Guitarist, Phil Keaggy, in concert at Topeka Bible Church - Sat, Jan 23 at 7:00PM

I'm pumped about world famous guitarist Phil Keaggy coming to our church Saturday, January 23rd. The concert at 7:00PM will be $15 advance tickets ($18 at door) - tickets will be available soon at Lifeway Christian Store or Topeka Bible Church. And there will also be a FREE guitar clinic the same day from 3PM to 4PM. If you've never heard Phil Keaggy play - watch Phil Keaggy master the guitar here.

If you've never heard Phil Keaggy play...see him on this video...

You would have cried too...

Simply beautiful.

Video of two worship bands synchronized playing in different locations at the same time

Here's a quick new of this last weeks rehearsal with the Main Auditorium (MA) band and Lower Auditorium (LA) band.

Searching music with Google just got easier

This will change how we search for music online. Thank you, Google.

Worship Tip and Rewind: November 1, 2009 #sundaysetlist #sundaysetlists

(If you are reading this in your RSS feed, then you'll want to hit the actual site to catch the video.)

Topics in this week's worship tip & rewind:

• find a way to communicate to the entire worship arts family
  
• out of sight, out of mind
  
• getting hit by a bus (do your job and replace yourself)
  

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Set List:

• Beautiful One (Hughes)
• Our Great Savior (Prichard, arr. Cottrell)
  
• In Christ Alone (Townsend, Getty)
  
• How Deep the Father's Love (Townsend)
  
• How Can I Keep from Singing (Tomlin, Redmen, Cash)

Watch/listen to last weekend's message

Links to other setlists:

• Fred McKinnon
• Rick Kirkpatrick
• Twitter #sundaysetlists or #sundaysetlist
  

Fun with a Burger King straw

Thinking about putting together a Burger King band.

Worship Tip and Rewind: October 25, 2009 #sundaysetlist #sundaysetlists

(If you are reading this in your RSS feed, then you'll want to hit the actual site to catch the video.)

Topics in this week's worship tip & rewind:

• boundaries (maintain healthy ones to be in it for the long haul)
  
• Country Music weekend, yeeeeeeeehaaaa
  
• how God has blessed TBC with musicians (so many and so varied and so skilled)
• 3rd hour botch (but the band didn't flinch)
  

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Set List:

• Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee - Beethoven (arr. Gill, Hobbs, Bannister)
  
• I'll Fly Away - (arr. Jones)
  
• Just a Little Talk with Jesus (arr. Jones)
  
• Anywhere With Jesus - Towner (arr. Gill, Hobbs, Bannister)
• You Are My King - Foote (arr. Robinson)
  

Watch/listen to last weekend's message

Links to other setlists:

• Fred McKinnon
• Rick Kirkpatrick
• Twitter #sundaysetlists or #sundaysetlist
  

CCM video with 3 million hits

Almost 3 millions views. Thanks Joyce Jordan for the video library you send me. ZAP!

Worship Tip and Rewind: October 11, 2009 #sundaysetlist #sundaysetlists

(If you are reading this in your RSS feed, then you'll want to hit the actual site to catch the video.) Topics in this week's worship tip & rewind (have two separate roles on stage - worship leader & band leader, put vocal team/choir in columns in front of mics). Get past the dork and listen to the content.

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SET LIST:

• Today Is the Day > Brewster
• Sing To The King > Foote, Home
• From The Inside Out > Houston
• You Are My King > Foote
• I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go > Roun­se­fell, Brown, Prior

Watch/listen to last weekend's message

Links to other setlists:

• Fred McKinnon
• Rick Kirkpatrick
• Twitter #sundaysetlists or #sundaysetlist
  

How and Why to Use Click-Tracks in Worship

If you are looking for the 100+ library of worship click tracks and audio loops - click here. But if you've wondered what in the world the musicians are listening to in their ears... read on. You can listen to an example of one of the custom click/loop tracks we used this past weekend at TBC for two of the songs (Sing to the King + Revelation Song). You'll hear click/cue track on the left (sent to the musicians' in ear monitor) and the loop/ambient track on the right (sent to the front of house system). By the way, a thank you to John Bowes for loaning me the eBay special electro-harmonix "Voice Box" he temporarily bought - very nice vocoder effect on Sing to the King. It's the "robot voice effect" you hear on the chorus.

WHAT is a click-track? A click-track is a metronome beat that follows the tempo and time signature of a song.

WHY use a click-track? There are a number of great reasons to use a click-track.

1. The tempo remains steady through the entire song. No fudging. Makes rehearsals less of a headache. No more comments like, "Hey, slow down...this ain't no freight train." "We are slowing down...speed up."
   
2. The tempos from rehearsal to worship are consistent.
3. Frequent use develops a sense of inner beat among musicians.
4. Musicians know at what tempo they'll need to play their intro, riffs, outro (especially the drummer).
5. There's no annoying "drummer-stick-click" - an' a one, an' a two...to get the song going.
6. If cuing is used, the vocalists can sing the beginning of each section with confiendence - rather than wondering (do I come in now...how about now...now?).
7. You can flow from one song to the next with no dead time - smooth patching of music sets.
8. You can sync up to a music video anytime you need to or want to (iWorship DVD sets, audio loops & click tracks, or a custom video that needs to have the band synchronized, or even synchronize two bands together).
9. Your band will be set for the recording studio when the time comes.
10. You can put together a 3-story drive-in light show with live musicians in windows who can neither see or hear each other in separate rooms.
    

WHAT is a loop? A loop is extra "spice" on top of what a drummer is playing. Sometimes it's a repeatability beat pattern with a high pass EQ. Sometimes it includes synth and other ambient "icing on the cake" elements that augment the band (and difficult to reproduce in real-time, unless you are an Ableton Live freak on the stage).

WHY use a loop? It can bring studio production elements into a live music setting with ease. It also can augment your band if you are missing an instrument.

There are some cons to using click/loops. You can lose of spontaneity (unless Ableton Live MIDI triggering is used), or you might have a drummer with their time keeping pride, or the time it takes to learn/train, or even the monitoring system it costs to make it happen. But that's for another post. If you've got questions about click/loops, let us know - we live with these clicks/loops on every song and every week. Many musicians have been saying, "I'd never go back now that we are here."

Monday Music: Kid Shreds on Accordion

I don't care if you don't like accordion music - this kid is a-maz-ing. I've never heard Vivaldi's Summer from Four Seasons like this. I love how the kid simply looks off to the side like what he is doing is no big deal.

Monday Music: Phil Keaggy

I don't know anyone else who can make a Symphony out of one guitar...other than Phil Keaggy. Phil is a master musician. Aren't you amazed at how God has designed Phil with his body, mind, and soul to create music that points others to the Creator? Be amazed. Be very amazed. There's no greater purpose than to play for the King.

Make sure you watch through the 4:30 mark, his layering is spicy.

Worship Tip and Rewind: September 20, 2009 #sundaysetlist #sundaysetlists

VIDEO EDITION:
If you are reading this in your RSS feed, then you'll want to hit the actual site to catch the video. Topics in this week's worship tip & rewind (empowering others, orchestra, micing a guitar amp in isolation, virtual sound check). Get past the dork and listen to the content.

SET LIST:

• New Doxology with Baba O'Riley patch > Ken, Psalter, Miller
• Your Grace Is Enough > Maher
• From The Inside Out > Houston
• Your Name > Baloche, Packlam
• Friend of God > Houghton, Gungor

Watch/listen to last weekend's message

Links to other setlists:

• Fred McKinnon
• Rick Kirkpatrick
• Twitter #sundaysetlists or #sundaysetlist
  

TBC Worship Rewind: September 13, 2009 #sundaysetlist #sundaysetlists

REWIND:
If you missed this past weekend at Topeka Bible Church, then you missed a hilarious drama written by our own Steve Larson. What a great way to kick off Jim's sermon series on MythBusters. If you missed it, you'll have to watch the video.

The "Vocal Team" led worship this past weekend at Topeka Bible Church. I absolutely LOVE these weekends when every TBC vocalist leads. Having 50 singers on stage belting out harmony on the chorus begs me to sing. If you missed it, you'll have to wait until October 8th to see them again.

Most churches would call this group their "choir" - but I don't. Why don't I? It's because of the stereotype church choirs have these days. Believe me, this is not a stogy group of people. They are full of life, sing with gusto, and sound like a modern worship choir. They are THE vocal team at Topeka Bible Church. In fact, it's the ONLY vocal team at Topeka Bible Church. All singers are selected based off their participation in this group.

My favorite part of the morning was the 4th row back who LED ME IN WORSHIP. You know who I'm talking about...that row of four African Americans put me to shame as they led me. If you guys are reading this, you know who I'm talking about. Love it! If you do that again, I'm laying my guitar down and coming out into your row.

We sang a new song (for us) called "From the Inside Out." This song has been around since 2005 and very popular among other places of worship. I had a new vocalist in the Vocal Team suggest the song - so I put it on my iTune "Suggested Song" playlist. After listening to it, the words really impacted me. Remember, the most important part of any new worship song is the WORDS. Check them out.

"From The Inside Out"

Verse 1
A thousand times I've failed
Still Your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in Your grace
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never-ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

Chorus 1
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never-ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart
Is to bring You praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out

Verse 2
Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing You praise
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never-ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

Misc 1
(PRE-CHORUS)
In my heart in my soul
Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

CCLI Song No. 4705176
© 2005 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity's Hosanna! Music)
Joel Houston
For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License No. 21985

Watch/listen to last weekend's message

SET LIST:

• Sweeter > Houghton, Houghton, Ratcliff
• You are Good > Houghton
• From The Inside Out > Houston
• Mighty to Save > Feilding, Morgan
• The Solid Rock > Bradbury

Links to other setlists:

• Fred McKinnon
• Rick Kirkpatrick
• Twitter #sundaysetlists or #sundaysetlist
  

Rehearsal Expectations

As the Vocal Team, Orchestra, and other groups get started in several weeks, I wanted to review an expectation that I have for every person showing up to rehearsal. The expectation goes like this: Come prepared (having your part already learned). That means if you are a vocalist, you better know your harmony part on the chorus BEFORE rehearsal. If you are a drummer, you better know the INTRO pattern on the song. If you are a guitarist, you better know all the chords before rehearsal. If you are an audio guy, you better know where that instrumental solo happens before rehearsal. Remember, rehearsal is RE-hearing something...not on the spot learning. Most do an excellent job of this, but I do know when you show up unprepared.

What are indicators that I see when someone HAS NOT prepared? Here are some:

1. You don't have a clear and confident knowledge of how the melody or chord structure goes. (Use the music/recordings in advance to have this in the pocket before you show up.)
2. You didn't know where the solo was. (I look at the instrumentalist or audio guy and we blow right through it, don't use the excuse that you were paying attention to something else.)
3. You have a lost look on your face. (Worship leaders [each of you] can't lead if they need to follow someone else.)
4. You ask me, "What am I supposed to sing on the chorus?" (Individual vocal parts are all available via www.planningcenteronline.com, if you have problems...call me before the week of rehearsal.)
5. You ask me, "What feel are you going for here?" (It's on the recording you had access to for the past 3 weeks.)
6. You mention some excuse, "I was simply too busy." (You could have called me in advance to say I should get someone else, or you should do a better job of not over-extending yourself.)

What are indicators that I see when someone HAS prepared? Here are some:

1. You know exactly how the melody or chord structure goes, enough to take risks and make a little mistake here or there.
2. You not only knew where the solo was, you nailed it.
3. Your face displays a confident look. You are leading yourself and the worshippers instead of following.
4. You might say, "I really enjoy how the vocals sound on the chorus."
5. You might say, "The recording has this type of feel, but what do you think about this type that I worked on as an alternative (then demonstrate it)."
6. You called me a week ago and said, "I know I accepted the invitation to sing/play 4 weeks ago, and you even got me music 2.5 weeks in advance, but I've had some major unexpected changes in my life - I need to decline, can I make some phone calls for you?"

If we come to rehearsal prepared, our relationships will become more important than the music. That's the end goal.

TBC Worship Rewind: August 30, 2009 #sundaysetlist #sundaysetlists

Rewind:
Big day at Topeka Bible Church yesterday. We had our normal 5 worship hours (3 locations), then add the Discovery Day tent, then an evening baptism at the lake with 20+ people making a public statement to follow Jesus. Personally, we had a wedding that our kids were flower girl and ring bearer in, so that was Thursday/Friday. It was a big week and weekend.

I learned that musicians/techs function differently in the AM verses PM. Don't all of us? With a unique Saturday rehearsal, I was toast when I walked in. So were others, including the pregnant singer with morning sickness. I function better in the PM rehearsal on Thursdays. Glad that's our regular routine. Now to take care of Sunday AM...what about a Saturday PM?!?!? I'd be in heaven.

Pick easy/familar songs when you have a late rehearsal (or a freak "no rehearsal" at all for some reason), that is if you are used to rehearsals advanced of Sunday. I've wondered what this senario would look like?

SATURDAY
Rehearsal 3pm - 5pm
Dinner with musicians/techs 5pm - 6pm
Worship 6pm

SUNDAY
Sound check 7:40am
Worship 8am, 9:30am, 11am

What do you think? No rehearsal Thursday, just Saturday...then roll.

Watch/listen to last weekend's message

Set List:

• You're Worthy of My Praise > Ruis
• Jesus Messiah > Tomlin, Carson, Cash (Ed, not Johnny) , Reeves
  
• Oh the Deep, Deep Love > Music by Kauflin
  
• O Worship the King > Chorus by Tomlin
  

Links to other setlists:

• Fred McKinnon
• Rick Kirkpatrick
• Twitter #sundaysetlists or #sundaysetlist
  

TBC Worship Rewind: August 16, 2009 #sundaysetlist #sundaysetlists

Rewind:
Our add-on instrument in the Main Auditorium (MA) this week was an Accordion [and piped down to our synchronized location in the Lower Auditorium (LA)]. Now, don't think that accordion music is strictly for German polka worship. Emmi did a tasty job of playing with the rhythm section. It was also nice for me to hand up the guitar and play B3/keyboards for this week. Finally, the song "Hungry" is new for Topeka Bible Church. While the song is 10 years old and some of it's popularity has faded since the Passion movement, the song is new in our eyes. If you think hymns or other songs that are years old are out-dated, think again. Many older songs resonate with today...sometimes the style of music simply needs a little updating. And sometimes, they are fine all by themselves.

Watch/listen to last weekend's message

Set List:

• Beautiful One>Jeremy Camp
• As the Deer (funky version)>Paul Oakley / The Maranatha! Singers
• Better Is One Day>Elroy Mihailov
• Hungry (Falling on My Knees)>Kathryn Scott
• Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)>Chris Tomlin
  

Links to other setlists:

• Fred McKinnon
• Rick Kirkpatrick
• Twitter #sundaysetlists or #sundaysetlist
  

TBC Worship Rewind: August 9, 2009 #sundaysetlist #sundaysetlists

Rewind:
This was a fairly "normal" week for us. It's nice to have a "coast" week where we can re-group and launch some creativity in the future.

Watch/listen to last weekend's message

Set List:

• All for the Glory of You>Mark Harris
• Take My Life>Chris Tomlin & Louie Giglio
  
• Hungry (Falling on My Knees)>Kathryn Scott
• The Power of the Cross>Keith & Kristyn Getty
• Indescribable>Chris Tomlin
  

Links to other setlists:

• Fred McKinnon
• Rick Kirkpatrick
• Twitter #sundaysetlists or #sundaysetlist
  

Cat performs the "CATcerto" - worth the watching

Someone said there is no new music...while theoretically that's true, I haven't heard a cat arrange the music like this before. Imagine a concerto written around what a cat has played on a piano. Brilliant! If you haven't seen this "Cat-certo" - it's worth the entire listen. Thanks to Joyce Jordan for passing this along to me.

TBC Worship Rewind: July 26, 2009 #sundaysetlist #sundaysetlists

Rewind:
Tried something a little radical this week - the weaving together of several songs (read medley). I know, sounds weird on paper, but it works. But what did you think?

Watch/listen to last weekend's message

Set List:

• New Doxology>Gateway Worship with Baba O'Riley>The Who
  
• The Power of the Cross>Keith & Kristyn Getty
• Medley: Your Grace Is Enough>Chris Tomlin with Victory in Jesus>Public Domain with Carry On Wayward Son>Kansas
  
• Mighty to Save>Hillsong

Links to other setlists:

• Fred McKinnon
• Rick Kirkpatrick
• Twitter #sundaysetlists or #sundaysetlist