Meet the Upstate New York Musician Performing at the CMAs Tonight With Ella Langley

Tonight’s CMA Awards in Nashville are set to be huge for Ella Langley. Not only will she debut her newest song, “Choosing Texas,” in front of a national audience, but she’s heading into the night with six major nominations. And for those of us back home in Upstate New York, there’s something extra exciting: one of Ella’s band members grew up right here.

Upstate New York Musician Steps Onto Country’s Biggest Stage

Among the bright lights and big stages, you’ll spot Rye Jackson, a Vestal native whose journey from local kid to nationally touring musician has been years in the making. He’s known for playing bass, singing backup, and jumping between instruments with ease, and tonight he’ll be part of one of country music’s biggest events.

A Childhood Rooted in Compassion and Big Dreams

Rye was born on June 27, 1996, and grew up in a close-knit household where compassion came naturally. With parents in healthcare and an older brother, Tim, pursuing a medical degree, caring for others was a daily lesson. Rye’s soft spot for animals even had him thinking about becoming a veterinarian long before music took center stage.

Early Musical Sparks That Grew Into a True Passion

Like many kids, Rye’s musical journey started with the recorder in elementary school. That quickly turned into a fascination with the upright bass, an instrument that practically towered over him at the time. Guitar and bass guitar followed, but everything changed when he began taking lessons with local instructor Paul Knapik. That’s when music stopped being just an interest and became something deeper.

From School Stages to Local Bands, Rye's Talent Took Off

Rye didn’t just practice, he performed. He and his friends formed a Beatles cover band in middle school, playing at school functions and any venue that would welcome them. By high school, he had co-founded The Goodfruits, a group that played festivals, local bars, and even snagged second place in a Battle of the Bands. It was clear Rye was built for the stage.

A Natural Entertainer With a Flair for Fun

Music wasn't his only gift. At home, Rye kept everyone laughing with spot-on accents and dramatic reenactments of movie scenes. Performing came naturally, whether it was in front of a crowd or simply around the dinner table.

A Family in Healthcare, a Future in Music

With deep family ties to the medical field, Rye initially worked as a nurse’s aide at UHS. He loved helping people, but the pull toward a music career was impossible to ignore. In 2019, he made the leap to Nashville, giving himself the chance to chase the dream he’d been building since childhood.

Weathering Storms and Climbing Nashville’s Ladder

Nashville wasn’t easy, but Rye found his place. He picked up gigs with several artists and even landed modeling and acting opportunities. When the pandemic shut down live music, he stepped back into healthcare at Vanderbilt Hospital. As venues reopened, Rye pushed forward, pouring all his energy into music once again, eventually joining Ella Langley’s touring band.

Sharing the Stage With Country’s Biggest Names

For nearly four years, Rye has toured with Ella’s band, performing on some of country music’s most iconic stages. His journey has taken him everywhere from the Grand Ole Opry to stadiums shared with stars like Luke Bryan and Morgan Wallen. One highlight even included opening a stadium show in Vegas, a moment most musicians only dream of.

A Gift That Let His Parents Share One of the Biggest Nights of His Career

As Rye geared up for one of the biggest moments of his musical journey, something extraordinary happened back home. A longtime supporter of Rye, someone who has believed in his talent from the very beginning, surprised his parents with the ultimate gift: tickets to tonight's CMA Awards. Now they’ll be in the audience tonight, watching their son shine on the national stage and seeing the world discover the talent they’ve always known he has. This is the kind of full-circle moment every parent dreams about.