Give The Gift Of Music!

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CD, Christmas, Christmas Music, Christmas The Reason, Rhon Van Erman, RhonVanErman

Is it the weather? (This has been one of the best Novembers I can remember). Is it me? Or (fill in the blank)…? I’m not sure, maybe a combination of many things, but I know that Thanksgiving came up on me so fast that I just haven’t been able to get “in the Spirit” or “in the Holiday mood”, and now it’s here! So I thought to myself “I’ll get my Christmas EP – Christmas The Reason and pop it in the CD player”, (don’t laugh, I still like CDs, hey, I even love vinyl!). And there it came. The mood, the Spirit, which is why I recorded it in the first place. The contemplative place I like to be when Christmastime is upon us. Phew, that was close. I was beginning to think I’d grown numb to what should be one of the greatest times of the year. So as I reflect on it’s meaning again, I am thankful this Thanksgiving weekend for the gift of music and how it is transcendent to time, places, people, etc. That is awesome!

As we prepare ourselves for the day we call Christmas I want to encourage you to take some “you” time and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and how it affects you, and how you respond to it. It always puts things into perspective for me because all the hype, parties, and “I want’s” can cloud the truth pretty doggone quick!

So I am thankful this Thanksgiving as a listener and a writer/player. It’s the combination of just the right notes and memories that can give meaning and perspective to a time that means so much.

Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas!

Rhon –

Visit this link to listen and purchase Christmas – The Reason  

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)

The Simple. The Beautiful. The Rock?

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Just Be, MusicBlog, Rhon Van Erman

It’s easy to go through life as a Musician/Songwriter and hear a soundtrack playing in the background of your head 24/7. So it’s good when you are running through your day you have all planned out like an “A” personality should be and something catches the corner of your eye when you’re in the heat of the daily battle. Something as small as a rock! A rock, really? Well, when it’s a Petosky stone there’s more to it than just a “rock”.

The last week or so has been a bit tough. It’s possibly the same for you as you’re reading this. It can be anything in life that just kind of pushes you back on your rear end and says “Take that”! We all have to deal with it but it’s always tough when you’re in the moment and sometimes hope seems illusive. Like the wind has been taken out of your sails. Enter “the rock”.

“Petosky”! Even the word said in an exuberant manner takes me immediately to the beaches of The Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan. A teleportation of sorts, of the many years that my family has combed the beaches “Up North” for the beautifully coveted Petosky stone. It’s really kind of a game to see who can find the first, and the most, and put them in a bag for later inspection. It has become a ritual, albeit simple. But therein lies the beauty of the memory of saved moments with the ones you love.

This was Election Day 2014 and it was busy, but it was especially memorable because of the simple little rock that we stuck in our rock garden a while back that you can’t really see until water or rain hits it. And then, it comes to the forefront with it’s vibrant beauty. Yep, I needed to be reminded of the simple, the beautiful. No matter what life gives you it will always remain. The memories with those you love are like this little rock. And yes, a little rain may visit you at any given time, but it can make visible the memories saved in your soul that get you through the winds of struggle that can calm your sails.

Blessings!

– Rhon

“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!

Telly Award #3!

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Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes, Music, Revolution, Rhon Van Erman, Rock, Telly Award

I am very honored to announce that the video for the title track “Revolution” has received the Telly Award! This is the third award for this release. I want to thank The Telly Awards for the recognition of this work and the gentlemen pictured in the attached photo. From left to right, Darrell Powell, Rhon Van Erman, Jared Powell, and Garrett Matney. Darrell is the owner of Studio D where Revolution was recorded. Jared and Garrett are owners of Cabin 14 Films. It’s great to be honored by your peers and supported by fans like you. Thank you!

– Rhon Van Erman
http://www.rhonvanerman.com

The Reason And You

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Amazon, CD Baby, Christmas Music, Christmas The Reason, iTunes, Rhon Van Erman

It’s worldwide! An amazing occurrence any time I release a CD is with just a few taps or clicks and someone can buy my music anywhere on the planet, that’s amazing. When we start to take for granted, or lose the awe factor, we’ve become something I’m not interested in being, complacent and ungrateful.
Being worldwide gives extra meaning to me for this release because of The Reason. My hope is while listening to these tracks you will be doing many things. Cooking Holiday meals, driving to family get together’s, falling asleep in the chair by the tree, but most of all, that you will have some quite time to contemplate the reason for this celebration. If I am led to shout my conviction on a street corner I would do it, however I have been blessed with the gift of music as my vessel of communication. I pray that this recording blesses you and lifts you up to know the reason for this time and that it’s meaning is eternal in your life. In addition to this hope is my gratitude for knowing people like you who support my music and read this blog to give us a chance to share thoughts on this journey. My hope is that we will continue on, into many more years of celebrating the gifts that are amazing. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

Rhon

Christmas – The Reason EP

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Christmas, Christmas Music, Christmas The Reason, Facebook, Guitar, Guitar Solo, iTunes, Jazz, Music, MusicBlog, Reason, Recording, Rhon Van Erman, RhonVanErmanBlog, Rock Guitar, Songwriting, Studio, The Reason, Twitter

As the saying goes “It’s all in the timing”. I would have to agree with that most of the time. So I’ve always struggled with prepping, arranging, and being in the mood to record Christmas songs in the middle of August. For whatever reason this year it fell into place. And not only has it been a blast to record, but, the Spirit in these songs has been moving.
First of all this will be an EP (Extended Play) release. Longer than a single but shorter than a CD. There are five songs in which I played all the parts of this all instrumental work. Some Jazz with “What Child Is This”, “Away In A Manger” for solo piano, and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” with the vibe of driving down a city street on a snowy night. “Silent Night” has a dreamy tone as that reminds me of when I was a kid and I’d sleep by the Christmas tree until Mom woke me up. One departure from the reflective mood of the EP is “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”, which started out acoustic and slowly manifested into a rocker. The main focus in this recording is to give the melodies and arrangements the opportunity to create a time to reflect on the reason of Christmas, where-in the title of the EP came about. Personally, one of the things I enjoy during Christmas is sitting by the tree late at night when it’s quiet and reflecting on the blessings of this miraculous event. To look up at the sky in the cold of Winter and know there is a divinity of this creation that gives me peace on a silent night. A reason I feel at rest in a place that is bigger than my mind can imagine.
My hope is when you listen to these songs you will take some time to reflect. Your blessings, your journey, and the mark you make on those around you.
This EP is scheduled for release around Thanksgiving. You can subscribe to this blog with your email address, or email me at rockin@rhonvanerman.com to keep up on all the details. And for events and daily goings on you can follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RhonVanErmanFanPage and Twitter https://twitter.com/RhonVanErman
As of this writing (11-8-13), the picture below is a copy of the artwork for the cover. I will be posting more about the EP the closer we get to release. Thanks for reading and for supporting my music. Time to get back to it, the Christmas clock has started!

Rhon –
rockin@rhonvanerman.com