you to turn down, don’t fight it. Do figure out
a creative way to get your sound as good as
possible. Try getting a separate cab off stage,
and turn your amp away from the singers and
FOH. Also possibly cut back a bit on delays
& reverb. It may sound amazing by itself but
might be too washy out front. Lastly check to
see if your crunch tone is too bright out front.
If the top end sticks out too much it will be
tiny in the mix. When your friends tell you they
can’t hear you, choose your battles. Jesus still
heard you just fine! Try to focus on entering into
worship even more, and yet not play the martyr
or victim.
[WM] In reading through the notes you sent
me from the workshops you did in Korea, I was
taken by the fact that pretty much every session
started with you’re saying that you can’t take
the congregation someplace you haven’t been.
What advice do you have for how grow your
spiritual chops as much as your musical ones?
[Michael] The challenge we have as church
musicians, is to keep the main thing the main
thing. We can depend too much on the worship
leaders to do the heavy lifting in leading the
congregation and following the Holy Spirit. I’m
talking to myself since I often have to repent
for being so easily distracted. When we enter
into worship as a team 100%, there will be a
real change in the atmosphere. In Isaiah 6:3-4
It says: And one called out to another, saying,
“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts; The
whole earth is filled with His glory.”4 And the
with killer sounds. I’m an EDM fan so it’s a no play. We fight that all the time. We do have fun
brainer. You can also lead on acoustic and just sneaking in little funny riffs between the players.
set it up to play a nice pad underneath. It actually keeps us paying attention & listening
to each other. Kind of like a musical subliminal
[WM] Given how massive Lakewood is venue
High-Five between us.
your playing and gear to make sure it translates [WM] Regardless of the size of church,
to the front of house? what tone tips do you have for players who
want to make sure their guitar parts are heard
front of house?
singers, stems, choir and musicians. We try to [Michael] First respect and love the FOH
keep it musical. It takes discipline to not over guys. They are your friend. When they ask
February 2018
was filling with smoke. So as the angels call
out while looking at each other and in total
agreement in their beliefs and descriptions of
for that kind of manifestation. Yet it’s also an
individual thing. I’ve seen one person totally
undone by the Holy Spirit, and then someone
next to them just taking it all in. Memo to self: I
want to be undone.
cabinets under the stage. There are tons of
50
voice of him who called out, and the temple
God… the place goes crazy. I think we all long
wise, did you have to change anything about
[Michael] We’re on in-ears and have the
foundations of the thresholds trembled at the
[WM] What are some of the specific ways
having a degree in music has benefitted you as
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