INTERVIEW - Capital Backyard show 106.3FM in Des Moines

Hi all,

I just found out that I will be the featured interview guest on the "Capital Backyard" radio show on 106.3FM in Des Moines. The show features local Central Iowa musicians on Sunday nights at 7PM on 106.3FM

My date is tentatively scheduled for January 10th 2010. Stay tuned for more details!!

Love Is Waiting - Christmas 2009 message

Hi all,

I wanted to share this with you. This is a song Sarah and I wrote for her 2004 Christmas album (BTW, the whole album is GREAT!). With this song, I actually wrote the lyrics and Sarah wrote the music and melody.

As I reflect on 2009, a year which I experienced a deep and profound love loss, I realized also that maybe on another level you never really lose love. Its always there...if we just believe.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sarahbeisser

http://www.ryansheeler.com ("Love Is Waiting" is my featured song in my player)

Love Is Waiting
Words and Music by Ryan Sheeler and Sarah Beisser
-as recorded on the album Love Is Waiting by Sarah Beisser (2004)

VERSE 1
Look around you tonight. One more year has come and gone
Time passes faster each day as we try to slow down
Gather ‘round the fire, come in from the cold
The wind is blowing steady and the snow drifts on the road

CHORUS
News of life eternal guided by a star
All the glory be given to this new King of ours
A miracle on a winter’s night our God is with us here
If we only believe His love is waiting

VERSE 2
On the night of Christ’s birth in a town far away
Our God came to this earth as that little baby boy
This child was so special as only the prophets knew
He was God most high and holy and had come for me and you

CHORUS

BRIDGE
And did Mary know she'd have to trust an angel
Or be doubted for the very lies that she didn't tell?
And could Joseph ever have wanted a more perfect Son
Than the child who always was the Everlasting One?

VERSE 3
So here we gather tonight one more year goes by
Life begins anew again in the twinkling of an eye
Don’t forget to tell someone “I love you” when you can
And most of all remember He who holds you in His hand

CHORUS

TAG
If we only believe…our love is waiting


c. 2004 Ryan Sheeler/Sarah Beisser Ling ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The Colors of Eve - Dan Fogelberg

One again Dan has managed to do it - move me beyond words and say what I've been trying to find words to say for month. This beautiful song is from his last/posthumous album "Love In Time"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g6M5hxdJls

The Colors Of Eve (Fogelberg)



She never looks and she never listens
her heart only knows what it feels
and all that she is, and all that isn't
Her every movement reveals

All the bright moods and all the dark tempers
She's never the way she appears
And she sometimes forgets, and sometimes remembers
and sometimes must laugh through the tears

Of lavender mornings and gray afternoons
sad when the day takes its leave
Nights of white passion and deep shades of blue
These are the colors of eve

The shade of her eye like pale purple asters
runs down her cheek when she cries
and the way of her heart no man may matter
even though many may try

The blush on her cheek, the gold on her fingers
shine when the lady's in love
but a strong gentle touch and a sunset that lingers
are the things her dreams are made of

Scented Vinyl - audio interview and pics coming this week!

Hi all,

The audio interview and pics from my Scented Vinyl interview will be posted this week. I'll post the link. Be sure to listen in as I talk about relationships, life, my songwriting and influences, and perform two songs. It was a very good interview and I can't wait to play it for you!

Thanks to Smokey Row!

Thanks so much to the staff at Smokey Row Coffee House in Des Moines and everyone who came out to see me play last night. I had such a blast! Thank you so much!

Ryan LIVE at Smokey Row tonight 11/20/09

Be sure to catch me LIVE at the new Smokey Row Coffee House in Des Moines tonight at 7PM 11/20/09

http://www.smokeyrow.com

http://www.ryansheeler.com

Scented Vinyl recap!

Hi all, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Scented Vinyl show last night. Daniel Bosman and Mars Cafe are really passionate about supporting local musicians - and its so refreshing to be a part of.

The night started off with an interview at Sound Factory studios right next door to Mars. Daniel and I talked about my new album (LITR), songwriting influences, my upcoming plans and gigs. The interview will be up on the Scented Vinyl website within the next few days.

Then it was back over to Mars where we spun some great vinyl by Elton John, Dan Fogelberg, George Benson, Envy Corps and more. Then I played a small set:

-Light In The Rain
-Anything and Everything
-If You Only
-Leader of the Band
-Chasing Heaven

Afterwards a good-sized crowd had gathered, so Daniel and the Mars staff let me perform a full set. :) Great evening. Pictures and interview will soon be up on:

http://www.scentedvinyl.com

REMINDER: Scented Vinyl interview show tonight!

Be sure to come and see me on the Scented Vinyl show tonight at Mars Cafe in Des Moines! :)

www.scentedvinyl.com

If You Only - #45 and climbing on Soundclick.com AC charts!

As of today "If You Only" is #45 and climbing on soundclick.com's Adult Contemporary charts!

http://www.soundclick.com/ryansheeler

GIGS o' plenty

Hi all!

Just wanted to let you all know that I am hitting the road around Central Iowa A LOT between now and Christmas. Be sure to head over to my website for a full itinerary, and if you do come out to one of my gigs, PLEASE come up and introduce yourself!

http://www.ryansheeler.com

Scented Vinyl - interview show at Mars Cafe

Hi all,

I'm very excited to share this with you. I am doing the famous "Scented Vinyl" show at Mars Cafe on Monday night 11/16 in Des Moines. Scented Vinyl is hosted by Daniel Bosman. It is a live interview/performance show where he features a local musician, and discussed influences. Then we spend the balance of the evening sharing old vinyl records, talking and sharing with the crowd. I will also be performing a short set.

I will be the featured guest this Monday night. :) I will be discussing my new album, Light In The Rain, my songwriting influences, my writing style, my philosophy about performing and recording, and much more.

Please make plans to join us at Mars Cafe! :)

http://www.scentedvinyl.com/

LIVE at Cafe Milo in Ames 11/14/09

Hi all , I'll be be playing at Cafe Milo (4800 Mortensen Road) in Ames tomorrow night. No cover charge. :)

If You Only: lyrics and downloads at Soundclick.com

If You Only is currently #46 out of 4643 songs on the Adult Contemporary charts at Soundclick.com

You can read the lyrics, listen to, or buy the song at my page:

http://www.soundclick.com/ryansheeler

If You Only - demo

You might have noticed that I have new demo of a song that's been up for a few weeks now. If You Only is a new/old song of mine. I've had the idea for quite some time --- I wanted to write a classic AABA form song like Johnny Mercer or Jerome Kern yet with some new chord changes and melodic twists.

Well... here it is. It may be the BEST I've ever written - the best melody, the most beautiful chords, and my most engaging vocal performance. I am so grateful to be blessed to write and sing songs. I thank you so much for listening and lending your support.

Note that the version online is ONLY a demo, I intend on orchestrating it and using it on my next project. You can download, purchase, or listen to it at Soundclick. Lyrics are posted there as well.

http://www.soundclick.com/RyanSheeler

Songs on the charts! If You Only, Anything and Everything

Hi all!

Thanks so much for your support. If You Only and Anything and Everything are making serious headway on Internet Radio!

http://www.soundclick.com/ryansheeler

http://www.capital1063.com/new2/discover/index.html?format=169

http://www.capital1063.com/new2/artists/i/254968

Big week ahead!

Lots of stuff going on. Songs on the radio, Internet, and elsewhere! I'll NEVER get tired of hearing my songs on the radio! :) Gigs.

Big announcement is my appearance on the Scented Vinyl radio show in Des Moines on 11/16 more details soon!

Gigmasters.com

Hi all,

I am now a member of GIGMASTERS.com - looking for gigs in Central Iowa. Please book me. :)

http://www.gigmasters.com/guitar/RyanSheeler/

Appreciation

Thanks to all my friends and fans who have been requesting my music. You are a blessing to me. :)

Charts updates - Anything and Everything, If You Only, Light In The Rain, etc.

Hi all,

The recognition keeps rollin' in. I have several songs on the National Charts for Adult Contemporary, Country, and Pop.

http://www.soundclick.com/ryansheeler

If You Only - Soundclick (Adult Contemporary) #59 out of 4600
Anything and Everything - Soundclick #115 out of 5000 on Country-Pop

Other radio links -- PLEASE REQUEST! :)

http://www.wmtx.com/new2/artists/i/254968?psid=353490

http://www.capital1063.com/new2/discover/index.html?format=169

http://www.reverbnation.com/ryansheeler

"Come To That Place" played on David Tanny Show PODCAST! :)

One of my songs "Come To That Place" has been played on a national PODCAST -- The David Tanny Show from CA. How cool is that?? Listen here:

http://www.musicalley.com/music/listeners/podshow_details.php?ShowHash=784ad5e5f18f0fd6c239455f8b5f4843

Poem of the Week: Photo Album

I've had this around for a long time now, and have been chipping and polishing it. This is one of my all-time favorite poems that I've ever written - a high watermark for me. A little Poe-ish, but still really powerful. I think I really captured a mood here:

I keep an old photo album
on my bottom shelf.
I get it out every once in a while,
just to sift the time away

I keep a lot of pictures
There inside that book. Some are old and a little
Yellow now, but still somehow clear.
Funny hair and clothes. Gigs and weddings,
funerals and newspaper clips,
just like time standing still

Tonight I looked through it again,
just knowing what I might find.
Somehow I think my heart
knew what it was looking for.
by the time I got halfway through

As I neared the end
of this blue memory lane…I saw it again…
the picture of you and me on our first night together.
I remember your blue eyes, your beautiful smile….
I remembered you….in my heart

You are, were, and always will be the love of my life,
The memories came flooding back,
too fast for words, and too strong to hold.
I remember God smiling down on us
As we shared our first night.

Dear God-how I loved you
(and still love you) so much
But now it can’t be…when
time and pain have driven us apart.
How did it get this way?

For minutes that seemed like years,
I cried my tears on your picture
And kissed your cheek on that page
I was trying so hard to keep the pain away.
But it came unrelenting…

And I’m afraid there are
many more tears to cry
who knows when they’ll come
My heart is forever yours, captured
in a snapshot on page 24

As I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord keeps you safe
May you feel loved tonight
even though
I’m very far away

I’ll always keep your picture
And your kiss inside my heart
I just can’t bear to
throw away the memory
Of the love that we’ve lost

Your picture is still inside
That album on my shelf
Sealed by tears, and prayers
Memories too painful to hold on to,
and too precious to let go

Chart updates

Hi all,

Hopefully before the end of the day I will post some stats from Internet Radio charts. Several of my songs (Light In The Rain, Anything and Everything, If You Only et.al) are doing very well! :)

1000 hits!!!

11/4/09

Thanks to all my friends and fans! ryansheeler.com has went over the 1000 hit mark today! Thanks so much for all your support.

dealing with...

sigh...

Today was a bad day emotionally. It started with me realizing that this unemployment is weighing on me financially. November and December are gonna be tough if I don't land a job. :( That thought scares me what with my lack of success since I was laid off.

Also, some past hurts of this summer about grieving a major personal loss came to the fore in my mind today. Somedays its just too hard to bear so I try to push the pain out of my mind with other things. Writing songs help, it doesn't make the pain go away, it just helps frame it and make it semi-manageable.

If you only...getting closer

One last legal hurdle to get through...

"If You Only" is already making its way into Internet Radio, and will be available for purchase through Soundclick and other online music vendors very soon. Plus it will be on Internet Radio as well!

I can't make a formal announcement right now, but I will tomorrow :) It will be worth it! This song has gotten SO much buzz - and its a wonderful and stunningly beautiful song.

If You Only

Legal issues have been resolved...

my new song "If You Only" is making its way onto Internet Radio across the country and the indie music scene.

I AM SO EXCITED to unveil this song. It is my best song, best melody, most personal lyrics. I have a gut feeling that big things are in store for this song!!! I've played it once live already - and it went over so well!!!! :) I'll be performing it on the Scented Vinyl radio show and at gigs in near future!

this song will melt your heart. Its more than just a love song, its a beautiful story about love and regret...saying things that you never got the chance to.

I never say this about my songs....but I have a gut feeling that this song is gonna be an over-the-fence home run.

thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone for coming out to Cafe Diem? It was a great night.

ISU WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ISU beats Nebraska 9-7 in Lincoln! yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.cyclones.com/

Poems

Hi all,

Many of you didn't know this but I also like to write poetry among other things. I have an English minor on my Masters degree. I've written many poems over the years.

http://www.ryansheeler.com/Poems.html

Ryan LIVE at Mars Cafe 10/23/09

Come one come all!

I'm playing tonight at Mars Cafe (2318 University) in Des Moines tonight 9PM -11PM.

www.marscafe.net

LITR National Push #1 - 10/23/09

Hi all,

I just sent out a bunch of demos and flyers to radio stations and venues in Central Iowa, the midwest and around the country. I'm really serious about plugging LITR this time, I really believe in it. Here's a partial list of places I'm contacting...

Des Moines Radio Group - Des Moines, IA
Capital 106.3 FM - Des Moines, IA
KFMG Studios/Hotel Fort Des Moines - Des Moines, IA
KC Radio KC Café Internet Radio - Lee’s Summit, MO
IndieWorld Country - Brush Creek, TN
Indie 103.1 / Entravision - Los Angeles, CA
KEXP 90.3FM Seattle, WA
WFMU - Jersey City , NJ
Lightning 100 FM - Nashville, TN
WEVL FM 89.9 - Memphis, TN
KOOP 91.7FM - Austin TX
Fearless Radio - Chicago IL
Colorado Free Radio - Durango CO
RocklandWorldRadio.com -Nyack, NY
INDIE104 - Covina, CA

Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile - David Allan Coe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxxfEMlBhv8

This is a song from my childhood (I grew up on a lot of 70's and 80s country music when I was young) that I've recently rediscovered. I've been listening to it lately, as it seems to hit home especially hard for me due to the events of this summer (see post "Journal Entry 10/10/09").

So I've been letting this song soak in to me to a lot. I've even been playing on my recent solo gigs.

MONA LISA LOST HER SMILE - David Allan Coe
(Written by : J. Cunningham)

Chorus:
Mona Lisa lost her smile
The painter's hands are trembling now
And if she's out there running wild
It's just because I taught her how
The masterpiece that we had planned
Is laying shattered on the ground
Mona Lisa lost her smile
And the painter's hands are trembling now

Verse I:
And the eyes that used to burn for me
Now they no longer look my way
And the love that used to be
Why, it just got lost in yesterday
And if she seems cold to the touch
Well there used to burn a flame
I gave too little, took too much
Till I erased the painter's name

Chorus

What I Wouldn't Give

I belong to the Internet Songwriters Forum at http://www.thesongwritersforum.com/. Somebody posted this song the other day.

All I can say is WOW!!!!! :) It is by far the best indie country song I've ever heard.

http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=75013

new song....well...no

Well, if you blinked you prolly missed it. I have a new song to unveil, but had to pull it due to some legal issues. I hope to have them cleared up soon, cuz I wanna share this song with ya soon!!! :)

PLEASE VOTE - NSAI Survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ax2vULO8tw6cWI78CU_2bzaw_3d_3d

I am entering the Nashville Songwriters/CMT Fall contest (http://nsai.cmt.com). I need your help! What do you think is my best song that I've written? Please take the above survey and let me know which is my best song and the one I you think I should submit. I need EVERYONE to take the survey. Voting closes at the end of business October 29 2009.

If you don't own my CDs (and shame on you if you don't! lol) then you can listen to clips at:

CDBABY: http://www.cdbaby.com/all/rsheeler

SOUNDCLICK: http://www.soundclick.com/ryansheeler

ShowcaseYourMusic: http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/ryansheeler

ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/ryansheeler

Anything and Everything - Top Ten at RRadio Network!

Hi all,

The accolades and great notices from Light In The Rain keep coming! :) The latest news is that "Anything and Everything" has broken the Top Ten on the RRadio Network!!! yay!!!! Be sure to go to this link, and request or download it!!! PLEASE help me keep it in the top ten!! Thanks so much.

http://www.rradiomusic.com/artists/pop.htm

LITR Promotional Push

Hi all,

My promotional push nationwide for LITR will commence next week. I have stations in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Chicago, Denver, New York, and Los Angeles that are interesting playing my music. I'll be sending out promotional stuff and demos to all of them next week.

Meanwhile I need your help! Please get out there and help me by requesting "Light In The Rain" and "Heart of the Person" on Internet Radio. You can use the links below.

http://www.capital1063.com/new2/artists/i/254968

http://www.iheartradio.com/new2/artists/i/254968

http://www.last.fm/music/Ryan+Sheeler

Top Ten Live Blues Albums - Gibson Guitars

Top Ten Live Blues albums as ranked by Gibson Guitars. I can personally vouch for BB King's Live at the Regal - I own it and yes it truly is as great and legendary as people say it is.

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/10-Great-Electric-Blues-108/

Journal Entry 10/10/09

Journal Entry – 10/10/09
Wow. My last entry was on 5/13… wow how things have changed since then.

2009 started with so much promise. I had a great job, steady income and benefits, and a wonderful relationship. Now at the end of 2009, I have lost all of those things – all of those things are gone. :( What started out as a wonderful and special time of year, has now descended into a winter’s heart. I have alienated, confused, hurt, and wounded many people close to me…burning bridges and relationships.
Worse of all, I have managed to hurt myself. For the first time I have hit rock bottom…in years past I thought I had at various points. This year I know I have. My heart doesn’t feel very much of anything these days – nothing is enjoyable to me. I cry a lot, and am a lot more defensive and self-protective than I remember myself being in years past. I have seen the blackness of my own fallen heart. Something in my heart is so sick and wounded, that I hide it most of the time from people. I lash out and have burned so many bridges. It scares me and I know its scared others.
I am a creative and resourceful person by inclination - I have this inner drive to create. So I need fuel to create with. And it seems unfortunate to say – but I’ll take any kind of fuel even if its not good.
These days hurt and pain surrounds me much like the cloud of dirt that followed Pig-Pen around in the Peanuts clips. Its sunny outside – but I’m not happy. I’ve had success with my music- but I’m not happy. I have my health, friends, family – but I’m not happy.
I’ve looked in the mirror and noticed the dark circles that seem to be permanent fixtures under my eyes. And I see and feel things inside of me that I despise – selfishness, rage, jealousy and fear. All too often these things win out – and the spring/summer of 2009 is the worst possible example. I lost so many things, my job, love, new friends, and new horizons. When you can see it in people’s eyes they’re afraid/concerned or somehow that you’ve changed for the worse in their eyes…then you know something is wrong...

I’ve done charity work with the homeless before. I’ve never been homeless, in the classical definition, in my life before. But I understand the concept, because I’ve felt homeless in my heart…in my own skin…
Now its October and the leaves are gently falling off the trees again. Things are quiet. I end up staying up well past midnight, thinking, writing, and praying, because I can’t calm myself very soon after going to bed these days. Sometimes I’ll either go for a walk late at night or listen to music – anything to get away from this ugly, black silence for a vain attempt at calming myself.
So I’ve turned to the only things that I can seem to rely on these days – prayer and writing songs. I haven’t been to church in more than 6 months but intend to return soon. But I pray everything to God and ask him to be with the people I hurt…but God doesn’t audibly tell me much these days other than just to trust him and that something really wonderful is going to happen to me in October.

Late this summer I released my 3rd solo album Light In The Rain. Writing songs is the one thing I’m sure I was put on this earth to do. w/o songwriting I would be much much less sane. Lol  Writing songs – brings together my two favorite activities – music and words. I have spent A LOT of time studying both music and words. And I can’t describe to you the mystical, spiritual feeling you get when you write a song – its incredible. Then to have it resonate with someone or somebody, is even more so incredible. With LITR, I was writing to process the pain, but little did I know that the songs would resonate with people so much. As of this writing several songs have taken off and received airplay on Internet Radio – which is beyond my wildest dreams! :) so I'm really happy about that....but...
I seem to have a major Catch 22 – as good as those songs are and as happy as I am for their success. Everytime I hear them, I stuck with reminders of the times and situations they portray, and I get to live with that now. For better or for worse….
But the pain and loss of self-esteem hasn’t gone away….like I secretly hoped it would…. In many respect its as bad as it was those months ago. I don’t think there’s such thing a moving on from a trauma (death, job loss, divorce or relationship breakup) and I think people who tell you to move on are misguided. You never really move on, you just learn how to deal with it. The scars are there as permanent reminders, and you’ll always have them. You can’t move on from scars, you have to acknowledge the scar’s existence every day because it’s a part of you that never goes away. That’s why I say people who tell you to move on are misguided – it’s like them giving you a Hallmark card for your incurable cancer and that’s supposed to make believe that you’re gonna be just fine.

So why am I writing this...who knows.... its more theraputic to see and process your thoughts when they're on paper in front of you I guess. I just wish the first half of 2009 didn't go so wrong. if you asked me 6 months ago, if you thought I'd be where I am actually right now, I'd thought you were crazy...but alas its true...my life became not to far off from a tabloid. I wish it didn't turn out this way...

So here we are, and all I've got are God silence, a prayer, some songs, and my journal.

So…
Dear Journal,
I hope next time we meet on better terms. :) Thanks so much for your open pages and your willingness to listen to me. Sorry that my pain was kinda hard on your nice white pages. :) But thanks for being there for me, and for all the countless hours of unfinished prayers, half-baked songs, unspoken dreams, and longing for love. Thanks for being my friend.

Your friend, Ryan

more writing - poems and lyrics

I've long been a writer. Mrs Gibson was my third grade teacher at Meeker Elementary - and she really installed on us the values of reading and writing.

Many of you don't know that I am a writer as well as a musician - this would explain my love for lyrics in songs. But I'm also REALLY into poetry, memoirs, historical non-fiction, detective fiction, Russian and American Lit, and more. Check out my new POEMS section on my website

http://www.ryansheeler.com/Poems.html

Heart Of The Person - writing and lyrics

From time to time, I've had people ask me about the lyrics and I'm always glad to share them.  :)    I work very hard in my lyrics to my songs and have always had a passion for words. Go to my website: http://www.ryansheeler.com --- > Click on the LYRICS section in main menu bar. All the lyrics to my 2 vocal solo albums (Letters from North of Town, and Light In The Rain) are available.

If you ever have any questions or comments about my lyrics, drop me a note. I'd love to hear from you!

c. 2009 Ryan Sheeler/Sheeler Music Group (ASCAP) - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Heart Of The Person (Lisa Swab/Ryan Sheeler)

VERSE 1
A long time ago you said to me
Some words I remember, ones that made me see
“I don’t care where you’re at, I care where you’re going”
But don’t look now, I think your heart is showing

CHORUS
You always had a special gift for seeing someone’s life
Compassion sees it all when love comes alive
It’s the heart of the person you taught me how to see
The heart of the person is a new kind of believe

VERSE 2
All the things you told me and all the reasons why
How you skinned your knee running from the moment that never passed by
God called you into darkness so you’d reflect His light
I’ve never see a more beautiful soul prepared to fight

CHORUS

BRIDGE
One moment, one day. Two hearts, one way
Shine down, peace and light. Give us the only true sight

VERSE 3
I’ve never loved anyone quite like I loved you
Now that time has passed I know that’s its true
You see, your heart is so beautiful like I’ve never seen before
Loving, seeking beauty.  How could I ask for more?

LITR Promo and Radio

Kinda beginning the rollout of LITR promotion. I've heard from independent stations in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Denver, and Los Angeles that want to play tracks from LITR. How cool is that??????? More soon....

Coach Carter - "What Is Your Greatest Fear?"

I just watched Coach Carter again last night. I forgot how much I love that movie. IMO, It's Samuel L. Jackson's best performance.

"What is your greatest fear?"

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is ... Read Morenothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - A Return To Love by Marianne Williamson (1992)

LITR Promo Push

Hi Sheeler friends and fans,

I will be doing a big promotional push for Light In The Rain. I'll be sending out demos and info to Central Iowa venues and radio stations, and also contacting regional/national independent rock, pop, country and R&B stations. You can help me A TON by requesting "Light In The Rain" and "Heart of the Person" on Internet Radio sites, and also commenting for me on CDBABY, MySpace, Soundclick and my other sites. Keep these dates on your calendar:

October 23 - An Evening With Ryan Sheeler, Mars Cafe 2318 University Ave, Des Moines IA 7PM

October 24th - CD RELEASE PARTY for LITR, Cafe Diem, 229 Main Street, Ames IA 7:30PM

LITR - Radio Single #2

Well...the listeners have spoken! And they have voted "Heart Of The Person" as the 2nd single off of Light In The Rain. A new radio-edited version and lyrics are available on ryansheeler.com

Here are a few online stations to request the new single.

http://www.capital1063.com/new2/artists/i/254968

http://www.iheartradio.com/new2/artists/i/254968

http://www.wrnx.com/new2/artists/i/254968?psid=334808

Winter in Iowa???? so soon??

Low of 28 and Freeze warning tonight. Snow and hi of 39/low of 23 tomorrow????? What's up with that?

Feature song - Believe In Me

www.ryansheeler.com

A sneak peak at the bonus track on LITR. Dan Fogelberg is my single biggest influence as a songwriter. His music has a personal resonance with me that goes back to the first time I ever heard "Leader of the Band" and "Same Old Lang Syne". His songs are beautiful and tough, sad and joyous all at the same time.

"Believe In Me" has to be one of the most quietly beautiful songs of his repertoire. I've always wanted to put it on a project of mine...and it seems perfect for Light In The Rain. Here's also a bonus clip of Dan performing the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMfv9HALUro

Believe In Me – Dan Fogelberg
(from the album Windows and Walls)

VERSE 1
If I could ever say it right
And reach your hostage heart despite
The doubts you harbor then you might
Come to believe in me.

VERSE 2
The life I lead is not the kind
That gives a woman peace of mind
I only hope someday you'll find
That you can believe in me.

VERSE 3
Those other loves that came before
Mean nothing to me anymore
But you can never be quite sure
And will not believe in me.

BRIDGE
Too many hearts have been broken
Failing to trust what they feel
But trust isn't something that's spoken
And love's never wrong when it's real.

VERSE 4
If I could only do one thing
Then I would try to write and sing
A song that ends your questioning
And makes you believe in me.

“Believe In Me” by Dan Fogelberg. (From the album Windows and Walls)
c.1984 EMI April Music/ Hickory Grove Music. Used by permission ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Ryan now featured on Last.FM radio streaming!

Check it out here!!

http://www.last.fm/music/Ryan+Sheeler

Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile

Its funny, how a song from your past that you haven't heard from at all, somehow seems to resurface a time when you need to hear it the most. Sometimes when you're grieving a loss, its like every song you hear hits home. Every word this song rings true for me; I truly have lived this song.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxxfEMlBhv8&

MONA LISA LOST HER SMILE
(Written by : J. Cunningham)
David Allan Coe


Chorus:
Mona Lisa lost her smile
The painter's hands are trembling now
And if she's out there running wild
It's just because I taught her how
The masterpiece that we had planned
Is laying shattered on the ground
Mona Lisa lost her smile
And the painter's hands are trembling now

Verse I:
And the eyes that used to burn for me
Now they no longer look my way
And the love that used to be
Why, it just got lost in yesterday
And if she seems cold to the touch
Well there used to burn a flame
I gave too little, took too much
Till I erased the painter's name

Chorus

Autumn in the heart

sigh.... its gonna be 37 degrees in Central Iowa tonight. Fall is here.

It feels kinda like fall in my heart too. :(

shameless plug.... please don't forget to buy/download/listen to Light In the Rain :)

For your viewing and listening pleasure...

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ryansheeler3


http://www.apple.com/search/ipoditunes/?q=Ryan+Sheeler

http://www.indierhythm.com/product.php?cdId=5957

http://www.soundclick.com/ryansheeler

http://www.ourstage.com/fanclub/ryansheeler

promo push for LITR

Hi friends and fans,

Well...I figured that life is too short. I've always wanted to be a songwriter and I believe that LITR is my strongest work to date. So I wanna make sure that I do everything I can to make sure it gets out there and gets heard. So I am gonna do an extra special promotion push to Independent/Internet Radio in the rock,pop, country, singer-songwriter, and CCM markets over the next few weeks. More to stay tuned with! But keep an eye out and keep requesting "Light In The Rain"!

Blessings, Ryan

The Heart of the Matter - Summer 2009 Reflections "If God is for us, who could be against us?"

...this is Walter Concrete speaking.... lol (Good Morning Vietnam reference!) ;)

Now that its October (wow did the seasons change fast or what???), I thought I'd take a little time and reflect on the summer that was or was not.

Let's back track.

Fall of 2008... I composed the entire orchestral score to my church's Christmas musical in about two months. ugh! Creative burnout...but in a GOOD way. Meanwhile I was still in a job drought that began all the way back to summer of 2006. Lo and behold I did land a job but soon found that I perhaps shouldn't have taken it, as the fit was not good at all (it was a non-fit, actually lol!)

OK on to 2009...after the creative hi-functioning period that was 2008 (2nd solo album, wrote a book, and scored a musical all in 12 months!), I promised myself that I would take action to make myself less busy. Which is a Catch 22 -- I'm at my best when I'm insanely busy, but I HATE myself for it! It affects my spiritual health too :(

So anyway....I did manage to meet a special someone during this time and it would appear that 2009 was going off swimmingly....but all of the sudden my entire life came crashing down. First got laid off from the job - which was both a HUGE relief (cuz I hated it), and also a huge blow to my self-esteem cuz you think you're not good enough any more. Being wired such as I am, the news was a blow to other facets of my life. My girlfriend and I broke up, family stress and financial worry seemed on the increase and more. wow...what a summer! So I spent the last part of the summer with a broken heart and spirit. all of the sudden I felt so alone in my own skin I often wondered "what next God" "ok, is this the end? Are you calling' me home God? because I really don't feel like living right now"

More than 3 months later, I'm doing ok, but wow... its all a blur....God has stood there with me when I didn't wanna stand any more. but I can still say this "God is God, and He's my God, and I am His Child!". All the wrong I've done, He's still My God. :) As the Bible says "if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Keep the faith, keep praying, keep dreamin', and keep loving. Never EVER forget to tell someone "I love you" -- there's someone in your life or in your path EVERYDAY that needs to hear that from you. Family, friendships, and time are too precious for you to miss the opportunities.

A song that I keep coming back to over the years is Don Henley's The Heart of the Matter. I play this song at every solo appearance I make. Henley is my #1 influence as a singer, and a huge influence on my songwriting as well. This song rings so true for me all the time anymore.

I've played this song for 10 years now, and I've played it *for* many people and *with* many people. I'll never quit playing or performing this song...because someone needs to hear it even if its just yourself that you need to forgive!

Blessings, R

The Heart of The Matter - Don Henley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLgUuHl2xJo

and remember...

"if God is for us, who can be against us?"

New DEMO CD sampler

I'm pressing a new DEMO CD sampler that I will send out to US Radio and media outlets in the next week or two. It won't be available through any online store for sale, but I will send you one free if you want it (a $5 gratuity would be nice), email me at ryan@ryansheeler.com

Ryan Sheeler - Demo CD Sampler

1. Light In The Rain
2. Heart Of The Person
3. Anything and Everything
4. I'm There With You
5. Chasing Heaven

Song of the Week: I'm There With You

Song of the week for 10/4/09 - I'm There With You (Sheeler)

My best vocal and most personal, poignant lyric on LITR. True story. I got the idea from a card a bought at Walmart. :)

I’m There With You

VERSE 1
You meet me at the door imagine my heart’s surprise
Speechless as I am seeing your beautiful eyes

But the distance in those eyes is breaking my heart
I know that it’s my foolish pride that’s keeping us apart

CHORUS
There are days I miss you so much - It’s then I love you more
Can we come together, hearts as one and love each other true

Pretend that I there with you ‘cause in my heart I am

VERSE 2
All the times we’ve had so far laughing, crying, holding on
I see the love that’s in your eyes shining like the dawn

I offer prayers at night time asking for His Peace
On your life and in your heart while you sleep

CHORUS

VERSE 3
We’ve pushed and pulled each other in a million different ways
Not meaning to cause the pain our words too often say

But when each day ends and you sleep the night away
“I love you” are my silent words with a gentle kiss, I pray

keep requesting LITR and help me choose the next single

Hi all,

Be sure to keep requesting Light In The Rain on Internet Radio. Do a Google search for "Light In The Rain Ryan Sheeler" pick one of the dozens of stations that come up.

Also, go to my website, and take the survey there. Help me choose the next song I release to Internet Radio! You can help me decide! :)

www.ryansheeler.com

10/2/09 - Caribou Coffee gig in West Des Moines - CANCELLED

Ryan's appearance at Caribou Coffee in West Des Moines scheduled for tonight at 7PM has been CANCELLED.

FYI, the appearance at Wellspring Cafe in Urbandale scheduled for 10/3/09 is still ON!

www.ryansheeler.com

LITR Survey - YOU pick the next single to go to Internet Radio! :)

I need your help! Go here and help me pick the next single of Light In The Rain to release to Internet Radio.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=u4a_2b8FmE4h0mUOi7u6QueA_3d_3d

Nashville Songwriters Association!

Hey all, I am now a member of the prestigious Nashville Songwriters Association! :)

http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com

This will give me a lot more exposure and networking for my songs! :) yay!

Song of the Week 9/25

Song of the week - Come To That Place

Come To That Place – Ryan Sheeler

VERSE 1
When I drove home from our first date, I didn’t know what I had
But I knew you were special and somehow my heart was glad
From the first time that we kissed to the last time that we touched
I could not believe that my heart could love that much
CHORUS
Now we come to that place where true love resides
Though our pride gets in the way, its love we can’t deny
There’s always been something special in your eyes
That only God could provide
VERSE 2
On a chair in your bedroom are two pictures of you
One when you were 5 years old and the other one subdued
They both had a smile, beautiful despite
Calendar pages turned, years of pain tried to hide
CHORUS
BRIDGE
We both came here with pain and time to bear
Sweetly forged a deeper bond that we both now share
VERSE 3
Your eyes have always showed me compassion and so much love
I’d be such a fool to say, you weren’t sent from up above
As I hold your body close to mine, words unspoken say
I’ll always listen to your heart, and take all your fears away
CHORUS 3
Now we come to that place where true love resides
You and I forever one, love no one can deny
Looking in all those years for someone with your eyes
I’ve come to that place and found my love’s lullaby

LITR now available at IndieRhythm.com

My CDs are now available online at IndieRhythm.com!

Light In The Rain: http://indierhythm.com/product.php?cdId=5957

Prayers and Promises: http://indierhythm.com/product.php?cdId=5959

Letters From North of Town: http://indierhythm.com/product.php?cdId=5958

Sheeler Music Group

Announcing the launch of Sheeler Music Group; my publishing/research/music advocacy group

http://smg.ryansheeler.com/

new SoW for 9/20/09 - I'm Keeping an Empty Box

www.ryansheeler.com

I’m Keeping An Empty Box (Lisa Swab/Ryan Sheeler)
VERSE 1
I looked in my closet for something I couldn’t find
Dust had settled over memories I’d left behind
When I was looking the other way, I saw it sitting there
I touched it, felt it, waiting...waiting just to share
CHORUS
I’ve been keeping an empty box on a shelf inside my heart
I never meant to keep it here, open and set apart
What’s inside this empty box that’s been singing a silent song?
Waiting for someone to listen to my heart all along
VERSE 2
This closet hides a lot of things – masking tape and a corded phone
Just like the space inside of me – they’re things I didn’t own
I’ve forgotten all about them along with love and time
To see them with the memories brings a tear to my eye
CHORUS
BRIDGE
Boxes full of empty spaces, filled with laughter now empty faces
Smiling now, begin the traces of love that fills the empty spaces
VERSE 3
I’ve forgotten how much of this closet I’ve never seen
Never take a look around or even had time to clean
A broken sewing machine lies in an empty space
Its broken wheel reflects… reflects a certain face
Of a little child who wanted to be loved
Now you’re here in my arms sent from up above
CHORUS 3
I’ve filled the empty box that was inside my heart
Hope gives way to something more, open and set apart
What’s inside this empty box that’s been singing a silent song?
Waiting for someone to listen to my heart all along

Please keep requesting!!!

Please keep requesting Light In The Rain on Internet Radio as much as you can.  It will help keep the songs in the public eye.

Google "Ryan Sheeler Light In The Rain radio"  or click on the links below in the posts

LITR - NOW AVAILABLE on CDBABY.com

Here it is at long last! :)

http://www.cdbaby.com/all/rsheeler

Box Bros in Fairfield IA

Well....the Box Brothers finished a 2-day stint in Fairfield for some gigs.   Got to go by the Maharishi University.  The whole weekend was slightly surreal.  :)

Internet Radio - Light In The Rain

I NEED YOUR HELP!!! :)

"Light In The Rain" is getting picked up by Internet Radio (yay!) I need your help in getting my play count up! Click on any of the links below. Or choose the Google Search listing link to see them all:

Google Search link "Ryan Sheeler Light In The Rain radio"

http://www.capital1063.com/new2/discover/index.html?format=169

http://www.iheartradio.com/new2/artists/i/254968?psid=334808

http://www.kbig104.com/new2/discover/index.html?format=169

http://www.wzzo.com/new2/discover/index.html?format=193

http://www.wnic.com/new2/discover/index.html

Light In The Rain

So many of you know, Light In The Rain is my new solo CD. It is taking off like you would not believe. Born out of immense emotional pain and a ton of prayer...I truly its best personal work I've ever done :)

TRACK LISTING
Heart Of The Person
Light In The Rain
Different Kind
Anything and Everything
Sight Unseen
Love Too Much
The Storm Around Me
I’m Keeping An Empty Box
Come To That Place
I’m There With You

BONUS TRACK:
Believe In Me (Fogelberg)


All songs and compositions c.2009
By Ryan Sheeler/Sheeler Music Group ASCAP except:
“Heart Of The Person” and “I’m Keeping an Empty Box”
By Lisa Swab and Ryan Sheeler. C.2009

“Believe In Me” by Dan Fogelberg. (From the album Windows and Walls)
c.1984 EMI April Music/ Hickory Grove Music.
Used by permission ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Official News move - temporary

Hey all,

I'm temporarily moving my entire news and blog section (for www.ryansheeler.com) to my Blogspot. So for the time being, all my news and updates will be here.

I saw for the time being...cuz I am looking into migrating to a Wordpress installation so I can easily integrate all my news and blog content more seemlessly into my webpage. And I intend to start an RSS feed as well.

Thanks for your patience! :)

Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile - David Allan Coe

Every once in a while you find a song that perfectly fits your mood in life. This song totally fits where I am emotionally these days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxxfEMlBhv8

Mona Lisa's lost her smile and the painter's hands are trembling now
And if she's out there running wild it's just because I taught her how
The masterpiece that we had planned is laying shattered on the ground
Mona Lisa's lost her smile and the painter's hands are trembling now

The eyes that used to burn for me now they no longer look my way
And the love that used to be love I just lost in yesterday
And if she seems cold to the touch well there used to burn a flame
I gave too little took too much

till I erased the painter's name

what a summer

wow. don't know if I'll top this one any time soon. So much loss and heartache, losing my job and losing someone very special to me. These losses, never of which am I even close to done grieving, have cast a huge shadow over my emotional health these last two months.

You know how it can be perfectly sunny outsid, and you still are incredibly depressed? That's what I've been living in for the past two months. Horrible. Bad thing is that it doesn't seem to get any better....

Case in point...I am releasing my 3rd solo album this week entitled Light In The Rain. It is by far the best collection of songs I've ever done. But the events of the past months have cast a shadow on that too, to the point where I'm not anywhere happy about it as I should be.

End result being...I don't feel as near to God as I should. I just hope He's near to me, 'cuz I can't see Him, hear Him or touch Him right now.

the end of summer

what a summer its been. wow. I didn't plan on 2009 working out this way with so much personal loss. :( Surely the fall will improve some.