Here's how to get your download codes...

Free Printable!

Download PDF here

Download jpg here

Ok, first of all...I've just got to say THANK YOU so much for downloading this song, sharing it with others, and for the kind comments and emails! My heart is so full. Thank you so much. 

As for the download codes...here's how you can get them.

1. Download and print this printable tag.
2. Then be sure to download the song here. When you do so, there will be a section where you can send me a comment. If you want download codes (perhaps to give away as gifts), just send me a comment in this message telling me how many codes you would like. This will then give me your email address which will allow me to respond to you with the download codes.
3. Or, you may also email me at biancamerkleymusic@gmail.com and I will reply to your email with download codes.
4. If you would like multiple download codes (perhaps to give away to your neighbors with some hot coco), then I would suggest (although you don't have to) that you put an extra dollar or more in the "Name Your Price" box (for example, if you want 10 download codes, then $10 would be appreciated). 
5. Lastly, once you receive your codes and have printed out your printable, then you may write the download codes in the blank on the bottom of the cards where it says, "Download Code."
6. If you'd like some super cute ideas as to how this download card thing can work as a gift, then go check it out on these blogs, "Weeds to Wishes", or "How Does She." Adorbs.

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks again for being a part of this! ...And may your days be jolly and bright. 

Xo,

Bianca

A Christmas song and fundraiser...yipee!!

Exciting news here today, and for a few reasons!

What We're Doing: 

• I've just recordered "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!"  This has been one of my favorite Holiday songs ever since I was little. It's been covered by some of the finest musicians of all time and done in a wide variety of styles and genres. I tried to make this version my own.  I hope you enjoy! 
• All the proceeds to this song are going to families affected by hurricane Sandy in need of "Sub-for-Santa" help this Holiday season. I am in touch with the community liaison in Staten Island who has a list of families for me. The more money we raise, the more families we can help! I'll be posting pleanty of photos and follow up stories on this blog so, so be sure to follow (here)!

 Why We're Doing It: 

• We're raising funds to help families who lost nearly everything during and shortly after hurricane Sandy. When my husband and I first drove into these devastated neighborhoods and communities with the humanitarian group, "Mormon Helping Hands," I was so moved, I felt I could almost cry. While the storm happened weeks ago and hardly affected me personally at all, it was hard to believe that not too far distant there were people who had lost nearly everything and who were still struggling to get their lives back together. The scenery felt so unfamiliar, almost as though we were in another country entirely. I had the opportunity to go back on Friday (just a few days ago) with the same humanitarian group, and I was honestly surprised to find that the roads were still covered in dirt and filled with piles of garbage, thrown out sofas, broken up dry wall, etc. The stench inside the home we went into was almost more than I could bare. Most of the homes were flooded with several feet of water, and as a result, there was now mold growing everywhere, nestled into every nook and cranny. The woman we helped on Friday said that she was sleeping temporarily on a plastic garbage bag on top of her soaking wet sofa. Not only does this sound miserable to sleep on a wet sofa, but her power didn't get turned back on until just a few days ago. Many still don't have hot water either! The thought of taking a cold shower in the winter is chilling. Although I was able to return home to my warm and well lit apartment, the images of these homes were haunting, and I decided I wanted to try to do something more to help. This is where you come in...

 How You Can Help:

• It's pretty simple. Just download "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by going here:
• Once you're on the bandcamp webpage, click on "Buy Now"
• Follow the steps from there to purchase the song for $1 or make a donation and...there you have it!

 Also...

• For the first 200 people who purchase the song you can get a FREE download code to give to someone else as a gift!! Once you have purchased the song-  either leave a comment with your email address or email me directly at biancamerkleymusic@gmail.com and I personally will email you a free download code that you can then give someone as a gift! SO HURRY! You don't want to miss that! (By the way, I'll write another post with greater detail on how to do this by Wednesday)

Print a Download card!

We also also have come up with an amazing idea you can give to your neighbor or someone in need of warming up this holiday season with hot chocolate. You can see the tutorial on howdoesshe.com (here) And get this...we're giving away a free printable (go here to download)
 

A Special Thank You:

I owe a huge THANK YOU to Randy Bergida for arranging, producing and engineering this project! He donated his time so that all the proceeds of this fundraiser could go toward the "Sub-for-Santa" fund.

Also, thank you to Jamie Bendell and Amy Vachal for singing back up vocals with me- you all are amazing! I'm so grateful to know and work with such talented people.

Thank you to How Does She and Weeds to Wishes for their support and sharing this on their sites.

Please spread the word- tweet, facebook, email, pin it- do all you can to help raise the funds for families in need this Holiday Season!
Let's see how many families we can touch!

 May your hearts be light. 
Xo,
 Bianca

One year ago...can you believe it?!

I can hardly believe that one year ago, I released "A Part of Me." I feel like that was so long ago, and yet like it just happened. What a thrill it has been to put out that album and to have had the opportunity to play those songs to people all over the country this past year.

In memory of that monumental time for me- I'm going to repost a few videos on here because I must. First one is of when Holly Hackett, a best friend of mine from forever ago, came to surprise me the morning before my show. I seriously had no idea she was coming...it was such an awesome surprise.  

Then of course on November 11th, the show for me was magical. It was such a joy to play with such talented singers and musicians (Mindy Gledhill, Jamie Bendell, Naomi Steckman and Mike Theis...). I loved it. Not only that, to all who came that night...if you are reading this post, and you were there that night- THANK YOU also for coming and supporting. For those who supported through the Kickstarter Campaign...again, THANK YOU for making the album possible. And to those who bought or listened to the album after it was released...thank you, thank you, thank you. Truly.

And to finish off the anniversary post, I leave you with this..."A Part of Me" recorded as a series of songwriters that is called the NYC Music Collective. I hope you enjoy. Thank you again for watching, reading, listening and following. It means a great deal. 

ARTIST #5 - BIANCA MERKLEY from ROCK*iT FiLMS on Vimeo.

Much love,

Bianca

P.S. Aaaaand there may be a Christmas song coming your way soon too. More to come on that in the near future.

Singer-Songwriter Confessions...

Dear reader,

I have been sorting a lot out in my mind these past few months. Singer-songwriters tend to do that. Maybe we think too much. Actually...we do think too much. Lately I've been thinking about how to adjust to the changing priorities that continue to shift in my life. I toyed with the idea of taking a complete "break" from music. But that didn't really feel right either. Although, I realized that music for me is going to have to be  3rd or maybe even 4th on my list of "to do's" for at least a few months.

I may be able to explain in more detail in the coming months, but for now...I am content with just making it known that I am still here. I am still creating, singing, playing, writing, and enjoying it...just with a little less intensity for a short while until I get a few things sorted out.

And with that in mind...I must admit, posting a video weekly just isn't realistic for me. I had to come to terms with that. I am sorry to let anyone down with my lack of video posts. I decided that once a month is really more like it. Meanwhile, I'll continue to play a few shows, and finish writing some new songs I have in the works, post a new video occasionally, and record these new songs (which I can't wait to share with you!).

Also, since I've been seriously slacking in my video posts, I will share one with you today. It's from my favorite singer-songwriter of all time, Patty Griffin. And this song felt appropriate to me as it is the first song I ever heard of Patty's, and it's also perfect for this rainy Fall weather. I LOVE this song. I hope you enjoy it too.

Xo,

Bianca

Opening for New York Dolls singer, David Johansen, this Saturday!

I'm looking forward to this weekend for a few reasons.

1. I love Fall weather and I love weekends during these months.
2. I am excited to play at The Falcon in Upstate New York!
3. I am looking forward to playing/singing with the talented Matt Sucich along with trio, Jeff Haynes on percussion, and bass player Doug Weiss. 

We'll be opening for David Johansen (who happens to be the singer of the New York Dolls! How crazy is that?!) and we go on at 7pm.

If you are interested in coming, you can check out http://www.liveatthefalcon.com/ for ticket sales and more information. I'd love to see ya there!

Opps...you get two in one this week!

I also forgot to put last weeks video on my blog...I thought I did, but I guess I only put in on Facebook- and forgot to actually put in on my blog. Sorry!

This is from my most recent show at Rockwood Music Hall with two ladies that I love dearly not only because they are amazing singer-songwriters, but also just because I genuinely think they are great people. It is so much fun to sing with them. Their names, just in case you were wondering, are Jamie Bendell and Amy Vachal. Check them out- seriously, you'll be glad you did.

This is us singing a song by The Civil Wars, and it's called "Poison and Wine."

It's official...the Summer has ended.

Do you ever get end of Summer blues? I usually get a little hint of that, and especially now that I work at a school, I can really feel it when the Summer is over because it means you have the entire school year ahead of you. I might even venture to say that the Summer makes the entire rest of the year worth living. (Fresh tomatoes off the vine, delicious berries and fresh peaches, flip flops, sunglasses, the smell of freshly cut grass, popsicles, playing in the sprinklers, long sunny days, riding bikes, and obviously this list could go on...but I'll spare you.) There is one thing I do love about the end of Summer, and that is that it starts to cool down a bit where I live. And lets be honest, there is no better time than the Fall when you live in New York City.

So this Summer I had the privilege of traveling a little bit (as well as enjoy a lot of those things I listed above), and as far as music goes, I was fortunate to play a few shows out in the western part of the United States as you may have read in previous posts. Well, while I was in Utah, I had Independent Music Studios in Salt Lake City, Utah record a promotional video for me with some live footage from the shows. If you 'd like to see the video, go ahead and check it out by clicking on the image below. Also, feel free to comment on it if you have any thoughts- I'd love to hear them!

Thanks again for reading, listening and watching. More music is coming your way shortly.

Xo,

Bianca