I was given an amazing opportunity to play with some guys from Clear Creek Community this past weekend in leading there Mpact weekend for their student ministry. I went into the situation a bit nervous - honestly didn't know what to expect. Man, let me just start by saying, it was incredible! There were some amazing musicians on stage, who clicked rather quickly. It was truly an amazing worship opportunity.
We got there (Dave and I) on Friday afternoon. The facilities there were really nice...was very impressed. The guys rolled in later and we met and began to setup. Got a lot done, really quickly. I got to use the church's Gretsch Renown Maple Kit (very sweet setup). Definately my top-choice for my next drum kit. I tuned that bad boy up and it sang beautifuly. Just like maple drums should.
We got some great fellowship time in that evening and ran the morning's set. Hit the hay around 12:30ish.
Saturday's sets went really well. There were some minor mishaps that could have been avoided - but, all in all, the music was incredible. The speaker, Clint DeGroot (I think I spelled that correctly) did a good job. He was a guy that could connect with the kids, and that's important. Throughout the day I met a lot of great folks that do some amazing things. The fellowship time with the guys (and gal) were really nice too - here lately I have been running ninety-to-nothing, I haven't been able to hang out with folks.
Sunday flew by. Some amazing worship happened on Sunday...some amazing music was played, and the kids were so cool. I have a story from that last set on Sunday evening. So, we're at the end of the set and Daniel is talking to them about the last song, "Salvation is Here". Now some of the kids were a little more wound then others and some yelled, "we love you Daniel"...and that was that. Well, out of nowhere, from a row or so back from the front, I hear a girl yell something that I haven't heard before. Keep in mind I am behind a drum shield, the monitor next to my kit is blaring...and I hear "I love you Jesus.". I was taken aback. It was something I didn't expect to hear. Daniel heard it too! I think that put the weekend in prospective for me. I really feel like the worship team was able to bring the students to that point where they could just meet with God openly and freely and have no inhibitions about what surrounded them....and that alone is why I want to continue to do what I'm doing.
Some incredible opportunities have been thrust my way, and I cannot ignore them. God has truly given me the ability to play drums, and I think I do that well. I have talked time and time again about how I want to pursue music, but, I am serious. Friedns, I am not going to give up...I want it that bad! I want to play all the time, but not just play all the time, but I still want those time where I am serving students. I really want to be a part of playing these youth retreats and youth events. I find nothing more amazing then hearing a room full of 100 or so kids just praising God with all they have. It's an incredible experience....it truly is.
I think this weekend opened my eyes a bit more to music in itself. There were times when I would doubt my abilities. But, I really found that if I just loosened up, things sounded really good. The band sounded very tight. I think musically, I was playing things better than I have in a while. And it gave me hope to know that I can play with anyone, not just folks that I play with all the time (which I REALLY ENJOY DOING! - wouldn't give that up for anything....unless Jared Anderson asked me to play). I am going to keep pushing forward, and taking gigs with folks, because it is important. I love doing it and know it is what I am meant to do.
By the way, let me just let you all know. Daniel led the band. Did a fantastic job - a very talented musician, but also a great leader. He led the band well, as well as the students, and that's really important. His style and flow was really good too! Very good stuff. Dave did a great job on electric. He played some new stuff, so at times he was frustrated, but he shrugged it off and did a great job. A guy named Matt play bass and sang back-up. I have a feeling I will be talking about Matt for a while - a guy with some tremendous talent. A drummer's dream is to have a solid bass player to play with - and I have been blessed to play with a bunch of good bass players. Matt has an incredible voice too. He added some amazing depth to the musical landscape, if you will. Heather did female vox - great great stuff! She added a whole heck of a lot. And last but not least, Tim did all the sound detail. A brilliant engineer...got a heart to do it and the know-how. He made it sound good (and he's a mean blues guitarist too!). I met a bunch of other folks that I would have loved to connect with a bit more, but, hey, there's always next time...
Peace!
