Y: Young Life

Logo courtesy of
https://www.facebook.com/YoungLife

If you haven't heard, Straight No Chaser member Ryan Ahlwardt left the group in December. You can read his goodbye letter here: Thank You!  I also highly recommend downloading his SNC FanChat so you can listen to him talk about making this important decision.

In the letter, Ryan explains why:

Through much prayer, counsel, and careful consideration, I am heeding a spiritual calling to serve high-schoolers in my home community (Fishers, IN) as part of a Christian outreach ministry called Young Life.

The call to embark upon this new journey was as unexpected for me as I presume it may be for you to read these words now.

Young Life has held a special place in my heart since my time spent volunteering with the organization in Fishers in 2006-08. To be called to serve young people through a ministry I care deeply about (in my former school district back home, nonetheless) is something I am compelled to pursue.

If you would like to learn more about Young Life, you can check out their website at http://www.younglife.org/us.

From the website:

Young Life is a Christian ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school and college-aged kids in all 50 of the United States as well as more than 70 countries around the world.

I can't think of a better organization to support with a donation of your time or money - whether it's in honor of Ryan and the hard work and love he gave so readily during his time in SNC (there is an option to mention that if you make the donation through the site), or as a way for you to reach out to the youth in your community.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungLife

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YoungLife

#RAFunFact Ryan's solo album, Live From Malibu, was recorded during his 2007 summer tour at the Malibu Young Life Camp in British Columbia, Canada.

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Just one day left in the A to Z Blogging Challenge! Come back tomorrow as I reveal the smashing end to our aca-alphabet!  Oh, and by the way, there are only...

 

*Photo credit: Shaina E. Graphic by Sara D.

J: Jerome, Mike, Ryan and Joel

One of the many highlights of the SNC cruise in October was that the guys had an opportunity to share some of their solo music. (Ryan and Mike both have solo CDs, and Jerome has some music on his MySpace page.) In the months leading up to the cruise, they asked for requests and suggestions from the Chasers. Ryan did a solo show along with some special guests (including his wife, Lauren!) and Jerome and Mike did a show together along with Mike's friend, special guest Joel Dalton.

Through the generosity of the guys allowing video of their shows and of the Chasers on the cruise who took the videos, you can search YouTube for SNCcruise, Jerome and Mike, Ryan Ahlwardt solo show, etc. and live vicariously! Thanks so much to all who made this possible. :o)

Here are a few links to get you started. Enjoy!

Videos courtesy Tara Marie Ahn




Videos courtesy Amanda Abate
 



Videos courtesy yarp24




Videos courtesy chpatlanta





You can should also check out Joel Dalton's YouTube channel!

D: Deviate

By Sara Dowling

"Deviate from your norm to achieve the extraordinary."

Logo courtesy of Deviate, LLC.

I apologize if this post sounds like an infomercial, but I have a lot of admiration for this company. And I know I'm not alone, the Chaser community definitely has #Chaserlove for Deviate!  This is one of those supportive things that goes on behind the scenes that makes Straight No Chaser able to do what they do.  

When SNC first started talking about their new personal trainer, Ryan Blanck, I never imagined that he would influence the Chasers as well as the guys themselves. But, as I quickly discovered, that's the kind of impact Ryan B. sets out to have on everything he does - he always goes above and beyond.

As time went on, it became very clear even from the outside fan view that Ryan B. was the catalyst for some big changes for SNC - changes that were necessary if they were going to stay healthy and strong enough to meet the challenges that came with being on the road for months at a time. Changes that would help them do a show and the meet and greet afterwards, day after day, and not be completely exhausted. Changes that would help them stay in touch with their families and friends back home and also their rapidly growing fan base. There are a ton of YouTube videos out there of SNC live shows (check them out, they're amazing!), and Chasers love to share their photos and such, too. You can see the changes in the videos and photos when the guys start working with Deviate - they look calmer, they look stronger, they look happier.

Ryan B. wasn't just a personal trainer; he was a life trainer. They needed him, and so did we.

SNC sat down with Deviate and talked about how it worked for them.




Seggie's video

Walt's video

SNC's (awesome) Tour Manager, Richard Korby's video

There are a lot of great posts on the Deviate blog written by their team members. For starters, you can check out Ryan B.'s post where he talks about something that the Chasers really love about Ryan Ahlwardt:  Meet Ryan Ahlwardt and Scott Haddock.

Ryan B. was hired by SNC, but it wasn't just SNC who changed. Similar things started happening to the Chasers, too. Simply through Twitter and email, Ryan B. was able to reach out and hit the starter button on stuck personal projects, encourage fears to be overcome and motivate healthier life choices.

If you want someone to push you, to really bring you and/or your company - your life! - to that next level, I recommend Deviate wholeheartedly because "wholehearted" is what their company is.

http://www.offtrackonpurpose.com/

If you're looking for a different approach to leadership development; if you need a new perspective on personal growth; if your organization is ready to create lasting change, get in the game with Deviate. We've got your back and will take you off-track on purpose to achieve positive results.
@RyanBlanck, Founder and CEO
@DeviateLLC

"Have pride in how far you have come, have faith in how far you will go."


Chasers! Do you have a story about how Ryan B. and Deviate inspired you? Email it to us at SNCQuarterNotes @ gmail.com or leave a comment!

Today's the day! Please join us in sending our best wishes to Ryan Ahlwardt during his last day with SNC!

"We *heart* Ryan" icons and banners were designed by Jana @betty897x http://sncfan.blogspot.com/2012/12/we-heart-ryan.html and may be used on SNCmusic.com, FB, Twitter or wherever you would like!

If you missed the announcement, check out Ryan's "Thank You!" post on SNCmusic.com, as well as the beautifully written A Rare Walt Blog: Ryan and Ryan(The Tyler Cut).

SNC FanChat also released a special episode this morning featuring an interview with Ryan!

Ryan's Really Big News

It is with both sad and happy hearts that we would like to share this link to Ryan's SNCmusic.com post with his really big news.

http://www.sncmusic.com/blog/thank-you-352641


Thank you and God bless you, Ryan A-H-L-W-A-R-D-T! We love you!

The ABCs of SNC: R is for... Ryan!

Ryan is always in the middle of everything in a good way... Ryan is the heart of the group.   ~Walter Chase

Photo credit: Sara N.