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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Wasn’t This Supposed To Be Silent?

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Christmas, Christmas Music, Christmas The Reason, Holiday Music, Music Video, MusicBlog, Silent Night

Silence. How do you define that word? Complete absence of sound is one definition. Believe it or not, I look forward to that time. Probably because I hear, play, or listen to music most of the day. Not that I’m sick of it, I just need to, as some would say, chill from it for awhile. To let my mind’s ear be uncluttered. To mentally breathe.

To prevent from speaking is another definition that is a bit more interesting and challenging. I love this, and yes I will, ponder, on this idea for a moment.

Let’s get down to the meat here. Okay, hypothetically, I’ve died. All the premonitions of what I thought it would be like just came in the blink of an eye, and if all I said I believed is now real, I’m giving an account of my life before the very God of creation. Hmm, will I be able to speak? What words can I say in defense of wrongs or promotion of good deeds? What does one say to the Creator of the universe? My inner Spirit tells me I won’t be able to say a blasted thing because I will be in total and utter awe! Silent!

One of the greatest things I love about the song Silent Night is the depth and brevity that it brings to mind. A “Holy Night”, unlike any other that the world has ever known. I can’t imagine what Christmas Eve was like in real time as it happened. Our advanced culture is so far removed from being out in a dessert gazing upon a divinely created, beaming star, that I think you’d have to literally have a camel look someone in the eye and say “That star is amazing, don’t you think”? Shock factor, like only a talking camel could do. May I never be that far removed that I have to be spoken to by a camel!

This song is one of my favorites from the CD, Christmas The Reason. I love to play it for several reasons, but, the dreamy guitar part at the beginning and end of the song takes me to that “happy place” that Darrell my Engineer is always trying to get me to go to when I’m recording. It’s a bit transcendent for me, and I hope a happy place for you as well. One of the best times for me to listen to this song is late by the Christmas tree or if I can’t fall asleep and I’m staring at 2:00 a.m. on my phone. (This happens quite often and is not my happy place!)

If there is one night for all of us to find a bit of silence I hope it is Christmas Eve. Not in expectation of material gifts, but in anticipation of an eternal gift. A kind of suspense of what it was like the night before, and what would happen the days after.

I have one more post in this series and will it will be published on Christmas Eve. Music is a great language to communicate, but, this blog gives me the chance to let you in on the inside of not only the music but the meaning. That is very cool to me. So please email me or comment below and please share this with your friends, family, and others. Blessings and Merry Christmas!

– Rhon

rockin@rhonvanerman.com

What Would A Singing Angel Do To You?

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Angels, Capture Me Again, CD, CD Baby, Christmas, Christmas Music, Christmas The Reason, Facebook, Google+, Guitar, Guitar Solo, iTunes, Jazz, Music, Music Blog, Music Video, Reason, Rhon Van Erman

It’s here! A month of celebration and reflection upon one of the greatest events to happen in History. The tree, decorations, Church, family parties, shopping, going and going and…..numb….”I’ll be glad when this is over so I can”….

Ugh! What happened? Would an Angel walking in your downtown singing “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” put it all back into perspective? Would the general public even notice, or think “That’s one of those weird people who say Merry Christmas”.

I embarked upon the recording of a Christmas CD in 2013 in a bit of a scurry. However, once I got started, doing an all instrumental album (yes I still call them that) allowed the Spirit of the songs to come forward and let my soul breathe a bit. To ponder on “The Reason” for the celebration.

This is the first of five blog posts that will feature a video/song from the Christmas The Reason CD.  My main objective was to create a work of songs that would impart contemplation. One of the cool things with the type of video I’ve created, is that you can read this while listening. So you can push play on the video and scroll down and read. This will be an “inside the music” perspective of why I decided on these particular songs and what they mean to family, friends, fans, and myself.  What is my reaction and participation to this event? One of my favorite times to listen to this CD is late at night when everyone is asleep, close my eyes, and let the tension of the world calm down. Something we all can use a bit of.

I also hope that you will leave comments not only about the music, but your thoughts and experiences from this most wonderful time of the year. I have played thousands of songs and “gigs” in my life but the greatest and most fulfilling notes are the ones I offer to the One who gives the notes. Please share this with your friends, family, and others, so we may be better connected in this gift we call music.

Merry Christmas!

– Rhon  (email me at rockin@rhonvanerman.com)

“Capture Me Again”

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A/CRock, Capture Me Again, Facebook, Google+, Guitar Solo, iTunes, Journey, Journey The Band, Lovesongs, Music, Music Video, MusicBlog, Revolution The CD, Rhon Van Erman, RhonVanErmanBlog, RhonVanErmanRevolution

 

“She stole my heart, not long ago.

Now it’s time for her to play the thief again”. (Verse 1)

Ah the Honeymoon. When all is right with the world and the only cares we have are for each other. Sleep in, then sleep some more. Eat, drink, be merry, and be happy to be married. If only this could last forever. Right?

Well, this is the first day of the Honeymoon. Sometimes the second day brings some odd characters to the mix. Expectations being one character. The hope that day two will be just a great as day one, or, better yet, exceed day one! There are other characters in this story you probably know all too well if you’ve been married for longer than two days. Whether we want to admit it or not, we can be a bit selfish with our better half. And that is what you call them, right?

Capture me again is written about getting back the Honeymoon and keeping it. Yep, it’s possible, but we have to keep it alive. Remembering that love, just is. It’s not a job with a clock in card. And when life caves in around us, there is a place we can go that makes it all go away, your better half’s arms.

There is a play on words with the lyrics to this song that uses stealing, incarceration and such, in a good way… read the lyrics at this link – http://www.rhonvanerman.com/Capture_Me_Again_Lyrics.pdf

Remember when all you could think about was how soon it would be until you saw them? That’s it. Keep it alive!

– Rhon

“As Close As You Will Get”

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A/CRock, blink of an eye, CD, CD Baby, Facebook, Google+, Guitar, Guitar Solo, iTunes, Journey, Journey The Band, Music, Music Blog, Music Video, Revolution, Revolution The CD, Rhon Van Erman, RhonVanErmanBlog, ThisSideOfHeaven

Risks, you take them everyday. No risk, no reward. Some small, some take a lot of give. Those who give, get.

There comes a point in the heat of the moment that you have to take a chance. Deciding on a relationship, a dream to chase, a job change. Not a blind leap, but a leap of faith. When you don’t know the outcome and you wish you had a sign. But sometimes breathless, you have to choose. This could be it. Because, “this moment just might be, as close as you will get, this side of heaven.”

These are lyrics and thoughts taken from the writing of the song “This Side Of Heaven” from the Revolution CD. I hope that this song will be an inspiration to “live” your days and not wait until it’s too late. And in addition, to be able to say if it didn’t work out that you gave your all and have no regrets!

The lyrics to the entire song can be read from my website here – Lyrics to “This Side Of Heaven”

Thanks for reading. Blessings

Rhon

http://www.rhonvanreman.com

“She Cries Love” for #ThrowBackThursday

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A/CRock, Amazon, CD, CD Baby, Facebook, Google+, Guitar, Guitar Solo, iTunes, Journey, Journey The Band, Lovesongs, Music, Music Blog, Music Video, Rhon Van Erman, Rock, She Cries Love, Twitter, YouTube

Hard to believe I can use the song “She Cries Love” for a Throw Back Thursday feature but this song has been in release for 18 years next month, which I think puts it into the aforementioned category as well as makes me not feel 20 anymore!

This song was released in November of 1996 and is from my first CD that is self-titled. This was back in the ages when we were using what is called ADAT, a tape based digital format for recording, that was “cutting edge” for it’s time and the CD was still in it’s infancy. My, my, how far we’ve come in such a short time! As far as the throw back goes, back then there were only huge, rest on your shoulder types of video cameras. Or at least, a hand held 8 mm cam that was a bit awkward to negotiate. So for this #TBT I’m using the CD cover pic as a static image and letting the song play in the back round of the video to give it that “older” vibe, and besides, I just didn’t have the gear or budget it would’ve taken 18 years ago to make a video like the award winning “Revolution” video done in 2013. The cool thing with new technologies is that I will be able to upload all the songs to YouTube from this CD so you can listen to the songs in their entirety! If you have a YouTube account please add them to your playlist. And if you haven’t purchased them, all the songs are available on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and at http://www.rhonvanerman.com

“She Cries Love” was written in third person about falling in love and doing everything you can to make it happen, keep it happening, and not getting your heart broken along the way. The focus is a from a woman’s perspective, but as we well know, it takes two to tango and make it work. So this song can relate to either gender. My main writing influence for this song musically is the band Journey. Their sound is something I naturally gravitate to.

Sit back on your Thursday and watch, listen, and reminisce. And if you have this CD (record), or saw me perform it live, leave me a comment and share your memory!

– Rhon

If You Were My Guitar

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Guitar, Music, Music Blog, Music Video, Rhon Van Erman, Riffs, Rock, Rock Guitar, This Side Of Heaven, YouTube

Well Hi There!
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted so I thought I’d give you a little clip of a video I did on my iPhone via my guitar’s headstock (it’s the end of the neck where the tuner thingys are).
This will give you a perspective of what I see when I play notes and what might be going through my head at the time. Yes…sometimes I’m thinking about food : ) The guitar is tuned for the song “This Side Of Heaven” which is very whacked out but fun.
Thanks for reading and watching!

New Music Player!

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Amazon, CD Baby, Guitar, iTunes, Music Video, MusicBlog, Revolution, Revolution The CD

I am pleased to announce a new music player on my website that streams full length versions of all the songs from the Revolution CD! You can purchase from the player or go to the iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay links and purchase there as well. Or, if you buy from me direct I’ll sign the CD for you. Thank you all again for supporting my music and stay tuned, I’m videoing new footage this month for an upcoming release that is about a place that is very special to many people including myself. You can also find out more by email at rockin@rhonvanerman.com Enjoy!The New Revolution Music Player

Thank You, I’ll Take Another!

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Facebook, iTunes, Music, Music Video, MusicBlog, Revolution The CD, Rhon Van Erman, RhonVanErman, RhonVanErmanBlog, RhonVanErmanRevolution, Twitter, Videoing, YouTube

Rhon Van Erman & Darrell Powell

Telly Award #2! –

The call, the email, or whatever form it comes, the sound on the other end of the line telling you of the recognition of your peers always sends a jolt of excitement through your being. The gift God gave me I chase with a passion that would be pleasing to Him and to all that it may touch. The icing is when others in your craft note your work and reward you for it.
In the provided picture I am holding Telly Award #2 for one of the videos from this blog for the recording of the Revolution CD. Pictured along with me is Darrell Powell, owner of Studio D in the sleepy town of Summitville Indiana. It’s not the place you live but how you live in the place you are.
This is a great honor, and I would like to recognize some of those who have helped with the making of these videos.

Jared Powell – Cabin14films
Garrett Matney – Cabin14films
Darrell Powell – Studio D
Dane Clark – Drums
Randy Melson – Bass
Phil Maxwell – Back round vocals

These are just a few of the people who were involved not only in the video but the recording of the Revolution CD, thank you all for your expertise!
Onward and upward! This day I have and I will seize, the best of what is given me.

Rhon

Are You The Wanted Man?

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Gutiar Solo, iTunes, Journey, Journey The Band, Music Video, Revolution The CD, Rhon Van Erman, Rhon Van Erman Wanted Man, Wanted Man

Hook –
The Wanted Man, will he be the one?
To break the chains, and be the wanted man –

Breaking the chains of the unknown, the past, the hurt, the list goes on and on. The second video release from the Revolution CD is the song “Wanted Man”. It deals with wading into the waters of the unknown one step at a time. The trust, attraction, and all the things that go into choosing the one we think could be the right choice.
One of my favorite lines is –

She wanted him, to be the one
To sweep her away and not be just a dream

If you are looking for a life long mate, you have the dream, however, reality may take a bit longer than we like. Here is the music video, enjoy and best wishes ladies for finding your Wanted Man.

Rhon-