“Behind the Sound Board”

(Part 1 – Setting up)

By David Lin

I’m not a journalist. I’m not much of a music critic or really that knowledgeable about the “industry” of music for that matter. I am a musician and know what I like. I can tell when my guitar is out of tune and can usually pick out on a vocal harmony without much trouble. I know the basics of how to set up a PA system and make the noise come out, and I can usually fix the problem when feedback fills the room. What I’m saying is I’m pretty much like you – I don’t know everything, I have my preferences, but God has uniquely wired me and placed me in this world for a specific purpose.

For the sake of introduction, I love to play guitar, write songs and to worship through music. I believe that is why God created me and I believe that is what I will be doing for all eternity. However, like most of you that share my passion, I have a day job that pays the bills.

My passion is music, not just any kind of music – all kinds of music. Now, I’m not so fanatical that I continually download songs from the internet, or rush to the nearest music store to buy the latest CDs. But I do enjoy watching and listening to live Christian music of all styles and types. Again, I have my preferences, which are most likely dictated by my age and influences from my younger days. Those influences definitely impact the decision of what to put in my CD player.

Today, I serve in the praise band and occasionally lead worship at Grace Community Church in Smithville. I also play in a contemporary Christian band called “9^th Hour”, which includes some of my fellow praise band mates, my wife and my daughter. It wasn’t always this way; I played in a top 40 rock band during College in the early 80’s. Before I recommitted my life to Christ on September 17, 1997, I was active only in “serving Dave”. After my college band dissolved and after a period of time, I put my guitar down for about 8 years. I picked it up again in 2000 to learn my first praise song when I was “cornered” into leading a home group in worship. I have since changed the focus of my playing from self-serving to serving others. I have to chuckle at God’s wisdom and my stupidity, as I look back and actually see why God took me in the directions that He did.

In March of this year, my wife and her family opened a new business in Smithville, MO called “NEIGHBORS”. God created us to have free-will to make choices, and I am so grateful that I have chosen to follow Him. In keeping with God’s plan, NEIGHBORS provides diners with a variety of choices, from gourmet coffee drinks, a huge selection of hand-dipped ice cream, shakes, malts, handmade ice cream cakes, sub and deli sandwiches, soups, and salads.

God thrust me into the middle of this great new business adventure. Look, “a Christian musician with a wife who is managing a coffeehouse!” can you see where this is leading? I tell everyone that comes to NEIGHBORS, “I’m not the owner and I’m not the manager – I just do what I’m told.” I do wear many hats at the store, but specifically this is what I’ve been asked to do:

I design and manage the store’s website. As I mentioned in my opening comments, “I am not a journalist”. (Which I am sure you have figured out by now!). I’m also not a webmaster, which will be equally evident when you visit our website at http://neighborscoffeehouse.com.

I manage the NEIGHBORS Stage. I book Christian artists and groups to play on Friday and Saturday nights. I also take care of the house sound equipment and get everything ready before our featured acts arrive. As a musician myself, I have a general idea what a performer or group needs. We try to run a pretty much “plug & play” operation. When I am unable to secure and act or we need additional material to fill a night, I get to grab my guitar and join in the fun!

Recently my Senior Pastor has been teaching from the book of Matthew. One of the things that I’ve heard a hundred times before, but that struck especially hard in the last few months is the command to be “salt and light” that is found in Matthew 5:13-16. The original Neighbors concept did not include a Christian managed store or stage that featured Christian musicians, but look at what has happened. I see how God has equipped me and where He has placed me.

Truly following this command does have some side effects. If we look back a couple of verses in Matthew we read: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (Mt 5:11). I have been “questioned” about the stand I have taken for featuring “Christian” music. I ask them what kind of music they want to hear, to which they respond, “Anything like blues, jazz, rock, instrumentalists…whatever, just not Gospel music!”

Those of you that do follow the local Christian music scene know that all of those genres and more are represented in “Gospel” music. Gospel music is not necessarily as much the “style”, as it is the message. I’ve drawn a line in the sand at Neighbors; I’ve chosen to be “salt and light”. You will hear great Christian bands like “Mission Blues” (blues), Autumn Rain (Alternative rock), Transparent Heart (Acoustic rock), Not Forgotten (Contemporary), and I Witness (Jazz/blues Worship). We will feature great Christian solo artists and songwriters like Christopher Ames, Lindsey Phillips, “Gideon’s Fleece”, Andrea Beemer, Matt Peeples, Alan Bell, John Hopkins, Joe Fouquet, and Shandon Bailey. How about 2005 KCCM Award winner Christian Instrumentalist of the Year, Dave Panico – “The Soaring Saxman”?

In future installments, I plan to try and introduce you to these musicians at Neighbors as I see them from “behind the sound board”. Check our website and come to Neighbors to support local Christian music. Grab a sandwich or an ice cream cone while you are there. God bless.