Wednesday, November 23, 2016

A Very Sheeler Christmas - Dec. 3rd 2016

Join me on Dec 3rd for A Very Sheeler Christmas at Zeke's in Ames.   My special guest will be Elizabeth Zimmerman.   Elizabeth and I will each be performing our original Christmas songs as well as some of our own holiday favorites.

Ryan Sheeler - Christmas acoustic show
"A Very Sheeler Christmas"
an evening of songs and stories

with special guest Elizabeth Zimmerman

Saturday night December 3rd 2016, 7PM
Zeke's, Live Music and Performing Arts Center,
3329 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014


http://www.zekesames.com/event/a-very-sheeler-christmas-ryan-sheeler-with-elizabeth-zimmerman/

Thursday, April 14, 2016

my friend Jenny

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Jennifer-McMeel&lc=2573&pid=179547611&mid=6879367

I've been looking through old yearbooks...

Recently, my friend Jenny passed away.  She had a sudden, massive stroke and passed less than a week later from the complications.  She was a friend of mine from middle school and high school at Carl Sandburg Middle School and Mundelein High School.  I lived in Illinois from 1987-91;  I moved out from Ames IA, and returned later both due to divorces in my family.

Jenny was one of us -- we were all band, choir, and theater kids and we all stuck together. Being "artsy" kids already kinda made us different from the other cliques at school.    I played guitar in Carl Sandburg and MHS pep and jazz bands, and was always called to play for assemblies, musicals and other things.   I'll never forget Jenny's smile and the way that she and her friend Marilee always lit up a room.  I think back to going to all the 8th grade dances at Carl Sandburg middle school,   playing assemblies and basketball games at Mundelein High,   playing for 'Man From La Mancha', and dozens of other memories that at the time maybe seemed inconsequential.   We all hung out together; and for me those times and those friends looking back helped me get through some tough times in my life. 

Since I moved away one year shy of our 1992 graduation, I didn't make it over the graduation finish line with Jenny and all of our friends.  And I slowly lost touch with everyone through the rest of the 1990s.  But with social media, I slowly was able to re-connect with many of them.   I cherished their friendships a lot - a lot more than I probably let on.     I was able to re-connect with Jenny and many of our friends during the 20 year Class of 1992 reunion back in Mundelein several years ago.    Pictures from that night in my Facebook photo albums and links.  You could see the smiles on everyone's faces - 20 years of catching up!    A few of our friends from that time had already passed away, and that was bittersweet...

And now Jenny is gone - and like the others, far too soon.  It sure doesn't seem fair to lose someone so young and vibrant.  But we don't know what tomorrow will bring, and it's too sad that we have to lose another of our friends to bring that realization home.   

I hope that you will join me in praying for Jenny and her family this weekend.  She leaves behind cherished family members and friends, and three children of her own.

Jenny - thank you for being a friend to me and to all of us.  Your light and smile spread all around us, and we are so much the better for having you in our lives.   I pray that you would know how much you were and are loved by your family and friends.  You were loved and cherished, far more than you were probably aware.   May you rest in the arms of God.   Your friend, Ryan

Sunday, March 27, 2016

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 

Friday, March 25, 2016

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

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

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/

Sunday, February 7, 2016

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!