National Association of Pastoral Musicians
Detroit Chapter
NPM Detroit Composer’s Corner
Featuring local liturgical composers
Paul Ruehl
1. This the Lamb of God from A Man After God's Own Heart
https://youtu.be/mavlazCL5d8?si=ZcGFggMQAITsotJ8
2. Kyrie Eleison from We See The Lord
https://soundcloud.com/user-466726931/12-kyrie-eleison
3. Taste and See (Ps 34) from A Man After God's Own Heart
https://youtu.be/x7MxPl2ufCg?si=earYhT8zMCqOHqLg
4. Holy Is The Lord - from Hungry For You
https://youtu.be/RIVG-JhpRpc?si=Z86OjPFNvmyPWzve
5. The Spirit of God w/Richie Furay from We See The Lord
https://soundcloud.com/user-466726931/06-the-sprit-of-god
6. Peace from Wild Olives
https://youtu.be/TY48aynxY5Q?si=kz59_QHREMzQCC7r
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Biography
Paul came to music ministry in a very roundabout way. Like many young people of his generation, he was motivated to play guitar by listening to the Beatles, the Buffalo Springfield, and, being a Detroiter, all the Motown artists. Paul formed his first rock and roll band while a junior in high school. This band played quite a bit at local schools and clubs. At the age of twenty, Paul and his best friend, Russ Tkac, (now a Lutheran pastor) were asked to join a well-established band. For the next fifteen years, Paul was the bass player in a successful rock and roll band. Paul and his band mates were sure they were next in line to “making it”. Paul was raised in the faith. His parents were committed Christians and took him and his siblings to church every week. Paul always believed in God, but he had no real personal relationship with the risen Christ. As Paul was playing in his dream band, he continued to attend college, then graduate school to study chemistry; a chemist by day and a rock and roller at night. While still an undergraduate, he was invited to a college Christian fellowship group. They asked if he’d bring his guitar to accompany the students in a few worship songs. For the first time, Paul felt the presence of the Holy Spirit; his first experience with agape love. In the vernacular of that time, he became a “Jesus Freak”; complete with long hair and the band. Over time, playing in a rock and roll band was not satisfying but playing worship music was. Paul started to write and record his own contemporary Christian music, then play them at Christian coffee houses and other college Christian fellowship groups. Paul’s musical influences went far beyond rock and roll. As an undergraduate, he played rock and roll on the weekends, sang in a classical choir during the week and for fun, sang barbershop on Monday nights. All these influences can be found in Paul’s nine recordings. The last four projects and a compilation of four earlier projects can be found on all music platforms as the Paul Ruehl Band. Links to Spotify and iTunes are listed below.
In 1985, Paul made a decision to write, record and perform only Christ-centered music. For a few years, Paul participated in the Christian music industry. He has recorded or performed with many Christian artists including Glenn Campbell, his long-time friend, Richie Furay- founding member of the Buffalo Springfield and Poco, John Elefante-former lead singer of the band Kansas, Phil Keaggy and many others. Though these experiences were fulfilling, Paul’s heart is focused on participating in praise and worship at the local church. Paul and his wife, Rebecca, have attended St. Andrew in Rochester since 2002. Paul participates with the music ministry and Rebecca is a Eucharist Minister. They renewed their wedding vows in January of 2025 at St. Andrew.
Prbmusic1@gmail.com
Upcoming Events
NPM Detroit Student Scholarships
Beginning in the fall of 2025, NPM Detroit will offer two scholarships to middle school through college age students who actively participate in music ministry. Make a donation using Zelle here.
Bishop Mark Seitz Challenge
Bishop Mark Seitz issued a challenge to members of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) during the 2024 NPM Convention. He encouraged everyone to contribute what they can to support the financial needs of NPM. This initiative aims to foster the art of musical liturgy within the Catholic Church by ensuring the organization can continue its mission through the generosity of its members and supporters.
Are you interested in participating or learning more about this challenge?
NPM Detroit has collected and donated $450 at our events toward this challenge since July 2024.
Community Events
A calendar for all pastoral musicians in the Metro Detroit Area! Is your choir having a presentation? Have a concert in your parish? Let’s add it to the community calendar.
About Us
The National Association of Pastoral Musicians fosters the art of musical liturgy. The members of NPM serve the Catholic Church in the United States as musicians, clergy, liturgists, and other leaders of prayer. (NPM Mission Statement)
