Saturday, the little group of Bluegrassers Jamison and I hang with played a gig for a ladies day.
Now, this doesn't sound very strange at first read, but this gig was held at a Methodist church building out in Eclectic (close to Wetumpka).
Imagine how backwards it felt to be a bunch of church of Christ guys playing Gospel BG for a room full of Methodists...
Strange to say the least.
A couple of highlights were George Jones (our "leader" of sorts) told the old 3 religion joke where dude goes to heaven, St. Pete shows him a room where folks are partying, he asks what's with them, St. Pete says it's the Baptists...second room same thing except it's the Methodists...third room, though, everyone's dead silent...guy asks why...St. Pete says, "Keep it down now. That's the coCers thinkin' nobody's here but them!"
Second "funny" was when we sang "Angel Band". At the end, we always cut the instruments and sing a stirring 4-part harmony chorus. Clyde Hall (interestingly enough, distant kin to your's truly) made the comment, "That's how you do it church of Christ style!"
Both instances drew chords of laughter...
In any case, it went well. We were complimented repeatedly and fed some mighty fine steaks and chicken.
43 comments:
...and interestingly enough (A kickback to a former blog posting we discussed), the Meth preacher (oh wait, that sounds bad) led a prayer that began with "Lord Jesus". So the question begs to be asked; who do we pray to? God or Jesus?
I'll assume he was praying to both and the prayer started out like this: "Lord, Jesus (Understood 'and')."
Yes, the c of C jokes drew gafaws or laughter. Nothing gets a Methodist to laughing more than a joke making fun of church of Christ-ers.
Side note, Methodists used to worship and do the same 'song and dance' as we do. Their name "Methodist" has a root word of "Method" meaning, they worshipped according to the method set forth in the Bible, like New Testament Christians did it. From what I understand, when they started changing a bunch of things, the c of C was born... but it has been a while since I studied this...
Im just glad george didnt make the racist joke he did thursday night at practice.
I know...When he mentioned Ray Charles' name, I cringed to the point of self-urination...
Again, I thought the prayer to Jesus was cool.
I think prayer to the Father is good, too. Then the Spirit takes our "groanings" to God for us, too.
Man, I'll tell you what, though. Those folks got almost rowdy when this old Guy named Bob sang a couple of tunes...
He did "O, the Land of Cloudless Day" and "On the Road Again".
I thought they were gonna start jumpin' on the tables and settin' the curtains on fire!
Twas fun!
“I cringed to the point of self-urination…” has to be one of the single funniest lines in the history of the blog.
I thin it’s cool that you guys played at a Methodist lunch. Before you know it you’ll be jamming at the Ryman with Ricky Skaggs and Marty Stewart.
You are in Montgomery; a few racist jokes might have solidified your audience.
Also it’s good to have a few secular barn burners in your catalog to get the room tapping their toes.
Good work guys! Jamison have you worked out your solos yet?
“I cringed to the point of self-urination…” has to be one of the single funniest lines in the history of the blog.
I thin it’s cool that you guys played at a Methodist lunch. Before you know it you’ll be jamming at the Ryman with Ricky Skaggs and Marty Stewart.
You are in Montgomery; a few racist jokes might have solidified your audience.
Also it’s good to have a few secular barn burners in your catalog to get the room tapping their toes.
Good work guys! Jamison have you worked out your solos yet?
i play a green valley waltz solo pretty well now, but I am not ready for "the nod" at any gig....
I think you're nod-ready...
I just hope George allows me to keep playing the bass a pretty good bit.
I want to be better at the guitar, but the bass just feels better.
I doubt I'll ever be ready for the nod on guitar. Don't have to worry over it for bass.
I'll sing solo, duo, trio all day, though!
I know money probably isnt flowing from your water tabs, but you should think about saving up for your own bass maybe? Im not talking about one to own in a few months, but maybe 3 or 4 years down the road... Naturally GJ will let you play his anytime you like, but having your own may be a cool goal. Mullins would have let me keep his madolin forever, but I just wanted 'my own' (My own, my only, my precious...)
You are very good at it (Better than the owner of the one you play, in my opinion) and oyu enjoy it more. No sense in forcing yourself to play something you dont love.
Then again, I dont know how much the darn things go for...
George's bass is worth $1100. He only paid $700 for it, though.
He had ordered one and it got broken in shipping. So, they gave him the more expensive one instead.
Anyway, I've considered getting one eventually. I love playing it and I would love to have "my own, my precious"...
$700 is attainable... $1,100 is probably high-end.
50 bucks set aside per month will have you one in a year...
25 per month is one in two years...
Yeah, but having a baby sort of sucks away any extra money for stuff like that.
It's amazing how quickly money goes when you just have one child. It's hard to budget anything with kids since there's so much unpredictability.
But, perhaps in a few years or something I can start trying to put aside more money for something like that.
I'm just afraid with kids getting sick, hurt, needing clothes, food, etc. the idea of trying for something like that is pretty far-fetched.
But, it's life and it's ok...I can wait on a bass...
Maybe I'll get one when I'm George's age... :)
thats why, while you are saving up for it, if something happens you say "Oh well, cant buy the bass" and you do what you need...
this is how larissa and I save for stuff. We put money in a place ont eh budget and watch it grow, if we need it for an emergency, it is there. If it wasnt needed, we buy what we were saving for.
then again, s'your money! maybe we will all get together and pool to buy you one.
HAHHA! Well, that'd be wonderful, but I do think I'll at least try to get one in the next several years.
You're absolutely right about saving and such. Just gotta do the best you can.
There always seems to be something to spend money on, though. So it goes and so it is...
I'm just happy to be playing and singing, though. You and I are especially blessed to play with such a group. It's a hard thing to find.
I loved that story! I love it when people can get together and have a good time despite their differences!
Yeah, it was fun. They were VERY nice to us, too. Afterward, we all sat down to eat the food they had saved back for us.
The guys who had waited on the ladies before tended to all of our requests for drinks, food, desert, etc. The food was GOOD, too!
Wow, Jamison...that shirt. Nice.
I would guess you guys are trying to stay an all acoustic band but have you considered an electric bass. You can pick up a decent amp and an average bass for a good bit less than 1K. I would guess you dads shed would have juice so that would never be much of a concern. Really anywhere you’re going to play these days is going to allow you to plug in. Sipp, you’re a smart guy you could build your own bass amp for a fraction of the cost.
I know the feeling is different, having tried each, but it’s worth a consideration. Plus transport is a breeze. Someday, if you and Jamison decide to branch out into other styles you’ll be ready to jazz or funk it up.
You guys are doing pretty well with the bucks I’d guess and number two will cost some money but I would think it’s reasonable to save enough to make a good Josh purchase.
Jamison’s idea is a good one. If you need the saved cash spend it, otherwise buy the bass once you feel comfortable with the amount saved. Of course you’re biggest issues with two kids is time not money.
Jamison you do know that you’re half way to playing a fiddle don’t you. The tuning is the same all you have to learn is the bow.
For me I’d love to get an autoharp which I priced recently and have decided against because a set of strings runs about $200. So I’m still thinking about getting a hammered dulcimer but it’s on my someday list rather than anytime soon because I’m enjoying pushing myself on the guitar a bit more.
Since visiting I’ve filled out my catalog a bit more and it’s really nice to try and diversify. One of my new favorites is the Beatles You’ve Got To Hide You’re Love Away. That and I know it’s odd but Culture Clubs Karma Chameleon. It’s just a bouncy fun song. I’ll bet the Methodists would have known the words.
I thought about an electric bass, but I think I'll hold out for the upright...
I just have so many other things to consider monetarily. But, it would be fun to own one.
I just have to look at it from a priority and use perspective. I would use the bass for fun, but that's it. So, it cerainly isn't a priority.
To save toward something like that would make me feel weird. If I actually got to the point of having the money and then bought it, I'd feel weird about it.
Maybe one day when disposable income is in plenteous supply, I'll spring for one. But, I'm content to borrow and pick around for now...
I know what you mean Sip.
I have saved up for alot of stuff, and when I finally get around to spending it on what I am saving for, the first thing I think is "Man, we could knock some off the mortgage if I just slap this onto it." or "This would really help us get closer to 3 months of expenses in the savings account, just in case..."
I have admitted at times that I have a phobia of spending money, haha!
But, sometimes I have to think that this is a short life, and in about 365 days, you'll forget about the money you needed or the money you had a year ago. Perhaps when we are old, we may wish that we had bought one or two things "just for fun" that make life a bit more enjoyable or a bit more spontanious.
Certainly the money we spent at Disney world could have been spent to heat the house all winter or cool it all summer, or it could have paid the house payment for 3 or 4 months... but wasnt Disney fun? Heck, to me it was worth more than what we paid! Rachel's loom may have been bought with the explanation "I can make alot of money with the stuff I make on the loom!" but chances are, she wanted it more for enjoyment than a money making avenue.
I used to be a bit of a money nazi back in the day. My dad was the same way when I was growing up and that is why I was that way. Now he has changed, and oddly enough, I have too. We both are pretty strict with our spending, but are realizing that green pieces of paper are worthless unless they are spent on (or saved up for) something.
None of us really care what each others does with our money in any aspect of life of course, but consider this my blog buddies; Saving for something a year or 2 down the road is WAY more responsible than what 80% (or more) of Americans do, and put it on a credit card. At least when you save for something you have no debt, and no interest! And the feeling of buying something after having sacrificed very little over a long period of time is awesome... and knowing it is YOURS!
...except for that Corvette I bought... I had a sick feeling in my stomach deep down the moment I got in it... but it was paid for, paid for by a sucker.
Yeah, I know what you mean and I agree.
I'm just not used to spending money on myself. In fact, I don't like to.
I love to buy stuff for Rachel, Luke, family, friends, etc. I just hate spending money on me.
If I get something I need (clothes, food, etc.), I don't mind, but other stuff, I just would rather not get at all.
But, it doesn't bother me at all. I'm just content with things as they are.
I think I might try for an instrument eventually, but not any time soon.
Perhaps once the kids are in school and we become a 2-income family again, Rachel and I might be able to get some stuff we've wanted.
Of course, by then our desires might be different anyway. Either way, I'm content to wait.
I'm starting to feel kinda bad here because it looks like we won't spend money on Josh. The fact is we can't, and Josh wouldn't be the one to say it on the blog. In fact, I hope I'm not upsetting him here.
We just paid $500 to get surgery for our dog. And $100 to replace a broken lawnmower. We are looking at something like $1000 to pay the hospital when I have this baby. I could say more but finances are a touchy subject. The fact is there is no money to be saved. And trust me, we've shaved the budget in every way possible. I keep up with it every day on the computer, thanks to Larissa for designing a nifty spreadsheet.
Please don't think bad of me for sharing too much, or of us for money being tight. That's the decision we made so I could stay at home and raise our kids.
Thanks, honey.
I was just trying to say that I don't feel bad about not getting lots of extra stuff.
We're content to just be able to live on one income right now.
Having Rachel at home is an AMAZING blessing.
I see how much Luke learns and how much he gains from his Mama and I don't mind money being tight.
Fact is, we'd make the same sacrifice every time.
Don't feel bad, Rachel. I'm not mad.
Thanks for explaining why we do what we do. Love you!
You guys have your plan in place and that’s perfect!
When I hit the lottery, I’ll take you bass shopping. If you don’t go I’ll pick one I like and send it to you to do with what you will.
No, I’ve not bought any lottery tickets, I guess that’s why I haven’t won yet. I’m just saying that when my non playing wins me the cash jackpot expect a package in the mail, a very large package.
Thanks, Mullins!
I'll go bass shopping with you. I'll pick out a maple-laminate with ebonized neck and bridge!
Can't wait!
I've read enough about Josh from his posts at WD that I felt compelled to comment.
Rachel (my eldest daughter's name also) and Josh - you'll never, ever regret not having "stuff"; you could very well regret not having invested the time to raise your own children with your own values.
My Rachel will be driving within six months, and believe you me, I have no regrets for all the things I didn't buy so that I could stay home with her and my two sons. In only three years, she'll be launching out on her own at college, and my time with her will become visits home on breaks.
Some day money won't be tight, and then you can truly enjoy the things you buy, because you've invested wisely in what really matters.
Lisa...You are a wise lady.
Thanks for your words as always. I'm glad you've been stopping by!
Your children are blessed to have you. I'm sure your Rachel appreciates you.
So, how does this fit in morally? Is it ok for you to play christian songs on instruments for a bunch of peopel who live in error?
We've done it numerous times for groups at Dalraida. It's entertainment.
To me, it drives home the fact that so many people have the "entertain me" mindset.
Folks want to be entertained. They want to be an audience. That's why they bring people in to play and sing for them.
If they truly want to praise God, they'll all do it together in song to Him, just like the passages we all know say to do.
We were entertaining those people; nothing more, nothing less.
To continue to play DA, aren't you then bolstering people's entertainment mind set? Wouldn't you do better to not entertain them, but teach them?
Aren't you belittling the songs of faith by using intruments and making them a source of entertainment?
I think you have to consider the context and the climate.
We play our gigs at gatherings for entertainment.
People sit and listen and smile, laugh, dance, enjoy.
It's for fun. It's somewhat, if you'll pardon the expression, self-centered.
That's the dividing line between entertainment and worship.
Entertainment is for people. Worship is for God.
I'm not sure what you mean about belittling the "songs of faith". But, I can tell you that they are sung respectfully and with the tone one would expect.
This is odd, too!
Ususally, it's Brew defending something like this while I pick and prod about it...
We've had these discussions before and I think we all agree that stuff like we do for entertainment has no place in worship.
I love playing and singing, but I would NEVER do it in a worship assembly as the attention would be taken from God and placed on only our band or one person in it.
We are told to worship as one in unity. I'm happy to entertain people and use good, clean, spiritual songs wiwth which to do it. But, worship is reserved for ALL christians to come together as ONE and worship.
Entertainment and focus on people has no place there...
People come to listen to us to be entertained. People go to church to worship. I really doubt they are sitting in church Sunday after a saturday night gig and thinking "Man, this song sure would sound better with a banjo" and if they are, that is an issue they have to deal with themselves. If me playing "Tell it to Jesus" on the mandolin is going to cause them to fall then they arent a strong Christian. I cant take a survey before each gig and ask people if they will fall as a result of this performance.
When we play, people come up to us and ask us to play certain songs, I just think it would be funny if our preacher was preaching one day and someone came up front and said "Hey, preach the sermon about the little blind boy in Africa, that was great!" and the rest of the church claps in agreement...
has nothing to do with our conversation, but funny visual.
The more I think about this the more I really do have some issues with it.
Don't the methodists have choirs and instrumental music? If so then what you did could be very similar to what they would do on a Sunday morning worship service.
They may very well have a band in their worship services playing gospel tunes.
So for some of these methodists your concert could have been more akin to a devotional service.
I wonder if that means you are condoning their belief?
Instead of seeing some nice musicians coming in for a family concert, they could see some nice church of christ men with "open minds" who thin its ok to worship with instruments and fellowship with methodists.
I'm just thinking out loud here, and you boys make up your own faith. But I'm leaning towards that may not be such a good idea.
It was everyone's understanding (audience included) that we were there to entertain them.
If we went and played for a service there, I think there'd be an issue.
They also understood we were coCers and know where we stand on worship and music.
I can understand your reservations, Brew. But, had you been there, I'm sure the fact our gig was just a gig would have been abundantly clear to you, just as it was o everyone else there.
Thanks sip that makes a lot more sense. As long as everyone understood what the deal was.
The only prayer was to bless the food, and we werent even mentioned in the prayer (the prayer to Jesus I might add). The only religious thing that happened was the prayer and a few songs that may have mentioned God, Jesus, or Heaven...
And the lady who rolled around on the floor speaking in tounges when we played angel band....
kidding...
The setting made a big difference, too. The room was set up for a nice dinner, and the band was in a corner of the room playing while we ate. Very un-devo like.
"And the lady who rolled around on the floor speaking in tounges when we played angel band....
kidding..."
Whoa! I had to bite the inside of my cheek and tense every muscle in my body to keep from bursting into laughter over that one...Whew!
Still not as funny as:
" I cringed to the point of self-urination..."
You have me laughing to the point of self-urination, my friend...
Come to think of it, is there any other way to urinate other than self urination? I mean, I certainly can't urinate for you... and likewise, you can't urinate for me.
Well, I mean self-urination in the context of urinating upon myself.
While I hope this doesn't spur a new, out-of-bounds conversation, you can urinate on someone else...
Classic golden shower...
What a beautiful name for something so disgusting...
There shall be showers of ... OK, I'm not going there...
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