It was a festival slot with a view — and for 19-year-old Ryan Mead, it was more than just a stage. The Australian singer-songwriter brought his band and his dreams to the Colorado mountains, carving out a memory that’s already shaping his path forward.

From Yowie Bay to Boston to the Jam Stage

Few 19-year-olds from Sydney’s quiet coastal pockets find themselves playing in front of thousands at an American country festival. But Mead’s story is stitched with those happy twists of fate.

Originally from Yowie Bay, a suburb hugging the water in southern Sydney, Mead now calls Boston home — at least during term time. He’s deep in the music grind at Berklee College of Music, polishing his craft under the eye of some of the industry’s best.

The Berklee Popular Music Institute (BPMI) is the secret sauce behind this slot. They handpick students for major genre festivals each year. For 2025, Mead was it.

“It’s an amazing program,” he said, beaming backstage. “They pick students for different genres and get them out to these huge festivals. It’s the leg in the door we all dream about.”

Jamming in the Mountains

Picture it: a clear Colorado sky, the distant hum of the Grand Mesa, and Mead’s rich vocals rolling out over a crowd primed for boots, beer, and fiddles.

“This is my first American festival, so it’s amazing to get a chance to come over here and do the thing,” he laughed. “But we put together a band quick and got to come out and do it — it’s been amazing.”

When you ask him what stood out, it’s not just the size of the audience. It’s the view.

“It definitely wins the award for the most scenic gig I’ve done. You got the mountains in the background — pretty amazing.”

The Band Came Together Fast

Some acts tour for years before finding the right crew. Not Mead. His band came together like a campfire jam that just clicked.

In fact, his bass player, Ishan Banerjee, wasn’t even a bassist six months ago.

“Ishan’s my buddy,” Mead said. “He played piano but when I asked him to join me for this, he picked up the bass and learned it in six months. Legend.”

Their lineup is a mix of grit and fast friendships:

• Drew Cuffia on fiddle

• Ishan Banerjee on bass

• Tyler Servedio on drums

• Asher Roseman on pedal steel

And Mead, guitar in hand, right at the heart of it.

A Bond Forged on the Road

For all the hype, the vibe with these guys is surprisingly chill. They first played together on April 25 — not long before stepping out at one of the biggest country gigs in the Rockies.

Cuffia, the fiddler, summed it up in a grin.
“This whole past month and even the past six months we’ve all been together have been some of my best memories already. Love these guys.”

A short sentence — but it carries the warmth of a group that feels more like family than just hired hands.

The American Influence Runs Deep

Country’s American roots can’t be denied. But for Mead, it’s not exactly foreign soil. His parents spent years living in Wisconsin, so classic country twang and road trip playlists were part of his childhood soundtrack.

That’s made the leap across the Pacific a little less daunting. He’s been soaking up Nashville licks and Boston’s busker spirit with equal gusto.

“I grew up listening to a lot of this stuff, so it feels like coming home,” he shrugged. “Kind of.”

Looking Ahead: Back Home and Back Again

Mead’s summer plans? He’s not planning to stand still.

Right after Country Jam, he and Roseman will jet back to Australia. There’s a six-week tour lined up — small venues, loyal crowds, and that infectious Aussie coastal vibe.

Then it’s back to Boston. Back to practice rooms and coffee-fueled late nights.

And they’re hungry to do more here, too. Mead wants to keep the band rolling around the States — festivals, dive bars, wherever folks will stomp along.

He laughs about it now: “It’s all come together so fast. Feels like we’re just getting started.”

Final Words from the Festival

As the sun dipped behind the mesa, Mead stood near the stage exit, signing hats, boots, and the occasional guitar. He looked a little dazed, but in a good way.

One fan asked what’s next.

“Man, just more music. More jams. More of this,” he said, gesturing at the dusty, boot-tapping crowd.

Country Jam might have been his first American festival — but it won’t be the last.