About Bob Ryman:

Bob Ryman was born in Houston, Texas, into a musical family. He began violin lessons at the age of eight, studying with Joseph Gallo, the concertmaster of the Houston Symphony. While in high school, his family moved to Hollywood, Florida. At the age of fifteen, Bob was performing with the Hollywood Philharmonic.

Bob graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Radio, Television, and Film. While in Austin, Bob expanded his technique on the violin, learning folk and country fiddling, jazz, and Broadway show tunes. He also began composing original music for the fiddle. Bob Ryman has been a headline violinist/entertainer, performing on all the major cruise lines, as well as in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He has been teaching violin and viola for over 10 years in the Conejo Valley. He performs with the Moorpark Symphony Orchestra and the Topanga Symphony and is a member of the American String Teachers Association. With his vast experience and diverse musical styles, he is uniquely able to bring out the best in all his students.

Bob Ryman plays favorites from Bluegrass to Broadway, from Country to Classics. He takes his audience on a musical journey with showstoppers such as The Orange Blossom 

Special, The Hot Canary, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, and The Flight of the Bumblebee. His repertoire includes music from the Hungarian Gypsy Czardas and selections from Fiddler on the Roof.

Early Talent: Michael Preddy discovered the piano at age three, deciding that tickling the ivories was more fun than tickling his teddy bear. By five, he was playing gospel music; by ten, classical sonatas. At 14, he formed his first band. At 16, he won the Texas-Oklahoma Young Artist Competition, and at 17, he made his Carnegie Recital Hall debut.

Education & Early Career: Michael earned his Master of Music degree at the University of Houston, studying with Abbey Simon and Albert Hirsch. During this time, he also performed with headliners such as Pia Zadora, Vicki Carr, Tony Martin, and Cyd Charisse, while continuing to perform with his own bands.

The Smothers Brothers Years: In 1981, Tom and Dick Smothers discovered Michael on tour in Texas, beginning what became a 20-year collaboration. He conducted their orchestra while accompanying them on piano, appearing with the duo on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Saturday Night Live, The Dolly Parton Show, Showtime specials, and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Onstage, he showed both versatility and humor—once playing Chopin’s Minute Waltz while Tom danced with a yo-yo on the piano lid. Michael also conducted major orchestras for Smothers Brothers symphony shows, including the Boston Pops, Minnesota Orchestra, Houston Symphony Pops, and Dallas Symphony.

Solo Work & Recent Highlights: Michael has returned to Carnegie Recital Hall and conducted at the Hollywood Bowl. He created and debuted his one-man show, What Makes the Piano Grand!, blending humor, storytelling, and performance to both entertain and educate audiences of all ages. He has also served as music director for productions such as Children of Eden at the Conejo Players and arranged/recorded a new CD for singer-songwriter Lenny Welch, best known for Since I Fell for You.