POETRY Independent artist Ryder Grimes has once again soared to the top of the Texas charts with his latest single, “8 Seconds at a Time,” marking his second consecutive No. 1 hit. Hailing from the Northeast Texas town of Poetry, Grimes has grown his fan base across the state and beyond with his authentic blend of heartfelt lyrics and traditional country sound.
“8 Seconds at a Time” is a song about rodeo life and chasing the dream of earning a gold belt buckle. “The lyrics describe the pain of losing, but in the end when you win – it’s the greatest feeling ever, in my opinion,” said Grimes in a news release. “You can relate it to a lot of things in life, not just rodeoing.”
Fans and radio stations are relating to the song’s message and loving it! It’s found a home on the Texas charts for an impressive 28 weeks.
Grimes’ latest success comes on the heels of a remarkable first half of 2024 where he not only clinched the New Male Vocalist award at the Texas Regional Radio Awards but also secured sponsorships with four prominent companies that recognize his talent and potential in the music industry. He feels humbled to have the support of R. Watson Boots, Ranch Fuel Energy, COWI Brand (apparel), and Cowboys Trailers and Ranches, the release said.
“It means a lot to be recognized by companies that I love and to know that they like what I am doing and want to partner with me – that’s cool,” said Grimes.
Grimes attributes his success to hard work, a great team, and his dedication to growing as a songwriter. He recalls a pivotal moment listening to country legend Toby Keith discuss songwriting in an interview. “Toby once said, ‘Anything can be a song. If you see something inspiring, put it in your pocket so you always have something to pull out and write.’ That advice stuck with me,” Grimes shared. “We all have those songs that mean a lot to us, and a lot of those songs came from guys and gals who poured their heart and soul out into the music they wanted to write and play – and that’s my goal. I just want to write great songs and put out good music.”
Writing is how Grimes spends most of his time when at home in Poetry, and he tries to write at least half a song each day. When on the road, he spends his time focusing on the positives, reading scripture, and praying before he hits the stage to give his best to his fans.
“Doing this for a living is a blessing, for sure. It makes me happy that people are coming to see me – whether it’s five people, 500 or 5,000 – I want to give them the best show I can and perform like it’s my last show to play,” he added.
As Grimes celebrates his second No. 1 hit, he is solidifying his place in country music – and there is no place he’d rather be.
For more information on Ryder Grimes and to stay updated on his latest music releases and tour dates, visit www.rydergrimesmusic.com.
Hailing from Northeast Texas, Ryder Grimes is no stranger to the music life. Since he was only 11 years old, he has spent thousands of hours on and off stage perfecting his craft, turning him into the performer he is today. His inspirations range from ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s country legends such as Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley and Tracey Lawrence – to Texas stars like Randy Rogers, Deryl Dodd and Charlie Robison. Named the 2023 Texas Country “Emerging Artist of the Year” and 2024 “New Male Artist of the Year” with two No. 1 hits under his belt, Grimes is having a massive year and learning firsthand how hard work and great songs pay off. Don’t miss a chance to hear a full-band or acoustic performance next time he rolls through your town.
