Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Thank You, John Ivins

I got to sit in with this band tonight for a worship event. 

It's been a long time since I got to play, just play, for fun.  I didn't even realize the extent of the 'leader mode' I go into when we do worship music - even on Sunday mornings, when I am, arguably, completely comfortable and in the 'worship zone', as my friend Steve used to say.

Tonight, the responsibility was on somebody else's head.  I got to follow, play along, and sing my heart out.  As long as I knew what key we were in, I was good.

And it was so. much. fun.

Didn't hurt that the other guys on the platform were top-notch players.  Solid musicians, every one, and great guys.  They knew their stuff.

Tonight was incredibly refreshing.

Thus ends the five days that I could not comprehend getting through.  

Me?  I'm blessed.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I had some of those nights when I was leading the bands for a living. I never led worship--my job was just to run the band--but occasionally, for a variety of reasons, I'd be 'just' a member of the band, and then I'd remember why I started playing.

It all really started for me, as for so many others, when I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. I wanted the thrill (and it is a thrill) of playing an instrument ontage, making ALL THAT NOISE. To that end I have WAY more fun playing electric guitar than keyboard. I'm better at keyboard, but guitar is, well...it's so much more visceral.

It's the only thing I really miss about my old job (other than my friends); the rush of counting 1-2-3-4 in front of a big crowd being a part of the band.

Connie Kottmann said...

I heard an awesome interview with John on AFR yesterday morning. I didn't even know who he was and before the interview started I read your "tweet" about playing in his band. Very inspiring!

Glad you got to be a part of that and got to enjoy yourself instead of being in the driver's seat at that moment. Sorry I was too "booked up" to participate but one day will get to Connect.