Gospel Tryouts

ZonGuy · #1 01-22-2009, 11:40 AM

I am "white", but I love Traditional and Contemporary music played in predominately African-American churches. I have lots of CD's and collections that I played with often enough to get a pretty good feel for the music.

The problems are...

a) when I respond to an infrequent Craigs List opening in the Houston area and we have a phone call....I never get a call back,

b) I would be afraid about just barging into some of the very small local churches - never have stepped foot inside one of them and may not be welcome. I had one open offer from a coworker, but it was 90 miles each way.

I have played for very big churches (i.e TV camera, orchestras, etc. ), but I am burned out. I would love to play where the feeling is strong.

Is this an unrealistic goal?

Hope I have not offended anybody.

bassteban · #2 01-22-2009, 11:59 AM

I played in a *multicultural(50% black, 50% everything else)* church for several years. It was a GREAT experience & I learned a ton in a short time. On several ocassions we played out at nearby churches' pastors *anniversary celebrations* & the like; these were for the most part in a nearly entirely African-American church. Being white, I expected(& got)some looks, but once the music started & I threw down, the looks often went from '

check out the white boy', to '

CHECK OUT the white boy', if you get my meaning. I had an 'in' on several levels, but to walk into a similar situation w/o *friends in high places*, I'm certain the reception might have been vastly different. I guess my only advice would be to be sensitive. You are asking to join a club for which the members may feel you are unqualified, regardless of musical abilities.

DeepCalls2Deep · #3 01-22-2009, 12:10 PM

Actually you may be very surprised at the reception you might get at some churches (especially the smaller ones) ... I have been welcomed with open arms in many churches where I was the only white person in the room. And it had nothing to do with me playing bass.

My suggestion in looking for a smaller church... find the church that is active in their community, truly reaching out to those around them. Attend a service or two and experience their worship. Then introduce yourself to the worship leader there, and see where it goes.

I had a similar personal experience that I made some good friends from.... Good luck to you.

mrwink · #4 01-22-2009, 12:24 PM

Go and get involved with the church - let them see you and your commitment to God and the church and then worry about playing for them.

I had a similar problem with a Philippine band - they came to one of my gigs and couldn't resist my whiteboy bass playing - unfortunately I dumped them after a rehearsal or two - not as great as they let on to be - and I'm no star!

StevieT · #5 01-22-2009, 12:34 PM

I do both, I play in a mega church once or twice a month and then I play in a small local church of about 65-75 people. The difference is dramatic but the praise is truley awesome in both places, alittle more "free" in the small church. Get to know the pastor/church/people & let them know that you are interested.

T-MOST · #6 01-22-2009, 12:51 PM

I can say that at my church it wouldn't matter that you are white (if thats what you think the problem is). What would matter is if you are a christian. Meaning you accept Jesus as your Lord and savior. You can play Gospel and you appear to be of sound character. This part might vary from church to church but we would not hire someone who does NOT fit the above description (meaning agnostics, athiests or other). If you don't believe in Christ how could you possibly help us worship him? Thats just how"we" feel. If you are a christian then you just have to get out there and play! Every chance you get just lay it down and if you have the chops anything else wont matter.

groov'ster · #7 01-22-2009, 12:59 PM

I would suggest this is all about networking, people you know that know people, that know other people. Sounds like a line from Snoop Dog on Starsky and Hutch but its true.

I've been playing for my church, mixed congregation, for a few years now. But I wanted to expand musically and learn the gospel style form some real pro's. I started looking around at the local AA churches and tried to figure how to get in without looking dumb.

I started talking with some of my co-workers about music and would you know one of them is a music director for a church. Shabam..open door. I have played with them more times than I can count and learned tons of stuff from them. They opened other doors for me as "that white boy can play".

I can now go to most of the AA churches without any issues, maybe a few stares but when people begin to know me that all goes away.

Music goes a long way to bind us all together, especially musicians, but first look to build freindships. The rest will come. Color has never been an issue with us, it is the quality of the person.

lindseyp · #8 01-23-2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZonGuy

...

b) I would be afraid about just barging into some of the very small local churches - never have stepped foot inside one of them and may not be welcome... .

Wrong answer, partner. That's where you need to go IMO, but don't play. Instead, visit a couple of times so the congregation is accustomed to seeing you, and then, ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZonGuy

I have played for very big churches (i.e TV camera, orchestras, etc. ), but I am burned out. I would love to play where the feeling is strong.
...

... if you have a video or photos of any of the above show them to the small church's minister of music, pastor, lead musician, etc. That will pretty much be your audition. Have your bass in the trunk of your car, just in case you're invited to sit in at night service

That's how we praise and roll!