Musical Influences

The list is so long and varied that I almost don't wish to start. I don't often talk about unbelievers who have influenced me because I am of the opinion that what most of them have to say in terms of their lyrics and lifestyles is anything but what I'd wish a Christian to emulate. Let's just say that Rory Gallagher, Welsh band Budgie and most every other rock music entity of the sixties were influences to me. I love 3 piece groups for several reasons. At the same time, I loved all the soul/r&b; singers and groups of the sixties, and until Hendrix showed up, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and those sort of groups were huge in my life.

I mean as a listener and in terms of songs I played in bands I was in during those years. There were certainly others who have affected my writing/singing/playing style, but these were THE key influences for me, and remain so to this day.

As far as Christian artists, the list is extremely long, but I seem to gravitate back to Rev. Gary Davis at the end of the day. Of course, I love Darrell, Larry and just soooo many others, but can't say that at this point in my life that I'm all that influenced by any one artist or even music style. I will say that I tend to listen to very little music done by non-Christians, because I just don't need the lyrical "slop" they serve, nor do I think it an edifying thing for others around me to hear it.

I don't think it a major sin to listen to it, but think it more of an exercise, or homework. I would much rather listen to music done by Christians that is both great quality AND that I don't have to be ashamed of listening to around others! What I read, watch and listen to obviously reflects my values. I don't want anyone to mistake what my deepest values are, period.

So You REALLY Wanna Know What I'm Thinking About Regarding My Own Music???

Well, this may simply be a ramble of sorts, but some of you ave asked for it so here it is: a bunch of personal thoughts I have regarding music, recording, projects, equipment and the like.

Music Styles, Personal Tastes

First off, most who know anything about me know that "eclectic" is perhaps a good term to describe my music listening as well as writing and playing habits. From as early as I can remember, I loved ALL SORTS of music and still do.

I have no absolute favorite music style as such, and if I had to lean toward one or the other, I suppose it would be blues. In terms of blues, I like acoustic or electric just about the same. Depends on the mood of the moment. I like to listen to all sorts of things, but am happy to play and/or sing and/or write in several styles. The main issues for me are that I do it publicly with the conviction that God has called me to serve Him and others via a given style of music in a particular time and place.

When it comes to playing for myself, purely for fun, I seem to gravitate towards blues. If I have an electric guitar in my hands, it'll be electric, the same being true if it's a dobro or acoustic guitar or harmonica.

After blues, I do in fact worship the Lord a fair bit when sitting with an acoustic in my lap. I just end up singing whatever's on my heart at the time. But frankly, my tendency is to simply pray, give thanks and leave the guitar in it's case. I do that far more often than not.

Resurrection Band, Recording Projects, Tour Possibilities, tpam.

Some people probably wonder if the band (REZ or Resurrection Band) will record again, or tour more in the future. I think we probably will, but in God's timing. We all pray about such things, and when we are so inspired to write enough rock tunes that fit the sound of the band, I expect we'll record. If and as we receive requests, coupled with prayer and schedule checking, etc., we consider touring. As I write this (JAN. '98), it looks as if the band will tour central Europe and perhaps a bit in Norway sometime in August '98.

I have thought, prayed and toyed around with the thought of doing something in a 3-piece mode IF and ONLY IF the Lord seemed to confirm that I should. I've done more and more electric blues sets in various countries and of course in the U.S. and Canada with local musicians learning songs from Spontaneous Combustion (the electric blues recording) and it has been fun for me. Seems like the audiences like it :)

But if I actually put a touring band together to do that, it'd have to really come together "in-house" with JPUSA (the church-community I serve with here in Chicago) musicians who are mature spiritually as well as musically, and who could be free to tour from time to time in a sort of 2/3rds blues, 1/3rd rock context. Sort of old Rory Gallagher/Johnny Winter/ZZ Top vibe as I envision it. It's all up to the Lord- one thing I DON'T want to do is simply trip out on self-centered music-making simply because I have the ability and support to do it!

I have at least 1 more worship-oriented project in me, and have written a bunch more worship songs that I've played all over, with encouraging responses. But at the moment, don't know when another worship project can be recorded. I will say that I hear an approach that more resembles a band, almost "performance" style of songwriting and playing, a hint of celtic, more acoustic but also some electric flavoring, and very intimate, personal stuff with some of the "All My Days" feeling but perhaps a bit more expressive along the lines of some of the more ambitious music on "Throw Down Your Crowns", i.e. "Blessed Rest". Such a set could be done in clubs and situations where "prophetic worship" in a witness context would be a natural for me to do. Good musicians, some or all of the REZ players would fill the bill easily.

I have an entire project written (in fact, it's about 3 years old now) that is far more in the folky Mark Heard or perhaps Brooks Williams tradition. Very acoustic, very different sound. IF He directs, I'll record that one day.

There have been ongoing discussions and prayer with Darrell Mansfield and also Larry Howard, that perhaps I'd do a project with each of them (2 separate cds), perhaps a blues-based southern rock thing with Larry, and more of a straight blues-rock project with Darrell and his band. These could of course, be toured.

I've been intrigued with a few requests to tour in secular club situations, mostly in Europe, doing pure acoustic blues. I really enjoy doing sets like that solo (guitar, dobro/bottleneck slide stuff, harmonica), or with Stu Heiss (R.Band guitarist).

Why My Web page Doesn't Major on the Music

Frankly, this is by design. Don't get me wrong, I love to listen to, play, write and perform music, but Jesus is LITERALLY my life and First Love. I just don't care about music as much as I do Him, His Word, His people and those still lost. So I tend to talk about things that matter to me. In getting this page together, kry interviewed me on a long list of topics for some time. The thought was that people needed to see a broader spectrum of this guy who does all this music, and is a pastor, husband, Dad and so on. I think it's far better that people relate to people as human beings than they be allowed to fantasize about me living some sort of amazing and heroic life! I may be eccentric, but I'm just a guy serving with a cool and biblical church in an inner city setting- that's it!

In fact, I would rather get to know more about the person behind the music or oratory or whatever. I can learn about someone's musical side by listening, reading lyrics, seeing them in concert and videos, checking out interviews and so on. But a lot of that can end up focusing on sort of "sensational" aspects of someone's life. Music is what I do... sometimes! It's NOT who I am as a human being, and I have a life and other interests. So honestly, I think the depth of a person's life is FAR more interesting and important to me than is their often narrow, musical spectrum and musicianship. This is why we've covered so much more than music in these pages.