Sunday Summary – Music: March 29, 2008

First, a big shout out to our Long Island guests! (You know who you are… )

Sunday was a fun day. Sometimes the mood on stage and off is just a little brighter and perkier than others – this was one of those days.

No real reason why, other than the fact that everyone was glad that 5 straight days of rain was over.

That, and the fact that we did some fun tunes…

Sunday was our “Strategic Service” day – the day we honor our existing volunteers, and push for new ones.

So we opened with a highlight video – a montage of photos from every area that volunteers serve, underscored by each side’s live band doing Jack Johnson’s “Better Together“.

It’s a happy little tune, just like most of Jack’s repertoire. Danny Dukes sang it on East and Eddie Kirkland did it on West.

And I got to use a vibraphone patch, so that alone made my day… .

Worship was, at least for me, more fun than usual. I played on East with Chrystina Fincher leading. If you don’t know Chrys, she’s a firecracker rock-chick. I mean, this is the mother of 3 that sang Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” at DRIVE and Catalyst conferences!

So a win for Chrys is a set of “up” tunes that have a lot of energy and really allow her to show off her dynamic personalty and lead a crowd in worship.

Plus, Eddie was leading on the West, and he can sing the phone book, so no worries!

We started with Chris Tomlin’s “Let God Arise“. Now if you don’t dig this tune for worship, chances are you’ve not heard the right person lead it.

Tomlin’s recorded version lacks something, and you don’t realize what that is until you hear someone with a stronger, more aggressive voice sing it. It’s a great tune, but a smooth, tender voice like Tomlin’s doesn’t do the song justice. But when you put someone on it that has some grit, the song takes on a whole new persona!

Next was Marvelous Light, a fave by Charlie Hall, but one that is nearing it’s last days and will soon be put out to pasture. So enjoy it while it’s still around!

We concluded worship with a new song by Todd Fields that he co-wrote with Eddie called “Jesus Reigns“. It’s got a great mid-tempo groove ad is a blast to play. The verse is a little wordy and with some odd syncopation, but it certainly learnable over time. The chorus, however, is fantastic – a great hook that’s super easy to pick up and repeats a bunch.

We’ll be singing this one for a while! It’ll be on Todd’s new project due in May.

There you go!

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East Band – Chrystina Fincher, Danny Dukes, Ryan Stuart, Steve Thomason, Ben Snider, Ashley Appling, Richard Meeder, Me

West Band – Eddie Kirkland, Danny Grady, Brad Avery, Jennifer Young, Mike Bielenberg, Pat Malone, Wayne Viar

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Sunday Summary – Music: March 08, 2009

I can’t remember a time when something happened as much as it did this past Sunday…

But more on that later (doh!).

As with many of our power-packed services, especially ones with baptism, we were a little pressed for time up front, especially since we were definitely going to do closer. And doing closer means Andy needs to be on stage speaking even earlier than usual.

So we opted to two worship songs that were a little out (or outdated!) from our current songs to strategically go with Andy’s message series. Again, we don’t normally program worship to be directly coordinated with a specific message or series, but yesterday was one of those rare times we did.

Andy was wrapping up the “He’s Still Got The Whole World In His Hands” series – one that has really hit home for a lot of folks in lieu of these crazy days we’re living in.

So we dusted off Charlie Hall’s version of “On Christ The Solid Rock” from the Passion Hymns album to start. We’ve done it a bunch over the last few years, so it wasn’t a total newbie – plus it’s a great rendition of the classic hymn. And hey, who doesn’t like a good 6/8 sea shanty? Somehow all the musicians turn into Maritime fisherman or pirates…

But the lyric sets it all up: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…“.

We then did a tune that we haven’t done for a looong time, and even when we did, it was infrequent and short lived at best. It’s Matt Redman’s “You Never Let Go“. It was a big hit at High School camps a few years ago, but never really had that “grown up” appeal. Something about that “oh no, You never let go..” part that has always seemed a bit, I don’t know, campy? The content is not, it’s the “oh no” part. Maybe it’s just me…

Either way, the Worship Leaders on each side did a great job with it, and it helped a ton that it was appropriate for the series, and not out of left field.

Steve Fee and his Fee Band boys, who were with us in East this past week, had done this tune at Buckhead Church at the beginning of this sermon series and put an extra spin on it. At the end of the tune they did not ritard, and when the band hit the last chord Steve on acoustic kept playing the “1″ chord. After 4 bars of just acoustic he started singing the verse of Amazing Grace:

“Through many dangers, toils and snares…

we have already come.

T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far…

and Grace will lead us home.”

The band hits big diamonds on “T’was” and “safe“, then builds through the last line into a giant all-skate of the 1st verse (Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound…). Goosebumps, people. Goosebumps! Some serious Holy Spirt movement, if you know what I’m talkin’ about. From there, back into one final chorus of “Oh no, You never let go…“.

The whole thing is about 6:30, but worth every second.

BUT! If you can believe it or not, the musical highlight came at the end of the service….

Steve and the boys are currently working on a new album, and Steve had played one of the new tunes for Andy – who loved it and even shaped some of the series’ message content around the tune.

It’s called “Everything Falls” and will probably be the first single off the new record, due in August.

Steve and Eddie Kirkland wrote the song, and it’s one of their best.

Plus a great band and a live string quartet made the whole musical experience incredibly powerful – especially on the end of a very relevant message and series.

On a personal note, I played the live piano for that tune on Sunday, which is totally exposed for the intro, 1st verse and chorus. And I don’t know if I’ve ever been so nervous playing 4 of the most simple chords – Am, F, C, and G.

A child could play those in their sleep, but all I could think was “don’t screw up, everyone’s counting on you, don’t screw up, they can hear every note you’re playing, don’t screw up, this is probably going on a DVD, don’t screw up, one wrong note and you’ll ruin this moment for 5,000 people, don’t screw up, or you’ll never get asked to do anything ever again, don’t screw up, you’re a professional, don’t screw up, what’s the order of these 4 stupid chords???, don’t screw up, is it Am first, or C? AAHHHHHH!!!!!”

And now you see why musicians are neurotic.

But everything was OK – due to years of practice, but mostly a whole lot of grace from God.

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East Band – Steve Fee, Matt Adkins, Heath Baltzglier, Brandon Coker, (with strings and me on the closer)

West Band – Danny Dukes, Ryan Stuart, Brad Long, Danny Grady, Wayne Viar, Richard Meeder, Keith Thomas

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What runs through your mind before your featured moment on stage?

Sunday Sumary – Music: December 14, 2008

Howdy.

If you tune in mostly for the Sunday Summary, then chances are you are somehow involved with music at your church.

Or you’re an insomniac.

Of course, being involved in church music in December is obviously a great recipe for insomnia… (To which the only relief usually ends up being the pastor’s sermon… )

We’re all in the same boat. I was at church all weekend, involved in our Christmas rendition of Married Life Live, complete with about 40% more musical material than a usual MLL. All day rehearsals on Friday and Saturday, and shows on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Add in a power-packed Sunday morning and our over-the-top preparations for this upcoming week’s Christmas service, and you’ve got one tired puppy here…

It’s already Monday night, and I’m at my kitchen table, surrounded by a MIDI controller and Pro Tools MBox 2 Micro, ready to keep working…

BUT FIRST, a look back at yesterday…..

Yesterday’s music was actually a real highlight for me, personally. One of those days I really wished my parents could be in the audience to get a glimpse of what I get to do.   

Have you ever looked out at a huge crowd – hundreds, or even thousands of people, and been just a little sad because there was one or two (or a few) people missing? That was me yesterday.

It was a really big day for me – and that’s quite rare, because most of my efforts are behind the scenes and in preparation and support of others. But yesterday was kinda my day. I’m not bragging – I’m just saying I wish my wife, kids and parents could have been there.

We started out doing Pre-Service Christmas music, including a Christmas song that Todd Fields and I wrote called “Do You Hear?”. Now I’m not a song writer by trade, but an idea hit me a few weeks ago, and I somehow got the crazy idea to write it all down, record a guitar/drum machine and vocal demo, and share it with our music staff for their opinion and input. We’re talking Todd Fields and Eddie Kirkland here, so I felt like VanGogh’s son giving him a finger painting.

The song had some great ideas – especially the chorus. Todd shared some ideas on developing the verses, and we encouraged him to dive into the song and see what he might add to it. We continued to bat around some ideas on lyric, form, chords and overall concept over the next week, and were even able to invite our good buddies Pat Malone and Ashley Appling in to record a live demo.

Long story short, we were really happy with the end result, and I’ll try and get a decent copy to post one here soon.

So that was cool!

Then Danny Dukes – one of the greatest humans ever – did Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”. Danny was stinkin’ amazing – like watching a 50 year old man channelling Adam Sandler from Saturday Night Live in the 1990′s. Simply incredible. I’ve never seen anyone – ANYONE – that lives constantly and consistently with that much joy! If you don’t know Danny Dukes, you need to!

So you know how the song starts with all that piano stuff? Sure you do. So that was my part to play. After all, I’m a pianist, so that’s my gig. BUT, the shock and awe – at least for my friends, fellow musicians and co-workers of the last 5 years – was when I played Clarence Clemmons’ growly saxophone solo.

They had no idea. Of course, why would they? I’ve never played saxophone at North Point. Fortunately (for yesterday, at least), sax was my secondary instrument in college. I adored David Sanborn growing up, and so all those years practicing in those cold, dreary practice rooms at Oakridge Secondary School and Belmont University paid off yet again, if only for a moment…

We rounded out the Pre-Service by playing Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)”. And between programming all the orchestra parts and playing the piano parts live, I was once again thankful for all those countless hours in the practice rooms…

So for worship, we just did a couple carols, because the rest of the service was pretty full with baptisms, Andy doing some special announcment stuff about the service campaign that had wrapped up and introducing our special guest speaker, Scot McKnight.

The first carol was “Angels We Have Heard On High”, and Danny brought to the table earlier in the week a Louisiana zydeco / Little Feat type arrangement he had done a couple times a few other places. Well, we got into it, and BANG! Time for me to unwrap another gift…

My accordian has lived backstage for a few years since we recorded the North Point Music Christmas acoustic songs, and so what better time to bring it out than a zydeco tune?

Now it’s not that tough – especially for a “cheater”. I cannot work those buttons with the left hand. I understand their purpose and even how they are arranged – but that’s a far cry from ability. Instead, us piano players just play the keyboard with our right hand and squeeze with the left. It’s just a squeezy keyboard! But for some reason, folks just ate it up!

Plus, it’s nice a shiny in the lights Which is surprising.

I bought it for $150 – used on consignment at a music shop in St. Thomas, Ontario in 1996 while coming back from a day of paint ball near Port Stanley, Ontario, while I was home one summer from college. And with the whole “acoustic boom” of the late 90′s, it paid for itself years ago…

Even though I “grew up” in London, Ontario, I was born in St. Thomas. So, other than my parents, my body, and my pre-school education, I guess it’s the only thing I have from the city I was born.

Holy tangent, batman!

OK, OK… We wrapped up the day with a take on “O Come All Ye Faithful” based on the arrangement we did for North Point Music a little over a year ago. Very nice.

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Alrighty. That was a good break. Back to Pro Tools….

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East Band – Eddie Kirkland, Steve Fee, Matt Adkins, Heath Baltzglier, Brandon Coker

West Band – Todd Fields, Danny Dukes, Ryan Stuart, Danny Grady, Pat Malone, Ashley Appling, Me

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Sunday Summary – Music: August 24, 2008

Sometimes simple is nice.

Because sometimes that turns into nearly 16 minutes of worship. And yes, for us, that’s a lot.

Even more, it gives the worship leaders just a little more leeway and comfort within the set to talk, set up a song, engage the crowd, get them smiling, clapping, and maybe a chuckle or two.

It’s not something we always have, since we often have so many different elements within the service (specials, baptisms, special announcements, longer title packages, etc.).

And, to be honest, it’s not something that every worship leader desires. Some WL’s aren’t as comfortable filling extra space or interacting with the crowd as much.

However, our boys today are two of the best at interacting with and engaging the crowd – Todd Fields and the eternally-youthful Danny Dukes.

And with those guys comes a great rock show! Danny is the epitome of classic rock, so we usually pick some of our more rockin’ songs that fit his strengths in that area. (And yes, the players selfishly love that! Shhh – don’t tell!)

WORSHIP:

Salvation Is Here

God Is Alive

Glorious One

Yeah, a couple familiar songs in there, as well as God Is Alive, one of our newer songs, written by Eddie Kirkland and Steve Fee.

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A couple of shots from the East Auditorium balcony during the 12:45 service.

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East Band – Danny Dukes, Steve Thomason, Danny Grady, Ashley Appling, Pat Malone, Dee Dee Maillian, Jared Hamilton

West Band – Todd Fields, Danny Howes, Jen Carrozza, Bill DeLoach, Richard Meeder, Wayne Viar

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What did YOU enjoy about church this week?

Sunday Summary – Music: August 17, 2008

We tried something a little risky this week. Stepped out on a ledge – and probably on a few toes, as well.

We did have three songs on the docket – nothing out of the ordinary. But as we were talking early last week, we – as a Music Department staff – felt this could be a week where the worship leaders were able to take some extra time and explain a bit to the crowd why we get excited when we sing and worship together. On how the “polite golf clap” at the end of songs is really pretty weak, especially when compared to what Christ has done and continues to do for us.

Michael Phelps’ Olympic feats were also fresh on our minds by Sunday AM, and so it seemed to be a great example of how we cheer for people and yell for our country, but can sometimes clam up when it comes to our Saviour, and that we have the greatest thing in the Universe to be excited about – redemption through Christ. And that we have the freedom to exhibit that with our lives, our hands, and with our voices.

Yeah, I know that sounds a bit Charistmatic, especially when dealing with a “seeker-friendly” church like North Point. (By the way, we hate being labeled with those “seeker” cliches, just so you know…)

But ultimately, we, as musicians and – for lack of a better term – “worshippers”, long to convey to both the body of Christ AND first timers / non-Christians that the songs we sing on Sunday mornings are not observatory, but participatory. And that that participation is not hype or guilt, but a natural out-flowing of someone’s relationship with their Saviour.

And let me be clear – participation, at least as I define it, is not necessarily “hands up, eyes closed”, but rather someone’s own, unique way of connecting with their Heavenly Father. That can mean a ton of things, because it really is different for everyone. Your level of spiritual maturity and growth is not based on how loud you sing or how high you can raise your hands. But for many, many people, there comes a point in corporate or private worship when you choose to focus on God, and subsequently your soul connects with the Holy Spirit, and it moves you to an outward display of submission and adoration for your Savior. But all the while, the real connection takes place on the inside of you – in your spirit as you submit your will to God.

Our job as the Leaders and facilitators of these times of worship are to:

Encourage – Encouraging people to connect with God means that sometimes the Worship Leader, and even band and musicians, fill the role of a motivator (or, the dreaded term: cheerleader).

Enable – We give them a vehicle to do so via a well thought-out song set

Enhance – we enhance the corporate worship experience by playing the music WELL, by stimulating their brain and spirit through the best musicianship we are able to offer. You CAN worship with a poorly rehearsed band of hacks and off-pitch screamers – but it ain’t easy!!

Exit – It’s obviously ultimately not about us – the people on stage or running lights or the Front of House mix. It’s our ultimate goal to not be the show, but rather a means through which people are attracted and drawn to Christ. When we receive the glory, whether purposeful or not, then we’ve failed – big time.

Well, there you go. That was pretty deep.

Anyhoo, to help get a tiny portion of that across to the crowd, we opted to cut one of the songs, which allowed Todd Fields and Danny Dukes – two of our best “encouragers” – to “work the crowd” a bit and get them excited about worshipping God, even early on a Sunday morning.

WORSHIP:

Salvation’s Chorus

- As part of the “cheerleading” section, we actually started with the “Alleluia” echoes before diving into the intro and Rock and Roll Extravaganza. We also included a reprise after the song’s ending, diving back into the Alleluia repeats, starting with a half-time groove, building to the full groove, and ultimately a big trash can ending.

Turned up to 11.

And was it a bit irreverent? Yep.

But the payoff was incredible. We then went straight into Breathe On Me , and the people sang it louder than we’ve ever, ever heard. I mean EVER! It was incredible.

Again, not that loud singing equals a great time of worship, but I think we’ll all agree that it’s a pretty good litmus test…

So when it was all said and done, we were all glad we stepped out on that limb. Yeah, it bowed a lot, but it didn’t break. We all agreed that it made for a great, memorable service – mostly because of how it ended up setting up Breathe On Me so well – such a powerful song, and one of my absolute favorites of all time.

Here’s a couple shots of West, where the incredible Jen Carrozza lead Breathe On Me. It was great to have it in the female key, and Jen sang and lead it to rave reviews.

And here’s East. Yeah, I know it’s hard to tell a difference. The new set for this new series is nearly identical on each side.

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East Band – Todd Fields, Steve Thomason, Chris Arias, Rachael Gillis, Ashley Appling, Pat Malone

West Band – Danny Dukes, Jen Carrozza, Brad Long, David Norwood, Trammell Starks, Earl South, Joe Lee

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What limb have YOU stepped out on lately?

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