This is a letter from my mentor Mr. Anthony King. Anthony is a very respected musician nationally and internationally.I felt that this letter need to be shared with the fam. I hope this will help clear the air in wake of the comments made about Gospels Chops by a few well noted musicians who I respect and enjoy. I hope this isn't taken the wrong way.
Hello Darrin J.
I want to thank you for sharing with me the heated debate going on in the Learn Gospel Music website. I've read most of the comments and there are some good points on both sides.
What inspired me to write this letter was the interview for the Gospel Summit, I’ve read the interview and the question was “Any advice for the younger generation?” the first couple of replies we’re what the question was all about and then it goes straight to attacking a very honest and inspirational website Gospelchops.com.
Let us not forget the name of the company GOSPELCHOPS.COM! It’s not gospelpocket.com, gospelgroove.com, gospelr&b.com! It is about chops but it goes much deeper then that and has a much more valuable impact in the global market then most of you know.
I’ve interviewed Gerald Forrest for two international publications and the original concept for Gospelchops.com was to create a website for church musicians to exchange ideals and offer tips on playing for Sunday service, everything from Praise and Worship, to supporting the sermon. If you look at the first few video post you will find clips on how the musicians apply certain patterns to church service and some of them mention the musicians they we’re inspired by to come up with some of the ideals they demonstrate.
Let me share with you of how much an impact GOSPELCHOPS.COM has had for me and the drummers who come to me for advice from everything like endorsements, business, equipment purchase and much more. In 2006 when the Shed Sessionz DVD was released I was able to advertise this DVD in a National Brazilian Drum Magazine and because of this DVD the many young Brazilian Gospel drummers we’re finally able to not only see how the drummers in America are playing but also learn how to improve and develop as young musicians. I’m not suggesting that only playing chops is the best way, I'm saying that if it attracts the youth and brings them to God and keeps them off the streets then what’s wrong with that?
It is my belief that if it we’re not for Gospelchops.com putting Gospel drumming on the map then the chances of Modern Drummer Festival having a Gospel Drummer Summit would have not happened or they could have invited other Christian drummers who play to much larger congregations but play much more reserved and more of a Pop/Country style; after all that’s still Gospel music isn't it?
As far as the NAMM situation goes, I’ve been attending since 1990 and in the 17 years I’ve been going there has been no change at all! I see Rock Drummers jamming, Latin Percussionist jamming and after all that's what NAMM is about "demonstrating new product. I was for the first two years of attending NAMM one of those guys sitting my butt down at every booth I could trying to get attention and endorsements just like the young guys today. There is nothing wrong with that except that when you have endorsements and you play other brands I feel its disrespect to the companies you represent and sets a poor example to the younger musicians who see this as a way to get attention. As I was blessed to get endorsements I stopped jamming at booths unless I’m invited to perform and then at this time I notify my companies and friends of such event. I see large groups of drummers going from booth to booth trying to out play each other and I’ve seen and heard certain drummers encourage this approach so this is why I was shocked at the comments made on this interview because is what was said good for some and not for others?
I’ll close with this comment: Gospelchops.com is a blessing and we should encourage them to continue spreading the positive and inspirational word through music. At some point chops have to take a back seat to musicianship, heck in a way the drummers who over play keep some of us older guys working so Thank you Gospelchops.com and Thank you Learn Gospel Music.
Anthony King
