Charles S. Ryan, known professionally as Charlie Ryan, was born on December 19, 1915, in Polson, Montana, and served as a drummer. He grew up in Polson and later moved to Spokane in 1943. Charlie Ryan's music career began after serving in the United States Army during The Korean War. In 1955, he wrote "Hot Rod Lincoln" and recorded the first version of the song with Charley Ryan and The Livingston Brothers. This track marked a significant breakthrough for Charlie Ryan. He released a remake in 1959 as Charlie Ryan and The Timberline Riders. The song gained further popularity through covers by Johnny Bond (1960) and Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen (1972), reaching number 9 on the U.S. charts and number 7 in Canada. In addition to his work with "Hot Rod Lincoln", Charlie Ryan collaborated with notable artists such as Jim Reeves and Johnny Horton during his touring years, contributing to their live performances and recordings. He also worked extensively as a songwriter, crafting tunes that blended country and rockabilly elements. His contributions to the music industry were recognized posthumously through various tributes and reissues of his work. Charlie Ryan's impact on the genre was solidified with the release of Hot Rod Lincoln (album) in 2012, which compiled his notable works and introduced his music to new generations. He passed away on February 16, 2008.
