Ducky Duke on NBC's The Voice

I love seeing people I know follow their dreams, make a breakthrough and find success doing what they're most passionate about.  That being said, I was beyond excited when I heard that Matt Ryan, "Ducky Duke", was going to be on NBC's hit tv show, The Voice.  Matt and I go back to the high school lunch tables and he has always been a creative guy who cares about his friends and marches to the beat of his own drum.  You can't help but respect that.  Over the last several years, Ducky has been hard at work, creating music and playing shows with his band, Ducky and the Vintage, in and around Harrisburg, PA.  Not only that, but he is a supremely talented painter with an affinity for creating imaginative murals that reflect his personality (click the link to his official website below to see more of his work). 

A big break came when Matt did a blind audition for NBC's The Voice.  Ducky was featured as the first performer on Season 2's third episode, airing on February 20th, 2012.  Before stepping out onto the stage, Ducky, dressed in black, tested his moves in his red cowboy boots, tipped his fedora over his shaggy jet black hair, smoothed the ends of his iconic mustache, and prepared for his big moment.  On the stage, he performed "Tighten Up" by The Black Keys for host Carson Daly, judges Christina Aguilera,  Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and millions of viewers across the US and beyond.  Ducky's high energy, real grit and irresistible stage presence blew the crowd and judges away.  Although no judge pressed his or her button, it was apparent to all watching the show that they felt as if they'd made a mistake, with Blake Shelton saying, "Ducky's one of those that I'm probably gonna look back on this and regret it a little bit."  And Carson Daly launched the #whattheheckhappenedtoducky movement on Twitter by saying, "I think, tomorrow morning, when we wake up, there's gonna be a big internet buzz, like the 'what the heck happened to Ducky' movement." 

Now, after the airing of his episode, Ducky is playing more and more shows around Pennsylvania, making radio appearances and has been set to perform on Last Call with Carson Daly.  I was lucky enough to get a tidbit of his time to ask a few questions about his experience on the show, as well as get the 411 on what's to come.

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Photo credit: Snapp-shot Photography

NK:  How long have you been writing and performing music?
DD:  I've been writing lyrics and music since I was 9 or 10.  Been performing since I was around 7 years old.

NK:  Wow, you've had a lot leading up to this point!  What made you decide to audition for NBC's The Voice?
DD:  My manager just let me know I had an industry invite to audition, so I did it!

NK:  Tell me about your experience on the show-- preparing, performing, the judges and your interactions with the other musicians.
DD:  Well, it was amazing being on the show!  There was a lot of running around, practice and networking.  But mostly good hangin' out and havin' a good time with all the other contestants.  Lots of partying in our down time.  Performing was easy; it was hard to stay still after 6 cups of coffee.  Overall, the whole experience was awesome!

NK:  Ok, I have to ask-- the mustache.  It's become your trademark!  How did that all start? 
DD:  The stache.  I actually grew it for a music video that ended up getting postponed cuz I made it on The Voice.  I left it grow for a Halloween party too.  I've trimmed it up and gotten a hair trim since the show.  It got a little out of control there for a while. 

NK:  Another must-know.  Where did you get the name, "Ducky Duke" from?
DD:  The name, "Ducky", is completely random, it came from my best friend, Alison, in high school.  I was trying to get a duck hat or plush duck out of a crane game machine at a diner.  She said, "you got it, Ducky Duke", and there it is.  "Ducky" became a stage name after I moved to Harrisburg and everyone started calling me that.  So I stuck with it.  I still go by Matt too, though. 

NK:  Haha, I love that story!  It's so cool to see you trending on Twitter!  How are you feeling about the #whattheheckhappenedtoducky movement?
DD:  I feel great about the whole trending thing!  I've definitely gained a shit ton of fans from it, which is a blessing in itself.   Gotta thank Carson for starting the movement.

NK:  What can America expect from Ducky Duke in the near future?  Are there any television appearances coming up or tours with Ducky and the Vintage?
DD:  Well, I'll be in LA this week to do an interview for Last Call with Carson Daly, the late night show.  I'll be performing a few original tunes acoustic from my band on the show as well.  Then I'll be playing The Whiskey in LA too.  We'll be releasing an EP soon and hopefully starting to tour.  There's a lot coming!  So stay tuned!

NK:  Tell us one thing we don't know about you that we should know!
DD:  Something that ya should know is I'm A.D.D.  I'm lucky I have friends and my girlfriend, otherwise I wouldn't get anything done!  Haha.  I do have trouble paying attention 90% of the time and remembering names. 

NK:  Thank you so much for your time!  I look forward to seeing your career skyrocket from here on out! 

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If you want to learn more about Ducky Duke or stay in touch with him, here are some useful links:
Ducky Duke Design
Twitter
Facebook




In the  meantime, check out the video below and KEEP IT QUACKIN'!

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