The Producer

The other day I had a conversation with someone of a younger generation about Singers/Recording Artists.  It was quite interesting to hear how they worshiped a certain performer and how this performer was the greatest.  Through the years I've had the same conversation many times over.

  

There's no doubt that certain performers/singers come along who seem to take the world by storm.  The first was Bing Crosby then came Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson and of course the list goes on.  Ultimately it's the producer who is the one that is responsible for the above name performers and all  of the rest too many to mention.

To me Bing Crosby was one of the Greats.  But without those first producers who created the Bing Crosby sound, or trademark, Bing Crosby might have ended up living the rest of his life in the same town he was born in, Tacoma WA.  Were it not for Quincy Jones producing Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall", "Thriller" and "Bad" albums would Jackson have achieved what he did?

 

If Sir George Martin had not been "The Beatles" first producer would they have gone on to become what they became?  He produced "Wings", "America", "Candle in the Wind" and so much more.  Barry Gibb, Bob Gaudio, Barbara Streisand, Phil Romone, Richard Carpenter, Chris Christian, Robbie Robertson, Tom Catalano and Rick Rubin are just a few producers who have shaped music into what we listen to today.

The sound and style of every artist that you know found their voice from a producer who is responsible for making them the artist they are today.  And it's easy to tell because when you listen to the music of a producer before the first hits of any artist you hear the music and style of that artist.  When I hear songs from Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, The Guess Who and Karen Carpenter I hear Phil Romone the producer.  When I hear Neil Diamond's best albums I hear Tom Catalano, Robbie Robertson, Rick Rubin and Bob Gaudio.

I don't want this to take away from each artist I've mentioned because I'm a fan of so many of them myself.  But like in any trade there is always the one who comes before and teaches.  Before one becomes a Master Carpenter they are a Journeyman, before that an apprentice.  While they were an apprentice there was a Journeyman or Master Carpenter who taught them, "This is how it's done".

Let's not make our focus on just the "Artist" or "Entertainer".  Behind all of them they have others making them who they are today.  There is only one who needed no one to make them who they are today.  He was and is and will always be.

Artists of any craft are taught.  If they are smart they learn and become more than their teachers.  I mention this because I have to always pull myself in and remember that the greatest Master Teacher is still teaching me and I have so much yet to learn.  His name is Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.  I will never become more than my Teacher but I am just fine with that.

Worthy Music Ministries Showcase @ Tacoma Rescue Mission

Saturday August 21st Worthy Music Ministries Showcase once again provided music at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, New Life Square.

Take a look at this video about the Tacoma Rescue Mission and how they're impacting the community.

I really must give Worthy Music Ministries a high five when it comes to their dedication to ministering at the Tacoma Rescue Mission.  This is an organization that produces top quality stage events at the Tacoma Freedom Fair, Seattle Center, Puyallup Fair, Orting Pumpkin Fest and the list goes on and on.  There's nothing in it for them except the sweat of bringing in all the equipment, setting it up and running it for an hour.  Then after a little less than an hour they tear it all down, pack it up, take it home, unload it again and store it for the next event.  In doing all that they receive no money.

Chuck Worthy started off the evening with 3 songs.  I recorded all of his songs but, because of where we had to position the camera, a gentleman sat down right in front of it and for Chuck's set we have a man eating, and trust me it's not pretty.  The video didn't turn out smooth, mellow and classy but his voice sure sounded that way.  When you're up there singing it's hard to tell if the 100 plus people are listening to you.  But the reality is that everyone enjoys the food and is blessed by the music.

By the time I got up to sing we had about 4 people in front of the camera eating.  Oh well that's what they were there to do.  Toward the end of my set everyone cleared the table and we got a clear shot of me singing "He's Alive" by Don Fransico.

Linda Worthy was able to get pictures without people in the pictures eating but again they came there to eat.

While Chuck dressed with class I put on a favorite T-shirt I like and jeans for the evening.  My wife was out of town so she wasn't there to say, "I don't think so!"  There was a moment, around the end of my set, when I thought I'd be seeing police and ambulances out the cafeteria windows again while I sang.  A gentleman in a wheelchair was attempting to cross the street but decided to turn back.  So, all in all, the evening went without a hitch.

For me singing at the Tacoma Rescue Mission never gives me a feeling of singing for a lower class of listeners.  I've had to sleep and eat at the Tacoma Rescue Mission and I thank God TRM was there for me.  It's not "There but the Grace of God go I", it's "There with the Grace of God I've been".

Jammer's Java closes its doors,.. again.

The first Christian coffee house I remember singing at was called "The Light House" in Denver, CO.  That's me on the left.  My hair was still black without any gray, I barely had a mustache and there was no cable T.V. let alone Internet.  In 1980 "The Light House" coffee shop was run out of a small church and the second you stepped through the door you smelled popcorn but it had that Christian Coffee house feel.

Along the way there were many more Christian Coffee Houses like "Daniel's Den" (Denver), "Noah's Ark" (Denver), "Noah's Ark" (Colorado Springs) and list goes on.  My favorite was "Club Cristo" in Seattle and it had that Christian Coffee house feel too.  It seems like ever since Club Cristo closed there just hasn't been anymore Christian Coffee houses, at least coffee houses with a mission like The Light House and Club Cristo had.

Then Jammer's Jammin' Java came along in 2009 and I was elated.  Here was a place with an idea similar to Veritas Coffee House in (Olympia).  Run the coffee house during the day as a business run by Christians and then on Fridays and Saturdays have Christian music in the evenings with that Club Cristo feel.  Jammer's, owned by Jammer and Amy Pond, also had Bible studies, comedy nights and Christian karaoke.  But perhaps because of the economy or just the shear fact regarding starting up a business Jammer and Amy had to close the doors.  You may recall my "I'm Not Dead Yet" CD party was their last event.

Then we got the news that Jammer's was reopening with a new owner.  However, just like a few years ago when someone tried starting a Christian coffee house up using the name Club Cristo it too failed.  I remember that re-start very well because I was the first artist on the first night it reopened at a different church.  There was no denying the fact that it was not Club Cristo.  The same was true for the new opening of Jammer's.

After talking it over with fellow Christian artists in the Tacoma area we came to the realization that once a Christian coffee house is named it takes on its own life.  Jammer's Jammin' Java and Gourmet Sandwich Shop owned by Mike and Amy Pond was "Jammer's", but  Jammer's Java and Gourmet Sandwich Shop was not.  David, the new owner and sincere Christian brother, made it something different.  Now it's not that different was bad, or the reason for Jammer's closing again, it's just that it was different.

For me, you can't start up a new coffee house with the name Club Cristo, Veritas, The Light House, Daniel's Den and now Jammer's, and think it's going to be the same.  So what's in a name,.. the people.  The people who start up a Christian Coffee house are its name.  I can't think of Club Cristo without thinking about Walt Mead.  I can't think of Jammer's without think of Mike (Jammer) and Amy Pond.

I don't mean to beat a dead horse but the fact is we must support Christian Coffee houses with missions and ministries like Club Cristo and Jammer's Jammin Java.  How many hundreds of people walked into Jammer's during the day to buy a sandwich and some coffee who were not Christians.  Once inside they were ministered to in ways they didn't even notice.  Non-Christians will set foot in a Christian coffee shop, even go to gigs on Friday and Saturday nights but they won't just walk into a church unless they've had a tragedy in their life.  Christian coffee houses are non-threatening to so many people because they don't feel pressured.

We don't know what's to happen to the space which once occupied a place called Jammer's Jammin Java and Gourmet Sandwich Shop but at least two things need to happen if someone decides to open another Christian coffee house in its place.  First, don't call it Jammer's.  It can't be Jammer's and never will be.  Second, the Christian community needs to support it.  Support Christian coffee houses like Jammer's by going there and eating or getting coffee when you're in the area.  There are coffee house in the Tacoma area that I know of that are supported by the church that the coffee house is located in but those coffee house are so much different than independent ones like Jammer's.

Coffee house today, in churches, seem to be exclusive to that church.  They don't bring in local artists, only artists from their church.  They support only that churches agenda and aren't interested in supporting coffee houses like Jammer's.  They truly are not on the mission field like Mike and Amy's Jammer's.  They could be but from what I've seen they're not.  Club Cristo was in the basement of a Methodist Church and it never had that exclusive feel that many, or most, coffee houses located inside churches have today.  I think that's why Club Cristo was so well liked.

Worthy Music Ministries Showcase @ Jammer’s Java August 14th

It was a Hot August Night on Saturday August 14^th at Jammer’s Java in Lakewood.  The Seattle area hit a record 95 degrees on Saturday and around 8pm it was still in the 80’s at Jammer's.  With the doors closed and the fans running throughout the place it made for a very comfortable evening.  Big "T" brought in ice, cold soda and water and we were ready to go.

Once Dylan and Dulcinea Hatch got up to sing Jammer’s went from Hot to Sizzling!  Dulcinea started off their set with a couple of solo’s that presented a new level of maturity for the 15 year old.  Her style, poise and deliverance of each song set new standards for her to reach.

Dylan wowed everyone next with his vibrant Tenor vibrato on a few solo songs but like always their set had to come to a regrettable end. But not without letting us hear their incredible duet rendition of “Amazing Grace”.

Susan Murphy remains a favorite for me.  It’s not just that her voice is wonderful it’s her presentation.  She shares and sings with such elegance.  Susan knows who her Savior is and where her strength comes from.  Every song she delivers is done with absolute sincerity and a desire to really say something to her listeners.  You can discover more about Susan and her wonderful testimony at SusanMurphy.us

Jammer’s is experiencing some very stormy weather in regard to health issues with its staff and as a community of Christian brothers and sisters we need to keep them in our prayers.  In saying that Jammer’s was short handed and to do my part I ran sound.  I was in Sound tech mode and when I got up it felt like all the words to the songs I wrote left my brain and sifted out of every pore in my body.  So you know the saying, “If you can’t say anything nice about someone don’t say anything at all.”

Next was Toyin Adekale (pronounced – toying add-ee-car-lee) who began her singing career at 15.  Taking the reggae scene by storm as a writer, producer and performer her first single, “Lets Make Love” with the Instigators, a North London Based reggae band, went straight to #1 for several weeks. For her complete and exciting Biography go to www.toyinadekale.com.  She shared her wonderful testimony with us and delivered her songs the same way.  Toyin most certainly sang at a professional level but her personal warmth made you feel like she was part of the family.  Her other links include her book “I DO, DO YOU?” available at www.idodoyou.com or www.talithavoices.com .  For information contact:  toyin@talithavoices.com and www.facebook.com/toyinadekale.

I am always humbled when I see and hear a guitarist like Craig Swanby.  Some of Craig’s credits include recording on the third Bullfrogs and Butterflies CD “God is Good”, recording on “The Seattle Jazz Singers” CD “Love bein’ here with you”, in 2005 Craig and his daughter, Emily, were Finalists in the Washington State Christian Talent Contest in the group category and he’s an Associate Pastor at Lighthouse Foursquare Church in Kenmore, Wa.  His deliverance of Jazz, Blues ala Country style music brings a message of Christ that’s uniquely his own.

Finally, I want to give a great big thanks to, Chuck Worthy, our MC for the evening.  Chuck's smooth introduction helped ease the transition for every artist.

www.WorthyMusicMinistries.org
www.jammersjava.com

Worthy Music Ministries Showcase @ Seattle Center - Center House Stage

On August 7th I had the pleasure of sharing the Seattle Center - Center House Stage with some of the most talented Independent Christian artists I know.  This was the first time I had ever been there and it was a real thrill for me.

I'm not sure how I thought the stage would be but I didn't realize it would be so large.  Look at the Sound-man to the left of the stage and you can see this was no cheesy production.  When Worthy Music Ministries produces an event they do it in style.

We even had light above the stage that helped cook us during our sets.

Foxley was first to go on and what a crowd pleaser too.  I think every little one in the place old enough to walk was up in front of the stage dancing the entire time they played.

Bryan (bass and guitar) and Bonnie (lead vocals and keys), Auston (guitar, bass and vocals), Karen (vocals and percussion) and Collin Foxley (drums).

Bryan and Bonnie have been playing original acoustic music together at fairs, coffee houses and community events around the NW for years.  Their CD's, Waterfall and Bonnie Foxley, have received national and international airplay.  You can find my favorite Foxley songs, You loved me well and Jordon, at www.myspace.com/foxleyband.

Foxley was a hard act to follow but I pulled myself together with a few shots of espresso, came to terms with the fact I'll never play the guitar like Bryan Foxley and walked on stage.  For more years than I care to count people have come up to me after a gig to tell me I sound a lot like Neil Diamond so I thought I'd open my set with Neil Diamond's America.  With my wife and I just celebrating our Wedding Anniversary I've had opportunities, like this one, to sing a song I wrote for her called I Can't Believe I'm Yours.

Now let's talk graceful.  I'm a big fan of the art of dance, probably because I can't.  Latterrain took my breath away and made me wish I could glide as gracefully as they do.

This dance group was formed in 2002 and is based out of Auburn, WA.  They are multifaceted, in that they have performed in churches, convalescent centers and street outreach.  They continue to minister the work of God through their dance ministry.  Gail is the leader of the group which includes Paula and Kathy.

My favorite dance (above) was something else to watch.  The vision of their ministry is to ensure they instill a sense of Godly reverence in all of their performances and they did with me.  They ensure their movement and performances are done with a spirit of reverence and are prayerful while they dance for the Glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  "Latterrain Dance Ministry exists to bring praise and worship into the community.  Our greatest joy is to honor our Lord Jesus Christ." Latterrain

Chuck Worthy doesn't just sing a song he wills it.  He paints a tapestry using each note as a color with his smooth vocals as the brush.  As I watched Chuck sing I couldn't help but watch his wife Linda as she immersed herself in his gift of song.

There were 3 or more voices that shouted "Encore" and Chuck gave them He's Been Faithful by Vicki Yohe.  Time ran out but Chuck left them wanting more and that's always a good thing.  You can go to Worthy Music Ministries and find out more about Chuck Worthy and Worthy Music Ministry Showcases scheduled through 2010.

Worthy Music Ministries Showcase @ Jammer's Java

 

Join me at Jammer's Java Gourmet and Sandwich Shop for a Worthy Music Ministries Showcase.  Let's get out there and support Jammer's for giving the community Family and Christian oriented internment.  I hope to see you there.

Special Offenders Unit - Monroe August 8th

Back in Monroe at the Special Offender Unit.  Built in 1980, the year I released my first album.  This time the volunteers joining me were Payton Burkhart & Bonzi Mark.  It wasn't explained to me what the "Bonzi" stood for but both Payton and Mark have a real calling to minister to the men at Monroe.  

I guess there was a baseball game on so the attendance was small, 6 men.  I think the Seahawks were playing so you can't miss that.  Anyway, it's always a pleasure to share with the men about God's Grace and what he's done in my life and what he can do in theirs.  One of the men will be released at the end of August and our prayer for him was that he get into the right crowd and keep the Lord first in his heart.

The building spreads out much more but this is what you see as you drive up the hill.

You can see the main entrance about the middle of the picture and this particular facility sure has a lot of barbed wire around it.  It was cloudy but not a drop of rain too.  Every time I walk into a facility I can't help but think "There but the Grace of God go I."