SKINNY JEANS & THE OLD GUYS

March 6, 2017

In my travels over the last few years, I’m hearing more and more stories and complaints, some coming from very close friends, about older musicians (40 and up), who are getting shunned/ignored from participating in church worship teams. Many churches now, are adapting new/trendy methods to do their worship each week, hoping to appeal to a younger audience, including making sure the ones who sing/play on the stage, fit their image criteria. Unfortunately, many skilled and committed musicians who don’t fit the mold are being thrown aside. Many musicians who have been serving in their local church for many years, or who are newly saved, feel like they have no place to use their God given gifts in the church that God has led them to, because the leadership in the worship team wants younger people. As much as I enjoy a lot of the new songs coming from streams with younger age worship teams, we as the church are making a great mistake in ignoring the older/seasoned musicians, who have a heart to serve with their music gift. Now don’t get me wrong, I realize that not every musician/singer is as good as they say they are, LOL, or many older, less-skilled musicians find it difficult to play a lot of the new worship songs, but there is definitely a right and a wrong process in which we choose musicians to serve on our church worship teams. Believe me, I am super picky about the musicians who accompany me, and over the years where I have served seasons in leadership at a local church leading and being in charge of the entire worship team, I know I have hurt and wounded some along the way because they didn't fit my personal preferences or didn't meet my criteria of skill, because of my (selfish) pursuit of excellence. I can look back now at the age of sixty, and see where I DID NOT always do the right thing, and left someone out who God could have used to help usher His presence in. I won’t be able to hit the undo or the redo button now and fix that; it just doesn't work that way.

Back in the 80’s, I worked in the audio department at a very large TV ministry. In fact, at one time, it was probably the largest TV ministry of its type in the world. The show consisted of a format like a late night talk show, with guests, who were interviewed, plus a full, (very professional) orchestra with a group of six to eight very skilled singers who sang special songs together between the guest interviews. During my time there, I served many, many well-known guests during that 80’s era, making sure all their audio needs were met before they sang or gave their testimony on the show. The process and criteria in which this ministry chose their singers and musicians, was very thorough and super picky. One of the main priorities they made sure of, no matter how talented the applicant was, was that their image/looks before the TV audience, especially the singers, fit their criteria, even more so than the band members. During the time that I was employed for this ministry and served as the Audio Floor Director, BB & CC Winan of the famous Winans Family, were asked to come join the team and be singers on the weekly show. (They were only like 17 and 18 years old when they arrived.) Of course, they went on to achieve great success in Christian music, and also sang backups for many secular artists. There was also another young and amazing singer who applied for a job there too. Her name is Sandy Patti. Sandi was turned down, because at that time, she wasn't slim and trim and just didn't fit the image they wanted for their show. Of course, if you know who Sandy Patti is, you know that she went on to achieve great success as a well known Christian solo singer all through the 80’s and 90’s, filling up large auditoriums every where she performed. Her songs have been sung all around the world.

(Note: I am not telling this story to be negative about this ministry. I look back at that 4.5 year season in my life working for one of the largest TV ministries that has ever been, as a gift from God and a learning and growing place where I grew in Godly character. I learned how to serve people, and was trained to do what I am doing today.)

I am thankful that God does not look at our age and disqualify us when our hair starts falling out, our skin wrinkles, we become overweight, or we aren’t dressed up in the latest styles. I am reminded of Abraham, Moses, and many others in the Bible that God used very powerfully when they were way up in age, to do great, great things. We must as young visionary leaders, reevaluate the way we chose and not chose those in our churches to fill positions, who may be older, less skilled, but have a heart to serve in different capacities. There are many musicians who long to use their musical gift in our worship teams, become part of the sound crew, or who have skills to assist with the media ministry. The bottom line is, it’s not about us, or our personal preferences, it’s about building the Kingdom of God together. Any church/ministry that stifles the gifts in people is building their own kingdom and seeking their own agenda, and NOT furthering the Kingdom of God. Maybe some of those who sing and play their instruments in your worship team aren’t as skilled as you would like them to be, and your worship team band doesn't sound as tight or professional as you would like, but you are making people come alive when you open doors for them to use their musical gifts to minister. (Even if you have do deal with a little ego at times, LOL!) I love pursuing excellence in everything I do, and I teach and instruct other musicians/singers to sharpen their music skills as much as they can, but the church needs to stop throwing aside those that God sends us who are servants, mentors, and even Fathers to younger musicians. The kingdom of God is filled with all ages and all colors; let’s purpose to hear God’s heart and release people with their gifts, young and old. Let’s build His kingdom together, even if we don’t all wear skinny jeans. :)

NEW WORSHIP MUSIC VIDEOS!

May 29, 2014

Hi Friends,

I just recently began recording some new (simple) Worship Music videos that I would like to share with everyone. This is a brand new direction for me, mainly because I have not had many oppourtunities or the environment, to produce any of my songs in a video format in the last few years. My vision for these worship videos is to create a new outlet to encourage personal worship for each of you, but also to take advantage of the open door that is available on YouTube, Video and other Internet outlets. I am praying that these worship videos, will reach into the hearts of many people who would not normally attend a church or come to a Christian concert. Who would have thought that just ten years ago, we would have the opportunity to share the Gospel to anyone, anywhere, throughout this world, totally Free of Charge!

In the coming weeks, I am planning to record more of my original worship songs and hopefully, add some extra musicians and increase the quality of each video production recording of my songs in an outdoor setting . If these songs really minister to you, please feel free to share the links with your friends, or post them on Facebook, and Twitter. I would also love to hear your comments and feed back if any of these songs brought comfort or encouragement to you. I pray you will be refreshed by each song and that you will be renewed to the wonders of Jesus and the beauty of His presence.

He is Good!

Don Gatlyn

NEW SONGS/NEW TREASURES

April 16, 2014

Over the last few years, I have been writing a lot of new songs that I’m very excited about and hope to record on a new studio album in the very near future. Many of these songs were birthed out of quiet times with the Lord, personal times of worship, or just reading the book of Psalms. I have also been experimenting with some new chord fingering structures on my guitar using duo capos, open string tunings, and breaking away from my normal/comfortable patterns of playing. I sense that my writing and playing has taken some totally different (good) turns musically that has stretched my ability, but has made me more proficient, and has perfected my skill as a musician, worship leader, and artist.

I have decided to open up my heart and share these treasures to everyone who will take the time to listen. Most of these songs are just raw (low quality) song demos I recorded using my iPhone Memo App. Some of these songs are just quick tracks of my vocal and my guitar, while others were recorded with me jamming with my drum machine and my little electronic vocal harmony pedal. (It’s like having my own backup singer in a little box, lol!) Out of all the many songs I’ve written in the last few years, I have selected 12 songs that I have edited into short tracks. As you listen to each excerpt, I would love to hear your thoughts and comments about any certain one you really liked or were touched by. In the coming months, as I prepare to record a new studio album, your comments and encouraging thoughts will help me better decide which final songs I will choose to record. I will also keep everyone posted of any news concerning a date set to record a brand new studio album. Enjoy the songs and be very blessed!

"Dance The Night Away" (0:43)

"Holy Spirit Come" (0:53)

"I Love To See You" (0:38)

"You Are Beautiful" (0:52)

"I Am In Love With You" (0:43)

"Dance With You" (0:52)

"Amazing Grace" (0:47)

"In Your House" (0:53)

"You Came" (0:49)

"You" (0:55)

"You Are My God" (0:56)

"Joy Comes In The Morning" (0:59)