Baptism - Easter 2016

43 years later.... I was baptized this morning, something I had done as an infant (so I'm told) decades ago. Which is OK. But I really didn't even begin to know Christ or really know about Him, or experience Him in my life until much later.

I'm so humbled and thankful to serve on the worship team and with the body of Christ at Christ Community Church -- I felt held by God and very loved this morning as I shared my story. I was one of 15 baptisms today and there were some amazing stories of God's love and faithfulness - He is truly the God of 2nd chances. To have His only Son defeat death on my behalf and walk out of that tomb wholly alive is something beyond amazing to me. 25 years of ministry really came together today for me in ways I hadn't seen before. God is truly good. If He can use someone like me, He can surely use someone like you. ‪#‎Grace‬ 

Easter 2016

"...And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." (1 Corinthians 15:14)

We know and are certain that He was crucified and died; the blood and water poured out from His side when they pierced it, and they didn't have to break His legs before they took Him down from the cross. The temple curtain was torn in two from top-to-bottom, so that we can enter into the presence to the Holy of Holies.

We know and are certain that He is Risen, because the tomb was empty.  He was seen alive in bodily form by the women first, then the disciples, then to more than 500 others, and finally to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus.

The work is finished - it is now the end of the beginning.  He did all of this for you and me, so that we may share in His abundant life.   He Is Risen!
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrhSjP5988E

Reviews requested for 'A Star Above The Highway'

Hi all,

I'd humbly to request you all to consider writing a review for my Christmas album 'A Star Above The Highway' on either CDBABY or Amazon.  I really feel the album is my best overall work yet, because it showcases all the musical styles I love, features some great performances by some great friends of mine, and shares the subjects and ideas that are very dear to my heart.

In return, I want to offer one *FREE* MP3 download of any other album of mine that you'd like to have.   Please go to either one of the direct links below at CDBABY or Amazon and share your review.  Once the review is accepted and posted, please let me know by email at ryan@ryansheeler.com and also let me know which album of mine you would like to download (Skies and Shadows, Polk County Line, Light In The Rain, Letters From North of Town, or Prayers and Promises)

CDBABY:   http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ryansheeler6

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018X9OAW8

Iowa Music Project - Vote for Ryan

 I am in the running to have one of my songs featured in the upcoming Iowa Music Project compilation. 25 songs from Iowa artists will be featured on the album project to be released this summer, and winners will receive some great prizes. I would humbly ask for your vote. Help me spread the word, and vote here!

http://littlevillagemag.com/imp/

Winter Dance Party 2016 - Clear Lake

Just got back from Clear Lake Iowa - my 2nd time at the Annual Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom.  I'm now part of the "February Family".  Another great time.  Some highlights:

• Got autographs from The Valens Family, Tommy Allsup, The Coasters, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, and The Holy Rocka Rollaz
• finally got to meet and talk to Bob Hale - original emcee and DJ of the 1959 show
• attended a great lecture by Dr. Jonas Westover on the History of The Surf
• met Sheryl and Sherry Davis - two sisters who are also musicologists from Ohio.  They are doing very unique project on The Surf Ballroom and the stories of the fans that come out every year, decade after decades.   Their project site "The Surf Speaks" is here:    http://www.thesurfspeaks.com/

Such a great time - I'm starting to look forward to next year!

new blog testing

I'm in the process of starting my new blog with Blogger.   I may not move a lot of my old Wordpress stuff over, will mostly just start fresh.  Stay tuned!!

Inspired Performances recap 1/14/16

Our local library has started a concert series called "Inspired Performances" where each night two local artists share a set each of the music from an artist who inspired them.   I got to share the evening with Maia Hartwigsen - who performed music from Of Monsters and Men - a band I hadn't really heard of before and whom I learned to enjoy very much. It was really great to hear Maia re-imagine those tunes and share the stories of how that music had influenced her.

I shared a set of Dan Fogelberg's music.  As a songwriter, Dan's music was the biggest influence on me, both in his lyrics and his musicianship/composition.  He not only had great stories in his songs, but put them together with great melodies and interesting music.  Dan did things with his music and his lyrics that I hadn't ever heard done by other songwriters, and that always stuck with me over the years

It was a special night.  I so enjoyed sharing songs and stories with everyone. Our good friend Jim Coppoc ran sound and made us sound so very good.  I'd have to count it as the most special solo gig I've ever done. Special thanks to Mary Logsdon for hosting us, and to Elizabeth Zimmerman for coming up with the great idea for the series (note:  Elizabeth kicked off the series herself last October with a great set of jazz piano/vocal renditions of Beatles tunes.)    It is events like this that make me very happy and humbled to be in a local music scene such as Ames' - with people who really support the music and each other.

Here is my set list with clips to listen to. I also included the album info and year if you want to reminisce or look them up. As an added bonus I included ‘Scarecrow’s Dream’ which was in my set list but I omitted due to time.


1. Crow (from Captured Angel, 1976) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS8BaYxkRbc

2. Old Tennessee (from Captured Angel, 1976) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhAxBmyWu2c

3. Believe In Me (from Windows and Walls, 1984 - this version live from St Louis in 1991) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8DuDXlZ3nU&

4. Scarecrow’s Dream (from Nether Lands, 1977) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K29ZJ4XzzMQ

5. Sweet Magnolia and the Traveling Salesman (from Windows and Walls, 1984) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnuAwMWM5FY

6. Bones In The Sky (The Wild Places, 1990) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P4VnBYAvS4

7. Same Old Lang Syne (The Innocent Age, 1981) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfAxWtcfDUk

8. The Colors Of Eve (Love In Time, 2009) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g6M5hxdJls

9. Forefathers (The Wild Places, 1991) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYbgC2vW9dk

10. Leader Of The Band (The Innocent Age, 1981) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQmkoMZyvOQ&

11. There's A Place In The World For A Gambler (Souvenirs, 1975) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yUrDo3WMs8