Whether you’re a volunteer, are on staff at a in. In California you have Bethel Church in completely agree that it is definitely a passion
church, or are aspiring to have a career as a Redding, and you have Jesus Culture, and that makes you immediately want to strive to
Worship musician, this issue is filled with some you have some of the mega churches in Los become a musician.
great insights to inspire you on your journey. Angeles. And with all of those churches, all of Long before they played their first arena show, those touring musicians like David Woodworth, [WM] ‘Living the dream’ of being a professional
Daniel Carson, Garrett P. Tyler, and David and Josh who drums for Jesus Culture, they musician is frequently accompanied by praise,
Curran were worship team volunteers. In this all started by serving in their churches as which in and of itself isn’t a bad thing. But as
month’s Worship Guitar, Drum, and Bass talk volunteers. The band in the church wanted to we receive praise, we all face the temptation
columns we asked Daniel, Garrett, and David take their music and the gospel to a wider level. of letting the praise ruminate inwards rather
to share their insights on their journey and how It almost became a movement, to where it was than point upwards, and that can become a
to make the most of your gifts as a Worship a full-time job, which then connected them to problem. Who were some of the people who
musician, regardless of the venue! more musicians. Josh Fischer of Jesus Culture spoke into your life about this kind of stuff, and
lives in Franklin, Tennessee now and he’s doing what did they say that impacted you most?
[WM] There’s an interesting line that divides other work. It’s almost like volunteering and giving one’s time to the local church on Sunday being a part of something that was growing [Garrett] I remember the first time I saw
and playing for a living as a worship and/or and flourishing catapulted them into more Austin Davis play with Kari Jobe, and I was in
Christian Musician. Before we dig deeper, I’d professional endeavors, rather than being a Jonesboro, Arkansas where I was from, I didn’t
be curious to hear your thoughts on what the musician first and getting plugged into a church. even know the guy, and he was playing to the big
biggest differences are between the two?
basketball arena in Jonesboro. It was packed
I think that’s the biggest difference, what church out, but it was worship. And I was a musician
[Garrett P. Tyler] There are a few differences you’re connected with and where it is and what and I was like, “Wow, I would love to do that”.
between the volunteer church musician who city it’s in. But also on the flip-side of that, is my In my mind, I wasn’t viewing it as I wanted to
serves at their local church and pours their heart story. I was at a church in Arkansas and I was be in this arena so I could “lead all these people
into it, and on the flip-side, the professional serving on the staff and it was great, but that in worship”, I think because it was coming from
CCM musician (who probably also likely serves was just me serving at a church. I knew that my young immature mindset being a kid. But
at their church as well). was as far as that would ever get me, and I had then as years went by and I eventually became
to make that commitment and I had to move to friends with Austin and with guys like him,
One has committed to making music a full-time Nashville and widen my horizons and make that I think one of the greatest influences of mine
endeavor, which I think is one of the biggest commitment to God that I’m pursuing this full- in the worship community as a drummer was
jumps in commitment that someone can take, time and trust in Him. And then I moved, and Rolf who was the drummer for Hillsong United.
going from part time or from volunteer, into that he provides, and you have to work your tail off, He still drums for Hillsong Worship but lives in
leap of faith of trying to pursue it full time and that’s the biggest part of it, just being where the Australia. If you follow him on Instagram he is
make music into their career. opportunity is available. so adamant about displaying, no matter the
audience or how big or small, that every time
In Nashville, for instance, most musicians [WM] We all have dreams, and being able to we get behind a kit we’re going into spiritual
serving at the churches in the bands that are play one’s favorite instrument to packed venues warfare, and that just entirely changed my view
there on Sunday, are also in the bands that is one of the things that many people aspire to about the reason I want to be up on that stage
are touring. So, it’s usually one of those things when they first start playing. Did you? playing for those people.
and the guys you’re playing with are on the [Garrett] I did, I remember the first day in I want to encourage and pour the love of Christ
road in the Christian industry. And you can get fifth grade seeing the high school drum line into all of the people in that room, and to be
connected to play for one of them full time, perform at a football game. Immediately seeing an inspiration to show all of those people the
or vice versa, you move to the town and get them made me want to perform at this football power of God. Rather than, “Look how cool
connected with a Christian group and start game. Once I got into band and did that, I kind this is.” So I think people like Austin Davis are
touring with them and you start getting plugged of saw the next step. Almost as if the further I brilliant examples of what that looks like. I think
into the church they are at. dove into drums and being a musician, when guys like Rolf of Hillsong and Josh Fisher, the
I saw someone performing in this huge arena Jesus Culture drummer, is a brilliant example
I think the biggest difference in that regard is or this huge amphitheater it was like, “Man, I of what it looks like to divert all of the influence
where you’re living and the city that you’re would give anything to do that one day”. So I and all of the glory up to God. Those are three
where you first get connected in the church,
January 2019
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