David Ryan Adams (born November 5, 1974) is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams left the band to pursue a solo career, releasing Heartbreaker in 2000. A longtime resident of New York City, Adams is probably best known for his song "New York, New York" off his critically acclaimed second album, Gold. He has since released five more solo albums and five albums with backing band The Cardinals.

Adams has also produced albums by Jesse Malin and Willie Nelson and contributed to the albums of various artists including Counting Crows, Weezer, Norah Jones, America, Minnie Driver, Cowboy Junkies, Leona Naess, Toots & the Maytals, Beth Orton and Krista Polvere. He appeared on CMT Crossroads with friend Elton John in 2002.

In early 2009, Adams left The Cardinals and announced that he was taking an indefinite hiatus from music. The following year, Adams began releasing previously unreleased albums on his record label PAX AM.

Adams has written two books of short stories and poems, entitled Infinity Blues and Hello Sunshine

Adams married singer and actress Mandy Moore on March 10, 2009, in Savannah, Georgia.