Why I love Church gigs...

[Dave R]

Its been a while since we played at a Church gig. They usually don't pay very well. This one didn't, either. But...

Pleasant people, happy times. Lots of good dancers.

And when the dance was over, they sent us home with some of the leftover refreshments, including a plate of frosted fudge brownies.

And get this...some of the cleanup vounteers HELPED US PACK OUR GEAR!!

God bless 'em.

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by Dave R

...Lots of good dancers.

And when the dance was over...

DANCING?!

This was definitely not a Baptist church then. You know why Baptists don't have sex standing up?...Cuz it could lead to dancing!

I grew up in a Baptist church and I think I'd have been burned at the stake if any of them ever saw me dancing.

Anyway, it sounds like a good gig. Yeah, churches are often pretty generous...'specially with food.

[BillyIVbass]

Had a long car ride with a cover band I'm playing in and we decided it's pretty much looking out and seeing people get down to what you're doing is the reason we continue to come out.

Speaking of food. I once played a BBQ place, I'm talking a SMALL room. Of course volume was a big concern. The end of the night they sent us each home with a to go box of ribs and cornbread. The food alone was worth coming out for!

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

DANCING?!

Footloose changed everything!

[Dan Knowlton]

I like playing at my church because the level of musicianship is MUCH higher than most bands. It is much more fun to play with skilled musicians than garage bands. IMHO, of course...

Dan K.

[lindseyp]

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

...
I grew up in a Baptist church and I think I'd have been burned at the stake if any of them ever saw me dancing.

...:

Are you sure that was church related, and not a general consensus?

[RevNigel]

I play at church almost weekly... It's a volunteer gig, but there's 30-40 year vets playing there. Great. I'm about a 10 year guy. I don't embarrass myself.

I got hitched at a Friends church... Dancing isn't cool there. At the reception we did a concert. That was fun.

[dls59]

Besides the obvious spiritual benefits, I love my church gig because:

1. We never have to win the crowd over. They're already ours.
2. World class musicians in our case.
3. I don't have to schlep my gear around. Bring in my bass, plug in direct, grip it and rip it.
4. My stuff doesn't stink when I'm done.
5. Cool music.

[mboogiemanusa]

You guys are lucky to be getting such a rich musical experience at churches these days. My upbringing in a conservative bible belt religion only had choirs or solo organ music from the 16th century. Good to see so many churches that once claimed that electronic instrumentation was the devils music have now joined the praise band revolution.

[Stilettoprefer]

Playing at church is great! No amps, no real stress, good musicians, no drama in the band, no weird smells unless an old guy farts (which isn't uncommon I suppose) and JESUS. Pretty great gig IMO even though it is volunteering in my situation

[gimmethelowend]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

Playing at church is great! No amps, no real stress, good musicians, no drama in the band, no weird smells unless an old guy farts (which isn't uncommon I suppose) and JESUS. Pretty great gig IMO even though it is volunteering in my situation

Dood, yes! haha i don't get to play bass at my church, just drums for now, but i get to meet a phenominal bassist there, and comming from a drummer, playing with an amazing bassist makes my job just that much easier!!

Oh, and before sevices me and the bassist get to sit around and talk gear and what not! wayyyyy to much fun!!

[kerrycares]

I love my church gig..............
Here in Detroit some of the best musicians play at church and they pay better than bars without the hassle.
Bass players make anywhere from $100-$300 per 2 hour service with one rehearsal/week required.
We play a wider variety of music for a higher purpose that touches a wider audience than the local bars and casinos without drinking and drugs during daytime hours.

[southgabass]

I used to play bass at A BAPTIST church... granted we had a 8AM "contemporary" service... they puchased an amp and plugged me in direct... the funk lines were enough to get everyone grooving, I had free range of what could be done in the songs/prayer the music minister would just tell me what key he was thinking of before we would start.... unfortunately we lost that music minister and the follow up couldn't handle the "ad-lib" and had to strictly follow the hymnal.... those bass lines at 80-100 bpm at 8 in the morning didn't last for me.... =(

[MNAirHead]

IT takes a long time to find the right folks.. once you do it's magic.

Find the wrong folks and it's a drag.

[southgabass]

thats with everything....

[bassman1185]

Back when I was playing in Christian hardcore bands, we would play at churches for youth group events occasionally. The thing that I noticed most about those shows is that youth group kids push mosh like nobody's business.

I still play bass once a month or so for worship at my church. No moshing there, though.

[kaiuk]

so how do they react to non-religious types playing services?

[bobbybass85]

Never a dull moment at our church.

We just opened a new building where we took over an abandoned Albertson's and Walmart and remodeled them into a church. The entire Albertson's is our new 4000+ auditorium.

Last weekend was our first services there and we PACKED the last service. As our leader is doing his walk-out announcements we had a guy wander up on stage grabbed a mic and said "Hi, I'm your friendly neighborhood mind-reader.... I love this church" then stumbled away.

He was high as a kite and made for quite an awkward moment. Luckily the FOH board muted the mic after he grabbed it, but we all heard it in our in-ears... that's a Security-Fail. lol

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by lindseyp

Are you sure that was church related, and not a general consensus?

FTW! LOL!

[Lesfunk]

Do church gigs actually pay? I did not know that.