Backstage and lovin it...

I have always been a backstage kinda guy, not the one in the spotlight, but an intricate part of anything that I have been involved in. I have played in the band before, but never the lead, usually behind the scene helping make it happen, same thing in drama productions, doing set, sound and lights. In the Air Force I am in an out of the way place, in a job that gets no spotlight, yet without it the AF is nothing more than a glorified taxi service. I know a lot of people that might get miffed at never getting the recognition that they 'deserve', but hey who doesn't like for someone to notice a job well done? But I have to look at scripture and can see that its those that serve and dig in and get the job done that make those in the spotlight look good... There is something about working, perhaps its a man thing, that I really enjoy, running sound for a band where it takes hours of prep getting stuff ready, then setting it up before a show, make the band sound good for a few hours, and then the hours tearing down and prepping all over again, I couldn't be happier not having the hard job of standing in front of the audience. I have known for sometime that my personal ministry may never be to be the front man, but if thru my service 'backstage' I make the Lord look good, then I must be doing something right...

The Concert "Suck Knob" Syndrome

Awhile ago my friend went to a concert and once again experienced the "Suck Knob", here is what he had to say, as well as my comments on the subject:

Why is it that the sound men for opening acts at a concert aren't allowed to bring the band up to the same or similar standard as the headlining band? Is there a "suck knob" or filter back there that makes them sound that much worse only to make the main act sound that much better? Always been a mystery to me. I can see making the main band sound better but not by making the opening bands sound like a muddy unintelligible mess! Definitely the case with the concert I was at recently. I went to hear David Crowder Band who was opening for Third Day. Despite the suck knob being set to 5 or 6 Crowder didn't disappoint. Sound techs, there's got to be another way to do this!

Now, bout the so called 'Suck Knob', though there are times when a Sound Tech WANTS to use 'it', it doesn't exist. Normally there are a variety of issues that will cause this effect:
1. Though a crew can be efficient and set up for 3-4 bands in 4-6hrs or less, (sometimes more) usually the sound check is focused on the Headliner. So thus sometimes, even though we hate it, the opening bands get the short and quick and everything doesn't get dialed in right.
2. Piggybacking on #1 is the fact that EVERY venue is acoustically UNIQUE, thus setting up and sound checking in an EMPTY venue and the filling it with people is going to drastically change how it sounds and therefore will have to be modified, yes, during the openers! :(
3. Now the previous issues were pure logistics and technicality, this one is personnel, i.e. if you have a crew, and u are letting the rookie mix while you are busy fixing the above issues, or you are having to mix yourself whilst fixing above issues, well your mix is gonna 'SUCK' till you have all the proverbial 'bugs' worked out.

As a Sound Tech, this issue is very familiar to me, the worst part about it is the fact that not only do you, your crew and the audience know that it Sucks it the fact that the band that is having the "Suck Knob" turned up on knows it. As a musician I know that the knowledge that your sound sucks is a huge weight on your shoulders (i.e. having the frustration and still trying to still put on a great show).
Though on the other side of the coin, there are times when the band is stressed out about getting ready for the show that during sound check the band can be very testy and want to have it setup and dialed in right now and are unwilling to take the time to let the Tech get it dialed in correctly...

Music, Good Message??? - Good Music

There has been LOTS of controversy over what qualifies as Christian v Secular music for a verrry looong time... So in an attempt to douse the flames a bit here are my feelings on the subject:

• First off why is the line drawn at Christian artist and secular artist, for there have been several CA's that do secular music and times when SA's have done christian or religious music...
• Point in case has anyone noticed how many U2 songs have been redone by CA's in the last several years? or Carey Underwood's Take the Wheel that has been played on Christian Radio since it came out, or going back Elvis' religious recordings.... you get the picture...
  
• Secondly why is it that those that are hardliners on drawing the line at Christian/Secular ok w/ listening to Classical, Jazz, Folk or even Country ect? Does not the fact that the artist could be either mean that it is good or bad???

So the long and short of it is why break it down that way, I suggest KISS - you got Rock Music (the good and the bad), Worship Music, Christian Contemporary, Pop, Country, Rap ect ect.... all which in my opinion have good and bad, not to mention the artist doing it, there are again good and bad artists...

Giving it "All U Got"

So here is a thread that I will start and touch on from time to time... Have you ever run into those that do something, could be anything, but for the sake of this discussion I'll use musicians, that gives the line, "Ah, I just do it on the side, I don't need to be 'good' at it". K, obviously a musician plays an instrument, or a singer uses their voice, or a Tech of some sort uses their equipment for some reason. My question is, if you are gonna do something, isn't it worth giving it all you have, having a real passion for it and striving to be the best. Not to say you should be conceited or anything, but to be able to continuously be practicing, learning, and doing the absolute best of your ability? GOD has given ALL of us certain talents and also the ability to learn, so even if you were not born with "perfect pitch" or the ability to play anything you touch, if it is your desire to do something to do it well!!! So if you are one of those that want to squander the gifting and abilities that you have been given, Please either 'drive, or get off the road!!!'