Worship Band Formation for Church Booking - LA, OC, IE

Glendora CA

Description

I am looking for other musicians to start up an alternative-styled worship band for the purpose of providing music for local churches that do not have live worship music on Sundays. Essentially, I hope to form a worship group that is contemporary but utilizes ambient effects, sweeping melodic arrangements, acoustic folk "campfire style" worship, and modernized hymns (that do not sacrifice the original melodies). Here is where I am coming from: • I play guitar (acoustic, electric acoustic, electric, 12-string), bass, and with some preparation, banjo. On electric guitar, I love to utilize pedal effects to add texture, melody, and atmosphere. Also, I can sing with good tonality, crescendo, and decrescendo, allowing for both lead vocals and backup vocals in a group setting. I would love to find players that could also sing so that we can harmonize and I can rest my voice a bit in the set-list. • I have recently served as an interim pastor that also led worship for a couple of years, so I know how to navigate this world, and I know the need of many churches that are spending Sundays together singing along to canned computer programs, creating a terrible and depressing “worship karaoke.” A live band (that is not corny) satisfies a longing for a real worship experience for these folks. • I also have years of secular experience playing in five-piece or six-piece alternative rock bands (drums, bass, two guitars, keys, etc.). • Currently, I have collected a songbook of around 45 very powerful and melodic worship songs, but there are many great songs popping up all the time that are perfect for this type of endeavor. I am looking for you to: • Have the willingness to agree to a very basic statement of faith that lands somewhere within the pale of Christian orthodoxy. • Know your instrument well (not offering God something that did not cost you). • Not be cheesy or take yourself overly seriously—instead, have taste and humor. • Be willing to learn songs, help with musical arrangements, help with networking, and possibly contribute to writing some worship ‘adjacent’ songs. • Lend to group cohesiveness, not prone to division or negativity. • Understand the art of playing well while “getting out of the way” of the worship experience. If this sounds interesting to you, throw me an email! Music samples, pictures, gear lists, and further information are available after your initial response, but I would encourage you to respond to this first with those items. Talk to you soon! j