Ryan Shaw's 'Strong Men Can' Out Today

The first single from Multi GRAMMY®-nominated vocal powerhouse Ryan Shaw's forthcoming album IMAGINING MARVIN has its worldwide premiere today via Soul Tracks. "Strong Men Can" is co-written by Shaw and iconic songwriter, Valerie Simpson (who with her late husband/partner, Nick Ashford, is responsible for some of Marvin Gaye's biggest hits; Gaye is the inspiration behind IMAGINING MARVIN). The heartfelt ballad encourages emotional vulnerability in men and supports good mental health via such expression. "Strong Men Can" can be purchased here.

Of "Strong Men Can", Shaw commented, "When I decided the concept for this new record, IMAGINING MARVIN, I immediately thought to reach out to Valerie Simpson and see if she would be willing to co-write a new song with me for the project. She said, "anything you need." We live in a society where men have always been told to be a certain way. And nowadays we're seeing that develop into some serious social and mental issues. This song is about us as men living the full spectrum of life. As much as we take time to show our strength, we should also take time to be vulnerable and to acknowledge our weaknesses and nourish growth. That's really what it's all about - balance...finding that balance."

IMAGINING MARVIN is set for a November 27th release via Shaw's own FORM (Fans Of Real Music) Records with distribution by Broadway Records. Inspired by one of Shaw's idols, Marvin Gaye, IMAGINING MARVIN is the powerful new project that originally premiered live in New York City in 2019 to a sold-out crowd. Showcasing Shaw's soaring and impassioned vocals, the album features numerous Marvin Gaye hits alongside five of Shaw's original songs; the latter inspired by Gaye's legacy. Click here to pre-order the album.

Ryan Shaw has received widespread critical acclaim over the course of his career with an abundance of accolades. Of Shaw's incredible vocal prowess, The Los Angeles Times declared, "Prepare to have your soul rocked...", while Billboard deemed him "a massive talent with a huge voice." The Washington Post avowed, "So big and rangy, that voice. So churchy and unmistakenly Southern. So full of fire and conviction, exploding with emotion."

Ryan Shaw is a three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist. He recently appeared as Judas at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in the U.S. premiere of the critically acclaimed London/Regent's Park's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which won the Olivier for Best Musical Revival. He starred as the original Stevie Wonder in Motown: The Musical on Broadway, and on London's West End as the Soul of Michael Jackson in Thriller Live. As a recording artist, Shaw has released three solo GRAMMY-nominated projects to date: 2008's THIS IS RYAN SHAW, 2011's IT GETS BETTER, and 2014's REAL LOVE. He has toured the world and shared the stage with such artists as Van Halen, Bonnie Raitt, Joss Stone, John Legend, B.B. King, Bruce Hornsby and Jill Scott, to name a few. On television, Ryan has been a guest artist on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Ellen's Really Big Show, Last Call with Carson Daly, and The Martha Stewart Show. His music has been featured in television on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance and ABC's Dancing with The Stars, Grey's Anatomy, and Lincoln Heights, as well as in films My Blueberry Nights and Bride Wars and the Sex and the City soundtrack.

As a concert soloist, Shaw made his Radio City Music Hall debut at the Dream Concert benefit to build the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. His Carnegie Hall appearances include Elton John and Bernie Taupin Tribute, A Celebration of The African American Cultural Legacy, curated by Jessye Norman, and a recent Nat King Cole centennial concert with the New York Pops. His concert schedule also includes Nat King Cole at 100 with the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center, and A Tribute to the Queen of Soul: Aretha Franklin with numerous major orchestras throughout North America. Shaw continues to be a return featured special guest with the Houston Symphony, as well as performing with the Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Philly Pops, Seattle Symphony, Utah Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, Tucson Symphony, Utah Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, Helena Symphony, Mississippi Symphony, Anchorage Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic and numerous others.

Listen to "Strong Men Can" here.

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