Steel Guitar and Contemporary Church Music

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 22 Apr 2005 3:19 am

I played in the worship band at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas for about 2-1/2 years.

Most of the music was what they're calling Contemporary Christian, but some weekends it was big-band style, it might be anything.

One song we did had a steel in the original recording, playing mainly just backup but very pretty. I had been playing regular guitar up to that point, I told the music director I played steel too and could do the steel part, he said great, do it.

When I brought my steel that weekend, the sound guys and other bandmembers made friendly jokes about how we're gonna do some real boot-stompin' music now, or something to that effect, but they were very interested in the pedal steel and excited about it.

I took my S-10 Sho-Bud, they thought it looked beautiful (what Sho-Bud doesn't) and when we did the song, you could see the people loved it, and even the band remarked they thought the steel sounded heavenly. They really loved the steel.

Too bad it was the only song I ever used it there on, everything else was pop or big-band stuff, plus I hadn't played steel in years until that one song, so I didn't push to play it more... If I'd been in better practice, I would have.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 22 April 2005 at 04:23 AM.]

Steve Kritz · Post by **Steve Kritz** » 22 Apr 2005 5:08 am

Just as a side note to a very good topic,if you want to do some solo playing with good quality tracks, contact Ron Elliott, he has a cd available called PEACE IN THE VALLEY. Tracks are backed up by the Jordanaires, tab is very standard, just good ole time Gospel music. As usual, Ron does an excellent job. If your interested, email me and I will send a sample song. God bless you all.....Steve

Darrell Owens · Post by **Darrell Owens** » 22 Apr 2005 5:16 am

Earnest, You asked a good question: "What is "contemporary" gospel music?" I am not sure we can define it, but essentially, it is music other than the "traditional" hymns and "familiar favorites". It is more recent music written with a more "contemporary" theme. The beat and style will be more like current rock and roll than country. Therein lies the problem: Typically, the PSG has been identified as a country music instrument, especially for those who do not know it's potential.

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Darrell Owens
www.darrellowens.com

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 22 Apr 2005 11:08 am

I sympathize Darrel. I quite playing in a local church for the same reason. To be honest, I dont much care for most of the " contemporary Christian" music. The pastor hated country music, but then, he probably had little idea of what real C&W was.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 22 Apr 2005 2:52 pm

Just think, all of those old hymns etc were "Contemporary" at one time. I think churches, like everything else must go through changes and stay up with the times if they want to grow and progress. We have even had some Rap style music at our church. I didn't care much for it, but the message in the songs was good and it was well received by the younger crowd, which will be the church of tomorrow. Just because I didn't care for it, I didn't look for another church to attend.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 22 Apr 2005 3:47 pm

Nicely said, Darvin.

Larry Schubert · Post by **Larry Schubert** » 22 Apr 2005 4:06 pm

I played @ Calvery Chapel OF Santa Maria for about 2 years we played contempoary and a small amount of hym stuff. We were defintly not a cpountry band we had electric guitar from time to time but the bulk of our worship team was acoutic guitar singer bass drums and a female backing vocal. We fel led to go to another curch I have not yet formal joind the worshp team. As I want my wife to be more comfortable before she becomes a "worshp widdow" The worship there is also very contmporary. I haven never actuly playe in a county band only at church. I finde The steel work quite well my new chuch has a bit of a roots rock slant so I fit in quite nicley on steel. I personly and doing exactly what I would want to be doing on my insturment.

Larry Schubert · Post by **Larry Schubert** » 22 Apr 2005 4:09 pm

Darvin I must say I are with you. You put that quite well. I perosonly bleave That God wants it to be fresh and real. There needs to be somethign there for every one.

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 22 Apr 2005 4:10 pm

Darvin: Yes, thats a valid point. Church of course is not about a particular style of music. Ther were other reasons for leaving this church as well. No need to elaborate on that. That would probably derail the subject of this thread.

[This message was edited by Steven Welborn on 22 April 2005 at 05:11 PM.]

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 22 Apr 2005 4:59 pm

What is "contemporary" gospel music?

Jack Shults · Post by **Jack Shults** » 22 Apr 2005 10:05 pm

Hi Darrell,

It was good to see you at the Texas Steel Show.

Things have changed since you and I played in a church in Wichita Falls, back in the late '60s.

I guess I am like most of the other guys here; I have been very frustrated with the changes in the music we have in most of our churches.

At the last church I attended where I played, we did only traditional and country sounding Gospel music. Then a group of new people moved in and just took over and replaced the music with the most far-out contemporary music you ever heard. On one Sunday night they did their thing and I got down with them just to show them that I could do it and they really liked the sound of the steel with their music.

We never went back to that church. Of course, it was because we moved that week.

I believe your question sort of answers itself. That verse didn't say if two or three gather together IN A CHURCH that he would be in their midst; he just said that if they gather that he'll be there. He didn't stipulate that it had to me in a certain place.

When you talk to Billy Fuller, tell him I said Hello.

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Jack Shults
MSA U-12
Evans Amps
Stereo Steel