This sort of thing ain't my bag...

Not long ago I found myself fighting the feeling that I did not like how we were doing a certain song, just thinking yea we could do this another way and it would be so much better... But then I had to come to the realization that it isn't how we do the song - but where our focus is in doing a song.

Having a ripping guitar and thundering drums is awesome in my opinion and I just tend to like that. However that being said I realize that it is not just about me and my likes, but in endeavoring to create a worship environment that is conducive to people connecting with God in a way that they may never had before, its not about the style, or more to the point my style.

Looking back on the different stylistic forms of worship that I have been apart of over the years, I can see that I have been able to connect with the Lord in all of them, it wasn't that this one was quieter and more reverent or that this one had hundreds in the choir, or this one had ripping guitar licks. The keys I believe to creating and producing this environment of worship that anybody (regardless of their personal style) can come in and make that connection with the one who saved us is this:

1. keep your focus on the Lord
2. submit to the song and to each other (ie, leave your ego & preference at the door)
3. be willing to do something different than the norm
4. have a unity of direction and communicate with each other

I am of the opinion that if you stick to these that it really doesn't matter if you are using a banjo, a mass choir, or a rock band that anyone can walk in and be ushered into the presence of God, and that sort of thing is my bag...

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...

Post Taste Era

This here is a montage of the first official gig by the band Post Taste Era! I have the honor of being this bands production crew...