“Behind the sound board”

By David Lin

 

(Part II – “Plugging in”)

 

In the last edition, I opened with “Part I – Setting Up”, as a way on introduction and to give you glimpse of what is hopefully to come in the future – a view of local Christian music and musicians.  The main theme of Part I was the command to be “salt and light” found in the book of Matthew -- an encouragement to stand fast in your beliefs and the challenge to be bold in presenting the Gospel to a lost world.

 

I pointed out in my first article that I’m not a journalist (which became abundantly clear to many of you after you read it!).  Since that time, I have not taken any journalism courses – so with respect to my writing skills, not much has changed.  Just bear with me once again.

 

While working the stage at NEIGHBORS in Smithville, MO, I have had the awesome privilege and blessing to meet some of the areas finest Christian musicians.  As a matter of fact, I could probably rephrase that statement by saying I’ve had the awesome privilege and blessing to meet some of the areas finest musicians who just happen to be Christians and play Christian music.  I say that without any reservation.

 

My routine has become predictable in preparation for music every Friday and Saturday at NEIGHBORS.  I keep the website up to date as best I can with the latest schedule of performers.  I create the “in store” advertisements for the various artists.  Surf the web for performers I’ve yet to meet.  I work the e-mail fairly hard in an effort to stay connected, informed and book new acts.  Usually on Thursday night each week, I am at NEIGHBORS long after everyone has gone to set up for the Friday act.

 

The core components of the PA system are already set up.  The stage snake is run, the power amps are in the corner out of the way, the house speakers are on their stands, and the mixer is hidden in the back of the room.  I’ve learned that every group that has performed at NEIGHBORS has different requirements of my PA system.  Every week I have to reroute many cables, position monitors in different locations and be sure that I have microphones located in the correct positions on the stage for the next performing artist or group.  The “wiring” is different for every single one.  However, no matter how many microphones I use, or where the monitors are located on the stage, when all is said done and everything is plugged in they all are ultimately amplified the same way and by the same power source.

 

As I crawled around on the floor stringing cables the other night pondering the set up for a Saturday show for Christian musician/evangelist Joe Fouquet, it really struck me how differently we are wired as individuals.  Dr. Joe Fouquet (check out his website at http://joefouquet.com) is an acoustic solo act.  He plays his 12 string guitar direct into the system and runs a vocal microphone though a floorboard vocal processor that he controls on stage.  In some of his songs, like “Lift Up Holy Hands”, he plays along with some pre-recorded performance tracks which requires that we add a CD player to the mix.  His requirements for plugging in to the system are minimal.  Once the levels of his vocal, guitar, and the CD tracks are balanced there is relatively little for a sound tech to do.  Essentially Joe can “mix” himself at show time.

 

The requirements of the PA system change dramatically when you have a full band like “Mission Blues” (Visit http://missionblues.us) that performs in a venue like NEIGHBORS.  Not only do you have the acoustic guitar and a vocal – throw in a gutsy Telecaster, a wailing horn section, harmonica, keyboards, bass guitar, Latin percussion, and the full drum kit…oh and add a couple more vocals!  What you end up with is some great original “Christian blues” and some challenges for the sound man!  This group has lot of energy and their latest CD “Voices” is a favorite in the NEIGHBORS CD player during the day.

 

The musical styles and sounds of Joe Fouquet and Mission Blues are at the opposite ends of the spectrum, but they are both amplified by the same power source – Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 12:12-13 reads, “12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (NIV).

 

I know you’ve probably all heard this sermon before about how we are all differently wired, how we all serve the same God, and how we are to live in true biblical community by recognizing our various roles, gifting, and positions in life.  But it is true, just like Dr. Fouquet and Mission Blues; they each have their own style.  Not only are they “wired” differently on the stage at NEIGHBORS, they are wired differently in the way that they present the Gospel.  It is the same gospel, but God has gifted these artists to reach certain types of people in their own way.

 

Here are the application and challenge to the believers.  We all belong to the same body.  We should support and encourage one another in whatever ministry we are called.  Not everyone will like the style or sound of these featured artists, but as believers we should recognize and support these artists who are being faithful to follow where God is leading.  After all we ALL are “plugged in” to the same power source.

 

One useful piece of equipment to a sound tech is called a patch bay.  A patch bay is basically a piece of hardware that facilitates flexibility in routing a signal.  It makes plugging in easier and faster.  A patch bay can be compared to a church, group or organization that makes establishing the connections and relationships easier.

 

A local Christian music “patch bay” organization is called KCChristianmusic.com.  Although starting as a local community, KCCM now has national impact.  They sponsor the annual KCCM Awards, assist in promoting Christian music artists, and sponsor Songwriter events and workshops to help artists hone their craft and bring it to the mainstream. 

 

NEIGHBORS is a member venue of KCChristianmusic.com – we’ve plugged into the “patch bay”.   There are other member venues that are affiliated with this organization and the artists it represents, such as Sherry’s Sweets (Odessa, MO) and Homer’s Coffeehouse (Overland Park, KS). The KCCM “patch bay” has made booking performers at NEIGHBORS much easier.  (Visit http://kcchristianmusic.com)

 

If you are a Christian musician then check out KCChristianmusic.com as a way to plug into the patch bay of believers that supports the music ministry.   Not everyone is a musician, but you are still part of the same body.  “As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” (1 Cor 12:20-NIV) Your role in the local music scene may be to encourage performers like Joe Fouquet and Mission Blues to continue to do what they do.  Visit their websites, buy their music and come see them play the next time they are at NEIGHBORS or other local venues.

 

How are you wired?  Where are you plugged in?  As the global church, that serves the same God and shares the same Gospel, getting plugged in is essential to further God’s kingdom.

 

Joe Fouquet performs original acoustic Christian music in a variety of genres.  He is the current president of the Cycle Disciples Motorcycle club (St. Joseph, MO Chapter), a member of KCChristianmusic.com and a recording artist with New Life Talent Records.   Joe has a very interesting and powerful testimony.  Learn more about Dr. Joe Fouquet, Christian Musician and Evangelist, Once Lost Ministries at http://joefouquet.com.

 

Mission Blues first came together as the musical part of a monthly youth outreach in 1991 that lasted a little over a year. The band progressed and began to draw its musical influence from various other styles. With elements of Rock, Blues and Jazz, the music really ventures out creating a sound that everyone can connect with. The mission of the band is to encourage Christians to walk in intimacy with Christ and to reach out to unbelievers with the good news of the grace found in Jesus Christ. Mission Blues performs a blend of original material and a few songs written by other artists, much of which has been recorded on two projects. The newest album, "Voices" is available for sale through KCChristianMusic.com and Indieheaven.com.  The band’s first release is a recording called "Blues on a Mission".  The members of Mission Blues are Billy Fields (drums), Robin Creason (lead vocals), Bob Wisecup (bass), Brian Smith (lead guitar), Gary Pycior (blues harp & percussion), Kevin Gregg (acoustic guitar, saxophone, vocals), Doug Gutekunst (keyboards, trumpet).  To learn more about Mission Blues visit their website at http://missionblues.us.

 

KCChristianmusic.com is a “patch bay” for Christian artists to network, encourage one another and to help promote Christian musicians and their music.   The motto of KCCM is “Bringing Christian artists to the mainstream”.  The president of KCChristianmusic.com is local recording artists and musician Connie Whitlock (watch her perform at NEIGHBORS in Smithville, MO on Saturday, August 6 and at Sherry’s Sweets in Odessa, MO on September 10.)  To become a part of this community visit http://kcchristianmusic.com.