Jesus Joshua 24:15 Newsletter - August 2006

Editor's Lead

"Getting To Know The Band"

1.How many instruments can you play with reasonable skill?

Well thats a matter of opinion.... but I can play guitar pretty well, bass pretty well, drums pretty well and piano a little bit, I am working on violin and the jug.

2.What instrument did you begin on?

A xylophone and then I graduated to the bells. I studied under Lynn Marrow in elementary school.

3.How old were you when you began playing?

I think I was ten.

4.What song, group, or musician inspired you to play?

Led Zeppelin

5.When did you become aware of your need for Christ?

When I was 13 but I quickly ran from God, it wasn't until I was about 20 years old when I made it real.

6.What event or personality prompted your decision to get Born Again?

I was getting ready to die miserably and alone, and God Himself asked me If I was ready.

7.How long have you been with Jesus Joshua 24:15?

Since 1996

8.How did you become in contact with the band when they first formed?

A friend of mine heard that I would only play for a band dedicated solely to doing the Fathers will, and hooked me up with Bobby.

9.What has been the most rewarding experience playing with Jesus Joshua?

Knowing that we have walked where God has ordered.

10.What has been the most difficult experience?

When I was kicked out for being slack toward my commitments.

The "T-Bone File"

Q. Jesus Joshua has been together now for eleven years. What is the key to keeping a band going for so long, in your opinion?

A. Well, I would say a couple of reasons:

1. You need to have vision, or at least grab a hold of the vision presented to you. When Bobby first approached me, after we jammed together (of course!), we spent most of the time talking. Bobby spent a lot of time describing to me the vision that God gave him for this band.
   
   Every detail, from our stage presentation, performance, songwriting, and lyrical content was clearly marked out. Obviously, not EVERY situation was accounted for, but for the most part the plan has not changed, and has been consistent.
   
   What hooked me was that I could see everything that Bobby told me. I felt that clearly the vision that God gave Bob was MY vision as well. I caught hold of it, and I own it, so to speak. So it was easy for me to fall into place.



2. You need to have a spirit of submission. I know that concept is foreign to most musicians, and unfortunately, even foreign to Christians (though it should not be). I think a wise Christian recognizes where the anointing falls. In our band we recognize where the authority is placed, and we want to serve each other. We first purpose not to lay our hands onto things that it is not meant for us to touch. Musicians are well known for their huge egos - and that is including Christian musicians. Well, I personally believe that "ego" is what causes many Christian bands to fold up. Somebody's little feelings got hurt, and so they take their ball and go home. Nobody wants to serve the greater mission of the ministry (and Jesus Joshua IS a ministry). Mostly, we all want to serve God. A spirit of submission to God, the leadership, and each other, has definitely made us a formidable success.



3. The band is family. I am sure that we could all go and do other things; but as I have told Bob numerous times, "Where am I going to go? This is where God has called me." I just cannot imagine going on without these men. We have been through a lot of success together, and like I said before, we share the same vision. We don't all see it the same way, but we share it. I have never liked the "hired hand" mentality for a group. I prefer a shared passion for the same goals. Are there better drummers out there? Perhaps, but I would be hard pressed to find one, and Bob and I share an instinctive understanding of the music and the vision. We enjoy each other's company, and we are fast friends. Are there better bass players out there? If there are, I don't think that they have Jay's musicality. And NO ONE has Jay's knack for positive reinforcement. The guy's a walking compliment! Steve is a gem! He's passionate ad a man of deep integrity. And he always manages to deliver an incredible vocal.
   
   All of these men have a single minded focus to serve God. And, I get to count these men among my closest friends. No, more accurately, my brothers. It has been a great ride with these guys!

Q. Have you always played Christian music?

A. You mean, in a band? Or do you mean in practice? I have jammed with friends and we played secular music. Just for fun, nothing serious. But I have never played anything but Christian music in all of my serious bands. I had just determined to play only for God's Kingdom, if I ever had the opportunity to do it seriously. To this day, I have never played in a secular cover band. Not that I'm against that, but I just never was in a position to do so. And I didn't really want to. I like the music, but I could not reconcile the secular lifestyle that often accompanies it. Why? Do you need a Guitar player?

Q. Being a young Christian and wanting to play guitar, who were your biggest influences?

A. Well, what made me want to play guitar...I mean I HAD to play... was hearing Eddie Van Halen. I liked music, and rock especially. I even liked guitar. But I just HAD to play when I heard Edward. So obviously, He's my number one guy!

I would say that after Edward, I loved Randy Rhoads...well actually, ALL of the Ozzy guitar players. My favorite of them was Jake E. Lee. Personally, I liked Jake better than Randy, but that's just my particular taste.

I would also say that Journey's Neal Schon was huge for me! The boy could play fast or slow, but it was ALWAYS melodic. Plus he had really cool hair!

My other big influences were George Lynch, Michael Schenker and Gary Moore. If you hear those guys, you've basically pinned down my style.

Q. Must have been hard around the house learning guitar in the early eighties considering all the great bands were non Christian. How did your parents feel about it and how much support did you get from them early on?

A. Excellent question, T-Bone! You really know how to get the scoops!

Um, it wasn't really hard, so long as I kept the volume down - Waaay down, lol! My parents didn't really like the music that I was listening to and they would let me know that it didn't suit their tastes, but I already knew that! But I was never any trouble to my folks, so they really didn't interfere. I did get the "Rock Music can't be good for your mind" speech once or twice, but as long as I stayed out of trouble and stayed in church, they tolerated it.

But to be a little more honest, I kept most of what I listened to at a low profile. I mean, I didn't exactly parade my Ozzy cassettes in front of my folks. I didn't play "Bark At The Moon" at paint peeling volumes, just to tick off my folks. You know, I didn't exactly draw attention to who my heroes were. I bought all of my own music, and I didn't ask my folks to buy my music. So I still don't think they realize who I was listening to, and I'm 38!

As far as support for my music, they didn't try to stop me or hold me back - but I don't think that they, even to this day, really understand what I do, and it really doesn't matter to them. They know that I absolutely LOVE the guitar, and they do buy me guitar things (picks, strings, cables), but they would probably have preferred if I was a Praise and Worship leader in some church!

I will say that my Dad and Mom accept that I have something that is wholesome, even if it isn't to their particular taste. But they probably will never roadie for me!

Q. The Time Of My Return was the band's first release, and was recorded two years after the band formed. At the start of Jesus Joshua, what level would you say the band was on for an upstart Christian rock band?

A. If you had asked me that question five or six years ago, I would've said we were on the verge of being the next Stryper! But, hindsight (and experience) being 20/20, I think that we were probably pretty average. But we operated as if we were going to play Madison Square Garden! And I am very proud of that project, mistakes, rawness, and all. It shows what potential we had, and it was the very first time that I had EVER been in a recording studio. Period. I think that both Jay and Bobby had been in the studio before, but I had never been. I dreamed of it, but that was all I knew.

In retrospect, I think that I did well. I certainly was NOT flawless - but the writing was great and the songs were great and I was in awe of the process. It was fun... although, there WERE some frustrating moments during my recording sessions. But that was the result of inexperience on my part, and I wasn't completely satisfied with my sound. But that is because I didn't know how to get a good sound in the studio.

As a band, we really did a landmark recording, at least for us. And I do think that we were way ahead of some of our peers, at least locally. However, our second CD, and the new CD just blow the first recording out of the water in every way!

Q. Jesus Joshua is finishing up their third CD "Three The Hard Way". What have been some key elements to your personal success over the years?

A. Practice, practice, practice; Prayer, prayer, prayer; and Focus, focus, focus.

I also think that having great leadership (and recognizing it) has been instrumental in my personal success. I sincerely doubt that I would be at this level if I didn't have someone who forces me out of my guitar player "comfort zones". Bob doesn't know squat about guitar, except what he likes to hear. So when he's writing songs, he doesn't give two hoots about the technical side of playing.

Of course, that does sometimes tend to lead him to ask me to produce some rather...um... unorthodox things... But I rarely tell him that I can't reproduce what he's looking for unless it requires fingers that I simply do not have! Usually, I try to work out the part until I can play it with authority. And thus, I learn something new!

Now for an answer that has less to do with music. I believe that two other things are also instrumental in my personal success: Being plugged into a Bible believing church, and a faithful, loving wife.

As far as church goes, I believe that in order to understand all of the things that I described before about submission, focus, and vision, a Christian musician needs to be plugged into a good church and serve there. Learn how to get in and serve - face the challenges of putting yourself aside and operating in submission even if it is not what you personally like (I hate P&W music, but I love to play in God's house!). Submission in church teaches you how to humble yourself before God, and loving your brothers and sisters, and being focused on what we Christians are to be doing: Lifting up Jesus before all men!

Now, having a loving, supportive, and understanding wife is indeed a treasure. They are your flesh. They can aid in your success, or your defeat, spiritually.

My wife sees my vision, and understands what drives me. She has learned not to interfere with it, and even lends her hands in service to it. She doesn't always "see" everything, but she has learned to trust my judgment in such matters. And having a good wife closes the door on the enemy, so he cannot hit me in that area.

I firmly believe that many Christian musicians fail because they do not understand the potential for influence that their spouse can have on their successes as well as their failures.

Q. Where to now?

A. Who knows! Personally, I have no inclination to change direction. I think we will continue to get better as a band both musically and ministerially. I think we will play to bigger audiences, and the vision will take on a grander scale. But we will always operate the same way we have for the last eleven years. God is still in charge of this band. We will stop when that is no longer the case. We won't have any choice, really!

We have never been influenced by the fickleness of the world. We continue to operate with integrity and professionalism. We do not have time for the winds and waves of worldly success. If we ever "make it" (whatever that means) it will be because God has made it so and not by our own making. But we have been very protective over this vision, and God has allowed us to keep hands out that do not belong touching it. That way we make the decisions, and we succeed or fail by our own decisions.

Will, thanks for takin the time to talk to us. You gonna see Bobby later on? Tell him I said Duh Huh.... he'll know whatcha mean!

A. Your welcome, T-Bone. By the way, that's a really nice tie!

News and Events

• A Huge "oops!" from the editor:
  
  Speaking of Jay Woody, we neglected to mention in July's edition that Jay was celebrating a birthday on July 4th! Now there's reason to celebrate! Happy Belated Birthday, Jay! Sorry we missed ya!
  
  


• All of the material for the upcoming album release, entitled "3 The Hard Way" is written and arranged. However, not all of the final details have made the album complete, as of yet. The band is working steadily toward a quality project and will settle for nothing less. Although the new CD will be ready very soon, the whole production package has need for further fine tunings to pass the band's standards for quality. As such, the release date may be moved to October 1st. But the band is not content with resting on it's collective behind. Every effort is being made for this CD to be the finest release by Jesus Joshua 24:15.
  
  


• In other news, we are happy to report that Jay has returned safely from a trip with the youth group from his church (Mt. Carmel Pentecostal). They had a fun filled week in Daytona, Florida. Jay reports that not only was there great fun to be had, but God moved in a mighty way in the lives of some of these young people. Jay is doing great with these kids and we look forward to hearing more good reports from him. But more importantly, we look forward to what God is going to do with these kids. And with Jay, too!

Guitar Points from Will

  v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^
1E|-----------------------------------------1-2-3-4-|
2B|---------------------------------1-2-3-4---------|
3G|-------------------------1-2-3-4-----------------|
4D|-----------------1-2-3-4-------------------------|
5A|---------1-2-3-4---------------------------------|
6E|-1-2-3-4-----------------------------------------|

  v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^
1E|-5-4-3-2-----------------------------------------|
2B|---------5-4-3-2---------------------------------|
3G|-----------------5-4-3-2-------------------------|
4D|-------------------------5-4-3-2-----------------|
5A|---------------------------------5-4-3-2---------|
6E|-----------------------------------------5-4-3-2-|

1. Always use strict alternate picking.


2. Maintain the one-finger-per-fret standard.


3. Try to maintain an even rhythm between each note, even when changing strings, and sliding to a new position. To help with that is the next hint:


4. Always use a metronome, or other form of rhythmic constant (such as an oven timer). Set the metronome at a slow, even pace - you're warming up so slow is good. Use one click per finger per fret. Do this exercise for 5 minutes continuous, and your hand will feel all warm. After about a week, move the metronome up 1 notch, and repeat the process.

A Final Thought