Ryan Cassata is an award-winning, 26-year-old singer-songwriter, activist, and actor who has found a second home in Hot Springs. He has penned songs about this small Southern city that he loves, such as “Hot Springs, Arkansas,” “Peaceful Valley,” and “Back Down South.” His lyrics talk about falling in love and leaving Los Angeles for a simpler life.
Cassata also stars as Jalin, alongside trans legend Kate Bornstein in “Two Eyes,” the closing film at the OUTFEST Film Festival, which takes place August 20-30, 2020. This LGBTQ+ festival will be accessed via www.outfestla2020.com for one All-Access Pass, with new centerpiece films, premieres, and hand-curated programs debuting daily.
The New York native first stumbled upon Hot Springs in October 2014 when the film about his teenage life, “Songs for Alexis,” was featured in the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. This is where he met poet, Kai Coggin, the current host of Wednesday Night Poetry, which has featured Cassata several times.
Cassata then went on to spend short stints, and sometimes long stints, relaxing and performing music in Hot Springs, playing at Kollective, Valley of the Vapors Music Festival, and DeLuca’s. When he’s in town, the hum of his guitar can be heard echoing from Nan Cameron’s house as she crafts wonderful New Orleans style cooking.
In February 2020, his song, “Daughter,” was named “Best Music Video” for The Film Contest, and in March it was a Silver Medal Winner at the Global Music Awards. Americana Highways named “The Witches Made Me Do It” the Readers’ Favorite Top Ten Album of March 2020.
Ryan dreams of the next time he can visit Spa City and hopes that day will come soon so he can reunite with his second family.
For more information and to watch his videos, visit www.ryancassata.com.
