Music Industry Discussion

I am in a secular band, but one of our most requested songs is our rock-grass version of Amazing Grace. I also have an original called 'You Can Get To Heaven (With Holes In Your Jeans)". I would love to sing inspirational music, but I have a strange problem. When I try, the spirit starts moving, & I get all choked up & can't even finish the song. Anyone else have this happen?

Yes, but not for the reasons you'd think. I have been doing Gaelic songs for a long time, and although they are known to be stirring, haunting or whatever you want to call it, there is one in particular called "The Wind That Shakes The Barley". It's a lament about a man who is called away from his lover to go and fight the English in one of Ireland's uprisings. Well the jist of the story is that as he is saying a tearful goodbye to her in the forest, an errant gunshot rings out and kills her. He spends the rest of his life wandering near her grave.

Well there have been a few occassions where this song was requested and I cannot, for the life of me, finish it without choking up at the last stanza. It's really embarrasing actually.

Hey Folks, I've been a Christian Musician for some time and I seen both sides of the fence. I believe Christian and secular music even in nightclubs can be played. Sometimes it is not what you play or where you play it. It is what you stand for and how you carry yourself. There are plenty of secular songs with alot of heart and a great meaning. God did not call us or give a gift just to be shared with other Christians. Our lord went to places that other people in his time considered to be off limits because of the kind of people that were there. Remember we are the salt and the light. If you have a gift, use it. Other folks will want what you have and want to know how you got it. Then it is time to share. God bless you. Keep the Beat. Increase the piece.

I'm not a musician, I direct the programming for a real cool contemporary church.

Sounds "real cool!"

Follow hope, that is all we have.

I played and sang in nightclubs for 22 years. All that time I thought I was a Christian. I called myself a Christian, but I didn't walk the walk.

Then, along in the mid-90s, I began to notice an emptiness inside me that was no longer being filled by the things that used to fill it (temporarily, that is).

For some reason - I found myself listening to Christian music stations on my car radio. I liked what I heard. The lyrics and the music moved me. In fact, before long I realized they were starting to fill that void inside of me.

At that time - I was doing a solo coffeehouse gig on Friday nights in a family setting. The new music I was now listening to secretly in my car inspired me to write a song entitled "Show Me The Way". It can be heard and downloaded for free at: http://www.myspace.com/barryoliver.

That song turned out to be the beginning of a whole new journey for me. In the months to come, I was to hook up with a couple of friends who invited me to a men's Bible study in our home town. My first night at that Bible Study was truly amazing! (for lack of a more fitting description). To make a long story a bit shorter.....I was confronted that night with the presence of God in the forms of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It was a life-changing event that has lead to a filling of the void and many other wonderful things.

There have been lots of trials and tribulations since then, and my faith has not always been real strong, but I can tell you that I have been given a whole new perspective on what is important in my life and what is not and I have not stopped believing in the God of the Bible.

I no longer play in nightclubs, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't if I really believed that that's where God wanted me to be. I've been given new motivation for writing songs. I haven't written a ton of songs since then, but the ones that have been given to me feel right. As I change and grow in the the things of God, so does my ability to convey those things in song.

Currently, I'm coming off a dry spell, musically. I'm hoping that is coming to an end and trusting God to place the right people in my life to write, record, perform and just plain make music together with. He will.

For those of you still searching for something to fill your void......just ask Him. You'll receive.

God bless!

(email me if you wish at: barry4330@msn.com)

I am a Christian vocalist, and though I did minor in piano, there is NO way I can play and sing at the same time...

Still looking for work, as always, so keep your chin up. I am praying that God will open a door for me one of these days. God knows I have put in my time!

I play and record professional gospel music, I also record Jazz. What are you looking for? Musicians play a variety of music. I grew up in church and produce music, people name it whatever they want. What instrument do you play or your friend?

I play in a GREAT band at Redemption World Outreach Center. I have played Keyboards with them for about 8 years now. The church runs 11,000 on Sunday. We have recorded 3 CD's. You can list to a live service on Sundays at 9 AM by going to RWOC. org. It is a real good church. I also play guitar, base guitar, drums, percussion, etc. I LOVE MUSIC! It's my heart. I do all styles of Christian Music and am looking to form another band for the secular world soon. I own VHM Studio, which is A Christian Artist Training Studio. Check us out on www.myspace.com/vhmstudio
I would love to hear from christian musicians out there. Karyl

Where is your church located? Musicians 4 Life is a large group of musicians that get together every year. I also did 2 cd's, you can check it out at myspace under Minister and Friends. I'll try and get the link for you. And of course I'm working on a jazz project that's not gospel just jazz which you can also hear on myspace under DDX Edition 1. I'll try and get you the link to both. http://www.myspace.com/ddxedition1 , and for the gospel project http://www.myspace.com/ministerandfriends

im christian but dont always go out of my way to show that in my music, i believe that you should take what you learn in life into your art and music, whether those be the religious experiences and emotions or not, it makes it quite awkward because when i do play the more spiritual side of my music i get a lot of people critising me for being a religious punk rocker/, saying i cant be both religious and into rock...i get from both sides...my religious mother reffering to it as "the devils music"..(how original... ) and my rocker mates saying im a pansy...and lets not even get into the whole..religious discussions with my g/f....not happening!!

Actually I think "the devil's music" has done me just fine so far

Reading some of the posts here caused me to remember some of my music history, and that at one time a certain Pope actually banned a key that music could be played in (I think it was D Minor) because of it's supposed association with the Hoofed One. Hysterical.

I'm hoping they will soon ban all songs in A# Major because I just detest reading the sheet music for them.

Religious music.. love it, especially ancient Hindu Ragas and sacred drumming.

To those of you having a problem with religion & your music, I have a suggestion.
Instead of using your music to try to promote your religion, why not use your music to promote the VALUES of your religion?
That is, things like honesty, respect for others, brotherly love . . .

Although many people may be turned off by worshiping a diety, those same people probably would be open to the values espoused by the same.
I don't really think that one needs to be religious to have religious values.
So many songs now promote a feeling of anger or resentment or hopelessness . . . .
Instead of anger; love/tranquiliy. Instead of resentment; understanding & acceptance.
Hope, instead of hopelessness.
Can you write about these things without mentioning religion?
I'm not suggesting turning your back on your religion.
I'm suggesting turning your self towards other possibilities, and attract a wider audience . . .
God knows we need more mainstream messages of peace . . .

To those of you having a problem with religion & your music, I have a suggestion.
Instead of using your music to try to promote your religion, why not use your music to promote the VALUES of your religion?
That is, things like honesty, respect for others, brotherly love . . ..

Well said. Reminds me of a bumpersticker I saw recently - "God, I Need You...but I've Had My Fill of Religion".