Money To Drank

The Beginning

Minnesota Murderer

This song is about the quiet weight of character.
Not the kind you boast about or wrap in slogans,
but the kind revealed over time when no one's watching.

It’s a reminder that charm isn’t loyalty, and volume isn’t truth.
That we’ve got to look deeper past the posture, the politics, and the noise
to see what someone’s truly made of.

And if we want a better world, we have to do the same with ourselves.
Listen more. Judge less.
Reach across before we write someone off.

Because what makes a person a real friend.
what makes them worthy of trust.
isn’t where they stand on a stage
it’s how they stand when it matters most.

[Verse 1]
Be careful who you call your friend
Not every smile stays to the end
Some walk beside you just for show
But when the winds shift, they let go

It’s easy to nod and go along
But easy doesn’t make you strong
Truth is quiet, and time reveals
Who shows up when no one kneels

[Chorus]
So look deeper than a handshake
Deeper than the words they send
Character’s not built in moments
It shows in how they treat the end
Don’t judge by charm or where they’ve been
Look deeper into what makes them men

[Verse 2]
Some wear borrowed words like skin
Echoing noise they were raised within
But decency can wear a quiet face
And grace don’t always run the race

Don’t judge the bold or those who shout
Some speak loud because they’ve lived without
But the ones who show when it all falls through
Are the ones worth holding on to

[Chorus]
So look deeper than the posture
Deeper than the practiced spin
Ask yourself who lifts the weight
When there’s nothing left to win
Not everyone’s a lifelong friend
Look deeper into what makes them men

[Bridge]
It starts with listening without a fight
Leaving space for someone else to be right
Not every battle needs to be won
Sometimes growth means biting your tongue

Ask more questions, let silence speak
You’ll learn the strong are often meek
Sit with those you used to resist
And you might find grace in what you missed

[Final Chorus]
So look deeper than a first impression
Past the pride, beyond confession
It’s not the label or where they’ve been
It’s how they love and how they bend
The world won’t heal through pride or spin
But by learning what makes us kin
Reach across and start again
That’s how we learn what makes them men

What Makes Them Men

Gooseneck Party

Gone with the Green

So much trouble

The Crown

Whispers

Gold Country Vol1

Steel and Stars

Proud Older brother wishing his all-grown-up little sister a very happy Birthday

Happy B-Day Karey Mae 5

That's what Daddies Do written by Phillip Thomas

Stephen Ryder is a country artist with a storyteller’s heart, weaving real-life experiences into heartfelt, powerful songs. His music blends traditional country with modern influences, creating songs that speak to love, life, and the journey in between. 

With a growing catalog of music, Stephen continues to share songs that resonate with listeners, whether it’s a heartfelt ballad, a foot-stomping anthem, or a reflective tune about life’s unexpected roads. His dedication to authenticity and storytelling makes his music a perfect fit for country radio and beyond. Follow me on Spotify!  

https://open.spotify.com/artist/60jKjrPsJ9Z43m0qF60S74?si=ayZTWLy5T5udCZ1y1hhYlA

Whispers

Stephen Ryder

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