Amos Lee Bio
Ryan Anthony Massaro, known professionally as Amos Lee, is an American singer-songwriter whose music blends folk, rock, soul, and Americana. Born on June 22, 1977, he first gained wider attention after serving as an opening act for Norah Jones and Bob Dylan, and he has since built a career as a recording artist and touring musician on Blue Note Records. Lee is celebrated for his warm vocal style and intimate, folk-inflected songwriting, which have earned him television and film placements as well as a devoted live audience.
Based in West Philadelphia, Amos Lee has released five studio albums, with his 2011 record Mission Bell debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. He has also appeared on late-night television and shared stages with artists such as Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, and Van Morrison.
Early Life and Background
Amos Lee was born Ryan Anthony Massaro in 1977 and raised in Kensington, Philadelphia. He later moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey, at the age of eleven and graduated from Cherry Hill High School East. Lee has described himself as being of mixed heritage, noting that he is not fully aware of his full background, and he adopted the stage name “Amos Lee” because he grew tired of people mispronouncing his birth name.
Lee attended the University of South Carolina, where he graduated with a degree in English and a minor in education. During his college years, his interest in music deepened after he discovered the collection Great Days: The John Prine Anthology, an experience that inspired him to learn the guitar and bass. He also immersed himself in the work of artists such as Donny Hathaway, Joni Mitchell, Luther Vandross, Bill Withers, and Otis Redding, whose influences would later shape his songwriting style.
Path to Music
After completing his studies, Amos Lee returned to Philadelphia, where he worked as a second-grade teacher at the Mary McLeod Bethune School. He also took a job tending bar at local music venues, including the Tin Angel, an intimate listening room that became an important early platform for his own performances. Through open-mic nights in the Philadelphia area, Lee steadily built a small but loyal following.
His career changed course in 2003, when his manager, Bill Eib, sent a four-song demo CD to several record labels. The representative at Blue Note Records was immediately struck by Lee’s voice, and soon afterward, Norah Jones heard his music during a visit to the label and invited him to open for her 2004 tour. That exposure led to further high-profile opportunities, including a 2005 opening slot for Bob Dylan arranged through the friendship between Eib and Dylan’s manager, Jeff Kramer.
Amos Lee Career
Early Career (2004–2005)
Amos Lee launched his recording career in 2004 with the release of his self-titled debut album on Blue Note Records, produced by Norah Jones’s bassist, Lee Alexander. The album featured vocals and instrumentation by Norah Jones and members of her band, and it was widely praised for its subtle, folky soul. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, and Rolling Stone named Lee one of its “Top 10 Artists to Watch.”
During this period, Lee also made his first notable media appearances, performing on late-night programs including the Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His song “Colors” was featured on the television series Grey’s Anatomy and House, as well as in the film Just Like Heaven, bringing his music to an even broader audience.
Breakthrough (2006–2011)
In 2006, Amos Lee released his second album, Supply and Demand, produced by Philadelphia musician Barrie Maguire. The record featured more complicated instrumentation and production than his debut, and its single “Shout Out Loud” peaked at No. 76 on the Billboard 200. Another track, “Sweet Pea,” was featured in an AT&T advertising campaign, further expanding Lee’s commercial reach.
Lee’s third album, Last Days at the Lodge, arrived in 2008 and reaffirmed his grounding in folk and soul, peaking at No. 29 on the Billboard 200. That summer, he performed at the Change Rocks voter registration rally for Barack Obama in Philadelphia, opening for Bruce Springsteen. His fourth album, Mission Bell, followed in 2011 and was produced by Joey Burns of Calexico, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on the Digital Albums chart, and No. 1 on both the Amazon and iTunes album charts. The single “Windows are Rolled Down” became a top-10 hit on USA Today’s adult-alternative chart, and guest artists on the record included Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Priscilla Ahn, Pieta Brown, James Gadson, and Sam Beam.
Notable Works and Milestones
Among Amos Lee’s most recognized works are his self-titled debut (2004), Mission Bell (2011), and Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song (2013), all released on Blue Note Records. His music has appeared on numerous television shows, including House and Parenthood, and his song “Skipping Stone” was featured in the soundtrack to the 2006 film My Blueberry Nights. Lee has also performed as a featured artist on the PBS series Bluegrass Underground and appeared at Farm Aid 2013.
Amos Lee Award Nominations
Amos Lee’s career has been marked more by critical praise and chart success than by formal award nominations, and specific nomination totals are not clearly documented in available sources. His work has been recognized through features in major outlets such as Rolling Stone and The New York Times, and his album Mission Bell reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2011.
Amos Lee Awards Won
Verified industry awards for Amos Lee are not clearly documented in available sources, though his career achievements include a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200 and recognition from Rolling Stone as one of its “Top 10 Artists to Watch.” His standing has been built primarily on critical reception, consistent touring, and television and film placements rather than traditional award wins.
Amos Lee Family
Amos Lee has spoken about being of mixed heritage, though he has noted that he is not fully aware of his background. His mother, step-father, and father regularly attended his early shows in Philadelphia around the year 2000, beginning at the Tin Angel, and continued to support him at venues in New York City as his career grew.
Personal Life
Amos Lee maintains a residence in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he continues to be based. He has occasionally appeared on the podcast The Rights to Ricky Sanchez, recording its theme song and playing the character Tony Toni Tatone. Lee’s longtime touring band includes Jaron Olevksy, Zach Djanikian, Jay White, Ryan Hommel, David Streim, and James Williams.