Guest Post, by Jonathan Welch, Summit Worship Team
Calling all music addicts! If you listen to the radio, frequent various shows, enjoy open mic nights, buy music of any sort, or if your iPod is now a part of your physical body. listen up! I need your help.
Here's my question: How would you describe the music of Raleigh-Durham? Let me briefly explain why this question is significant.
Scripture teaches us that we should use music to worship God. Yet, God's Word does not include specific instructions about what type and style of music to use in the church. So, churches around the world put their worship on display with different instruments and various styles. Music is an integral part of culture, and I think that the musical style of Christian worship should be a reflection of one's particular cultural climate. This is directly related to God's commands for humankind to subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28) and cultivate Eden (Genesis 2:15).
Out of this (and as a result of the creative music from Advance 09), I've been stuck on the question-What is our music? I've had a few conversations about this recently, and no one has given me a clear description. I've lived in Durham for seven years, and even I have trouble describing the music of RDU. Now, let's get this straight, I'm not necessarily asking for your individual music preference. I'm also not asking all of the theological geniuses out there to give me theories about what style of music is most biblical or godly.
Here's what I want. Think about the popular concerts that hit the Triangle every year. When you talk about music with your friends, what bands dominate the conversation? What local artists best exemplify the music culture of Raleigh-Durham? After considering such questions, post some comments with your answers!
Alright. Here's your chance, RDU. let's hear it! How would you describe OUR music? The worship staff at the Summit will undoubtedly benefit from what YOU have to say. I'm looking forward to reading your comments!
Dad of one of the kids on Sam’s baseball team is a total Parrot Head. Urban and Adult Contemporary seem to be edging out Country in the Raleigh market.
I live just outside of Durham in Creedmoor.
I like listening to, in particular order, Soujourn, Lecrae, Hillsong United, all the SixSteps artists (Tomlin, Crowder, Kristian Stanfill, Christy Nockels, etc), John Mayer, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Skillet, U2, Maroon 5, Norah Jones, Caedmon’s Call, Phill Wickham…
Hmm, this list could go on for a while.
Some local talent I enjoy listening to are Daniel Renstrom and the Shelly Moore Band.
*that should say “no particular order”
Really good question. Facebook’s a great place to look to see what everybody thinks their favorites are. The interesting thing is most folks seem to have taste that runs from country to classic rock to hip-hop & everything in between. (I even saw a few Hannah Montanas out there, go figure). RDU is really a collections of lots of different folks from all over. Seattle may be known for its “grunge”, but in this area we are much more like a buffet. Seems like in church, even if we are current, lots of time its all the same. I really think its the variety people crave…
RDU has a very diverse variety of sub-cultures and I think people’s musical tastes are just as diverse. But through almost all sub-cultures, the American consumerist mindset dominates people’s approach to the arts; whatever is popular elsewhere in the U.S. is, in general, going to be popular in RDU. By far, the most popular musician to come out of RDU in recent years is Clay Aiken. I think that says a lot about what kind of music we value in our area. RDU is not like Nashville or Seattle, where a particular style of music is universally celebrated as being our own. We’ve adopted the popular music mindset of the rest of the country and generally listen to what’s popular (or what was formerly popular) on the radio or on TV.
That’s not to say that there are not any region-specific styles of music that are getting any attention out there. Among North Carolina-specific styles of music, certain flavors of country, folk and bluegrass come to mind, as well as “beach music”, and NC can probably claim some credit in birthing the “southern rock” genre. An example of quality local music: The Carolina Chocolate Drops are a relatively successful local band that has embraced North Carolina’s African-American musical heritage. (http://www.carolinachocolatedrops.com/)
Some other questions; do we has a church have a responsibility to help “teach” our congregation how to appreciate the arts beyond what they experience in popular media? If so, how do we do that? What should our role be in supporting local arts?
I would humbly suggest that the music of my generation (18-29) in RDU is largely divided between 3 groups.
1. Hardcore/punk (less punk), the music of teenage middle class rebellion.
2. Hip-Hop, the language of the fatherless (white or black)
3. Indie-Alternative, the music of us “post-moderns” (whatever that means).
I can’t speak to older demographics as I’m still in the demographic I just described…
Compeltely unrelated but I know you watch the Colbert Report–can you do a post on what you think about the Illuminated Bible from that Sweedish Guy he had on there? http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/229640/june-04-2009/dag-soderberg
Here’s the link on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Illuminated-Book-New-Testament/dp/919766944X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244571164&sr=8-1
the avett brothers are huge in this area and are only getting bigger. weekend excursion was huge with the college kids til they retired.
Where does Scripture teach us that we should use music to worship God? If we are going to get literal with the Old Testament, then Psalms 81 and 98 mean that if we aren’t busting out the harp and lyre we aren’t doing what Scripture says we ‘should’ do musically. Seriously though, is there any mention of musical instruments in worship in the New Testament church? I know of none, just of singing. Is it possible that too much emphasis is put on musical playing and style in many churches today?
I don’t think we “should” have music involved in worship, I just think we “can” have it if we want to. It is not forbidden in New Testament worship, but it isn’t even mentioned either. So I think it shouldn’t be central to church worship. However, in the minds of many churchgoers, if not of much of church leadership, it seems to me like music is very central. Immense resources are spent on equipment, musical practice, and training. The band is put front and center, and I honestly think more people pay attention to them then they do the sermon afterwards.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against church music, and I love the music and atmosphere of worship at the Summit. I just think God would rather hear a room full of just voices that are singing sincerely then the best worship band ever playing the most culturally relevant style to a room full of slightly participating, yet adoring, fans.
All this to say, if it were up to me we’d be playing the ‘Best of the Brother’s Johnson’ CD each Sunday morning. If I couldn’t have that, I would dig something a cappella with a little bit of rhythm in the background. Maybe a latin feel. A lot of people are coming here from Mexico, after all. Play me a samba!
Carmen. Saddle up your horses.
In the secular devil-music genres:
One-Republic / Sister Hazel / Daughtry
Some version of Billboard Top 100 Rock. Like another said, what is popular nationally is popular here.
RDU is currently still developing a national identity.
I think our church has a great opportunity to use music in a way that puts God’s glory on display in RDU. Without changing its message, we can present the Gospel in a way that effectively engages our culture (like Paul did in Athens in Acts 17).
Perhaps there are better ways to do this than relying on Chris Tomlin standards. I like what previous comments have said about exploring diversity in sound… I think there is something really attractive about acknowledging the unique sounds of NC’s folk roots, indie scene, and growing international communities. However, to do this in a way that is not cliché or a caricature of genres is difficult. Consider developing a standard sound first, and then gradually incorporating some of these elements.
Primarily, I would recommend Coldplay as a model for a sound that can evoke a deeper emotional response for a widespread RDU audience- their music is complex and emotionally colorful yet anthemic and accessible. (Hillsong United is a good worship parallel to Coldplay’s sound.) I also know that for many fans of Dave Matthews Band’s music, the band’s musicianship and creativity resonate as almost a spiritual experience. Additional sounds to consider exploring for an RDU blend: the sophistication of Nickel Creek, the familiarity of Jack Johnson or 90s pop rock, the energy of Mute Math for the evening campus, the intimacy of Sufjan Stevens for slower pieces, and the occasional blues influence of Ben Harper or Robert Randolph.
Locally, I think The War (formerly Starting Tuesday) typifies an RDU sound, and the Urban Sophisticates offer a soulful flare in the form of a great horn section. Try out some of these sounds at Pandora.com and see what you think. Hope this helps!
JD,
I’m not sure that this question can be answered. Especially not by the niche that is “blog readers”.
I feel that it should be said, however, that whatever the Summit Worship team has been doing since we’ve been attending (Jan 09), they’ve been doing it RIGHT. The Summit’s worship is phenomenal week in and week out “as is”…***insert an old saying here like “if it ain’t broke….”.
My 2 cents for whatever it’s worth.
One thing I think we need to consider is the ability to appeal to a wide array of people in our music. Obviously you can’t please everyone, but I think it’s very dangerous to try to define a certain kind of music and make a band with a “name” & identity as the guy from Mars Hill said you should do. There may be an individual niche of people who like that music, but many others won’t.
Somehow, I feel like we’ve found a style and song selection at Summit that has a pretty wide appeal. Yes, each campus is slightly different and might draw a slightly different crowd, but all seem to aim for a broad appeal.
It would be impossible to literally be “all things to all people” in the music we play, but it’s something we should strive for–diversity of believers in our church (just as Hybels has said he would have sacrificed numbers for diversity if he went back and re-started Willow Creek).
We are doing things pretty well right now. We have tons of room to improve (I can say that because I play sometime). But we shouldn’t forget that whatever styles we choose, there are many people with different cultures coming to our church (young/old, black/white, professionals/students, etc.). It wouldn’t be a bad idea for all of our teams to attempt diversity in music and do a little bit of Tomlin, some hymns, some REAL Gospel, some Brooklyn Tab, hard rock, and why not even the funeral-dirge that Mars Hill played for us last Friday–who knows that it might reach some people with the Gospel?
A lot of younger people around here enjoy the musicality of Widespread Panic, Phish, Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, Blind Melon, Allman Brothers, Particle, Perpetual Groove, etc… “jam bands”. I think it’d be cool to let the music stand on its own sometimes… with no words sung to it. Good music should be able to do that. Let people dance and sing/pray to themselves. That would be sweet.
Also, a drum circle with some praise/prayer songs on top of it would be an exceptionally unifying and spiritual experience.
I wasn’t originally from this area, so before I moved, I thought of Raleigh/Durham as a blues/jazz/soul place. Living here for two years, I see the obvious hip hop dominance, but I see a lot of indy rock growing in popularity as well.
I think it would be great for The Summit to host someone like LeCrae or Tedashii. That could get a lot of people into the church.
Yes I second that about hosting people like LeCrae, and a little off the topic but anyone who is interested check out this site. crossoverchurch.org its a “hip hop” church in florida, just seems like they are doing great things too, and reaching the unreached with the gospel and still looks to be very diverse.
Third on getting Lecrae to the RDU area.
As a former/(sort of) current youth pastor I’ve found that the dude has a 100% return rate on getting young people excited about Jesus!
I personally like a bit of everything – salsa, reggae, jazz, classical, hip hop, rock, indie, electronica, okay, not so much country! My iPod is totally a kaleidoscope of genres. When I moved here 19 years ago, country was all over the radio. Now, I’ve noticed that there are several successful stations that play a wide range of stuff from the 60′s thru today. I think that indicates that most people appreciate, or at least tolerate (oooh, the T word!), a wide range of stuff.
We’ve been attending the nite campus and REALLY appreciate the band, and the fact that we sing new stuff, and not a narrow rotation of ‘standards’. We totally loved when you did a stripped-down, beat box and accoustics nite. I encourage you to keep mixing it up and introducing new music and styles. Music has a way of connecting all that we are – body, soul and spirit – to God in worship. It has a profound impact on my ability to focus and worship God with everything I am. You and the pm band are very much a blessing to me in leading me to worship in “spirit and truth”. Keep up the good work, Jonathan!