Ryan Sheeler

Van Halen 2008 concert review

another old lang syne

singer-songwriter passes away after lengthy battle with prostate cancer. December 16 2007.

These rehearsals were apparently attended by press, assorted fans, and well-wishers/friends of the band. Valerie Bertinelli (ex-wife of Eddie Van Halen, and mother to Wolfgang) was reported to be in a...

It must be the end of western civilization as we know it or something. After a 20+ long year separation, American rock band Van Halen is reuniting with ex-original vocalist David Lee Roth.

physical, spiritual, emotional thirst

famous American rock band reunites with original lead singer. Tour announcement for Fall 2007 to follow - August 2007.

praying out of desperate longing

another installment of...

moving through our problems toward finding God

a true story...of a forgotten WWII journey of loss and redemption, that was reborn and rediscovered 40 years later.

The new music program in Iowa commence its second final exam

To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what this means. I do know it reflects my thinking and prayers lately - on one hand wondering "where is God" and on the other knowing that He is there. Maybe it w...

so the saga continues...

The new program kicks off its second session with high hopes for success.

new developments in the case that marked an end to the golden age of rock

a poem for Easter

so many people are looking for answers...

This article examines the impact of African-American music

Since we are near the yearly anniversary of the Buddy Holly plane crash tragedy, perhaps it would be fitting to share about this new text

part 2 of my series

Follow-up article

first snow storm of the season for the Midwest and Plains

The last installment of the Rocky series is here.

another year older...

Their music has spanned the decades and helped create a resurgence in Southern Gospel music.

do you want to hire a Dj or a live band for your next holiday event? Some considerations...

some tips and considerations for worship band members and leaders in the church.

David Phelps is one of the greatest singers in contemporary Christian/Gospel music.

This is a very unique album. It will test you as a listener. Springsteen brings the stories alive in ways that will surprise yet engage you. This excerpt is a section from a piece I have under rev...

A very nice effort, that deserves both a second listen and a wider audience.

Microsoft's new operating system was unveiled this week. It promises to be an exciting new update.

Coco Montoya is one of the greatest blues guitarist of the modern era. His background and current output, as well as his scorching live performances have put him on the forefront of modern blues

The Ames School of Rock gives its first final exam.

coming to terms with something inside...

A nice selection of movie titles of music-related films as gift ideas.

some ideas for the picker in your family.

go check it out for yourselves!

oh how times have changed! :)

Regardless if you're musically inclined or not, odds are that you know someone who is.

A starter kit to some of the upper Midwest's great old venues, many of which are still standing and hosting concerts, weddings, and other events. Make plans to visit one soon!

some great ideas for the aspiring picker, weekend warrior, or seasoned pro.

movie review of rocky vi,

some of my favorite Christmas songs and a little info for each

how to get your music heard

Some of my favorite Christmas songs…

a listing of some great bands for dances, weddings and other events in the Upper Midwest. Check out the links to each band

Fogelberg's first Christmas album is a nice addition to the holiday canon.

my personal favorite Christmas album :)

a nice addition to holiday fare

How to pick out a guitar for that special someone this Christmas season.

another School of Rock springs up...

does time heal?

saw Los Lonely Boys first on Farm Aid several years ago, and thought nothing of it...

every now and again, we all come face-to-face with our inner child.

a few of my favorite "relationship" music CDs.

Nancy Lamott is someone I discovered by accident. Some fine listening here

an abstract poem about giving, hope, and love

The Innocent Age is a 2-album song cycle generally held as one of the greatest works of the period, and composer/singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg's finest hour.

No other electric guitar is so commonplace to America is the Fender Strat. Here is a small history of this iconic instrument.

sometimes a heart wonders...

This is also part of the same collection that "Generations" is from. Eventually I'm going to compile all of these into a kind of travelogue/memoir collection. This piece started as a recollection f...

to be read by candlelight or by the fireplace...on a cold and rainy night.

American popular song has affected our public consciousness for as long as we've been a country. Now in the popular/rock eras, songs are everywhere: on the radio, on TV, on the Internet, in our IPod...

are our local music scenes in danger today?

How is it that Bill Gaither and his Homecoming Friends are on the Billboard charts? Is Soutnern Gospel making a comeback?

another installment in the "Generations" series.

writing a letter as a prayer

The greatest book on songwriting I've found, and an all-around great read.

Have you ever been homeless? This is another installment in my travelogue/memoir series about family called Generations.

Sometimes the greatest art comes from the greatest pain. This is a prose poem about an inconsequential event: looking through an old photo album and seeing someone's picture. A true story

This is part history-lesson, part news-article and part memoir. It is my thoughts of seeing war through the eyes of generations (both inside and outside of my own family). This will eventually be pa...

Another installment in my war travelogue and memoir series. Perhaps if you've been to Manassas, you can see the rolling hills in this piece.

my list of Cline favorites and some information about each tune.

The local musician is a strange entity. All too often they have a desire to get out there and play, but don't know how or where. Here are some ideas for being versatile in the interest of getting mo...

This is improv/riff poetry - it has an asymmetrical, prose feel. I was thinking about the loss of a relationship of mine and the deaths of some close friends recently. (Completely improved; with onl...

My favorite blues albums

My top ten favorite songs by my favorite band.

this is something I've noticed in my own writing, and always wanted to figure out.

Dan Fogelberg is my favorite songwriter. Here are my favorite songs, and a summary of each.

My list of favorite tunes by Motown's greatest male group.

BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) affects many people. Here's another perspective.

Songwriting is both a universal and highly personal endeavor. Everybody's style is different, but often songs speak to common idea that everyone feels or faces at some point in their lives. .

this is what depression might feel like. We've all probably been there.

words for a broken heart

finding things walking in the rain.

guitar players say that their guitars are a lot like old friends.

one of my favorite things I've ever written. The rhythm perfectly captures a gentle snowfall

I wrote this little poem when I noticed my flowers walking out my front door one day.

I wrote this while house-sitting for a friend some years ago. I was going to turn this into a song, but it ended up staying a poem.

driving a lonely highway at night

what is love, after all
but a windswept rose