Charlie Ryan was a Spokane-based guitarist, singer, and bandleader born in 1915 and passed away in 2008. He is best known for his hit song "Hot Rod Lincoln," which became a classic in the genre of hot-rod or road-race songs. Ryan's interest in hot rods began at an early age, and he was inspired to write the song after racing his Lincoln hot rod against a friend's Cadillac on the steep and winding Spiral Highway in Idaho.

In 1957, Ryan recorded "Hot Rod Lincoln" with his band, the Timberline Riders, and released it on his Souvenir Records label. The song gained local radio airplay and was later picked up by the California-based 4 Star label, which helped it achieve nationwide popularity. By 1960, it had climbed the Hot 100 Pop charts, and Billboard magazine featured Ryan in its "Artists' Biographies for Jockey Programming" section. The song's success led to numerous covers by other artists, including a charting version by country star Johnny Bond.

Apart from his music career, Ryan served as an Army radio operator in the Philippines during World War II and enjoyed hobbies such as horses and hunting. His legacy lives on through "Hot Rod Lincoln," a song that continues to be celebrated in the country and country-rock genres.