Did I get the gig?

[Brian Krashpad]

Did I get the gig? (UPDATED)

As some of you may know, I used to play guitar in church every week, for about a decade solid. There was a big gnarly scene at that church when they changed pastors, and a lot of people left, unfortunately including us.

We've been sorta "floating" between churches since. One of the churches we've been going to is a sister-church of the one we used to go to. They don't have a lead player and I've missed playing in church. It would be a good thing on a lot of levels if I could get back to playing in church (if for no other reason than that it'd force my sorry behind to go more often).

So I e-mailed their praise band guy Monday. Later I called him and he said they have a pastor installation coming up soon so he gave me the impression that they're hot to get me in the line-up, though I had no idea what they were expecting of me. He invited me to come to a practice last night (Tuesday).

I dodged a major potential embarassment bullet during our conversation, when I talked on the phone to the band guy. By his voice I thought "Kyle" was a lady, just with an unusual first name.

Nope. High talker. A guy. Fortunately I didn't say anything on the phone about how I was expecting "Kyle" to be a guy. THAT would've been bad.

Anyhow, Kyle is a high-talker and a gay guy. Not that there's anything wrong with that. There are a lot of gay guys who are music directors or organists in various denominations of Christian churches, and I already knew that (though I bet a lot of people don't realize it), one of the prior MD's at the last church I was at was gay, so no big whup to me. Besides, the girl singers are kinda cute.

I brought my vintage Sunn head and a 2x12 and a couple of my "name brand" guitars (Fender '52 Tele, Gibby LP) to show 'em I'm "serious." So I showed up and the praise band is only doing one song for the next service (they have a new "blended" service with some contemporary and some trad hymns, apparently never all contempo). So I set up and played along with them, we must've played the song a couple dozen times, they were mainly working on the PA mix for the singers. I started out just chording clean throughout, but about midway through the rehearsal I started going to distortion on the choruses for a little more oomph. I forget what song it was, but it's kinda a contempo "standard" I'd played many dozens of times at my prior church across town. So no major screw-ups by me or anything. I occasionally asked if they wanted me to do anything different, and Kyle basically said to do whatever I liked.

So then I broke down my rig and loaded out and we all went home. I didn't want to be presumptious, so I didn't ask if they wanted me to play this Sunday or what, but nobody said boo one way or t'other.

So, I guess it went fine, I had a good time, but I have no idea whether they'd like me to play with them. Kyle seems pretty laid-back though, in addition to letting me figure out what to do with the song, he was wearing slaps and kicked them off while playing piano, so he's not apparently a real formal person, which suits me fine.

I'll send him a very neutrally-worded e-mail saying I had a great time and thanking them for letting me come out. And saying if they need me to play Sunday or for subsequent practices, just tell me when to show up. I guess I'm being a little paranoid, but I thought it was kinda odd that we all just went home without any more being said.

 

[Spudman]

No matter what happens you still have to say a whole bunch of 'hail Mary's' and 'our fathers'.

They are probably just thinking it over and possibly trying someone else out? I'm sure you are good enough to get the gig. If you do get it just be sure to leave the red suit and pitchfork at home on Sundays.:AOK:

 

[warren0728]

hey that whole kyle thing is too funny....when we left the restaurant yesterday you were thinking kyle was a girl (after originally thinking he was a guy during the emails)! :thwap: :whatever:

i'm sure you're in...they would have told you if they didn't want you!! :nono:

ww

 

[Brian Krashpad]

No matter what happens you still have to say a whole bunch of 'hail Mary's' and 'our fathers'.

They are probably just thinking it over and possibly trying someone else out? I'm sure you are good enough to get the gig. If you do get it just be sure to leave the red suit and pitchfork at home on Sundays.:AOK:

Haha, no, Lutherans don't say Hail Mary's. Although I'm sure my son did more than once when he went to the Catholic School down the road. It's kinda funny, as one of the original early Protestant denominaitons, a lot of Lutherans are subconsciously terrifed of seeming too "Catholic." Which is kinda ironic since Luther was a Catholic monk, albeit one who got booted. What I find really hilarious is that for the longest time you would never see Lutherans cross themselves like Catholics do. Even though it's in Luther's Cathechism that making the sign of the cross is a good thing!

Recently, some Lutherans will cross themselves, and I like to do that myself. But I had to watch some major league baseball games to be sure if I was doing it right. Now I have to break myself of the habit of spitting into the palms of my hands after crossing myself, though. :thwap:

Definitely won't wear my AC/DC baseball cap to rehearsals either.

 

[Brian Krashpad]

hey that whole kyle thing is too funny....when we left the restaurant yesterday you were thinking kyle was a girl (after originally thinking he was a guy during the emails)! :thwap: :whatever:

i'm sure you're in...they would have told you if they didn't want you!! :nono:

ww

That's what I was thinking too. But I have no idea if they want me to play this Sunday, and if so, when I need to show up and be setup by.

I reckon I'll find out one way or another soon enough

 

[peachhead]

Maybe he's just assuming that since you came to practice and didn't tell him otherwise, you'll be there on Sunday?
That makes sense to me anyway.

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Maybe he's just assuming that since you came to practice and didn't tell him otherwise, you'll be there on Sunday?
That makes sense to me anyway.

That's what I'm hoping anyhow. Thing is, this Sunday they go off "summer hours" (we're in a college town and with the students gone there's a lot fewer people around, so they've only been doing one service each Sunday) and back to their 2-service schedule. I know when the service starts but not when they want me to be loaded-in and set up by. At our prior church we used to show up early, get all set up (actually I had a cab I left there 24/7 and the church had a head I used), and do some run-throughs just before the service started.

I'm sure it'll get sorted one way or t'other or at least I hope so!

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I would love to hear you play in a service. If I ever get down that way, I will have to attend. Punk praise tunes at the Luthern Sat. eve guitar Mass. (Lutherns probably don't call it Mass either, huh??)

 

[Brian Krashpad]

I would love to hear you play in a service. If I ever get down that way, I will have to attend. Punk praise tunes at the Luthern Sat. eve guitar Mass. (Lutherns probably don't call it Mass either, huh??)

No Lutherans don't use the term "mass." We do have matins and vespers services but most Lutherans don't know what those are. Just like most Lutherans don't cross themselves, even though Luther says to in his Cathechism.

I've rocked out a little at my prior church but nothing really approaching punk.

At the end of a rehearsal once I did play behind my head. But, no, not in church.

 

[Rocket]

[Serious question]
Since I've rarely been in church, (well, since the 50's,) let me ask... what does one play in church?
[End serious question]

 

[Brian Krashpad]

[Serious question]
Since I've rarely been in church, (well, since the 50's,) let me ask... what does one play in church?
[End serious question]

Well, Tuesday night it was a Gibson Les Paul Studio Double Cutaway.



But to answer your question, there's a huge batch of contemporary praise and worship music, a lot of it is made popular by Christian radio.

I don't listen to Christian radio often though.

 

[Rocket]

Is it a honed setlist or something tossed together last-minute by a designated band "leader"?
If honed... where do you find the practice time with both a day job[ugh] and a "Crash Pad" band.
Personally, I'd sure hate to be in a "last-minute-line-up" situation with anyone except a band of hardcore session players.
If that's what you're doin'... yer a monster, dude!

 

[bigoldron]

Good luck with the church gig Brian! Sounds like Kyle's just like some other music/artistic people I know. Not only is he a little light in the loafers, but he's also an inconsiderate, self-absorbed jerk. He's so wrapped up in himself that he either assumes you know what you're supposed to do or doesn't give a hoot one way or the other.

We've got a similar guy here in our small town. He's chorale/choir/drama teacher here at our high school and is the music director at his church and is involved with local community theater, etc, etc, etc. He's decently gifted, but is famous for not being on time and not having ANYTHING planned out ahead of time. EVERYTHING is thrown together at the last minute. Usually he pulls it off, but sometimes he doesn't. He's kinda like the Pied Piper (or maybe Michael Jackson) in that the kids love him and follow him (sometimes blindly).

What really peeves me is that EVERYBODY lets him slide with whatever he does, because, and I quote "that's just Gene." I am SO SICK of that I could puke!

Sorry for the extended rant, but I think Kyle should have the decency and the courtesy to at least give you a call and let you know whether or not to be there and what time.

Guess it's time for my medicine... :thwap:

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Is it a honed setlist or something tossed together last-minute by a designated band "leader"?
If honed... where do you find the practice time with both a day job[ugh] and a "Crash Pad" band.
Personally, I'd sure hate to be in a "last-minute-line-up" situation with anyone except a band of hardcore session players.
If that's what you're doin'... yer a monster, dude!

Well actually I'm in 3 bands, but only on paper. Crash Pad is on extended hiatus until I reform it with some new peeps. My side band Hoyt and the Hotheads is the most active, but we've only played a couple times this year.

The church gig is a honed setlist. Everything is part of the bigger service so it has to be planned well in advance, since the congregation is usually singing along with song leaders. But even when my rock bands were busier it's not that big a deal. One practice of a couple hours each week is all it takes for the church gig, There's actually a smaller repertoire of contemporary songs than of trad hymns. Perfect example-- the song we did Tuesday night was one I'd played many dozens of times previously over the years. In fact, before I left at the other church, if I had a conflict with practice on a given week, it was no big whup. I'd just go in early before the service and run over any new songs and wing it. The good thing about the last gig was it wasn't supposed to be a note-for-note thing like cover bands. I'd almost never heard the recorded versios of songs we did. My music director gave me discretion as to what I would do on each song, so the songs were definitely "our" versions. If the songs were real difficult, which fortunately was rare, I knew enough to lay low. It looks like this thing will only be a couple songs per service (as opposed to my last church where we played EVERY song in the service, over a dozen or so each week), and maybe not even every week. Should take minimal time.

I'm no monster by any stretch but a big part is knowing your strengths and limitations.

 

[Rocket]

Why does this spring to mind?
[CAUTION-Surreality warning]

 

[luvmyshiner]

Dude, I would just assume you're in, and email him with "What time do I need to be there on Sunday and what equipment would you like me to bring".

If he doesn't want you there (and I find that very doubtful) make him tell ya. Then you can start looking for another church. Personally, I try to stay away from them. For some reason I break out in hives every time I get to close to God.

 

[Ch0jin]

Well good luck anyway mate!

Reading over your post reminded me so much of dates I've been on actually.

Not because I take girls to church on dates, but the whole "I think I did well, everyone seemed to be having a good time, but she didn't suggest another date. maybe she wanted me to say something?.... etc etc etc...

Funny.

 

[marnold]

For some reason I break out in hives every time I get to close to God.

That's because you would be a lawyer. *ducks*




Sorry, couldn't resist. oke:

 

[luvmyshiner]

That's because you would be a lawyer. *ducks*




Sorry, couldn't resist. oke:

Actually Marnold . . . I think you may be right.

 

[warren0728]

hey brian...any word from kyle? :whatever:

ww

 

[Brian Krashpad]

hey brian...any word from kyle? :whatever:

ww

No, apparently he's observing radio silence.

Or e-mail silence or something.

So basically I'm gonna have to call the church. However my guess is that he comes in one afternoon a week and checks his church e-mail (apparently he comes in on Mondays, my first e-mail was Monday and he e'd back within an hour or two). So I'll probably have to call and leave a message or ask to talk to the overall Music Director to see if I can get the info on when to show up from him instead.

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Well good luck anyway mate!

Reading over your post reminded me so much of dates I've been on actually.

Not because I take girls to church on dates, but the whole "I think I did well, everyone seemed to be having a good time, but she didn't suggest another date. maybe she wanted me to say something?.... etc etc etc...

Funny.

Haha, that's a good analogy. Though I wouldn't use the analogy with Kyle. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[marnold]

Ok, why is it that whenever anyone of you mention the name "Kyle" I imagine it being spoken by Mr. Hankey?

 

[Childbride]

Ok, why is it that whenever anyone of you mention the name "Kyle" I imagine it being spoken by Mr. Hankey?

:rotflmao:

 

[M29]

Hello Brian,

I would give em a call and tell them just what you have said here. I have been kind a hangin out here and wanted to know how it went the other day with the audition, everyone kinda booked and I have no idea how it went.

I hope it all works out. It is tough to find a good church sometimes, prayers comin at ya man:rockon:

M29

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Thanks M29. I called late yesterday afternoon, since the gear I would need for Sunday was at my office and I wanted to pack it then, rather than make a special trip later.

He admitted he'd got my e-mail Wednesday, but had got "too busy" to respond. :whatever:

Anyhow, the deal was, they have a "4-practice" rule, nobody plays in a service until they've done 4 practices.

So I guess if I just do 3 more practices I'm in. Fine by me, I guess they don't want flakey musicians.

Why he couldn't have mentioned that when he asked me to come to the first practice is beyond me.

 

[just strum]

Thanks M29. I called late yesterday afternoon, since the gear I would need for Sunday was at my office and I wanted to pack it then, rather than make a special trip later.

He admitted he'd got my e-mail Tuesday, but had got "too busy" to respond. :whatever:

Anyhow, the deal was, they have a "4-practice" rule, nobody plays in a service until they've done 4 practices.

So I guess if I just do 3 more practices I'm in. Fine by me, I guess they don't want flakey musicians.

Why he couldn't have mentioned that when he asked me to come to the first practice is beyond me.

Hey, you are dealing direct with these people, but personally I think the whole thing stinks. I don't care for people that don't play it straight (no pun intended. ok, maybe a little pun)

"Too busy" "four practice rule". I just don't think the guy is capable of being honest. Again, my opinion is built completely on this thread.

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Hey, you are dealing direct with these people, but personally I think the whole thing stinks. I don't care for people that don't play it straight (no pun intended. ok, maybe a little pun)

"Too busy" "four practice rule". I just don't think the guy is capable of being honest. Again, my opinion is built completely on this thread.

Fwiw, I don't get that vibe at all, being here. Lots of churches have various rules about integrating new people into performance situations. A 4-practice rule falls between the other 2 sitches I've been in. At my prior church I was a "founding member" so to speak, of our praise band, so I was invited and just started playing. We never did adopt any formalized rules about perfomance, if you came to practice you could play (and in fact I got to the point where if I had a conflict with making a practice I played anyway, I'd just go in early and run any new material right before the service).

On the other end of the spectrum, I enquired about playing at a big semi-mega church we've also occasionally gone to, and you'da thunk I was getting a security clearance from the Pentagon. Had to fill out an application, was given 2 CD's worth of material, with sheet music, and told to learn it, then I would have to audition, just for the opportunity to ATTEND their PRACTICE. It would've been un-Christian of me to have told them "F*ck this," but the thought did cross my mind.

I think this guy 's just not very good at managing things. Stereotypical flakey musician and/or neophyte church leader who's not very good at it yet. Apparently his day gig is working for the preschool the church runs, and it's just getting under way (new construction recently completed), so the busy-ness line does wash.

 

[just strum]

Like I said, my read is on what I see here. You have a better handle 1) you are dealing direct, and 2) you've been there, done that.

Good luck.

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Like I said, my read is on what I see here. You have a better handle 1) you are dealing direct, and 2) you've been there, done that.

Good luck.

Thanks. I can see how on a cold read it could seem like the guy is less than straightforward.

Seems he's more just discombobulated.