned Record Producer named Chico Benett who’s produced for artists such as Prince, Taja Sevelle, Usher, Britney Spears and The Veronicas for a Music Video Drumming Role opportunity alongside a rap artist named Star 2.

After sending Chico my previous online work and professional content as RyanBluFinney we instantly formed a connection and I was elated when he called my phone and let me know that he was hiring me for my first ever legit Industry Gig at 16 years old in a music video as a Drummer. This became a long lasting professional relationship and I later worked with him again as a Drummer alongside Prince protege Taja Sevelle in her music videos for “Higher Way” , “Of Good Intent” and “Turning Tides”.

After my transformative and educational years at Musicians Institute ended, I was hungry for more knowledge and growth and decided to enroll at Loyola Marymount University in The School of Film and Television with a degree in Recording Arts.

This new setting took me out of the Studio Environment I thrived in and introduced me to the world of On-Set Film Production as a Sound Mixer and Boom Operator where I quickly climbed the ranks professionally and started honing my craft working with award winning directors such as Simone Thomas Rowe and Jada Trabue.

My prior knowledge of Recording Technology and Audio Mixing also helped me to get into Film Audio Post Production as a Sound Designer, Re-Recording Mixer and Foley Artist which guided me in shaping immersive audio landscapes, capturing an audience’s attention and elevating the story telling world of a film while blowing spectators away sonically!

I am currently in my Sophomore year at LMU and working as a Professional Freelance Recordist and I am staying hyper focused on growing in my professional endeavors and mastering the art of Sound Design.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’d say that while there has definitely been pressures present in such fast moving industries as Entertainment and Film, I have always been blessed to have such supportive role models around me like my mother Janiese Finney (CEO of Loving Hands Children’s Home), who raised me as a single mother and started her own non-profit organization taking care of medically fragile children after a workplace injury as a Registered Nurse in the ER. My Mother has always taught me to put my best foot forward in everything I do and after witnessing all the hard work she’s done with putting a positive impact on others lives and taking care of my family while tackling a disability it has definitely inspired me emulate her unbreakable spirit and be the best person I can be.

My mentor Fred Dinkins has also provided me with any professional or personal guidance I have ever needed help with and has always pushed me to live my life prioritizing discipline and confidence.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
For years I have been creating Drumming videos online showcasing my professional talent and musical ability!
Even capturing the attention of Michael Jacksons Drummer Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett” on my cover of “The Way You Make Me Feel”.

Check it out! : https://youtu.be/dbnSNGyISzQ?si=hPl3BXYbJDXKO4vv

I have also shared examples of my Sound Design and Production Sound credits on Instagram!

Be sure to check out my work on –

Akira Bregmans “Punchline” :

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaQmGThmJLW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&psln=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Tim Hubers “No Talking” :

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZiwCmQgba4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&obrf=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

and Thomas Bonteils “Grognards” :

https://www.instagram.com/p/DatfNLTD-wA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&cplk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is connecting with hardworking and kind individuals who put their heart and soul into everything they do. I absolutely love getting to know new people on set while helping to bring a work of art to life. Being a Music Producer and laughing till you can’t breathe with an artist is one of the greatest blessings someone can feel. Diving into all of that raw human emotion and being vulnerable in the name of creating art that other people can connect with is such a powerful thing that must be protected!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ryanblufinney.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanblufinney/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ryanblufinney