far-fetched? It isn’t. I was there. That’s the way
it was in many churches back then, and the
practice was widespread. Save for the Christian
coffee house movement of the early 1970’s,
drums were often simply left out of church. My
how times have changed.
Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) was
brand new at this time, and as mentioned
above, many music presentations by the young
were a bit of “hybrid” in makeup. Guitar usage
in church did not become popular until just a
few years earlier. That was when the Catholic
church introduced the “Folk Mass”, which was
tremendously innovative because it mirrored
The Way
left to right…Gary Arthur, Bruce Herring, John Wickham, Dana Angle, Alex MacDougall
what was happening outside the church walls.
The American Folk Music Revival was extremely Recent market research indicates that 60% of Praise him with resounding cymbals.
popular on college campuses everywhere. the nearly 360,000 North American churches, Let everything that has breath praise the L ord .
Artists like Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary, and now use drum sets of some sort, and 40% Praise the L ord .
The Kingston Trio, presented clear messages of churches have secondary kits for their though folk music and guitars. CCM came youth groups. That’s a lot of drums and a lot A recent event caught my attention. For
along during the Jesus Movement of the late of cymbals! These statistics do not include King and Country did a “Make a Wish Drum
60’s and early 70’s. There was virtually no CCM percussionists playing djembe, cajóns, congas, Off” for a young man named “Alex”, at a
radio at this time. But during this same time shakers, chimes, any and all related “hand” church in Franklin, NC. (See video). What a
period the Singer/Songwriter Movement came percussion”, and more cymbals! I’m also told beautiful gesture of kindness and compassion
to prominence, and with it, the use of drums from this research that 50% of all electronic demonstrated. Well done Joel, Luke, and
as part of the equation. Crosby Stills and Nash drum sets are sold to the church. All of this Daniel! And Alex in North Carolina, may God
(and Young), Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell is staggering to me given what was going on bless you with healing and grace.
and Carole King, just to name a few artists, all when I was in my twenties.
And it is at it should be. The Hebrews praised
brought drums to their predominately softer
Psalm 150 (NIV) God with many instruments, and so do we
Praise the L ord . drummers. After all, it’s all about intent of heart,
As recordings from the Singer/Songwriter Praise God in his sanctuary; and it always will be.
Movement grew in popularity, so did their Praise Him in his mighty heavens. musical influence upon early CCM and the Praise Him for his acts of power; evangelical church. Drums would find a Praise Him for his surpassing greatness. place over time, and a big one! Early modern Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, Christian Praise Him with the harp and lyre,
rock sounds.
included releases by Love Song, Larry Norman, Praise Him with timbrel and dancing, Agape, Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill, and The Praise Him with the strings and pipe, Way, among others. Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, Alex MacDougall
Former member of Daniel Amos (DA), Larry
Norman Band, Randy Stonehill Band, and the
Richie Furay Band. He’s also worked with Andrae
Crouch, Bob Bennett, Phil Keaggy, and hundreds
of additional artists and projects. He serves as an
Adjunct Professor, teaching in Music Business at
Dallas Baptist University and Trevecca Nazarene
University’s National Praise and Worship Institute, in
Nashville, TN. Alex is available for lecture, teaching,
and conference workshops.
[email protected]
Jackson Browne/These Days Randy Stonehill For King and Country - Make a Wish
music
recordings
using
drums
February 2020
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