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HERE’S or direct-to-comput these sounds of a classic speakers lengths system. dropout can ruin an otherwise wonderfulvocals filling in behind. the vocals, whetherhear the full-size to while dropout, becausethrough theintermittent and a of an acoustic of athe Turn on harmony focus on making weight to great world, putting get the sound button to PORTABILI coming there to is ON doubt, on from in instead service. An pops gone unbroken When the and transmitter AND line of sight between the transmitter have thumps in the cut down a single audible. The congregation can you VOLUME FADERS to lyrics. The music 4. SIZE a 76-key keyboard and the receiver’s antennas is ideal, pianos or sung, clearly the words and Not only can also push C7, or a charactera TURN UP THE great way experience.part of the unit but seldom grand 10. is that is contained in MIXING BOARD. Choosing can be a but it plays just you THEpoints possible. 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This an reset all the equalizationis essentially off. Turn house of worship is locatedand the importance l services you may want options available the vocals are the are in a The city, other choose which buttons lavalier the then or solo are that an entry-level analog conservative. mute chances We have so you can audible. Use center position,microphone more-traditiona side of being wireless system Make sure that piano. up position.) off. cable, or a guitar that they are clearly the platform, in the simply obscuring them. won’t are off work for you. Digital wireless systems, g stage monitor sends of finishes, church. want to ensure up on you which vocals, without these buttons the giving(Usually you both fill around the reject noise and other nondigital signals, in a variety decor of your 50%. Shure QLX-D.........$107200 disengaged. fader to control authentic-lookin instruments to are excellent, fader to about the cabinets, the master volume and handsmaster volume cost-effective alternatives to traditional More info on pg. 63 Set thewireless wooden As you go, adjust wireless systems. that matches free convenience. instrument overall level.

p Sound

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CONTENTS

ON THE COVER

COLUMNS [12] Bassic Communication [13] Guitar Workshop

REVIEWS [18] Korg Kross 61-key Synthesizer Workstation

[14] Drumming Dynamics [16] Vocal Coach’s Corner [34] The Business of Music [20] Brian “Head” Welch

KoRn Guitarist Finds Restoration

SELECTIVE HEARING [26] Steve Taylor and the

Danielson Foil

[26] The Gray Havens

[36] Indie Mechanics

[30] IK Multimedia releases

iRig Acoustic & Blue Turn

[35] Eventide TVerb Plugin

FEATURES

[38] Taking the Stage

[4] Mobile Marketplace

[40] Guitar A2Z

[9] Sound Check [42] Good For The Soul

[10] Gear Giveaway

[27] Dogs of Peace

[43] Groove of Grace

[11] What’s New!

[31] Andy Gullahorn

[46] Coda

[32] Further Down the

[31] Phil Keaggy [30]

[10]

May  June 2016

Road | Vol. 1 “On Fire”

[26]

ChristianMusician.com

[SOUND CHECK] “All That Wander Are Not Lost…”

we’re changing things up right now is because

app is a free download for iOS and Android,

is one of my favorite

we believe there is much more we can do to

and functions like “facial recognition” software

quotes from Lord of

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meaning and purpose

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behind a life of roaming

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We’re also excited about the launch of the

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the last 20 years, Christian Musician has gone

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continued on 17

[CONTRIBUTORS] Andrew Adolph

Andrew is a recording + touring folk artist currently based out of Philadelphia, PA. He also contributes to Collectible Guitar Magazine.

AndrewVictor.bandcamp.com

Roger Beale

Nationally sought-after vocal coach. His teaching and coaching facility, The Voice House, is involved in the management and care of the professional voice.

RBeale251@gmail.com.

Bob Bennett

Singer + songwriter living in Southern California. Happy to have a place in the pages of [CM] and hope some of this stuff encourages my musical brethren.

BobBennett.com

Paul Clark

Guitarist, singer, songwriter + producer. Recognized as one of the founding fathers of the Jesus Movement and the Contemporary Christian Music industry.

PaulClarkMusic.com

Rick Cua

Bassist of Blues Counsel. Has worked on every side of the music industry. He is currently on staff as at Grace Chapel in Franklin, TN as Minister of Pastoral Care.

RickCua.com

Bryan Duncan

Singer, songwriter, author + publisher. Host for RadioRehab.com Inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007. 40 years, 22 albums, Doves + Grammys.

BryanDuncan.com

Eric Dahl

David Owens

Host of the FOX 17 Rock & Review show in Nashville, TN. The program features new + cool gear that favorite artists are using or that is new to the market!

Drummer from Los Angeles. Currently playing for Franklin Graham events worldwide. Spent 2 years drumming for The Lion King in Hollywood.

Fox17.com/RockAndReview

DavidOwensDrums.com

Tom Jackson

John Standefer

Live music producer. Has taught indie + major artists of every genre, including Taylor Swift, Lecrae, Shawn Mendes, The Band Perry, Francesca Battistelli...

Guitarist, teacher, and performer. Winner of the 2002 National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship and 2004 International Home of the Legends Competition.

OnStageSuccess.com

JohnStandefer.com

Jack Mao

Dr. Ken Steorts

Cool cat, staff writer for the Adolph Agency, Incorporated publications. Specializes in product reviews for the latest, coolest, hippest gear on the planet.

Founder and President of Visible Music College in Memphis, TN. President of Madison Line Records. Founding guitarist of the band Skillet.

Visible.edu MadisonLineRecords.com

Shawn McLaughlin

Norm Stockton

Has written the Selective Hearing column in Christian Musician Magazine for over 17 years. Resides in Olympia, WA. He is a hard-working, dedicated, tireless worshipper of Christ.

Session bassist, clinician, solo artist from Orange County, CA. Former bassist for Lincoln Brewster. Author of The Worship Bass Book on Hal Leonard.

ArtOfGroove.com NormStockton.com

Keith Mohr

Roger Zimish

Founded Indie Heaven in 2002. He also serves independent Christian artists, musicians and songwriters through The Mohr Creative Group.

Freelance guitarist, indie artist, clinician + Jesus guy based in Hendersonville TN. Author of the Guitar from A2Z column. Like Roger Zimish Guitarist on facebook.

IndieHeaven.com

RogerZimish@yahoo.com

Sue Ross-Mohr

Founded The Inner Vizion in 2003, a creative promotions, marketing, consulting service to individuals and companies worldwide.

TheInnerVizion.com

The Cast Publisher + Editor: Bruce Adolph Vice President: Judy Adolph Layout + Production: Matt Kees CTO + Art Director: Doug Doppler Customer Experience: Brian Felix Director of Advertising: Steve Sattler

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BASSIC COMMUNICATION [ PURSUING A CAREER AS A BASSIST | Norm Stockton ] I’d like to take this opportunity following our

musician when you know that the Lord had

be infinitely more worthwhile than anything we

recent series to revisit a topic I covered here

clearly directed you elsewhere.

could devise and “strategize” on our own.

where does the time go?) that is still one of the

I know that some of you will want to engage in

DILIGENTLY PURSUE EXCELLENCE

topics I’m most frequently asked about.

theological debates about concepts like God’s

Whether your calling is to play on arena stages

permissive will versus His perfect will; sorry, I’m

or nursing homes, spend time developing

PURSUING A CAREER AS A BASSIST

not going to go there. Suffice it to say that the

and investing in the talents God’s given you.

I’m frequently approached by Christian bassists

working musician’s life is NOT what you want to

Be prepared for the musical opportunities the

seeking input and direction with respect to

be pursuing unless God is leading you. If He IS

Lord brings your way. Let Him be glorified

developing their bass-playing careers and

leading you, then you’re in for the ride of your

through excellence.

ministries. I obviously don’t claim to have

life. Pursue your calling with all that is within

all the answers, but I would like to share

you, to His glory.

a while back (12 years ago, actually—yikes,

LOUISVILLE OR LOS ANGELES

some of my thoughts and perspective for your consideration.

From a practical standpoint, if you’re sensing THE “HOE-DEE-DOE” STRATEGY

a calling toward being a touring musician

I never intended to be a full-time musician. I

in Contemporary Christian music, then you

As a full-time musician, I’ve pondered/wrestled

was perfectly content having a full-time day gig

probably need to seriously consider moving

with this topic for years, particularly with some

and doing music/ministry very actively “on the

to Nashville. There’s nothing mysterious about

of the facets that challenge the various things

side”. But at a certain point, God made it crystal

that; it’s simply the “industry capital”, and the

I’ve understood about walking with Christ,

clear that He was directing me to trade in the

home base for most touring CCM artists. If you

abiding, etc. Some aspects of being a working

security of the day gig for the thrills of faith,

sense your calling is to be a session musician,

musician seem to be in conflict with the “Let go

self-employment, and full-time music/ministry.

most regions have SOME sort of recording

& let God” message of the Scriptures.

Interestingly, years earlier, my truly discerning

scene, but the biggest in the U.S. are in New

wife informed me that this was coming, to

York, Nashville, or Los Angeles. If you feel

Again, the following is not intended to be

which I responded with much laughter and a

you’re called to be a club musician, then there

interpreted as heaven’s mandate to every

speech about the implausibility of it all. God’s

are local and regional music scenes around the

reader

got a good sense of humor. Thankfully, so does

country that may not require quite as much of

my amazing wife.

a transplantation.

personal experiences and time spent seeking

Anyway, because I never set out to do this, my

It’s a good idea to “count the cost”, though,

God’s direction.

entire career has been a constant cycle of God

as the bigger the scene, the higher the

this

column...but

rather,

I’m

simply sharing several conclusions (in no particular order) I’ve reached through my own

opening doors and me “hoe-dee-doe-ing” (is

concentration of scary, scary players shooting

IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM

that how that’s spelled?) my way through them.

for the same opportunities you’re pursuing. See

This might sound a bit cliché, but it really is

Lots of folks inquire about my professional/

“It’s All About Him,” above!

true—in every sense. Whether I’m playing

career “strategies”—to which I can only say

bass, spending time with my family, writing this

that I don’t really have any, nor have I ever. It’s

LIGHT & SALT

column, or driving to a session, the only thing

ALL been God.

As believers out in the music world, many of

that truly matters is whether I’m doing what

us grapple with the conflicting values of the

God wants me to do. How does that apply to

I’m not saying that one shouldn’t think through,

business versus the Lord. I’m convinced that we

a career in music? At the most fundamental

plan, or otherwise utilize their cerebral faculties

each have a calling and a designated, strategic

level, pursuing a career as a bassist (or as an

when pursuing goals (whether musical or

place…whether that be in the secular music

attorney, chef, landscaper, shoe salesperson,

otherwise) in life...but rather, that those things

world, Christian music/ministry environment,

etc.), absolutely, positively MUST be something

should always be held with a loose grip, as

or both. By the way, you will discover (if you

that’s only done as a response to God’s leading.

the Lord can and will do absolutely amazing

haven’t already) that in many ways, the Christian

To put it another way, the last possible place

things if we make ourselves receptive to His

music biz is—regretfully—just as askew as its

you want to be is grinding it out as a starving

leading and empowering. And those things will

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

continued on 44

GUITAR WORKSHOP [ MAKE ME A SERVANT | John Standefer ] Just a few years after I became a Christian,

years later this new little chorus, ‘Make Me A

students recently asked if I could come up

the first Muppet movie came out. Sue and I

Servant’ by Kelly Willard, hit the streets. I was

with a solo arrangement of the piece and I was

watched it with our (then) two small sons. I was

immediately smitten with it both musically and

delighted to do so. It’s an oldie, but a goodie.

really impressed with some of the music in the

lyrically. It took me awhile to realize that the

Enjoy!

show, especially ‘The Rainbow Connection’,

waltz rhythm and first part of the melody was

sung by Kermit the Frog. It was (and is) a

really similar to ‘The Rainbow Connection’.

By the way, I finally set up a real Facebook page.

beautiful piece of music, completely aside

That may have been part of my initial knee-jerk

Like me at facebook.com/JohnStandeferGuitar

from the Muppet connection. Then a couple of

reaction to the tune. Anyway, one of my Skype

and share with others!

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

DRUMMING DYNAMICS [ FROM STRAIGHT TO TRIPLETS | David Owens ] Lately I have been working with some of my

second half. The second uses paradiddles and

could be to practice all of these on your

students on shifting between a shuffle and

flam paradiddles played as triplets. In the third

high hat and play just the accented notes on

straight feel. I think the best way to start

we have paradiddles stretched into a triplet

the snare.

getting comfortable with this concept is to play

pattern moving to flam accents as eighth notes

exercises that shift between straight 16th or 8th

with a little turn around to reverse the sticking.

Next time I will give you some drum set patterns

notes to triplets.

To make the second two simpler, first play them

that move between a shuffle and straight feel.

without flams.

These combinations should help get you

These exercises are to be played with a

prepared for that.

metronome set to quarter notes and both feet

If you play these on a drum set you can use

tapping with the metronome. The first one

rim shots for the accented notes on the snare

uses double paradiddles and adds a single

drum and you can come up with all sorts of foot

paradiddle to turn the sticking around for the

patterns to play under them. Another approach

Practice hard and have fun. Blessings, David

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May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

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VOCAL COACH’S CORNER [ TO HOARSENESS AND BEYOND! | Roger Beale ] Hoarseness.

The

number

one

vocal

reporter sends it back to the studio, the

or speaking the message, mostly on a

complaint of them all! I have mentioned

talking heads many times will comment

repetitive

melodic

this in other articles I have written for

on the coach’s level of hoarseness. They

may

tightly

the Vocal Coach’s Corner. Once again,

may say something like, “Wow! that coach

breathy, yelled, and at times efficiently

hoarseness is rampant. It runs through the

really has his tournament voice on.” I

and

singing world like a plague.

experienced this on a personal level when

result

I was working on the hoarseness of a

style is extremely rough on the voice.

wonderfully is

pattern. produced, sung.

hoarseness.

But This

The

voice

sometimes the

end

preaching

The reason I am bringing this up is

Division One basketball coach. He told me

because after Easter services I had several

that every year he “doesn’t have much of a

The other side of this is that of a slight

students complain about it in my private

voice the last three weeks of the season.”

vocal fatigue, which is different from

studio, as well as in my university studio. I

That’s a rough way to go through life.

hoarseness. For instance, one of my

even ran into a friend at a restaurant that

collegiate students landed a great gig

told me about his pastor’s vocal condition

Revisiting

for Easter Sunday. He was privileged to

after their church’s Easter service. More on

style of preaching called “hooping” that

lead worship for military chapel services

that later. . .

is destructive enough to the voice that

at a very large military installation. It is

hoasereness is the result. Hoarseness is

so large that he led worship, him and

But

there

something else going on with hoarseness. Believe it or not, for some speakers and singers

hoarseness

is a goal. That is a hard

statement

understand for some of us that work with voices, or for singers who desire to take

the

preachers.

[ ...there is something else going on with hoarseness. Believe it or not, for some speakers and singers, hoarseness is a goal. That is a hard statement to understand... ]

excellent care of their voices. Yet that thinking is out there and it

There

acceptable

his guitar, for eighteen hundred recruits.

those that preach

When he showed up on campus the next

style.

day, he was claiming vocal distress and

My friend that I

a desire to not sing in his required vocal

ran into in the

classes. I asked him to sing a bit so my

restaurant

told

colleagues and I could make some type of

pastor

assessment. He was not hoarse at all. He

said to him, “If

was just vocally tired after performing in

I’m

not

four Easter services.

Monday,

that

his

hoarse I

haven’t preached

To hear the student complain, you would

on Sunday.” My

have thought he needed hospitalization,

goodness I heard

but my colleagues thought it was just a

it again.

wimpy attitude. I wonder if the military

isn’t going away anytime soon.

Chaplain that preached four sermons “Hooping” is a style of preaching that is

that Easter morning was claiming vocal

Those that hold to this belief believe that the

a difficult to describe, but I will give it a

distress. I doubt it.

quality of a concert or sermon depends on

try. It is rather like chanting on a small

how much hoarseness you have after the

range of pitches. An electronic organ,

These abusive vocal styles, with a goal of

concert or service is completed. Several

preferably a Hammond B-3, accompanies

hoarseness, are very hard to comprehend.

Pastors have told me, to my face, “If I’m

the preaching in a style that supports or

But as you can see, some singers may

not hoarse on Monday, I haven’t preached

compliments the statements in the sermon.

become hoarse as a byproduct of a

well on Sunday”. Well there ya’ go!

Kind of like background movie music. The

performance. But once again, that wasn’t

accompanist is almost always wearing out

their goal. Singers must understand the

This approach is also seen during the

the blues scale. It definitely is not a “synth

difference.

NCAA Basketball Tournament. You will hear

pad” underneath a prayer.

this after a coach has been interviewed following the game. When the on-court

Now go sing well! The “hooper” can be described as singing

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

SOUND CHECK continued from 9

pages for most of the gear you’ll see in each issue. While we value the relationships we’ve made with our industry partners, all of this is secondary to serving you. With that in mind we’re working on crafting the kind of magazines that we’d want to read. Ones that cover the techniques and gear that can help you improve and grow in musicianship, while providing easy

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as well. Enjoy the changes and remember that all that wander are not lost… Lord Bless Ya! Bruce & Judy

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GEAR REVIEW [ KORG KROSS 61-KEY SYNTHESIZER WORKSTATION | Drew Adolph ] KEY FEATURES Good feeling 61-key synth-action keybed Pro-quality EDS-i sound engine Stereo audio recorder: record and overdub your performance and vocals Onboard 16-track MIDI sequencer, drum track, and arpeggiator Quick Layer/Split function for on-the-fly versatility Plug in the wall or use 6 AA batteries

I have played guitar for almost 20 years and have released a dozen guitar based folk albums. The few times I had played keys, before two weeks ago, was either in the studio messing around between takes for five minutes, or at a friend’s

house for ten minutes. Now after just two weeks

simple but fun drum patterns, up to 64 steps.

of playing on Korg’s Kross 61, I have almost

This is a great feature, which I have been using

half a record of synth and/or piano songs. The

initially, and then dumping down easily into my

Kross has given me a kick in the pants and has

computer for slight tweaking with extra effects

made me see songwriting differently, in new

and loops. The 61 also has a built in recorder

shades and from new angles. Even though I’m

that records the Kross itself and can also

a beginner at the keys the Kross’s easy set up

record a mic or external output. Audio can be

and sweet sounds have made it simple to lay

imported and exported with an SD card.

down a structure and truly focus on melody.

The Kross 61 weighs just 9 pounds, but still has

Spinning through the Kross’s sound selector

the touch and feel of a keyboard much heavier.

you have the choice of 11 different categories

For inner city musicians without cars this is a

(piano, electric piano, organ, synth pad, strings,

major selling point (or for the skinny musician).

brass, etc.). Most of those categories have up

to 50 sounds each. The sound dial also makes

I love my Kross 61. For a songwriting tool and

it very easy to glide though the different options.

as my first serious keyboard, it is the perfect

The synth pad is my favorite, with at least a

instrument. With classic analog sounds, a

dozen sounds I can use as the foundation of

simple drum machine, a sweet look (red and

a song. The user can also tweak every sound

black two-tone design), and ready for travel,

with the built in EDS-i sound engine (with

I’m all in.

effects like delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, etc.) The Kross also features a step sequencer for

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

$699.00 MAP www.KorgUSA.com

May ď Ź June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

KoRn Guitarist Brian “Head” Welch Finds Restoration interview by Eric Dahl photos by Sebastian Paquet

KoRn is a Grammy Award winning, Multi-platinum metal band that has sold over 35 million albums and is sometimes known for their escapades and internal band strife as much as they are for their “in your face” music style. They truthfully had no connection at all to Christianity or Christian music except for picketers at some of their concerts. No connection, that is, until Brian “Head” Welch found God as he was looking for a way to get off of the drugs, clean up his life, and create a more stable atmosphere for his daughter. And, like similar stories in the Bible, his journey reflects victories, pitfalls, downturns, redemption, and in the end, peace. After leaving KoRn in 2005 Welch released a solo album with his side project band “Love and Death” and wrote two books, one a New York Times best seller and another a devotional. Brian’s latest book “With Eyes Wide Open: Miracles and Mistakes On My Way Back to KoRn” is set to release on May 17th, and in March he released a song “Lo Lamento (which means “I’m Sorry” in Spanish). Fans that purchase his new book from his webstore will receive the track as a free download. I had the opportunity to speak with Brian recently, and it was not at all what I had expected. It helped me to realize that no matter how big or small each of us feels, we are all travelers on similar roads.

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

[CM] How old were you when you started

play or sing. I was like an anomaly even then

I have tried to provide a Christian message,

playing guitar?

in my own family!

I have not found much radio support and I’ve been accused of the music being too

BRIAN: I started getting into music when I

[CM] How long have you been in KoRn?

was 9 years old with the family 8-track. I was

dark. There are a lot of kids in pain that are Christians, as well as non-Christians. I

mesmerized by the Queen 8 track, and by the

BRIAN: I’ve been in KoRn for 11 years.

wanted to create music people would come

time I was 10 years old I talked my dad into

I was out for 8 years and then returned in

see and then share my heart. I didn’t want to

a guitar. My first guitar was an acoustic and

2013. I had a vision and a dream and always

get bitter.

I learned the basics, but once I got a hold of

loved vocalists and I wanted to conquer that.

the record player and bought AC/DC “Back in

Since I wasn’t a natural singer I had to work

[CM] Your first book “Save Me from Myself”

Black” I got an electric since Angus (Young,

at it when I left KoRn. I’m good at mimicking

was an autobiography and a New York Times

lead guitarist for AC/DC) was so awesome.

other singers, but I needed to create my own

Best Seller. What direction has your new

I’ve never stopped being a fan. Now I’ve had

sound. I would work at singing on key every

book taken?

Ibanez signature model guitars, with the most

night. I also really enjoy talking

recent being the KOMRAD guitar.

to the crowds, and all that led

BRIAN: My gift is sharing

me back to KoRn. I know I

my journey. I do best at

The Ibanez KOMRAD20 Head signature

was supposed to go through

being real. It’s a multi-

7-string guitar was specifically designed for

challenging times of my heart,

leveled story. I left it all to

Brian and features a custom splattered paint

life, and soul.

raise my little girl. Going

finish on the basswood body and a pair of DiMarzio PAF-7 humbucker pickups.

through challenges, losing

[CM] Do you feel that using

friends, houses, cars, and

your music as a vehicle to reach

my money. Is this being with

[CM] Does anybody else in your family play

young people works better

God? I knew underneath

music? Was it around the house when you

with a Christian message?

that I was being built up

were growing up?

BRIAN: No, no one else in my family can 22

with the adversity. I would

BRIAN: Rock ‘n’ Roll and

gain momentum and get

Christianity is a tough one. As

smashed back down, but

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

never gave up. That is the key!

on your book?

[CM] Do you see yourself

BRIAN:

writing

connect all of my stories

another

book

the future?

She

helped

to make them flow better instead of just my random

BRIAN: Yes, Lord willing. I

thoughts. She helped with

will do more books. “Stronger”

story arc, and has a great

was my devotional book that

sense of humor. She was

came out after “Save Me

very sensitive through the

from Myself.” I drank from

process of the book and

that well. It may not be for

she

a while though.

things.

[CM] Is it easier or harder

[CM]

playing

relationship

music

clean

and

helped

rearranged

How

was with

your Munky

sober?

after you left the band?

BRIAN: The writing is easier.

BRIAN: He reached out

On the last couple of KoRn

to me a few times in those

albums creativity was at a

8 years. When I was first Brian with his daughter at the Grammy Awards

low; it had tapped out. It

touched by God I thought I

made Munky (KoRn guitarist

could convince everyone. I

James Shaffer) better while I was gone (in

her. She comes on the road a few times a

got messages and signs to leave everything.

reference to the 8 years he left the band)

year. We are also getting into this new thing

I left it all. KoRn had ruined our lives and what

which is good. I need to be alone, get with

called “floating”, where you float in water

was there to be proud of? I wanted more

God, and pray. Jesus came so that we can

that is the same temperature as your body.

powerful lyrics. Didn’t know that I was proud

be one with God – living water – it’s powerful!

Contemplation with the Lord.

of the music. God loves passion.

of the church. Everything flows from that and

[CM] How is your new solo band “Love and

[CM] What advice do you have for young

makes everything better for more people.

Death” doing?

musicians going through what you have

It’s all about love. God is called the husband

been through?

[CM] Do you believe that fans get the

BRIAN: The focus has really been on KoRn

message fans through your music?

the last few years. No one from “Love and

BRIAN: Basically, when you start touring

Death” could just sit around and wait. I’m

your life becomes a traveler like being in a

BRIAN: Yes, because when they see you

hoping we can get things back together

circus. It is not the “all in all”. I wish I had

are real then they connect. It is about unity

when there is time. JR, our vocalist, has an

a normal life; I miss my bed. Like you, for

through music; everyone gets involved…

incredible voice!

example; you get to go home to your bed and

really powerful. Then speak your heart!

family. But I get to see the world. Be prepared;

[CM] Besides playing guitar, writing music,

[CM] What is your goal in sharing these

be open to change. If it is in your heart, then

tribulations in the book and your new music?

go for it. Give more than 100%; give it your all.

and writing books, what do you do for fun in your spare time?

See if it’s for you. Look at Solomon; he had

BRIAN: It’s a roller coaster. After losing

it all and lost it all. Have a relationship with

my home, car, being sued, and bankruptcy

your Creator… a deep one, not just church.

– all of this negativity… God revitalized me

Humanity has a union through Christ. It’s like

daughter how to drive. She goes to school

and led me back to KoRn and my daughter.

stepping into the ocean and just putting our

in Indiana and I spend a week a month with

I grew wings.

toes in. He deserves our seeking!

BRIAN: Right

now

I’m

teaching

her. I’m thinking of buying a condo close to her school so I spend even more time with

[CM] How did it go working with Carol Traver

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

continued on 28

SELECTIVE HEARING [ NEW RELEASES | Shawn McLaughlin ] STEVE TAYLOR AND THE DANIELSON FOIL Wow to the Deadness

sounds like something we’ve already done, we

from hell who uses and abuses his bandmates

throw it out.” Unsurprisingly, a lot of Wow to the

with only his own fame in view (“It’s my party,

Deadness’ biggest pleasures end up coming

you’re lucky to be here/You’re no Dylan so

Steve Taylor & the Danielson

from Smith’s ear for weirdo-pop applied to such

don’t make me laugh”). Thankfully, that sort of

Foil might have coalesced

a hard-rocking style of music. The hand-claps

conceit was absolutely nowhere to be found in

just last year, but the roots

and squeaky “We have a winner!” interjections

the making of the EP. Wow to the Deadness

way

on the excellent, tuba-accented title track are

is collaboration at its purest, with disparate

back in the 90’s. That’s

the

project

are

textbook Danielson. That distinctive flavor

sensibilities and geniuses unselfishly fusing to

when producer Steve Albini (at this point he

notwithstanding, songwriting was a true team

create something invigoratingly new.

can probably just change his legal name to

effort, and with song structures that feint and

Legendary Producer Steve Albini) hit up a

turn on a dime (often multiple times in the

young Daniel Smith to make music together,

same song), the group manages to pack more

resulting in the Danielson Family’s classic Tell

musical ideas into this brief EP than many full-

A year after the release of

Another Joke at the Ol’ Choppin’ Block. That’s

lengths have.

Fire and Stone, a project

THE GRAY HAVENS Ghost of a King

also when Steve Taylor quit his solo career

Vocally, Smith and Taylor turn out to be a

which made waves with the

after a poorly performing record, and took

great duo. The former’s helium-high yelp is the

unique storytelling musical

his musical efforts behind-the-scenes. He

perfect leaven for the latter’s classic punk sneer,

chemistry of husband and

thankfully reemerged in 2014 with the stellar LP

and their lyrics are loaded with self-deprecating

wife duo Dave and Licia Radford, The Gray

Goliath, flanked by a band called The Perfect

faith and hope. On the closing track, “Drats”,

Havens returns with Ghost of a King. The title

Foil (featuring Peter Furler, in self-imposed

Smith is beaten down by shame and repeated

instantly introduces some of what you can

Newsboys exile, on drums). In addition to

failure: “I can’t trust the word ‘free’/The sun

expect from the album’s content: intriguing,

releasing the Goliath vinyl on his own label,

coming up is embarrassing me,” but at song’s

ethereal imagery layered into lyrics reminiscent

Sounds Familyre, Smith supported on the

end his head is lifted by the thought of the

of classic folk ballads. This kind of style is

record’s tour, and Albini’s enthusiasm after

divine promise: “The earth waits/So expectant/

evident from the outset with intro track “Ghost

seeing them play together was the impetus for

For the kids/To be revealed.”

in the Valley,” which begins with the words “I

a one-off recording session at the producer’s

One of the only gripes to be had with Wow

met a ghost deep in the valley.” A narrative

to the Deadness is that on “Drats” and a couple

weaves through the songs from that point

The six-track EP Wow to the Deadness came

other tracks, it feels like some details were

forward, taking us, as listeners, on a musical

together on-the-fly (literally - Smith was still

lost in the recording - for whatever reason,

journey. Title track “Ghost of a King” epitomizes

scribbling lyrics on the flight to the studio), but

the mix can sound a bit muddy, especially

this story-telling style and is the truest folk ballad

that feeling of immediacy suits its uniquely odd

in comparison to the crisp punchiness that

on the album, detailing a conversation between

and skuzzy punk sound. Wow to the Deadness

defined Goliath. Taylor goes nuts on the off-

the traveler and the ghost of a king. The results

doesn’t sound quite like anything The Perfect

road, Stooges-style thrasher “The Dust Patrol”,

are striking and instantly unforgettable.

Foil or Danielson have done before, and that’s

but his finest hour is the egocentric tantrum he

Although many of the songs fall in line with

throws on “A Muse”, wryly playing the frontman

that narrative and musical thread, the album

famous Electrical Audio studio in Chicago.

no mistake - Taylor says the only rule was, “If it

Featured Tracks

STEVE TAYLOR & THE DANIELSON FOIL

“WOW TO THE DEADNESS”

THE GRAY HAVENS “GHOST OF A KING”

May  June 2016

DOGS OF PEACE

“ONE FLIGHT AWAY”

ChristianMusician.com

ANDY GULLAHORN

“I WANT TO BE WELL”

takes too many side paths along the way

Whiteheart and session stalwart, Gordon

oriented rock number that balances the

to be a true concept record. “Band of Gold”

Kennedy, and former Imperial and session

analog instrumentation with nifty bits of

is a duet love song reminiscent of cuts from

veteran, Jimmie Lee Sloas, who trade off on

electronic “shading’. “Dark Without” explores

recent Jon Foreman EPs. “Diamonds and

vocals and both had a hand in the songwriting.

the difference of lives lived with, and without,

Gold” introduces a slight electronic edge to the

The songs are about as good as you’d

Christ at the center, utilizing orchestration

indie-folk sonicscape, reminding listeners of

expect from such well respected writers. The

juxtaposed with a sinister guitar riff to heighten

early Paper Route as it turns the focus towards

opener, “One Flight Away” is a great canvas

the dichotomy. A lovely, personal worship track

the treasures that will last. Mostly instrumental

for Kennedy’s multi-layered guitar work as

“If It Weren’t for You” follows, while the rather

interlude “A Living Hope” follows this same

he plays unique, almost Arabic sounding

cheeky, “All This for a Piece of Fruit” adds a

musical trend. Although leaning on story and

ascending, syncopated guitar lines followed by

little levity to the project: “All this for a piece of

metaphor, it’s consistently clear that the story

meaty, Beatlesque arpeggios while keyboard

fruit? A serpent’s wish for a twist of truth. We

being told is one of redemption, similar to the

strings mirror the licks with melodic precision.

got applesauce on our birthday suit.” Certainly

lyrical habits of Andrew Peterson and Jason

“Sacrifice” ups the currency a bit with a keys

continued on 31

Gray. “Take This Slowly” centers around a prayer, requesting grace from God to take these transient days one moment at a time (“I’m just asking for grace to carry on / grace to take joy in my place at the table and the rock that it’s standing on”). Redemption-centric “At Last the King” beautifully casts the incarnation in language of analogy: “I will go, I will make a

SHUBB CAPOS

way home / And I will bleed like the enemy / In the dark, in the shadows, light has come.” This album satisfies artistic and spiritual appetite in equal measure.

DOGS OF PEACE Heel After

year

break,

“The Dogs of Peace” have released an amazing new album.

The

songs

Heel are poetic, profound, edifying,

and

occasionally

funny.

The

songwriting and musicianship are on par with the best of rock music, and second to none in CCM. There are so many delicious flavors to enjoy that are reminiscent of Kansas, Beatles, ELO…… “Only The Gold” sounds like a lost outtake from Yes’ 90125. I describe Heel as progressive rock without

After

years

still the best!

the pretension, and with far more earworms! If that’s not enough for you, how about guest solos by Ricky Skaggs, Peter Frampton, Michael Omartian, Joel Hanson, Rick Florian, and the wonderful McCrary sisters!!! Featuring Blair Masters and John Hammond, with behind the scenes expertise provided by Jeff Balding,

info@shubb.com • www.shubb.com 707-843-4068

Dogs of Peace are the brainchild of former

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

at him for his hair, clothes, and tattoos – but

to the readers hoping that we will learn some

once they find out he is a Jesus loving rock

of the same lessons that she and her father

“Head”, as fans of KoRn call him, is a deep,

star, it’s all okay! It sounds cliché but Brian

did from their life of lessons. Welch provides

sensitive, and highly articulate believer. After

is a perfect example of how you can’t judge

a one on one note after hers challenging us to

listening to a recent sermon at the church I

a book by its cover. Welch, like many of us,

think about the last five years of our lives and

attend I would classify Brian as an authentic

has been judged by a world on how he looks,

concluding with a prayer to Jesus. In the front

Christian striving for the balance and peace

the music he plays, and the company he has

of the book some of Brian’s friends like Nikki

that we all seek through our faith, families,

kept. But what people see is not indicative

Sixx, Alice Cooper, Josh Turner, and Scott

work, and music. “With My Eyes Wide Open:

of what is in the heart or the message he

Hamilton (yes the Olympic Gold Medalist) all

Miracles & Mistakes on My Way Back to

wants to share with anyone that will listen.

offer praise for this written testimonial. There

KoRn” depicts real life trials, but it also shows

This isn’t your typical garden-variety Christian

is also a video trailer for the book on YouTube

that having it all can sometimes be the worst

book, and it’s not meant to be, and it won’t

titled “With My Eyes Wide Open” Official

of times, and he had to let go of material

appeal to everyone due to its raw frankness.

Trailer, where Welch discusses his restoration.

things to find himself and his daughter. Welch

But if one fan of KoRn reads Brian’s book and

You can order the book at Amazon, Barnes

gives us a glimpse into his journey through his

it changes their life then not only did it save

and Noble, Christianbooks.com or at Head’s

humorous and honest memories of the path

him, but it saved another. I suggest you pick

personal site BrianHeadWelch.net/2016. We

that brought him to where he is today and

up a copy of “With Eyes Wide Open” and

would all be better served to approach our

how God led him through his personal desert.

give it a read for yourself. As if the life stories

faith and our lives with our eyes wide open

Much of the humor is poked at himself, or how

from the book weren’t enough, at the end of it

and to remember Brian’s words, “Never give

other parents and the public in general look

Brian’s daughter Jennea pens a heartfelt note

up. That is the Key!”

BRIAN “HEAD” WELCH continued from 24

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

NOVEMBER 3-5, 2016 | EASTRIDGE CHURCH, ISSAQUAH, WA

a training conference for musicians, leaders, technicians, songwriters & indie artists

To register, visit us online.

ChristianMusicianSummit.com

GEAR REVIEW [ IK MULTIMEDIA RELEASES iRIG ACOUSTIC & BLUETURN | Eric Dahl ] KEY FEATURES

First, let’s take a look at the iRig Acoustic, which

Set List Maker. You can utilize it with your iOS

is a guitar microphone and interface for iOS and

or Android devices, and even a Mac computer.

iRig Acoustic Acoustic Guitar Mic + Interface for iOS and Android Devices

Android devices. Simply download one of these

Headphone input jack for monitoring iRig BlueTurn Wireless Foot-Controlled Page Turning Compatible with a Variety of Apps

free Apps: AmpliTube Acoustic, iRig Recorder,

Install the two included AAA batteries in the

UltraTuner, or Mic Room. Then plug the iRig

tray underneath the pedal and turn it on. The

Acoustic into the earbud port on your device

light on top will begin flashing as it syncs with

and place the guitar pick shaped microphone

your Bluetooth enabled device. The backlit

in the lower area of your acoustic guitar’s sound

soft-touch footswitch buttons allow you to go

hole. The cable also acts as an input jack for

forward or backwards as you scroll through

your earbuds/headphones so you can monitor

your music or lyrics. I have tested out several

what you are playing as it goes into the device,

other similar devices to the BlueTurn, but

and it comes with a zippered carrying case to

what I like most about it is the simplicity, light

protect and store it in your gig bag.

up buttons, and it is light weight for portability to gigs! The footswitch also has an operation

From videos, to games, texts, e-mail and even

I found the iRig Acoustic very fun and easy to

range up to thirty-three feet away from the

phone calls, so many facets of our lives now

use. Once attached to your guitar, you strum

device it is controlling.

revolve around our smart phones and tablets.

the strings to calibrate the volume level and

These tendencies have not gone unnoticed by

then start jamming to built-in drum beats,

We have all seen so many live performance

manufacturers like IK Multimedia, who have

metronomes, or your own recorded loops. At

musicians trying to swipe their sheet music

built an entire company out of feeding our

a street price of $49.99 it’s a bargain for silent

on a tablet while using both hands to play an

desire to create, manipulate, and capture our

practice and songwriting, all on a device that

instrument and singing too!

music through these devices.

was once just a phone! Hopefully on my next vacation I will see a more Next up is the new iRig BlueTurn that was

relaxed and musically focused Saxophonist as

just released last month. I honestly didn’t

his feet turn the sheet music for him instead

appreciate the BlueTurn until I was on vacation

of his fingers! iRig BlueTurn is ideal for praise

and watched a solo saxophonist trying to turn

teams and church bands that frequently keep

the sheet music pages on his iPad while playing

all of their music on tablets for easy portability

saxophone to a backing track. Mr. Cancun

and practice, and the street price is just $69.99.

Saxophonist, this musical tool is for you! (And I did go tell him about it after his gig). The BlueTurn pedal is compatible with these Apps: iKlip Stage, Loopy HD, forScore, and

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

iRig Acoustic $49.99 iRig BlueTurn $69.99 www.IKMultimedia.com

SELECTIVE HEARING

a traveling musician and as a husband and

Decemeberists, and other very current groups.

father of three young kids. In typical Gullahorn

The best part of this little vignette? He has his

somewhat whimsical but it definitely works.

fashion, he starts the song off with something

own young children listen to Keaggy records

“Friend of the Groom” continues the album’s

funny. Then, just when your defenses are down,

almost every day and they genuinely count him

very Christ centered theme with a stomping,

he totally disarms you with a nugget of truth.

as their favorite artist. THAT is artistic reach

70’s styles rocker in the Bad Company mold with

Gullahorn is a talented story-teller, weaving a

and universal appeal, my friends. Keaggy is a

DOP’s usual pop perspective thrown in. “He’s

tale with a few words packed with meaning.

restless musical spirit who likes to “pollinate

the Light of the World” definitely uses lessons

“Dad Like Mine” left me a bleary-eyed mess,

many different varieties of flowers” so to speak.

learned from Kennedy’s tour of duty writing for

on the highway, driving to a bible study. In it,

For his latest, All At Once, Phil has done what

Eric Clapton (as well as Ricky Skaggs incredible

Gullahorn is encouraging a man who had a

seems to be most aligned to his comfort level.

2010 album) with its combo of classic rock

rough childhood without a loving father and, in

He’s made a band record, heavy on electric

riffs and soulful vibe. The album’s final track,

particular, he tells the man how he wishes he

guitar, rife with classic rock turns, a WHOLE

“Crush”, is only available on the iTunes version

had a dad like Gullahorn did. He does this for

lot of blues and a bit of Beatle-esque pop. As

of the album and, frankly, is worth the price of

a few stanzas, then the gut punch: Gullahorn is

with his classic “band” records, Phil surrounds

the album by itself. A dramatic, even Cheap

singing this TO HIS OWN DAD……(I seriously

himself with his friends (most of whom

Trick-ish chorus illustrates the idea of keeping

just teared up writing that sentence). It is just

happen to be musical geniuses themselves)

Satan at one’s heel in order to experience the

one of several remarkable songs that explore

both longtime and relatively new, in terms of

full blessings of Christ in this life.

continued from 27

that intersection where the holy and the human

contributing to his music and this absolutely

While Dogs of Peace took a twenty-year

meet. If this type of writing is your cup of

seems to energize the man. Keaggy has made

hiatus from releasing their own music, they

latté….you know….beautiful, folk influenced

somewhere near 70 albums in his career (or

haven’t been dead in the water. In fact, just the

music with powerful and hilarious lyrics……

some ridiculous amount). While, cosmetically,

credits for Gordon Kennedy and Jimmie Lee

then order your cup of FaultLines immediately.

All At Once certainly recalls Keaggy classics

Sloas alone are far too many to cite -- not to

You won’t regret it.

such as Love Broke Thru, Phil Keaggy and

mention drummer John Hammond, keyboardist

PHIL KEAGGY All At Once

Blair Masters, and producer/engineer Jeff Balding. For those music fans out there who

Sunday’s Child, Find Me In These Fields and Crimson and Blue. Those albums bore, more sharply, the influences Keaggy developed in his

are looking for real, authentically played and

If you are a longtime reader

years as a musician, in particular, The Beatles,

creatively constructed rock with pop smarts,

of Christian Musician you

and Cream/Clapton. The new album, however,

there just isn’t a better place to start than Heel.

know that we have had a

seems to distill all his various influences into an

It is Christian music at its most accessibly artful.

long standing relationship

amalgam that sounds, very comfortably, like

(he was our first cover boy)

Phil Keaggy.

ANDY GULLAHORN FaultLines

with the legendary guitar slinger, Phil Keaggy. I

The other thing Keaggy-philes will LOVE

have a little story to help give everyone an idea

about this platter……it is a guitar lover’s

Andy Gullahorn is a real guy

of the magnitude of his talent and just how wide

DREAM. While Crimson and Blue certainly

who writes about faith and

and deep his reputation reaches.

featured clearly incendiary axe work, it still,

marriage and how hard it all

I have recently become friendly on Facebook

largely, took a backseat to the songs. Here,

is, but how funny it can be.

with a fellow through our mutual memberships

Keaggy manages to turn the neat trick of

His new album, FaultLines,

in a few Christian music FB groups. The young

embedding virtually every nook and cranny of

is more great music. It’s too hard to choose

man is 33 and his musical be-all and end-all

the record with athletic fills and fluid runs while

a favorite. “I Want to Be Well” is about the

is Phil Keaggy. I get messages almost every

never hijacking the song.

persistent longing for healing. “Over and Over”

day about something new he has discovered

The record blasts off with the opening track,

is a love song that evokes fond memories of

in Phil’s music. Here is what is cool and shows

“Mercy” (no explanation needed on what the

one of my all-time favorites, his wife Jill Phillips’

the influence that Keaggy’s generational type

song is about!), a blues fueled burner co-

“Everyday” (Phillips also sings back up for a lot

of talent can bear: This man was raised on

written with Tommy Coomes that would sound

of his music and her voice is angelic.) He goes

Keaggy’s music by his father and mother, who

at home on your classic rock station. Especially

into deep theology on the descent of Jesus into

counted Phil as THEIR all-time favorite artist.

notable are the gospel influenced backing

hell in the powerful “God-Forsaken Place.”

His tastes weren’t developed in a vacuum

vocals. “Undertow” follows, as the song uses

Two songs are absolutely amazing. “Freedom

either. He likes a lot of music and his favorites

syncopated blues riffs, jagged rhythm chords,

2.0” is about the balance of life on the road as

include Sufjan Stevens, Blitzen Trapper, The

and a cool diminished keyboard pattern to continued on 44

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD | VOL. 1 [ “ON FIRE” | Paul Clark ] Welcome to “Further Down The Road,” a

when all I saw was pulp. On top was C.S.

room floor. Exiting quietly, I fed the pups and

series of stories crafted for those between the

Lewis’s epistolary satire novel, “The Screwtape

found solace on the couch under the eaves of

starting line and my road marker. Some may

Letters”,

the front porch.

find it inconceivable to imagine a world without

“Imitation of Christ”, “Peace With God”, by Billy

“Christian Rock.” I lived there. The Jesus

Graham, and batting clean up, John Bunyan’s

Peculiarly, I had left my D-28 Martin out on that

Movement wasn’t birthed by a denomination

epic “Pilgrim’s Progress”. After sorting through

bedraggled sofa overnight. Perched on the

and

the other books, I refilled the box and left

edge of the crippled lounger, that unplanned

testimonies of young people radically changed

hungrier than when I arrived. Unbeknownst to

oddity led to divine reciprocity. As if scripted,

by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As a CCM

me, she knew how to sift gold from the streams

I started Travis picking a mid-neck inversion

pioneer, allow me to lay a foundation for my

of my heart as well as any Forty-Niner agitating

of a G chord. As an accomplished drummer,

future contributions.

riverbed sediment.

but novice guitar player, my diminished skills

organization,

but

songs

followed

Thomas

Kempis’s

seemed to be my greatest strength as In August of 1969, after the summer of

my fingers slid down two frets to the

love peaked at Woodstock, I enrolled at

open F. Moving to a standard C position

the University of Kansas. An eighteen-

prepared the resolution to the tonic

year

G chord.

old,

flaming-red-hair-hippie,

loaded everything I owned into my 64’ VW camper and moved into a turn of the

In succinct choreography, a melody and

century house on “the hill.”

lyrics were accompanying my simple composition. Confounded, yet instantly

By the time the leaves fell, the iconic,

free from years of starving for truth, I

two fingered peace sign was reduced to

found myself feasting in the shadow of

a middle fingered culture of discontent.

“THE” Almighty as I concluded penning,

Lawrence burned in 1863 from Slavery

“The Looking Glass Incident.” Childlike,

and the Civil War conflict. Revolution

reflecting on the prayer from the book, I

embers were resurrecting through Civil

repeated the words, “Heavenly Father,”

Rights and Vietnam.

over and over. With that, everything had changed. I had fled a radical town on

Speaking of fire, I was struggling

fire and ended up being radically on fire

academically due to smoking a good

for God.

portion

feeble

unlicensed

pharmaceutical business. Winter was

Rear View Mirror: “Behold what manner

harrowing. The following spring, the

of love the Father has bestowed upon

anxiety heightened when the Student

us, that we should be called children

Union was torched and students were

of God.” 1 John 3:1a.

How has the

free to leave. Like gypsies, my band mates and

That evening, while my buddies tripped on LSD,

I headed west and sequestered our songwriting

I climbed into bed with one of the books. Page

ambitions to an old mining cabin high in the

after page, I ingested the words, especially

Feel free visit me online PaulClarkMusic.com,

Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

the italicized words of Jesus. As I read the

contact me at PaulClarkMusic@gmail.com, or

last page, containing the earnest discipleship

subscribe to PaulClarkMusic on Instagram,

prayer, I drifted off in a sea of peace.

Facebook, or Twitter.

was a caloric sign that there might be a God.

Awakened by barking dogs, I donned a t-shirt

Abide in Jesus,

The following week, another box appeared.

and bell-bottoms and navigated my way

Paul Clark

Opening the carton, my hopes were dashed

through the slumbering bodies on the living

Barely subsisting, the arrival of cookies from

Father’s love impacted you? Discuss.

my grandmother, at the Post Office in Empire,

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

Visit us at NAMM Booth #1301

THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC [ DO THAT. | Dr. Ken Steorts ] Planning is one of the key points to success

and joy in your career and life that causes you

to people’s dreams and helping them to expand

in any field and of critical importance for

to persist and flourish in the role of artist and

vision and strategize a future with promise and

careers in music. Essential to the progress of

musician. Many of the things that successful

get people involved. I love doing that and find

artistic development and career advancement,

artists do are simple, but consistent planning

pleasure in the bringing other people’s dreams

whether it be in church or entertainment,

of the time and space to accomplish them are

to fruition. It rises out of a genuine concern for

planning is critical to long-term success, but

critical to their success. We are made of more

people and community. Even my ability to find

also personal satisfaction in that success.

than our art, but we sure do need time and

win-win-win situations is my way of bartering

When we fail to plan, well . . . you know.

space to make that art within busy lives.

for time in the world in which we live.

My boys can tell you, I’ve talked to them about

I always encourage musicians to give plenty of

As with any job or career, you will ultimately

planning since they were little. My youngest

time to personal growth and interaction with

have to do some things you don’t want to do

teenager is now so used to me asking, “What’s

people around them. Plan for it. Take notes

and work long and hard hours in seemingly

your plan for today?” that he says it for me and

and learn what people are doing that other

meaningless tasks that are not particularly

begrudgingly figures out a way to sound like he

people find valuable. Sometimes you would be

fulfilling. You will have to do that thing you don’t

has made a plan for a Saturday. It’s fun, but

surprised what you know how to do that other

want to do, and miss time doing the thing

also critical for wellbeing.

people need some hand holding to accomplish.

you do want to do. You are going to have to

A friend of mine makes Facebook “slides” that

work together with people that are less than

Last month I wrote about Public Relationships

are pictures with words over them to promote

ideal for you to work with, and you will grow

as a responsibility of every musician - to develop

events and programs that are coming up. He

more mature in those times. All things that

relationships with people and make those

would not consider himself either a graphic

accomplish maturity in you are valuable (that is

relationships work for you. All of these points

designer or a marketing person, but he very

my James 1 version of “What doesn’t kill you

are to ultimately bring a level of satisfaction

simply creates pictures that are compelling with

makes you stronger”).

words that help get people to

Quality Comfort Style

events. Simple and genius,

But more likely, as a musician, you will have

and others need to know how

an opportunity to show people how to do

to do that.

something that they can’t do, and you can. Show them how to do that. Be the very best

Some people are great at

at the thing you do in your church, in your city,

guitar technician tricks. People

in your region. Let people know they can learn

want to learn how to do that.

from you to do that and that you want more people doing that thing you do. Don’t hide it

Some people know how to

away, share it and grow better at it while you

bridge together different music

share it. We all need to be fearless in our

genres and cause people to

planning for time to show people what we can

come alive working together in

do and to expect God to bless us with growth

a new creative space.

as we do it.

Some

LONG HOLLOW LEATHER 34

1131 W. Main St. Franklin, TN 37064 1-800-545-1181 www.longhollowleather.com May  June 2016

friends

are

Plan for times to do that thing you do. Let

fantastic at organizing people

people receive from you. Let people know you

or making people really feel

care about them and want them to share in the

a part of the team. Please

thing you do. Plan for it and then get out there

tell me how you do that.

and do it.

Right now. Do that. I have a penchant for listening ChristianMusician.com

GEAR REVIEW [ EVENTIDE TVERB PLUGIN | Jack Mao ] KEY FEATURES Simulates the Acoustics of Berlin’s Hansa Studio Two Tracking Room Mono or Stereo Virtual Mixer features a Gate + Compressor on Each of the Console’s Three Channels Tribute to Both Tony Visconti’s and David Bowie’s Musical Genius

room (no control room window). All of which

three channels.

to say it was a unique recording setup, to say the least.

You can, of course, create your own presets while you move around the three virtual

Originally built sometime between 1910 and

Microphones in the tracking room, which is

1913, the building survived World War II and

a lot of fun in itself, and it opens up a lot of

in 1961 was cut off from East Berlin by the

possibilities for creative instrument tracking.

Berlin Wall, which was located about 400 feet

That said, I suspect most users may be happy

way from the studio (back then you could

with the extremely generous collection of

actually see the Russian Guard towers from the

presets that come with Tverb, which can be

control room).

applied to just about any kind of instrument or recording scenario I can think of.

Tony Visconti came up with an innovative recording solution to capture Bowie’s vocal

TVerb is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7+

Eventide’s new Tverb Plugin was designed with

performance, setting up three microphones

and Apple OS X 10.7+ and is available in AAX

legendary producer/engineer Tony Visconti and

approximately 15 feet apart, and then tracked

Native, VST, and AU formats. You can purchase

is a painstaking recreation of the vocal setup

Bowie’s performance live by patching Bowie’s

Tverb individually for $149, or you can get it as

David Bowie used for his 1977 song “Heroes”,

vocals into the tracking room (i.e. the Ball Room)

part of Ensemble, Eventide’s new subscription

the title song of the second Album of Bowie’s

and then recording all three microphones

based service whereby you can get access to

“Berlin Trilogy” by the same name. With the

simultaneously (summing them into a Mono

all of Eventide’s Plugins for $29.99 a month.

instruments filling 23 of the 24 tracks, Tony

track) and in the process capturing a cascading

Visconti was faced with recording Bowie’s lead

reverb effect that “opened up” more the louder

Tverb is ultimately a modern recreation of a

vocal with just one track left.

Bowie sang.

landmark milestone in the history of audio

Tverb simulates the acoustics of Berlin’s Hansa

As mentioned above the original recording

tribute to both Tony Visconti’s and David

Studio Two tracking room, which was originally

setup featured three microphones summed

Bowie’s musical genius. I really like Tverb and

a Ball Room and thus had windows, a high

into a Mono Channel, however Tverb gives

I think you will too.

ceiling, wood floor, and an ornate Art Deco

you both Mono and Stereo capability. Tverb’s

design. Back when Tony Visconti and David

virtual mixer is a recreation of the vintage

Bowie were recording “Heroes” the control

console used by Viscounti and features a Gate

room was located down the hall in an adjacent

and Compressor on each of the console’s

recording, as well as also being a historical

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

$149.00 Street www.EventideAudio.com

INDIE MECHANICS [ CREATING WITH THE CREATOR | Keith + Sue Mohr ] A songwriter who co-writes will tell you there is

essence of combining two seemingly different

Creatives are generally “up and down and all

magic that happens when two people merge

genres into one song. For example, that latest

around” types of people. Meaning they tend to

their creative juices. Stories emanate with

love song on the radio, featuring a rap/hip-hop

be sparked by the side of the brain that governs

different views from all angles. What culminates

artist. It plays with your mind, twists the story

behavior, intellect, and emotions. Have you

is a song with depth, seen from two different

into a masterpiece that could not have moved

ever come across a placid creative? I haven’t!

sides of the story. Just listen to a song that

us in the same way if it was done alone. When

Creatives are curious, creatives are risky, and

has been successfully co-written. There is

we create with the Creator, His creativity brings

creatives are compulsive. All of these traits

a unique strength to the song that happens

our song to different heights.

are what keeps the conduit of creativity from

when two talented people collaborate. Having

clogging up and blocking the creative flow.

a relationship with another songwriter who

We coined the term “Conduit of Creativity.” When

‘gets you’ is magic. One that can finish your

you think of a conduit, it is like a section of pipe.

Ever have writer’s block? Almost every creative

sentences and see what you are seeing is

This particular creative conduit is shaped like an

has at one time or another. Why does this

priceless. Just imagine if you worked along with

L. The top end is where creativity flows in from

happen? We can explain this phenomenon in

the ultimate cowriter: the Creator himself!

the creator. At the other opening is creativity

one word. Self. Self is what blocks the conduit

that flows out to the people. The conduit itself

every time. When self becomes the focus

Genesis 1:1 tells us that when God created

represents a human. The role for the human is

during the creative process, it is like having a

the heavens and the earth, it was good. Our

to allow creativity to flow unimpeded through

12” hairball down the sink and caught in the U

Creator is the master storyteller and the master

the conduit. When this happens, the creativity

part of the pipe. Nothing gets through. In order

songwriter. He took nothingness and created

is rich in depth and holds value to consumers.

to get rid of the block, some spiritual Draino is

somethingness. Molding a song called Earth in

in order.

seven days, with untold beauty in his majestic

God could have allowed creativity to flood over

works. The blue of the sky has many levels…

the world like hot caramel over an apple (He

Creativity should not be undertaken for

it’s not just ‘blue’ as we see it, but it has a

actually did this in Genesis chapter 1), but if

acquiring financial or personal gain. When it

nuance all of its own, many different shades,

He had continued, it may have been too much

is, creativity greatly suffers. This is why most

combining so many colors. The heights of the

for the world to absorb and endure. Here is

music you hear on the radio sounds the

mountains, the depths of the sea, the noise that

an interesting observation about the nature of

same. It becomes formulaic, generic, and

the wind makes when it runs through the valley,

God. He created us in his own image so He

homogenized. However, when a new artist

the dance that raindrops perform as they spiral

could collaborate with us to write His Story,

hits the airwaves with a brand new sound it is

down the windowpane. All of God’s creation

through our stories! He also understood the

because they have their pipeline cleared and are

is such a beautiful song. We not only hear it,

concept of not doing it alone. He wanted us

creating solely to create and enjoy the process

but we see it. That is what truly makes a good

involved in His work, penning along with Him.

of creating. Commerce is not a bad thing per

song, one that moves us by affecting all of our senses.

se, but it should not be put before creativity. So throughout the ages, God had partnered

Creativity comes first, and then if the creation

with a small fraction of humans… His chosen

has value, commerce will follow. The Master

God’s word continuously speaks about what

minstrels, whom He knew would be sensitive

songwriter understood all of this. Creation was

we can do with his strength. Phillipians 4:13,

enough to detect even the smallest portion

first and foremost on His thoughts.

“I can do all things through Jesus Christ

of creativity flowing in from above, and who

who gives me strength.” The bible tells us in

positioned themselves to be a conduit of

Tuning in to the Creator with a purposeful

Genesis 2:18 that, “It is not good for the man

creativity. It takes a very special person to be in

attitude and with the mindset of collaboration

to be alone.” We think that these are both true

tune to the frequency where God is transmitting.

is the first step. Sitting down with His words,

in all aspects of life, especially when we are

This is why creative people are so sensitive in

listening to and viewing His creation and

dealing with the creative parts of ourselves.

nature. They are literally tuning in 24/7/365

believing that He is writing next to you, pen

Years ago it was unheard of to create a song

to creativity they can barely perceive and are

in hand, will give you peace and calm in your

mixing two genres. Today, though, through joint

constantly searching the dial for the best signal.

songwriting. John 3:30 (msg) states, “That’s

effort, many musicians are understanding the 36

continued on 44

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

Nine Million Albums Sold Forty “Number One” Hits Four Grammy Awards Forty-Seven Dove Awards

Kawai keyboards are featured on Steven’s new recording, The Glorious Unfolding, available now.

Photo by Dale Manning for Idea Den

Steven Curtis Chapman K A W A I

Kawaius.com

A R T I S T

TAKING THE STAGE [ BONO HAS IT — SO CAN YOU | Tom Jackson ] Ask yourself this: How do you learn a new

walk out onstage and own the stage.

song? Do you just wing it? Of course not!

So, are you prepared? I can count on two hands the artists I’ve worked with that are prepared.

I have a saying: “Who you are is more important

Most people think they don’t need to prepare

First you learn with your head – you learn the

than what you do.” You can go out and fake

for the stage. Because somehow, we’ve been

words to the song, the melody, the chords –

it, or make it up as you go, or you can go out

taught erroneously that we’re musicians – so

you just try to get it into your head. Maybe you

and embody that confidence and authority that

we just “know” how to perform. We are unique,

have the music in front of you or on a piece of

people will respond to.

spontaneous, and don’t need to prepare.

a couple of times (or 50-60 times!) you start

A perfect example: U2, particularly in the early

The truth is, you are all unique. And what

getting it.

days. If there was one

paper. Depending on how quick you are, after

thing Bono had, it was You set the paper aside and start singing it or

confidence and authority.

playing it. Then you start feeling it. After you

At first, he did the wrong

start feeling it, you begin to “own” it. Then you

thing at the wrong time,

own it entirely and you’ve got the form down.

but he did it with authority, and people listened. Then

Now that you’ve embodied it, you’re no longer

he did the right thing at

thinking about it, trying to find it – you’re

the wrong time, and it

completely owning that song. And that’s where

was more powerful. Then

spontaneity is able to come in; that’s when you

he learned to do the right

can go to the next place – making it magical

thing at the right time,

and owning the stage.

with authority, and the rest is history!

Here’s what happens when we prepare correctly – we go into the gigs with confidence

Now,

I’m

not

talking

and authority. And that’s huge! Because

about over-preparing. I’m

confidence and authority are the first things an

talking about where we’ve

audience recognizes.

rehearsed and worked out a lot of ideas and

breaks my heart is that

[ At first, he did the wrong thing at the wrong time, but he did it with authority, and people listened. Then he did the right thing at the wrong time, and it was more powerful. Then he learned to do the right thing at the right time, with authority, and the rest is history! ]

your shows could be so much better if you found your

“voice”

verbally,

and

musically, visually

onstage. That takes the right kind of rehearsal and woodshedding before the show. There is a method to this madness called music! And working on the basics isn’t fun; but once the woodshedding is done and we go into rehearsal, it can be magical. YES, rehearsal can be fun! It’s like cleaning the house. When my wife and I

You’ve all seen someone so nervous onstage

taken it to the place

you can’t pay attention to anything else, right?

where

You hardly notice what they’re singing, you

for

don’t hear their voice – but you see who they

that preparation comes from woodshedding

and get rid of the old stuff before I went and

are. Someone not in control onstage!

(understanding the fundamentals), brooding

bought the new stuff. But when the old stuff

there’s spontaneity.

room And

redecorated our house I sure wish I wouldn’t have had to clean things out

over the songs (getting a vision for the show),

was gone, it was a lot of fun filling the house

Audiences are ignorant. They don’t understand

and then going into rehearsal and developing

with the new stuff!

musical things, but they do understand

those ideas.

physical and emotional things. When they see

You’ve got to prune the tree to get more fruit.

someone nervous onstage, it makes them

It’s like the coach who works out a game plan for

But I promise you this – there hasn’t been one

nervous. They can’t relax, they’re preoccupied

the weekend and then takes the team through

artist I’ve worked with on pruning the tree that

with that person’s behavior, and they can’t hear

practices that week to accomplish it. But you

doesn’t: 1) think it’s a pain in the bottom, and

the music. I call it emotional misdirection.

can’t do that if all the players haven’t done

2) call or email me afterwards that they have a

their woodshedding – their practice on running,

clearer message, sell more CDs, and tell me it

So with preparation comes confidence, and

catching the ball, throwing – professionals

was worth all the work!

as we develop confidence we gain authority to

don’t wing it!

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

EASTMAN

#iplay

#handcrafted

www.eastmanguitars.com

GUITAR A2Z [ PLAYING WELL WITH OTHERS PT. 2 | Roger Zimish ] In the first part of “Playing well with others” I

The rhythm and lead roles can overlap sharing

from out there like Gretsch, PRS, Music Man,

talked about “listening” to the other musicians,

parts that can complement and support each

Ibanez, and hundreds of custom builders with

as in a conversation. So let’s talk a little more

other without stepping on any toes.

high-bread pickup configurations to choose

about rhythm playing and the tone of your voice

from. All will produce their own

before we take the lead for a solo. Finding your

To find your place in the

frequency and place in the mix is a combination

mix think of your guitar

of many factors. When there are at least two

tone and the frequency

guitarists playing it’s usually best for them to

you’ll be covering. If two

play different parts that can complement each

guitarists are playing Les

other rather than clutter things up by strumming

Paul’s through Marshall

away at the same chords. (See examples in

Amps it can get a little

“Playing well with others pt.1”)

muddy.

What’s

[ To find your place in the mix think of your guitar tone and the frequency you’ll be covering. ]

your

guitar of choice, and

tone, but they all will be covering the same midrange frequencies that the guitar occupies in the mix. Your amplifier and effects can be just as important to your sound as your guitar is; however there is not enough room to get into that here at this time.

Now, I am not saying you can’t do that if you

how does it fit into the

A good tone helps you fit into

are sitting around a campfire or in your living

music you are playing?

room playing folk songs with friends. Working

A Gibson style Les Paul,

together rather than as competitors when two

SG, or a semi-hollow body 335 type of guitar

guitarists to layer parts is for one player to use

or more guitarists are playing together, there

with glued set-in necks and humbucker pickups

a Capo. Example #1, Is the chords Bob Dylan

are the traditional roles as “rhythm” and “lead”.

will produce a fat, warm tone, while Fender

uses in the progression for his song “Knocking

The rhythm part usually plays the chords that

Stratocasters with three single coil pickups or

on Heavens Door”: G / D / Am – G / D / C in

accompany the song; the lead can play the

a Telecaster with single coil pickups, both with

the open position. Example #2 shows the same

hooks, riffs, and single note lines along with

bolt on necks will produce a bright and cutting

chords using a Capo on the fifth fret. This is an

solos that can add energy to parts of the song.

tone. There are many other guitars to choose

easy progression that works well on acoustic

the song, along with your chord voicings. A great way for two

guitars, as well as electric. The open chords can

Exp.#1

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¢⁄

3 0 0 0 2 3

2 3 2 0

be played by the guitarist with the Les Paul for

œœœ œœ

œ œœ œœœ

œœ œœ

0 1 2 2 0

3 0 0 0 2 3

2 3 2 0

œœ œœ 2 3 2 0

œœ œœœ œ

0 1 0 2 3 3

the full warm sound while the Capo parts can

™™ ü † ™ ™

be played by the guitarist with the Tele for the bright, shimmery sound on top. As I said last time, listen to bands that utilize numerous guitar players like “Hillsong United”, with their mix of

electric and acoustic guitars in Worship music, to Classic Rock bands like “Lynyrd Skynyrd”,

†

and that band our own Rick Cua was in, “The Outlaws”, to hear how a southern guitar army can blend their instruments together to create

Exp.#2 Capo fret 5

A‹

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Chord Shape

# 4 œœœ œœœ œœœ & 4 œ œ œœ

¢⁄ 40

7 8 7 5

5 7 7 7 5

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œœ œœ

5 7 7 7 5

5 5 5 7 7 5

7 8 7 5

œœ œœ 7 8 7 5

great melody and harmony lines on guitar. More

C G

to come …

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5 7 7 7 5

8 5 5 5 7 8

May  June 2016

™™ ü †

Coda: Talking to good friends while getting

great day or a bad one. Playing well with others

™ ™

†

together to make music is good therapy and good for the soul, whether you have had a helps you find your own voice and sound that fits into the conversations through music.

ChristianMusician.com

GOOD FOR THE SOUL [ MAINTENANCE OF GOD’S BLESSINGS | Bryan Duncan ] I read a take on the worst part of my life the

about the little daily minutia of my life. People

must learn how it works. I know that sounds

other day from Bob Gass. In Word for Today he

will only remember what you did on a broader

like looking a gift horse in the mouth when it

writes, “The Maintenance of God’s Blessings is

scale. Or, as Maya Angelo writes, “They will

comes to blessings. But blessings don’t always

how you learn the difference between what’s

only remember how you made them feel.” I

feel like a gift. They are more of an inheritance.

important in life and what’s not.”

don’t see a lot of Maintenance in that. I tend

When I start seeing maintenance as a chore,

to see God’s “blessings” as those things that

blessings disappear.

I’ve never heard that take on the subject of

come easiest to me, like the gift of Salvation or

maintenance before. Talk of maintenance is

the ability to sing effortlessly.

The greatest blessing I know is the way we can

mostly muttered in speeches on responsibilities

see emotions through music. The blessing is the

of adulthood. The very word ‘maintenance’ is

‘Blessings don’t need maintenance,’ I thought

fascination with it. There are a limited number

usually spoken with a turn of the head and stare

as I read. Maybe I heard that wrong or I missed

of notes, but the possibilities are still endless.

at the ground. Yea, because nobody wants to

the point. (yes, I argue

I’m

hear about more work to do.

in my head with the

the same four chords

people I read). But here I have the hardest time “maintaining” the

simplest things. Like paying monthly bills or

stop being a chore!

where

devotions

changing the oil in my car. And if I can’t see

I found insight, born

the immediate gratification in my work I tend

of maintenance!

to put it off. It’s not my thoughts It’s paperwork maintenance that I have the

that are the blessings.

greatest aversion to. It’s a desk job; something

It’s the ability to think.

for accountants. The first thing I learned

The blessing isn’t so

in handling paperwork was how to file an

much the music as the

extension for my taxes.

desire to experiment with the possibilities.

[ The greatest blessing I know is the way we can see emotions through music. The blessing is the fascination with it. There are a limited number of notes, but the possibilities are still endless.. ]

discovering

that

can be made to sound different

depending

on where the notes are stacked and what rhythm and treatment the instruments bring to it. It’s a matter of disassembling

all

know about what I do, how I present, and to whom. Music

has

contributed

also

To me, maintenance is drudgery. It only

And frankly, how I make

the

figures someone would attach it to the word

other people feel might

“blessings”. Sure, I would like to maintain the

very well depend on how comfortable I am in

blessings. Still, it’s hard to keep up with the

best parts of my life, but maintenance is not

my own skin. There are a thousand kinds of

changes. But right now I’m seeing how I failed

one of them. Why does everything have to be

maintenance there.

to maintain those things that came easiest to

maintenance of other

a chore?

me. I like the way it used to sound because I think my biggest problem is not having enough

maybe I got used to the way it sounded. I

I still remember when daily devotions was

things under my category of “Blessings”. I

resisted taking it apart. Seeing why the squeaky

attached to the word “guilt”. But it has been

also think that some blessings don’t look

wheel of music wasn’t getting the grease. Yea,

easier lately because I do love insight. It helps

like blessings when you have them. Like

we take our blessings for granted. And we

with songwriting and spiritual progress. Part of

disappointment that things didn’t turn out the

probably don’t recognize most of our blessings

my maintenance of that is to find good Bible

way you wanted. Or When God isn’t giving

because sometimes blessings don’t look

commentators. I love reading devotionals from

you ‘total clarity’. Maybe we can’t handle

like blessings.

Bob Gass, Oswald Chambers, and Sarah

that information.

Young. Normally, they all use more inspiring words in describing a relationship with God.

Maintenance is about faithfulness. And like Bob The one thing I know about maintenance

Gass said, “It is when faithfulness is most difficult

is I usually have to know how to take the

that it is the most necessary.” And I might add

I like to dismiss ‘maintenance’ though, by

whole blessed thing apart if I want to keep it

that when blessings don’t look like blessings is

saying to myself nobody will remember or care

maintained. Like a soldier with his weapon, I

when they need the most maintenance.

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

GROOVE OF GRACE [ BEAUTY IN THE DANCE | Rick Cua ] Following Christ is a journey with a lot of

their own way, in their own world. I’m not sure

High School dance where the girls spent the

moves. A few steps to the right, a few to the

of the spiritual condition of any of them, but I do

evening dancing and us boys spent the evening

left, forward, back, the occasional spin, dip,

know that what they felt was God given. It was

watching. The dance was scheduled to end at

and a lot of grace. We can look at it as a dance;

the beauty and joy of the Lord I experienced

10:30 p.m., and I’m sure every teacher and

some would call it the dance of life. There’s

as I watched them all move. It reminded me of

chaperone were more than ready to call it a

no exact formula on how to move, but God’s

Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinks in his heart,

night. My friend, Moey Hale, was running the

word and the voice of the Holy Spirit become

so is he.”

Jukebox, and at 10:25 he decided to put a

the music we move to. The words, the rhythm,

slow song on to close out the Fall event. I’m

passion, pause, and discernment guide our

With the dancers in Tampa there was

not sure how it happened, but every adolescent

steps. Every day is different and every situation,

something driving them way more than the

male finally made their way to the center of the

encounter with others, and even our thought

precise movements they learned and executed

gym floor and, almost trance-like, walked up

process becomes our own unique combination

perfectly. It was the beauty of what they felt

to a female student and said something like,

of patterns.

when they were out there doing it. It’s the same

“Wanna dance?” It was more involuntary instinct

with our not-so-precise YouTuber who just had

than good sense, but it was the moment all of

I remember being at a well-known ballroom in

to move when he felt the joy rise up in his being.

us turned a corner.

Tampa, Florida one night to see an old friend

When his heart spoke to his feet he expressed

play drums with his trio. They were a pretty

his happiness in his own unique way.

great band, but what really captured me was

We almost missed it, but that glorious 5 minutes on Vine Street changed everything. Better late

the ballroom dancers dressed to the nines out

There are times when our move from feeling

than never, we seized an innocent moment of

on the floor in their tuxedos and long dresses.

blah to feeling joyful is a short jump, and then

joy with a female partner and learned a valuable

Hair slicked and pulled back, with textbook

there are occasions when we are in deep grief

life lesson: don’t wait until something good

posture and an air of confidence that you

and the words of Psalm 30:11a, “You have

is almost over to jump in; make every minute

couldn’t help but admire, I was drawn in by

turned my mourning into dancing,” comes as

count. I’m pretty sure a tear didn’t fall that

their grace, moved by their skill, and brought to

great relief.

night like it did in Tampa, but I do know my

tears by the sheer beauty of it.

trichotomous man - body, soul, and spirit - was We all dance one way or another, and there are

Then, more recently, I saw a video on YouTube

also times we watch. Some of the watchers

of a portly older man dancing to the music in a

don’t look for very long

strange and awkward way. Joy was in his heart

because

and on his face as he glided weirdly across

pain

my screen. Oddly, I had the same reaction

from

watching him as I did with the highly skilled

by the happiness in

dancers in Tampa.

others. We are created

their

own

prevents

them

being

moved

to appreciate beauty, So what was it that touched me so deeply?

and we do that best

The only commonality was the fact that in both

when we are free and

instances people were dancing. As I thought

whole. Beauty becomes

about this more I realized there was something

harder

else happening: people doing something that

when we are in pain.

made them feel good. They were expressing

Healing is essential if we

joy in their own way, with total freedom and

want to move the way

confidence. All the eyes that were upon them

God intended.

recognize

fully engaged. So my question is, will we

[ We are created to appreciate beauty, and we do that best when we are free and whole. Beauty becomes harder to recognize when we are in pain. ]

make the absolute most of our lives by harvesting the joy that God has put before us? Will we move quickly towards

opportunity?

Will we recognize beauty in whatever package it comes in? Will we take long

lingering

looks

see what God may be saying? Will we get out of our chair and let our fellow sojourners circle us while

we passionately share what we’ve been given?

didn’t faze the sophisticated dancers, and my

Will we follow Him and will we show our world

unusual friend didn’t care that he was being

Here’s another look at people who watch.

filmed for thousands to watch. They were all, in

I was barely 13 and attending a Lincoln Jr. May  June 2016

His Beauty in The Dance?

ChristianMusician.com

CONTINUED...

BASSIC COMMUNICATION continued from 12

secular counterpart. Regardless of whichever environment God places us, we are called to be light and salt. I know that Abraham Laboriel and Alex Acuna are a tremendous witness for the Lord in the secular music scene through artistic excellence and really living out their faith. I’ve heard numerous accounts of them bringing their colleagues in the Los Angeles studios to Christ. That is incredibly inspiring to me. My encouragement to you is to seek His direction for you, then proceed with confidence in Him. If that ends up being in Christian music or ministry, AWESOME…let Him shine through you. If that ends up being in the darkest recesses of the mainstream music biz, AWESOME TOO, because the Lord can use you to show the world that there is hope, and your life is testimony that He is risen. You may very well be the only Christian in many of those peoples’ lives: the witness you are through your musical excellence, as well as your professional and ethical integrity/values, will speak volumes. In other words, don’t let the sordid elements of the industry weigh you down. Be a light in that sphere of your influence/involvement, by God’s grace and through His leading. At the end of the day, that really is the bottom line for those of us who’ve experienced His mercy. Blessings ~ Norm

SELECTIVE HEARING continued from 31

keyboard figure and Keaggy’s affecting vocal

tandem with a surprisingly urgent yowl from

before swelling with orchestration, sweet guitar

Keaggy, while Phil Madeira’s B3 squeals

fills, and judiciously placed BGV’s. A more pop

appealingly in the background. This cut bristles

direction continues with “I Love the Way You

with energy and particularly biting licks from

Love Me”, espousing the pleasures of romantic

Keaggy. The album closes with the loping, mid-

love, (Keaggy has been married for 40+ years)

tempo, “I Prayed for You”, a song of (perhaps

married to the type of bouncy, McCartney

fatherly) devotion and encouragement detailing

drenched melody that comes second nature to

one person’s dedication and commitment to

Keaggy. He even cribs a vocal run from “Maybe

holding another up in prayer. The cut features

I’m Amazed” after the first stanza.

some of Keaggy’s most lyrical playing on

Written Schnelle,

with who

multi-instrumentalist, contributes

most

Rex

the album.

the

But wait…..it’s not quite over yet….the bonus

background for the track, the project then

track, “I Must Tell Jesus” is an old gospel hymn

segues into “La La La La La I Love You”. A

given a doo-wop/gospel/blues feel replete with

collaboration with Taylor Swift producer, Nathan

soulful “Gospel Choir” BGV’s featuring Gene

Chapman, the song features an interestingly

Miller, Cheri Oakley, and Kim Keyes, as well as

spare verse which moves along on the strength

Keaggy’s supple guitar outro. There’s even a

of Chapman’s slinky bass line before exploding

hidden instrumental track, a particularly moody

into a distinctly Brian Wilson-esque chorus.

slow burn track called “Breathe” co-written with

Keaggy’s friend, Ken Mansfield shows up for

Katie Peltier and featuring father and son (Phil

a co-write on the amusingly silly, but extremely

and Ian) on Guitar and Keys.

fun charmer, “My Guitars in Love”, in which Phil’s guitar exclaims “Don’t string me along!”

Coming in at a whopping 55+ minutes of satisfying, rich, melodic, brawny musicality, All

“Stay Home Baby” is a basic blues

At Once is definitely an impressive collection

shuffle, written with good friend and frequent

of material that benefits immensely from

collaborator, Mike Pachelli, and features a

the collaborative efforts of friends, including

scintillating keyboard solo from the legendary

legendary

Al Kooper (Bob Dylan, Mike Bloomfield, Blood

(Genesis, Phil Collins, Frank Zappa, Weather

Sweat and Tears, The Blues Project) whom

Report) and his bassist son, Akil, as well as

Keaggy name-checks in the song. Country

longtime buddies Rick Cua and Steve Brewster,

artist and Nashville pastor, Lionel Cartwright

and the previously mentioned folks. But the

lends his distinctive yowl and piano prowess to

real star of this show is the pint sized guitarist

the cut “Fearless Love”, a treatise on the best

who packs a huge talent and has the universal

way to promote reconciliation in a time of turmoil

respect needed to blend together an almost

drummer

Chester

Thompson

in our culture, as he trades licks with Keaggy

unheard of coterie of talent and unify them in

simulate the feeling of the struggle not to give

who just spews bluesy goodness all over the

such a way as to make a work as satisfying and

in to the feeling of being pulled under by one’s

final measures of the track. “Not Be Moved”

complete as this beautiful record, All At Once.

circumstances. “Call the Doctor” features

benefits from Keaggy’s many collaborations

old friend, Lenny LeBlanc on vocals, and is

with Nashville’s Blues Counsel as their guitarist,

co-written by LeBlanc, Keaggy, and Tommy

Will MacFarlane contributes guitar and a co-

Coomes. This charms with old school soul

write to the blues shuffle that takes a cue from

why my cup is running over. This is the assigned

vibe and jazz voicings as well as stinging Strat

Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody” if that song

moment for Him to move into the center, while I

lines. Gordon Kennedy makes an appearance

had Keaggy’s virtuoso playing at its core.

slip off to the sidelines.” Move over and receive

INDIE MECHANICS continued from 36

on the title cut, which he co-wrote and plays

Cementing the abundance of Blues influence

writing guidance for your song from the Creator

guitars and bass on. Reflecting on the healing

on the record is “Ezekiel”, a co-write with friend

Himself! Slip off to the sidelines and create a

that came from Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross,

and Nashville stalwart, Ashley Cleveland, who

great song together!!!

the soaring ballad begins with an elegiac

contributes her typical, gut-bucket vocals in

May  June 2016

ChristianMusician.com

Creatively His ~ Keith and Sue Mohr

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ChristianMusician.com

CODA [ THE SMALL THINGS | Bob Bennett ] These days I don’t get as many people asking

once was) genuine.

so as to avoid the embarrassment for both

me, “How do I get started?” It’s understandable

you and your host at being asked to move. It

for a variety of reasons. I’m not trying to be

But what I’m taking too long to get to here is

takes some doing. I expect we all have a highly

cynical, but simply precise when I posit that I

my advice that being faithful in the small things

personalized short of list of those who we think

think this is true for two main reasons: I’m an old

in our lives as Christians and Musicians keeps

are good at this and those who are, shall we

guy, and I’m not a worship leader/songwriter.

us grounded and realistic no matter where we

say, less adept at it.

In today’s postmodern contemporary Church

may finally end up.

culture, these are not quite the unpardonable

I write this not to berate or belittle those who

sins, but they’re close. (That’s another column

The “star maker machinery behind the popular

struggle with self-importance. If I was going

that I’ll probably never write.)

song” that Joni Mitchell sang about in “Free

to throw stones, I’d have to save the biggest

Man in Paris” (Court and Spark, 1974) is not

one for my own noggin. But what I hope to do

But if someone were to actually ask me, I’d

only alive and well almost two decades into the

is encourage those of you who have maybe

shamelessly pull out the old, time-tested

new century but it’s morphed into something

not found your current place (I say “current”

admonition to “be faithful in the small things”.

even more difficult to navigate.

because it’s easy to get stuck in what we

Luke 16:11, with different nuances across many

used to do or who we used to be), and to

English translations, frames it along the lines of,

Instant

stardom,

“If you’re not faithful with earthly treasures, how

some, is just a musical-

can you be trusted with heavenly treasures?”

reality-show

season

for or

several million YouTube I’d like to suggest that this is not just a practical

hits away. The multimedia

way to get started, but it may also wind up being

landscape is chock full

a good chunk of your mission in life over the

long haul. Even those of us who’ve occasionally

who are propelled to high

been blessed with the opportunity to do some

profile

wonderful “bigger things” on a noticeable scale

much experience in music

still have to be reminded that “small(er) work” is

or in life. You simply

still important and essential work.

don’t see T-ball players

celebrity

musicians

places

without

being drafted into the When I was a younger and more ambitious sort

major leagues in quite

of guy, I often saw faithfulness in the small things

the same way that you

as a kind of boot camp for the buck private that

see musicians sometimes

would, of course, eventually lead to an officer’s

advance.

rank with lots of stature and ribbons. I saw it as a dues-paying pilot program that would get me

I’ve

onto big, world-changing things as the payoff.

previous columns, we’re involved

suggested in

delicate

who always seem to be in “hurry up and wait mode.” Seek out and take joy tasks

the

small

available

you. Find the home gathering, the small study, the corner in the coffeehouse, or the rec room at the senior center. I expect you, astute reader, know the truth of the matter is that these are not “small” as in “unimportant” things, they’re simply

dance

Award Winner who practiced her acceptance

interests. On the one hand,

speech in the mirror when she was ten. We

what we do necessarily

you simply adopt a

always resonate with the “I came from nothing,

involves a healthy dose

“happy face” and that

now I have everything” narrative. And, to be

of “Hey, look at me”, and no one gets up in

your frustrations aren’t real. But if I can remind

fair and Captain Obvious, lots of people have

front of others to be anonymous no matter how

you that your smallest efforts really do mean

real and compelling stories that more or less

much they might dismiss the attention. On the

something, perhaps it will have been worth it

follow this arc. Often at the root of almost every

other hand, we’re told to avoid presumptuously

for you to read through to the end!

cliché, there’s something that is (or, at least,

sitting in the most honorable seat at a banquet May  June 2016

competing

[ The multimedia landscape is chock full of celebrity musicians who are propelled to high profile places without much experience in music or in life. You simply don’t see T-ball players being drafted into the major leagues in quite the same way that you see musicians sometimes advance. ]

Our culture loves the story of the Academy

also encourage those

ChristianMusician.com

small in terms of scale. I’m not suggesting

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