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a monster of a person, and then an amazing chord isn’t a chord until the bass player decides [WM] Stepping out in front of a band like that
guitar player. what to play”. That’s Justin. When Justin lays is a bit like steering a freight train, and you’re
down a note, it allows you to melodically move the engineer. Some folks might get intimidated,
[WM] Your bass player, Justin James was a to a place that you normally wouldn’t go. That’s while others might get cocky. What sort of
last-minute addition, and he absolutely blew what Justin adds to us and that’s who he’s things do you do to prepare mentally, spiritually,
me away! My only complaint on the record is been in my life. He’s another one of those guys and physically as you put on the engineer’s
that you can’t actually hear the low end like who out-serves me. cap?
he just knows what to play, and when. How [WM] So, are you saying that the depth of [Ricardo] You don’t change anything, as far
does having a bass player like that impact what their character and having a servant’s heart is as I’m concerned. You be who you are, number
you’re doing? really what comes through in their playing? one. I’m confident in the gifts that God has
you felt it live. He is all over the low notes and
given me. These guys know who I am. You’re
[Ricardo] Justin comes from a musical family, [Ricardo] That’s the case for these guys, absolutely right, it is a freight train, and it was
his brother is Eddie James, who is a popular yeah. To me, success doesn’t change people, it more about steering than pulling or pushing.
Gospel artist. I met them in Arizona when I simple reveals who they are. These guys would I knew that I could go into any song and go
was a youth pastor at a church in Scottsdale, be the first to admit that they’re not perfect, any direction and these guys would follow. The
Arizona. Israel Houghton was the worship but they love God, their families, and are active biggest thing for me was to keep it simple and
pastor there, and Eddie James was the worship members in their churches. I learned a long do what we’d rehearsed. For me, it’s about
pastor at a church across town. Eddie has a time ago to surround myself with people that preparing beforehand and deciding how deep
bunch of brothers, and Justin is one of them. are musically better than you, and it elevates I wanted to go with the songs.
Justin allows me to sing notes that I normally your game.
wouldn’t sing. I love the quote by Sting, “A
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Like you said, these guys are monster
December 2017
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