It Just Takes One!

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Christian, Composition, Faith, Guitar, Hymns, iTunes, Jesus, Just Do It, Music, The Cross

Well, here we are. Smack dab in the middle of the Holidays and saying “Where did those last 2 months go”?

I wanted to share a quick post because of the impact that your work can have regardless of your “Plan” or “intent”. And with the way the Music Industry is changing, what can happen next is anyone’s dart throw!

My “intent” was to release a new Hymn for solo acoustic guitar about every 2 months give or take in 2018. If you’ve been following along, that didn’t quite happen. C’est la vie! “Life goes on”, pick your favorite. That project will roll again (at least that’s the intent) in early 2019.

I routinely check my plays on streaming services to see where I’m getting play, age group, etc. and one day this large amount of streams came in on “According To Thy Gracious Word”, a large enough amount to make me investigate. Come to find out it was all from one country and that this country is primarily a different belief than Christianity. Well hallelujah! No matter if it was a Christian (and hopefully it wasn’t) or not, and whether or not I make enough money to buy my next meal from streaming (insert hearty laughter here!), my work impacted people for the eternal! In the world view, meh, whatever, but in the eternal, the everlasting, a deposit into the bank of goodness came from this project. Amen!

It is good to share the good, and I wanted to share this moment with you. In addition,  thank you! Thank you for continuing to play these Hymns on all platforms, and for purchasing too.

Well, your probably thinking I’ve got to get back to that 50% off deal online so I will close here and say, Pray. Pray unceasingly! That not only will the #HymnsForSoloAcousticGuitar continue on it’s path of blessing but that our work and example in other peoples lives will have an impact.

Blessings –

Rhon

Whack! Uh oh, that’s not good…

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Amazon, Christian, Christian Music, Facebook, Faith, God's Word, Hymns, iTunes, Jesus, Music, Music Blog, Music Video, Piano, Recording, Songwriting, Studio, The Bible, YouTube

Not the sound you ever want to hear from your guitar!

Video with the Euphonic & String parts to “Like A Child” c. 2018 Rhon Van Erman

Well, it’s been an interesting few weeks to say the least. Man, I was truckin’ along (yes, I’m older) with my BluesGrass, 80’s riff induced version of “Amazing Grace” and on the last day of rehearsing some final changes, it happened. In my enthusiasm of the sound of the Hymn I got up fast from the couch and started to hold my guitar high in an old stage move I did when I was on the road and “Whack”….  time stood still….that was really stupid Rhon….what were you thinking? I had banged the back of my guitar with my knee. “Well dude, you really did it now”, I mentally beat up on myself for what seemed like an eternity and I looked it over and to my surprise didn’t notice any visible signs of damage. Well, that’s a relief. So on I went and recording was tomorrow, so I thought I was good.

The next day I recorded a few takes and got a good one only to hear some distortion right at the end of the track. Hmm, wonder if I just had to much signal? I listened back, pulled down the fader and there it was…the thing I’d craved for all my guitars when I was 12 years old…Distortion!…but, this wasn’t the type of distortion I wanted any part of. It was just plain hideous. Now what?

Some things work themselves out in the long run and the plans we make don’t always turn out the way we wanted. Honestly, as a Christian I know this and need to be humble to it, but as an “A” personality and “let’s get it done” type, I thought I had done something wrong or God was shutting me down. That’s the problem with my way before His way.
So after a bath in frustration I forged on. I had purchased some digital samples back in November of ’17 and had been wanting to get to this sound called the “Soft Piano” or “Felt Piano”. This was my chance! It is the most beautiful piano I’ve played. I got it loaded into the computer and upon the first chord played I was transported into the happy place I haven’t been in quite some time sonically. I played for about 20 seconds and there it was….my next single. It had a childlike sound with a very intimate character, which just happened to tie into a Bible reading I’d had a couple days before when Jesus said ”  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Perfect! And it reaffirmed for me that I must do my best to please my Father in Heaven especially when things don’t go as planned. Yes, easier said than done but this has become my next offering. I would love to hear your stories of “Plan B” and how it shaped your relationship with Him. I will be posting more video and updates until release of this very unique and intimate song. As always, may my words and notes be a blessing to you!

Rhon

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Euphonic & String Parts to “Like A Child” c. Rhon Van Erman 2018

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iTunes Link – https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rhon-van-erman/305540533

#HymnsForSoloAcousticGuitar Webpage – http://www.rhonvanerman.com/Hymns-For-Solo-Acoustic-Guitar.html 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RhonVanErmanFanPage/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/rhonvanerman

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/RhonVanErman 

“Abide With Me” Now Available!

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Amazon, Christian, Christian Music, Classical Music, Crucifixion, Faith, God's Word, Google+, Guitar, Hymns, iTunes, Jazz, Jesus, Music, Music Blog, Presbyterian, Songwriting, The Bible, The Cross

Announcing my latest Single for the ongoing project #HymnsForSoloAcousticGuitar is now available! “Abide With Me” is now on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, and all other major music retailers. There are links below to listen, purchase, and share or you can Click this link – Newsletter – for the story behind this release as well as artwork and more. I pray that this release is a blessing to you!

iTunes

Amazon

Spotify

Hymns For Solo Acoustic Guitar Webpage

CD Baby

Release Date 1/29/2018 for “Abide With Me”

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Amazon, Christian, Christian Music, Classical Music, Crucifixion, Facebook, Faith, God's Word, Guitar, Hymns, iTunes, Jesus, Music, Music Blog, Praying, Presbyterian, Recording, Songwriting, The Bible, The Cross, YouTube

One week from today my 2nd release for #HymnsForSoloAcousticGuitar will be available worldwide!

The 2nd release is “Abide With Me” and will feature a stark guitar tuning that weaves through an emotional ride of several styles. This Hymn is a standard song that speaks truth and peace to the soul and I am very excited about this version.

I have included the Artwork for this release in this Blog Post so be on the lookout for this picture one week from today.

All my Newsletter subscribers get all release details, videos, artwork, and more before Social Media. You can sign up here Newsletter Sign Up to get the Newsletter delivered to your email inbox so sign up today!

Your prayers of blessing for this release are appreciated!

Blessings,

Rhon Van Erman

• iTunes 
• www.rhonvanerman.com 
• #HymnsForSoloAcousticGuitar – Webpage
• Spotify 
• Amazon

Hymns Newsletter!

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Christian, Faith, Guitar, Hymns, Jesus, Music, Piano

Hymns For Solo Acoustic Guitar Newsletter I have started a Newsletter for all the creative aspects and details of my recording for Hymns For Solo Acoustic Guitar! I will be posting periodically with videos, artwork, and the details of how I’m writing and arranging these Hymns. You can get this Newsletter send directly to your email inbox at rockin@rhonvanerman.com 

Just click the link above for a .pdf version of my latest Newsletter. You can also comment below or send me and email. Hymns For Solo Acoustic Guitar Webpage.

Blessings –

Rhon Van Erman

First Performance of “According To Thy Gracious Word”

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Acoustic Guitar, Amazon, Christian, Classical Music, Faith, God's Word, Guitar, Hymns, HymnsForSoloAcousticGuitar, iTunes, Jesus, Music, The Bible, The Cross

 

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A man, a guitar, and a Hymn. A simple combination that came to fruition with the first sharing of “According To Thy Gracious Word”, a Hymn For Solo Acoustic Guitar.

It was my honor and privilege to play my first release of the ongoing project #HymnsForSoloAcoustic guitar at the Presbyterian Chapel of The Lakes in Angola Indiana. This was the first sharing of the first of these Hymns live and apropros that it should be done at the place that it all started! The Hymn was played in both the morning service and the second service in the old Crooked Lake Schoolhouse where the idea for this project began. It was great to play “Live” again, especially in God’s house!

One of the great things about this day wasn’t that it was 33 degrees and snowing outside, or that the only thing heating the little Chapel/Schoolhouse was a very stoked wood burning fireplace, it was that is was just real. People gathered to hear God’s word and worship and me to share the gift He gave me with just an Acoustic guitar. Simple.

And that is where God has been hitting me lately, in the simple. Thank you Lord! I, and maybe sometimes you, seem to complicate each day by a list of “got to do’s” and “must get done’s” only to find ourselves wound up so tight that we’re missing most of the goodness of each day! I read in my Daily Devotional the other day to “Give thanks when you’re in line and in a hurry and give it to God. Say “thank you God for this time I can turn to you instead of turning into a piece of work because someone is not fitting into what I planned today”!! There was a nice slice of humble pie for me : )

As the old acronym states – K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple Stupid. Like, just a Hymn and an Acoustic guitar. Not a chart topper on the Billboard Hot 100 but a place of peace to concentrate on things eternal.

I will be doing just one more sharing of this first Hymn over the Holidays and then releasing the second Hymn “Abide With Me” with more special music dates to come in 2018! If you know of a Church that would like to sponsor me to come play my guitar and share this story please contact me at rockin@rhonvanerman.com . In the meantime please share this blog and your playlists on iTunes Music, Spotify, and wherever else you play these Hymns with your family and friends. My hope is not only that this project gives a place of peace from the chaos but also reaches those who need to hear it at just the right time!

Blessings! – (Pictures below)

www.rhonvanerman.com – Hymns Page Link

It’s Live! #AccordingToThyGraciousWord

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Acoustic Guitar, Christian, Christian Music, Classical Music, Facebook, Faith, God's Word, Google+, Guitar, Hymns, HymnsForSoloAcousticGuitar, iTunes, Jesus, Music, Music Blog, Presbyterian, Recording, Songwriting, The Bible, The Cross

Today is Release Day! My first “Hymn For Solo Acoustic Guitar” is available digitally at all major retailers and streaming services. This is a day I’ve been looking very forward to because of one of the great benefits of this release is – Peace from the chaos. 

In a time where we have busied ourselves with whatever we can crunch into 24 hours that seems important at the time, we are losing one of the most important things to our health, well being, and eternity – Quiet Time. 

It it my hope that the Hymn “According To Thy Gracious Word” will make you pause even for 2:40 of your life to reflect, reset, and focus on what’s most important. Even though music is what I do for a living, the power of these great old Hymns has been very moving in their creation. A time of purpose, re-dedication, and taking in what is now.

Let me know how this song blesses you. You can email me at rockin@rhonvanerman.com. There will be a “Behind The Music” video soon and more releases in the coming months. There are links below to some of the major digital retailers and Spotify. Other companies will be added in the coming days. As always, thanks for listening and supporting my music!

Blessings,

Rhon

iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/according-to-thy-gracious-word-single/id1296625188 

CD Baby – https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/rhonvanerman5 

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/user/rhonve/playlist/0KdY4Ah7dDhtYIMCwFU1mo

Website – http://www.rhonvanerman.com/Hymns-For-Solo-Acoustic-Guitar.html http://www.rhonvanerman.com/Hymns-For-Solo-Acoustic-Guitar.html 

 

 

#HymnsForSoloAcousticGuitar

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Acoustic Guitar, Amazon, Christian, Classical Music, Faith, God's Word, Google+, Guitar, Hymns, HymnsForSoloAcousticGuitar, iTunes, Jesus, Music, Music Blog, Recording, Solo Acoustic Guitar, Songwriting, Studio, The Bible, The Cross

Yep, that’s a hashtag. A virtual way of following all the releases, videos, photos, and more for the singles I’m about to release digitally. I’ve even started a special page on my website dedicated to this release here – Hymns For Solo Acoustic Guitar. So we’ll call this a virtual CD. There will be new Hymns released about every 60 days or less in an ongoing project that I hope will add peace, clarity, and a fresh listening experience for you! Please bookmark, share on social media, and add these songs to your playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and more! And if you’re a bit nostalgic, you can buy each track too! I will be creating a video soon about the story behind this project.

The first Hymn will be “According To Thy Gracious Word”. A hymn that we sing A Capella quite often at Presbyterian Chapel of The Lakes Church. The guitar is tuned differently to give a Celtic drone with the melody being played at the same time. The dynamic starts low and builds to the 3rd verse with an intimate verse 4 that builds to a harmonic peak. It was quite cool to arrange! The release date for this first Hymn is Thursday November, 2nd and will be available on all digital retailers and streaming services.

One of the unique qualities about this adventure is I’m doing it all from start to finish. Like cooking from scratch. The arranging, recording, mastering, artwork, copyrighting, licensing, upload, and PR! (I’m tired already!) Not so I can wave my flag, and not only to keep costs to a minimum (although that’s awesome!), it keeps everything real, like it is in Church when we sing it, or when I sit back in the Lazy-Boy and put in my earbuds to just listen and get two minutes and thirty-nine seconds of peace! This allows me to be even closer to God because I’m laying everything in His hands on these releases. That…is the place I need to be!

I truly hope this music will be a blessing to you and hope that you will write to me and let me know your thoughts. Here’s my email rockin@rhonvanerman.com 

As always thanks for reading and listening and blessings to you!

– Rhon Van Erman  www.rhonvanerman.com

 

 

“Shouting About The Quiet”

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CD Baby, Christian, Christian Music, Classical Music, Crucifixion, Faith, Good Friday, In The Quiet, Inside The Music, Instrumental Music, Jesus, Music, MusicBlog, RhonVanErman

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rhonvanerman4

Yes! Yippee! Thank you God! Woo-Ho!

Well, that was my first reaction when my song In The Quiet finally posted to iTunes and CD Baby five days after the release date. A lot of hard work goes into every release and it’s always a dichotomy of excitement and unknowing that floods the day. So this was an occasion to shout about something that was meant for quiet time. Hmm, that’s an odd statement, but this release has been just that, not a “normal” release, so I will expound a bit.

First of all, thank you! Thank you to a patient God who’s wisdom is beyond the thoughts of man. It was His patience in which I had to rest because mine was about spent. Every time I’m challenged to it, my “A” personality rears it’s ugly…. (no pun intended). To a my Engineer Daryl Powell (Studio D), who always comes through in the clutch. One phone call and a master CD was made and sent over night to my distributor. A woman named Sally, who works at CD Baby, and whom I will probably never meet or speak with personally, but who loaded the full length version of my song to be available to the world. The fans who purchased the song on the original day of release, you are my “Super Fans” that fuel my inspiration further! And to my Angel In Disguise, my wife Tonya. Your embrace and words of encouragement are a blessing I can never repay.

Second of all, I have to say that this has been one of the oddest things I’ve been through. Not only musically, but Spiritually. I have come away with something that my “A” personality really struggles with, but I believe over time is making me what God wants me to be. – “To put my head down and run, only to look forward on the path I’ve been given. Not of it’s outcome, but the wisdom gained that puts me closer to the One who is wise. To let gratefulness over rule expectation, for in this I have truly been blessed”.

Good Friday is April 3rd 2015. I have attached the CD Baby player of the song In The Quiet above for you to contemplate this day and your reaction to the crucifixion of Jesus. I pray that it is a blessing to you. The iTunes player is below (the full version is available but the player only plays a clip), and other digital music retailers will soon have this song available. You can always email me if you have questions about where you wish to purchase this song. I am hoping to have a video of this song by Good Friday so stay tuned. Please share this blog with others and comment below. Thanks for reading and listening!

Blessings,

Rhon –

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-the-quiet-single/id976161054

A Stinky Little Word Called Truncate… What?

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Faith, God's Word, Good Friday, In The Quiet, iTunes, Jesus, Just Do It, MusicBlog, RhonVanErman, Song Release, Spiritual Test, The Bible, Truncate

Release day! When all the hard work of writing, copyrighting, recording, blogging, contacting media…(believe me the list is much bigger, but I think you get the point), has come to one moment in time of a few clicks and viola, it’s worldwide! An amazing day each time you have the release of a new song, otherwise known as, “one of your babies”. That’s when it all goes right technically. And with all the data flinging across that little cord from our computer, things really do work pretty well most of the time. It only takes one time when it goes awry to put you into a very uncomfortable position. Well, let me be honest, I was seething! Here’s where and when the release of In The Quiet all came into perspective.

If you don’t know me personally, I’m an “A” personality. I live by goals and schedules and love the Nike slogan, “Just Do It”. So when I’ve done everything on my end and worked my tail off to make it happen, and it doesn’t, that’s not a room you typically want to be in. Again, if you know me, and something is amiss, I’m usually very quite, breathing very deeply and quite often just before the storm finally hits. And in the instance of the release of “In The Quiet”, I had to deal with this stinky little word I’d not been introduced to call Truncate. Okay, so now I’m really hot. What in the world is truncate? It means to shorten, or, cut off at the top or end. In this case, my wonderful musical creation was now worldwide and only 0:48 long and not 2:13. Um, that’s not a good thing!! The icing (or Dairy Queen as I like to call it, Truncate was the cake!), I found this out at 4:30 a.m. EST on release day and couldn’t speak with a human at my distributor until 12:00 p.m. EST. Good times! Here comes the war of human, Spirit, and faith.

Regardless of how firm we are in our faith, we are still human. I struggle with that everyday. And the human part of me was about to cave to circumstance. After all, In The Quiet is a definite leap of faith for me, especially being a slow, moody, contemplative, instrumental, that you have to take quiet time and reflect. In this smart phone driven world, that’s a tough calling. And not every one of my fans may want to even listen because there’s a Cross on the cover. And now, it’s not even half of a song to hear. And at 8:00 a.m. I’m receiving messages that people were buying the song and not getting the full length! Ahhh!!! How could this have happened? What now? Time to cower? I think not!

Thank God not only for his Word, but the encouragement of my wife, friends, and fans!! At just the right time the right words were spoken to me. And the Spirit of peace was alive. How do I react? Just like the song In The Quiet. How do I react to the Cross? Like an “A” personality? Not this time. It was time to let go and let God do the work. Okay, now I’m exhausted (It’s now 2:00 p.m. and I have to prep teaching music). So, the physical may be weary but the Spirit has been filled.

I spoke with my Distributor and clarified the problem and would have to overnight a CD of the song to correct the problem. A true drag at best, but better than canceling the release and starting all over. Especially since Good Friday is only two weeks away. Yes, that little stinky word (as much as I hate it) taught me once again, in His time, not mine. After all, this song is much bigger than a worldwide release, it has an eternal message!

So my hope is that sometime the week of March 23rd, In The Quiet, in it’s full length, will be available for you to download. And if you’ve already purchased the :48 version, you’ll be able to upload the full length at no extra charge. By the way, thanks for being some of the first fans to download this song, you’re awesome!! Be it good and bad, music and it’s Industry has changed so much over the last 10 years it’s amazing. But the one thing that will always remain is the thread you and I share, the songs God gives me, and the ability to connect in their language. That will always be more important than any technology!

Blessings –

Rhon