Piano Man

Piano Man

 

Sing us a song, you're the piano man - Billy Joel

Remember that song? I love to hear him sing it.  I love to play it and try to sing when I can.
I thought I would give you a peek into the life of a musician.  Maybe a week's worth.

Why?  Well, I'm always curious of how other people do their jobs.  I mean, don't you wonder what goes into a Doctor's day?  or a Lawyer?  or someone who makes widgets? Aren't you curious?  I am.
So, let me explain a bit of what I do "for a living."

 

I'm a Piano Man who serves his church as their Worship Pastor.  For some of you, just understand that I work with people and lead the singing!

I remember when I was a preteen my piano teacher, Mrs. Ruby Ford, gave me a piano book for my birthday or Christmas.  On the cover it showed a cartoon-like drawing of a young boy [this was in the 60's] sitting at a piano.  There were other young people around him.  He was the star of the show.  He was making that party happen.

When I got the book I never could identify with the boy on the cover.  I was shy, a little withdrawn.  But, I was also a ham.

I remember when I turned 5 years old singing and dancing to an Elvis song and making the grownups laugh, smile, and clap for me.  It was pretty sweet to have that kind of power over other people.  Wait.  I was only 5.

So, through my years of childhood I took piano lessons.  I didn't think I was very good.  My teacher offered my "talent" to a senior citizen Sunday School class.  I think I could only play two hymns, and I might have butchered one of them!  When I learned some more they had me back.  I would play, maybe not very fast, and they would sing.  They were happy to have a youngster in their class with them.

In my teen years I learned to play the guitar and helped form a Folk Gospel group called H.I.S.  We would sing at various churches in south Texas and special functions like a Valentines Party.

While in college I majored in Music and Bible.  Upon graduation I've been working with a few churches and have enjoyed helping people sing and worship their Lord.  It is a privilege.

OK. Back to my week of what I do.

Someone asked me recently, "What do you like best? The guitar or the piano?"  I said, "Yes."  I like them both, but the piano is my first instrument.  My mind "thinks" piano more easily that guitar.  But I love to make a guitar sound sweet.

My life verse from the Bible is Psalm 89.1 - I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, with my mouth will I make know Thy faithfulness to all generations.

Here is a week in the life of a Piano Man:

•  Sunday, arrive at church at 7:15 am
• 7:45 worship team rehearsal
• Sunday School - monitor the sound system and plug in some last minutes changes to the presentation software
• 10:30 lead the worship service [the musical part - I don't preach]
• Sunday lunch with the Pastoral Staff welcoming new members
• Monday - work on planning the songs and worship team members for the next month, write emails, work on other administrative things
• Tuesday - Rewrite two songs for the band and vocals

• Be the Piano Man for the Celebrate Recovery worship time

• Wednesday - Staff meeting, work on music for Wednesday Night Bible Study.  Finish one of the songs that I was working on.  Send out on email.  Make adjustments to the web page.
• Thursday - struggle with new presentation software building song base for Sunday's song - pick up the bass player from the University, practice with the worship team from 6:30 - 8:00.  Take bass player home.
• Friday - day off. Not really.  I'm on vacation next week, so I've got to go in the office and get some things ready for next week.  Then I'm playing the piano at the Skirvin Hotel from 5-7.  Then I'm going to the Cupcake Lounge to support our worship team as they play and sing there from 8-10.
• Saturday - some extra time at the office to finish up and be able to leave town.
• Sunday - it starts over.

I know this was kinda lengthy.  Sorry about that.  I guess I should've made it two parts. In my spare time I blog, as you are reading now.  Please click on the link below the photo for more information.  Blogging to Change Lives.  My music, my life, my blogging is to enhance those around me, sharing with them the Good News found in the Bible.

 

So, this Piano Man is very fortunate to make his "living" doing what he loves.  Isn't that what it's all about?

 

Chuck Whetstone Empower Network