Ryan Medford is third generation Canyon Laker

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Ryan, who aspires to become an event planner and manager in the music industry, works a recent concert event at the Lodge

Meet Ryan Medford, a third generation Canyon Laker. Ryan’s grandparents, Jim and Anna Jo Medford, moved to Canyon lake in the late ‘70s. “There was hardly anything around here at that time,” says Ryan. Ryan’s parents, James and Cathy Medford, built their house in Canyon Lake in 1987.

Ryan, 23, grew up in Canyon Lake. Both he and his 26-year-old brother, Matthew, were born at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Riverside, the same hospital where his mother worked for 20 years. Ryan says, “I’ve lived my whole life in Canyon Lake, and have fond memories of growing up here, especially of playing Little League, wakeboarding, and hanging out with my friends on the beach. We played a lot of beach volleyball at Holiday Harbor.”

Ryan attended Temescal Canyon High School from 2008 to 2011. He was on the school’s wrestling team and football team. He graduated in 2011. After graduation, Ryan  attended Mt. San Jacinto College where he earned two associate degrees: one in Liberal Arts, the other in Communication Studies.

Ryan is currently attending Cal State San Bernardino College where he is majoring in Public Relations and Event Planning. He is expected to graduate in 2017. “I plan to become a successful event planner and manager in the music industry,” says Ryan.

For the past two years, Ryan has been working as an assistant to Canyon Lake resident Doug Schultz. Doug is a concert manager for FM 94.4 and KSON radio stations in San Diego, and the concert promoter for the CLPOA’s “Concerts at the Lodge” concerts.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to assist Doug, especially with concerts right here in my home town,” says Ryan.

Doug says, “Ryan has been an assistant of mine for two years helping me the day of the show with concert events throughout Southern California. We will have done a total of 15 shows this year. Ryan is an avid alternative rock enthusiast with a great attitude and lots of energy. The long term key will be whether or not Ryan becomes more of a fan or a serious player in the industry. I’m hoping on the latter and I am doing everything I can to help him get there.”

When not studying and working, Ryan enjoys hanging out at the beach, staying active, hiking, camping and attending concerts and festivals.

Ryan’s grandfather is now 91 years old and resides in an assisted living home in Sun City. Ryan’s grandmother passed away when he was sophomore in high school. “My grandparents had been together since they were 19 years old,” says Ryan.

Ryan’s parents still reside in Canyon Lake. His father is a Vietnam War Veteran and a Purple Heart recipient. Ryan says, “My father spent his 21st birthday in the jungles of Vietnam. He had been in the military for two years when he was injured at the military base from a mortar bomb.” Ryan’s mother is breast cancer survivor. “She’s been cancer free for eight years now,” says Ryan.

Ryan’s brother Matthew moved to Northern California in 2016. “He sets up music festivals there,” says Ryan.

Ryan moved to Redlands in mid-August so that he could be closer to college. “Canyon Lake will always be my home though,” he says.