Break Time For Ryan Adams?

Although Adams’ communiqué seems at times to be a stream-of-consciousness rant, there’s no mistaking the artist’s message. Especially in his opening paragraph:

me- 34-a non smoker and happy, for the first time in my life.. i am excited to finish this wonderful time i have had with the cardinals and whatever new adventures may come after march. atlanta will be my last venture with the band and i am grateful for the time we have had and maybe someday we will have more stories to tell together. i am however ready for quieter times as i think it is very evident i am struggling with some balance and hearing issues.

Adams then writes about problems he’s faced, including inner-ear problems that he says led people to accuse him of public drunkeness.

i am excited to step away. i lost more than anyone will ever know (hearing, someone i loved, my sense of dignity, a never ending losing battle with stage fright and now my hearing and balance due to an inner ear issue- people accusing me of not being sober when i am suffering tremendous pain and nausea from my inner ear symptoms…

Adams doesn’t actually say he’s quitting music, but he does make it sound like he’s reached a point where he wants a little quiet time in his life – perhaps to reflect on his past and consider his future plans.

anyway, enjoy these shows ( i will enjoy them immensely and i will miss them just as much) and know that i am not abandoning anyone, not the cardinals and not the fans, this is just something i need to do now, and that i loved playing music in the cardinals and hell, even before i was in a place to try and learn to be well, music was my life source- and cardinals was such a heavy crush and a real dream…i honor it too much to have any regrets right now, i am just proud.

maybe we will play again sometime and maybe i will work my way back into some kind of music situation but this is the time for me to step back now, to reel it in and i wish everyone peace and happiness and if music is your dream, or if just dreaming is your dream, may you find your way through the rough patch with ease and i hope you let go and it takes you all the way there – loving kindness to all.

Adams also says the media will quote his blogging out of context, and that it really doesn’t matter what he says or what is fair anymore because “the 21st century media has it’s own rules about what is true and what is not.”

Which makes this as good a spot as any to recommend that you read the entire posting to discover what’s on Ryan Adams’ mind these days.