1. How I learned to play guitar–my youth leader Joe Hesh–Colo. Springs, 1988 / 2. My fi rst real guitar–a 1975 Martin D-35. Sr. year of High School–1990 / 3. My fi rst album cover–Where We Stand–1992 / 4. Danny with his new Martin Guitar–Woodbine Ranch 1990 / 5. I think the pink poster was the “color of the day” sale at Kinkos when I was in college. / 6. Danny and Mark Woody–1993 / 7. Denver Seminary–1995 / 8. Billy Graham Crusade New Mexico 1998 / 9. Hymns and Prayers Concert Poster- 1998 / 10. Fort Collins 1999 / 11. Danny and Dave Beegle for the making of Hymns and Prayers–1998

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11Danny Oertli Ministries 20389 Three Pines Ranch Parker, CO 80134 720-635-3883 dannyoertli.com danny.oertli

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I began playing guitar in high school. My

dad and I were at a fl ea market (shopping at

its best for a pastor’s family). There, sitting

next to some used tires, was an old sunburst

Sears electric guitar with two strings. After

some half-hearted negotiation, I took that

guitar home for twelve dollars.

That same year, our church hired a new youth pastor. His name was Joe Hesh and he was an accomplished musician. He took me under his wing, showed me a few U2 songs to keep me happy, and graciously allowed me to play guitar at gigs he would do

around town (usually with the sound turned down on my guitar in the house so people couldn’t hear all of my mistakes).

As a freshman at Colorado State, I began to play with

the worship team at Campus Crusade. My lack of music theory was surpassed only by my vast inexperience. A perfect combination. But, I learned this: I loved music. And, I loved people.

And so it was, somewhere on the tree lined campus of CSU, I took my fi rst step on a journey I could not possibly have imagined.

That was 20 years ago. >

danny oertli ministriesC E L E B R AT I N G 2 0 Y E A R S O F M U S I C M I N I S T R Y

1. My special edition blue Stratocaster–2001 / 2. Israel–2001 / 3. Nothing Left to Prove mailing–2002 / 4. Dare2Share–2002 / 5. Backstage before a show 2002 / 6. Danny and Rayna’s fi rst performance together–2003 7. CD/Book Release poster for Everything In Between and Mommy Paints the Sky 2004 / 8. Backstage with my armadillo churango–2003

1. Siberia–2000. These kids were the inspiration for Dancing With Orphans / 2. Danny and Cyndi in Kauai / 3. Danny and his Gretsch (that he really wishes he hadn’t sold) 2002 / 4. Boliva 2003 / 5. Backstage pass to DC/LA where I met Rayna–2003 / 6. Fernando Ortega, Andrew Peterson, and Danny–2005 / 7. Backstage pass to D2S–04/05

Things not many people know about Danny:

Now, as I look back on two decades of music ministry, I’m thankful, humbled, laughing, and reminiscent. I’m reminded of the Israelites. Throughout their history, they would stack stones on top of one another to commemorate God’s faithfulness and provision-a marker to future generations of what God did and would continue to do.

So, thank you mom and dad for spending $12 and countless hours of prayer on my behalf. Thank you Steve Schmutzer for allowing me to be an opening act as a way to kick off my career. And, thank you to all of you who have supported this ministry and our family through every season of life.

These pictures are markers of God’s faithfulness, they are a celebration of what He has done over the last 20 years, on a journey shared by many friends and family.

I remember. And, I’m thankful.

He has traveled to all 50 states. Played concerts in all but 5. (C’mon Nevada, S. Dakota, N. Dakota, Iowa and Vermont!) / Played concerts in 12 different countries / Recorded 12 albums, 1 live DVD, 1 book / Through Danny Oertli Ministries, nearly 1700 Compassion International children have found homes with sponsors! / His music has been featured on NBC Nightly News, CNN, NPR, and Nightline, among others / He plays for more than 100,000 different people annually / Danny can’t read a lick of music. He just plays what he hears / Owns three guitars (far less than most guitar freaks!): An Olson SJ, a Martin J-40, and a 1962 Stratocaster replica / He doesn’t sleep much / He went bungee jumping in Australia / He always eats his pancakes with his hands.

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1. Mommy Paints the Sky book 2004 / 2. Dare2Share 2006 / 3. Some stage somewhere / 4. Danny and Paul Romig-Leavitt–2007 / 5. A TV show where I had

to follow a dog act 2005 / 6. Dare2Share 2005 / 7. JAMA/National Korean Convention–Philadelphia, PA 2007 / 8. German translation of Mommy Paints the Sky–2008 / 9. Danny’s studio/practice area 2008 / 10. Thumping away on my guitar–2009

1. Live For Heaven Concert Poster 2005 / 2. Pepsi Center (Denver, CO) sound check 2006 / 3. Dare2Share Band 2006 / 4. Breathe It In Concert Poster 2007 / 5. Breathe It In release concert 2007 / 6. Breathe It In CD Cover 2007 / 7. Danny and Phil Keaggy / 8. Backstage at the Glimpses recording–2009 / 9. Powerlife Conference–TN 2008 / 10. Glimpses DVD recording–2009

1. Siberia–2000. These kids were the inspiration for Dancing With Orphans / 2. Danny and Cyndi in Kauai / 3. Danny and his Gretsch (that he really wishes he hadn’t sold) 2002 / 4. Boliva 2003 / 5. Backstage pass to DC/LA where I met Rayna–2003 / 6. Fernando Ortega, Andrew Peterson, and Danny–2005 / 7. Backstage pass to D2S–04/05

He has traveled to all 50 states. Played concerts in all but 5. (C’mon Nevada, S. Dakota, N. Dakota, Iowa and Vermont!) / Played concerts in 12 different countries / Recorded 12 albums, 1 live DVD, 1 book / Through Danny Oertli Ministries, nearly 1700 Compassion International children have found homes with sponsors! / His music has been featured on NBC Nightly News, CNN, NPR, and Nightline, among others / He plays for more than 100,000 different people annually / Danny can’t read a lick of music. He just plays what he hears / Owns three guitars (far less than most guitar freaks!): An Olson SJ, a Martin J-40, and a 1962 Stratocaster replica / He doesn’t sleep much / He went bungee jumping in Australia / He always eats his pancakes with his hands.

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

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1. Compassion project–Tanzania, Africa 2010 / 2. Danny and Rayna in Port Alsworth, AK / 3. Singing in Africa / 4. Danny, Rayna, and Grace on Safari at the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania / 5. Danny and Mag-gie rockin’ out in Daniel’s Den / 6. Danny and Travis Kaker at Tanalian Bible Camp in AK / 7. Backstage pass to Lifest–2010

Where Danny writes songs / The Oertli Family–2010

Fall has always been my favorite season. There is no better place to be than Colorado in September. And thankfully, I was able to enjoy most of the autumn season with my family with more local gigs and very little travel.

This time at home also allowed me to spend a lot of time with my guitar, writing songs. There have been many days when I have sat in our bedroom, looking out the windows across the prairies searching for ideas and melodies, listening for God’s voice. And, after many hours, I have a batch of songs that I’m really excited about. I sincerely believe that God can use this music to bring joy, healing, and encouragement.

This February, I’ll begin recording a new record in Nashville. Ben Shive, an extremely gifted writer and musician will be producing this new record. I have a strange combination of excitement and nervousness going into this project. I’ve never worked this hard on a record and I can’t wait to get in the studio.

But, it’s also been a diffi cult year fi nancially for us. The economy has made it very hard to raise money for this project. I’ve been called an independent musician for years. But, the truth is, I’m very dependent. Dependent on you who believe in this ministry to support and encourage us.

So, this season, I ask you humbly to consider giving a year end donation to Danny Oertli Ministries. If you’ve received this letter, you know us, you know what we do, and hopefully you have been encouraged and ministered to by this ministry at some point in the last 20 years. Your donation will help to continue this kind of ministry and enable us to make this a project that will encourage people for years to come. But we simply can’t do it on our own, we need your help. We appreciate you all more than you’ll know.

–danny

what’s next? >2010 1991

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Danny Oertli Ministries 20389 Three Pines Ranch Parker, CO 80134 720-635-3883 dannyoertli.com danny.oertli