I, on the other hand, am cool-challenged. Occasionally I dream cool, but then I wake up and there’s no cool to be found.
I was recently invited to participate in a recording session at a Nashville studio. Because I work hard to keep my musical skills hidden, I was humbled by this surprise request.
The studio was filled with talented artists. They were experts at percussion, guitar, keyboard, arranging, sound mixing, producing and vocals. Stars and future stars surrounded me.
While all these artists excelled, my contribution was a bit more important than theirs.
I was personally requested to pick up lunch.
Scoff if you like, but had I failed at this, the team might have experienced a low-energy crash. This would have damaged their “sound”.
You see, in recording business, it’s all about having the right “sound”.
For you novices, I don’t mean “sound” in the generic sense, as in a collection of notes randomly tossed together to produce uninspired noise.
I’m talking about “sound”, as in distinctive, toe-tapping, soul-filling, leap-to-your-feet, sing-out-loud, add-to-your-MP3, replay-in-your-head-all-day musical genius.
That’s exactly what the team achieved, especially after lunch.
At this point I should probably mention that my daughter and son-in-law are two of the artists involved in this soon-to-be-classic recording of hit songs.
OK, they are the main two artists.
But musical genius is musical genius. I can’t help it if we’re related.
My contributions to the team were not limited to getting lunch. My other job was to sit silently on a stool while these pros laid down the tracks. Fortunately, I excel at silent stool sitting.
I did come to one deeply personal insight while on my stool: I will never be musician-cool.
Musicians all seem to have the cool gene. They own cool gear, think cool, act cool, dress cool, and talk cool.
I, on the other hand, am cool-challenged. Occasionally I dream cool, but then I wake up and there’s no cool to be found.
The cool musician talk was the most impressive. They use words like diamonds, bars, channels, dubs, overdubs, outros, and fill. Then they all nod in agreement and rock to perfection.
I didn’t have a clue what they were talking about, but I felt cool-by-association.
For you sports fans, you’ll be happy to know musicians trash-talk each other just like the in the NBA. They are constantly offering to slow down their pace so the other musicians can keep up, or play over their mistakes. At least I felt connected on the trash talk.
As to my future in the music business, look for me under the “food roadie” credits on the CD. With a few breaks, one day I hope to rise to “director of munchies”.
Reflective Thought: Singing a New Song
I’ve always loved music, but unfortunately, I’m as tone deaf as a hound dog. This is ironic because my daughter and son-in-law are gifted musically, my son excelled on his high school drum line, and my wife has a wonderful voice.
Then there is me, a guy who couldn’t find a note on a song sheet. But in a way, I’m the most fortunate of all because I am the recipient of everyone else’s music-making skills.
When I first started attending church, I would not sing. Much of that was because I was a new Christian and did not know the songs. But even as I grew comfortable in my walk, I was too self-conscious about my voice to sing aloud.
Then one day we were studying Psalms and I discovered that by holding back, I was robbing God of his rightful praise. The evidence was pretty clear:
Psalm 66 tells us to “sing the glory of his name”.
Psalm 98 tells us to “sing to the Lord a new song for he has done wonderful things.”
Psalm 100 tells us to “worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
Psalm 101 tells us how David promised to “sing of your love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing praise.”
What’s more, it became obvious that God hears my heart, not my voice. Although the “joyful noise” I make on earth is American Idol reject material, it resonates in heaven.
So now I sing in church, although I stay a few decibels below the crowd. The result, I hope, is that my worship is more personal and honoring to God.
If you are holding back during worship, you might want to practice now because we’ll be singing for eternity in heaven – the real and final Music City.
Forever is a long time. I’m really looking forward to heaven because there my voice will finally blend.
Revelation 5:13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!
