Played in a few different bands back in the day around the Central CT area. Played mostly radio hits but a few originals. Played in a couple of praise and worship bands. The longest stint being about 10 years and ending a couple of years ago. I have a heart for creating original music mostly dedicated to God but not necessarily in the vein of typical Christian music. I work hard to make my music competitive with the secular music while remaining true to who I am.
Music is expression that touches us on multiple levels. Lyrically it can communicate thoughts, feelings, and things important to us. Musically it can actually interact with our emotion and our spirit. As a Christian composer, that's an important aspect. I once said, "Music is my preach, my teach and my testimony." What does music give me? A voice for my inner self.
To make the best music I can and touch lives with it.
Early in my Christian walk, God spoke in my Spirit a lot about love. Real love doesn't just come naturally. It takes effort and a lot of years later, I'm still not very good at it. If we could just get over all the hate and anger and learn to truly care for one another, even when we disagree, that would be an amazing start.
How far back is your definition of childhood? Your trying to guess my age, aren't you? Lol. I loved The William Tell Overture when I was small because it was the theme from the Lone Ranger. The first pop song I remember liking was What's New Pussycat, but that's because I thought it was actually about a cat. Hey, I was just a little kid! And then came the Beatles... Need I say more?
Currently my favorite artist is Neal Morse in almost any incarnation he's currently involved with. This includes solo stuff, Neal Morse Band, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, etc. Also, I've been following Red Rocks Worship recently. PFR. Jars of Clay, Dream Theater to name a few.
Jesus Christ and the need to express. Music is always scratching at the door on the inside trying to find it's way out. I try to capture as much as I can but most of it just gets away.
Love, faith and hope. For me that means God through Jesus Christ.
I haven't had a chance to perform much in a while. In the old days, it was mostly about, "Aren't I cool." But most recently, I did a nearly 10 year stint in a praise and worship band at a large church. Then it was about how cool God is and being able to be a part of leading corporate worship. The greatest moments came when you were just lost in the Spirit and just moving with the flow. Sometimes stuff would just seem to come out of the air and into my fingers on the fret board. While I miss that, I'm really less a performer than a creator of music.
Well, unless you're drawing mega attention don't quit your day job. Unless you doing it just for the love of making music, find something else to do. Back in the day only a small percentage of musicians made a living at it and it's harder now. Recorded music is massively easy for listeners to follow while spending little or nothing, And if listeners aren't spending, you aren't earning. Most bands will be lucky to play fairly regularly locally and will never tour. If they do tour they'll be lucky if they cover their road expenses. A precious few will make it but they're the exception not the rule. It's exponentially harder for Christian artists.
Really just getting to know Drooble. So far it's okay. Any place to share music is a good thing and hopefully I'll make some new friends and have some meaningful interaction here.
Not being able to get it good enough for one thing. Also, it seems like artists are supposed to be so genre specific anymore. I'm a fairly eclectic person musically and I just want to let the music come out how it comes out. I don't want to force it to fit anyone's preconceived notion of stylistically correct. It's hard enough to get people to listen and when you don't fit the mold, it's even harder.
In honesty, not so much. Partly because I'm a bit reclusive. Partly because I already have tinnitus from years of abusing my ears with excess volume. Partly because I don't drink anymore and am not into the bar scene. Sometimes at a local fair or event. Most of the local music I hear is Church.
I don't know. You tell me. They say the social media is key now days. I believe that. I also think that it's important to learn how to create the best product you are able. And that's a non-stop learning process. I'm reworking some songs now and sometimes it's like, what was I thinking. But I can do them a lot better now. Maybe in a few years I listen to them again and say the same thing. But give people the best you can do within your current budget and know how. And learn more!
Probably Neil Morse, who I mentioned earlier. He's world famous for his prog music but that's not always everybody's taste. And while he does a lot of Christian stuff now, he's kind of alien to the Christian market. But he's an incredible musician and plays with incredible musicians. Phil Keaggy is not well known in the secular music world, but he's a phenomenal guitarist.