It may not be rock ‘n’ roll, but the band sure rocks
Over the last several months, I have talked to you about installing worship sound systems, dealing with the church hierarchy, training volunteers, getting paid, etc. What I have not spent any time on is mixing church, gospel and worship groups and going out on the road with a worship band.
So, this month I will attempt to shed some light on these two subjects. I know a lot of you out there have spent a lot of time on the road. For many years, I toured with a rock outfit, and spent as long as a year on the road. However, that was when I was in my twenties and my mantra was the same as most of my predecessors — “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll.” I don’t really have to tell you that those three demands won’t fly with a praise and worship group today. But what I have found working with live worship bands is that they are just as fired up about what they are doing as any rock group. They are just fanning a different fire. Anyway, I have recently begun mixing “out of town” weekend dates with a 10 member pro Gospel band called Firm Soundation, and if you will read on I will tell you all about it.
Early to Rise
A little over a year ago I got a call to supply sound for a wedding. When the band showed up, I recognized the guitar player from a church I had been mixing at, and the drummer was a guy I had played music with a few years earlier. The group played nothing but worship music for the wedding. Everything from current gospel tunes to old black spirituals. The band was really good and lots of fun to mix. As a matter of fact, the wedding was very uplifting, not to mention the rockin’ southern barbeque that was served. Anyway, almost a year goes by and I get a call from Ray Sidney (the band leader) that the group needed sound for a Los Angeles Zoo gig. The same band was playing there for a two-day gig during Black History Month (February). I once again had a great time mixing the group, and I really enjoyed the music. Well, a few days after the Zoo gig I got a call from Ray again asking me if I could supply sound for a handful of out-of-town dates. We worked out the dollars, and I agreed to provide sound and my personal mixing skills. The first show was not to far away at the Pala Indian casino near San Diego. My office is in Pasadena, Cali., so I had only about a two-hour drive. The only thing that is a little different is that I had a 6 a.m. stage call. You see, Ray and his group specialize in performing at gospel brunches. That’s right — you go to brunch on a Sunday and hear some inspiring worship music. So instead of being up at 3:00 a.m. getting in from the gig, I am up at 3:00 a.m. going to the gig. It’s really the same, only upside down.
Road Dogs and Choir Boys
The Firm Soundation back-up band consists of drums, bass, keys and guitar. Some of the guys are old road dogs that found God, and the others are church boys who like to rock. Every single one of these guys is an “A” list player and knows what their instruments are all about. Setting the band up is the same as any group. I mic them up, make them sound great and hold them behind the singers. Ray’s group is all about the singing and the praising and the preaching. I’ve got Ray plus a four-girl-one-guy back-up singing group. The vocals are the most challenging thing with this band. The entire vocal group is pro, and they all have solo songs during the show — but none of these singers have the same vocal qualities. I think Ray picked them because of the uniqueness of their individual voices. This is a great asset during the solo songs but is an equalization challenge when I want them to sound like an angelic choir. I guess if it wasn’t a challenge it wouldn’t be fun. Of course, lots of monitors are necessary up front, but the singers only want three mixes, and the band wants three, so I can monitor from my board. I think the real difference with a gospel group compared to a rock or blues band is the vocals, so they get as much attention as they need.
The other thing that really needs attention is my general language onstage or in the green room. It’s a worship band for God’s sake, so no foul or crude word usage. Besides, there are a lot of women in this group, and they will certainly not tolerate me talking like a punk.
The other thing that I have to get used to is praying before the show or before a meal. I have no problem praying with anybody for just about anything; I am just not used to praying with the band. I’m only a few shows into this new adventure, but so far it’s been a lot of fun. Next weekend I will be out in Palm Springs at a wedding/ gospel brunch double-header. I haven’t decided how far I will travel with this group, but considering all the hell I raised as a rocker, I think it’s a good idea for me to stick with them for a while. It has definitely tightened up my live vocal mixing chops, and it’s good for my soul in general. The only thing that is a little bit of a drag is I am used to getting a cocktail after the show. I never really liked soda that much.
Send your requests to jrio@fohonline.com.
