[2] Among their neighbors was Canned Heat's Bob Hite, whose massive collection of blues gramophone records was a magnet and inspiration to the adolescent Ryder.
[1] Her mother remarried a local contractor, and they jointly opened Topanga Corral, which hosted an array of musicians including Canned Heat, Spirit, Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield, and the Eagles.
Effectively living next door to the club, meant Ryder got to liaise with visiting musicians, including Big Joe Turner, Etta James and Taj Mahal, who all acted as mentors.
[3] Encouraged and with easy access to the premises, while in her teenage years, Ryder and her small band regularly opened the show at Topanga Corral for Charlie Musselwhite, Big Joe Turner, Etta James, and Taj Mahal.
[4] Grit Grease & Tears followed in 2016, with Braunagel producing and Bob Corritore played harmonica as a guest musician on the album with Sugaray Rayford supplying some additional vocals.