WHAT I'VE LEARNED AS A MUSIC DIRECTOR

I've been playing music for over half of my life now. I've played with Grammy award winners, lyrical geniuses, and I've also played with people just picking up a guitar for the first time. That said, most of my career as a musician, I've been far from the best "player" on the stage. I remember the first time playing guitar for 5000+ people at the age of 23, so nervous because my guitar part was starting the song. We started the song three times, and on the third time, our keys player took the part and played it for me(thank God). Two years after that, I wasn't much better, I had just gotten resigned, and I found myself in a music director role at one of the largest churches in America. I was in way over my head, and I was still the least talented player on most of the platforms I was playing on.

Fast forward to present day, April 29th, 2020. Still one of the least talented players I know... but 100% ok with it. How did I get here?

A few things I've learned along the way.

You don't have to be the best, just the most prepared. 

What did I know walking into the first day of rehearsal as the music director? I knew that nothing I did musically would impress anyone. They were far more talented than I was. So, I impressed them with my preparedness. Not only did I learn my parts, but I learned all the parts. That didn't mean that I could play their parts, just that I knew them I knew what they were supposed to sound like, suppose to feel like. I knew where the song needed space, and I knew how to create it. I knew where the song needed energy, and I knew how to create it. I learned the language that each player needed to use to be successful, whether that was talking music theory with a bass player or boom baps for a drummer. After a good amount of time with these players, I soon gained their trust and respect not for my musical abilities, but because of how prepared I was to lead the team. These players, these friends will always hold a special place in my heart for allowing me to grow and lead them even though I may not have been as talented.  

Good players, better humans make the best team.

That Thing You Do, arguably the best movie ever to have been made. Lenny, TBP, Guy, Faye, Mr. White, we could all be best friends. Now, who are we missing? Oh, that's right, the talent(as Mr. White would say)... Jimmy. But as we all know, Jimmy was a terrible human. The lesson here is that you don't build teams with a bunch of Jimmy's. Though he was definitely the most talented, he was just the worst. When building teams, I looked for good players but even better people. You're spending hours upon hours with the people, and the last thing you want is one person screwing up the vibe and culture you're trying to create. That one "Jimmy" has the ability to totally throw off the team.. Find the "Guys" in your sphere of influence and invite them in. Guy was no slack and could definitely hold his own. You want people who are talented but humble. You want players who come prepared and have great hearts. These are the people you build teams with, and they're not always going to be the most talented, but I promise you'll enjoy your time much more, and you'll last a lot longer than a one-hit Oneder. 

Be a learner and find someone you trust you can learn from.

I was lucky enough to find some guys I really looked up to early on in life. Not just guys who were crazy talented, but guys I wanted my life to look like. They spent time asking about my life and also spent time teaching me the ropes. One of the most influential people in my life was Brian Sites. One of the most talented musicians I've ever played with, but more than that, one of the best humans I've ever known. Though we probably spent too much time playing cornhole and Rat on a Scooter, we spent way more time talking about life and playing music together. He invested in my life in more ways than one. He taught me how to own mistakes, be a better husband, invest in people first, why 3/4 and 6/8 are NOT the same, how to play piano, and how to lead a team. These are the types of people you learn from. He once told me that we were "kindred spirits," which I had to look up the definition to later. Though we got along amazingly well from the start, we became kindred spirits because I was trying to match my spirit for life to his. 

If you're a young musician looking to make a life as a music director or just a member of a team, I hope you found these things I've learned helpful. I could write a book talking about the things I've learned, but I'm way better in conversation. Reach out if you want to talk, I'd love that.