Dix Hills Native Ryan Star to Perform on Leno

Dix Hills singer and songwriter Ryan Star will make his television debut next week, as the guest performer on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

Not only has the local singing sensation scored a guest spot on the NBC show, airing Aug. 14, but he has also landed a new deal with Island Records. Star was previously with Atlantic Records, but when the label decided not to back his single, “Stay Awhile,” the singer took matters into his own hands. Star used his own money to record the song and make a music video.

His instinct was right. The single now has more than 1.1 million hits on YouTube and caught the attention of Island Records, as well as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

“I have evolved creatively in knowing what I want out of my music and how I wish to get it to my fans. Island understands what I am about and will get it out to the world the way I have always dreamed,” Star wrote to his fans on Facebook.

The Dix Hills native said that he owes his recent success to his listeners and those who have supported him through his career.

“This is for all of us. Every believer out there who has been on this incredible journey with me. We are just getting started,” he said.