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line6bassman
12-18-2011, 08:18 PM
I thought I would start this thread because like myself I know there are some here that spend their time on Sunday are
what ever day it might be doing the church gig thing. ( The paid and unpaid ones ) And there are some super good are should I say great bass players in the gospel, contemporary church song bass players that inspired us when we first started playing are still do. Myself I've been the full time bass player in my church now for going on close to 9 to 10 years and also some other churches since the middle 80's. You don't have to say anything else but as to who may have inspired you in this area and just so we can see some of the greats in this type of music. And also maybe some of the not so known bass players but great all the same.

First the well known bass player that first influenced me the most in the beginning and then a lesser known in this area. First and most to influence me was this man! What a Wonderful person!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TSlAsbgdio&feature=youtu.be

See the 2nd part of this interview at http://www.bassfrontiersmag.com/abraham-laboriel-video-interview

line6bassman
12-18-2011, 08:28 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOoU6-clZP8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBqPbvrKwTc





King of the Groove

East St. Louis’s veteran bass player, John King, took time with Gospel basslines to share from his wisdom and experience. Immediately I felt a connection with John, he is a great guy, and an exceptional bassist.�

Gospelbasslines: How long have you been playing bass guitar?

John King: About 25 plus years, since the age of 11 or 12.

Gospelbasslines: How long professionally? What made you know your were ready to step into the professional arena as a bassist?

John King: At the age of 15 I was introduced to playing professionally in high school. Then I had the opportunity of performing with my high school band directors band Images & Infiniti. So I never really weighed whether or not I was ready to play professionally or not. I was given an opportunity and I accepted it, I embraced it, and learned much from it.

Gospelbasslines: Lot’s of bass players gradually make their way to bass guitar, did you play any instruments prior?

John King: First, I was introduced to the piano. I had brief affair with the trumpet. I had a serious relationship with drums. And then I met the bass guitar, that’s where my focus has been since..

Gospelbasslines: Who has influenced your playing style the most? Why?

John King: I have had numerous of influences, making this a hard question to answer. However, I would say early on it was definitely Stanley Clark. Stanley was doing it all, great upright chops and crazy electric bass skills.

Gospelbasslines: Can you remember any particular concept or element of playing that gave you problems in your maturation process?

John King: Many. I have struggled with how to improve a technique, play a little faster, smoother, cleaner and or etc. Grant it, some problems I had then are not a problem today but in some ways, are issues that I continue to improve upon today. So with every obstacle, concept or element I conquered there’s maintenance and yet another hurdle or obstacle. What I’m getting at is, being a better or a great musician, I think, is a life long maturation process, where with every concept or element conquered there is still work to be done.

Gospelbasslines: Was there ever a time, you wanted to give up?

John King: Sure, there have been times when I wanted to throw in the towel and there will probably be others. But I’m glad to say, I’m yet holding on.

Gospelbasslines: Are there any technical aspects, or exercises you can give to those starting out, that are tangible enough to help them grow as a musician?

John King: Play with all of your fingers on the fret board. Always alternate fingers in the right. Be sure not to hold the bass with your left hand when playing. Find a comfortable position for holding your bass when going from finger to slap style. Expose you ear to as much music as possible. Listen and practice.

Gospelbasslines: Have you had any, Southwestern Airlines, “Wanna Get-away” Moments, as a musician?

John King: I’ve had other get-away moments but this one is the standout. I had a fall off stage during a performance. Fortunately, I was all good. Even though a lot of people saw me fall including the drummer, no one else in the band knew I had fallen. I was behind the other players and I never stopped playing. I was down but not out. I didn’t worry about getting up, I just continued to play and one by one my band mates noticed I wasn’t there, and when they did, all they saw was the bottom of my left foot still on the stage. Could have been worse.

Gospelbasslines: What gear do you own?

John King: Ken Smith 5 string, a pair of Auilar 12″ cabs and an Eden World Traveler Amp.

Gospelbasslines: What has been most beneficial to your growth as a bass player?

John King: First, a great family of musicians and lovers of music. To that I will add … being blessed to have been around some of our areas best. Which allowed me to grow musically in an atmosphere of respect, appreciation and understanding of what power and influence music has and is. This didn’t mean I always got to play but it gave me the privilege of participating form the inside. You knowï¾…up close right in the heart of the action where I was humbled and learned to humble myself to the schooling I was being exposed to.

Gospelbasslines: If you were stranded on a dessert island, and could have 1 song, what would that song be and why?

John King: A Word Form The Lord by Thomas Whitfield.

Gospelbasslines: Has God given you any vision or direction on what he wants you to do as a musician?

John King: Share and be a better example…with I’m sure more to come.

Gospelbasslines: Let us know what’s coming up for John King

John King: There’s nothing major I would like to pub right now. However, I would like to thank you for this opportunity and also thank James Ross for introducing us. Be sure to check out my group Good 4 The Soul at www.good4thesoul.net & www.myspace.com/g4ts. You can also check out my personal page at www.myspace.com/johnpking, my artist page www.myspace.com/johnpking1 and my Fanreach at www.reverbnation.com/johnking.

Shawn, thanks again for allowing me this opportunity. I really appreciate it and look forward to staying up. I have also included a banner code that I would like to add following the interview that will direct people to my reverbnation site where I will posting my music. If you have any problems with it you can also get it directly from my Reverbnation site.

Share and Enjoy:

line6bassman
12-18-2011, 09:03 PM
Andrew Gouche


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhNs4vPcxEo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZKPWbf4CvZU#!

Line6bassman

line6bassman
12-18-2011, 09:33 PM
Norm Stockton


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMyGUEwdtoc&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meWZRR3HhGY&feature=related

Elmeaux
12-18-2011, 11:46 PM
I'm not a church goer, but I always fall for church music.

:D

SilverFlame46
12-19-2011, 06:59 AM
Gospel Music has always been one of my favorites!!!

TobiasMan
12-19-2011, 12:11 PM
Some of my favs there as well, including both Abe and Norm.
Both are amazing bass players.

I have been in instructional sessions with Norm a couple of times over the past few years. I talked to him about his signature MTD bass when I was looking for my fretless. He is going to be at our Breakforth Conference this coming January, where I'm looking forward to attending another of his intensive, all day bass workshops. I am pumped about that! :)
A couple of years ago I watched him trade licks, note for note, with a well known metal guitard (but, not being into metal, I can't remember his name ) and Carl Albrecht (an amazing drummer). I don't think there was anything that the guitard threw at him that he didn't respond in kind. It was amazing to watch the guitard's face as the evening wore on. ;)

I have Norm's multiple DVD, bass lessons tutorial series. They would be fine reference material for a bassist looking for advanced material, but they are not the same, measured instructional material that Roy has produced in TMBG.

DONNIE B
12-19-2011, 04:12 PM
I like that very much. gospel music always makes you feel like home. i love it i find most of it. soothing. I enjoyed the interview very much all so.Thank you very much .line6bassman. always great stuff from you and i for one love your stuff. I WISH to say to you and yours a very MARRY CHRISTMAS.and a HAPPY NEW YEAR and GOD BLESS YAL.

david
12-19-2011, 06:48 PM
Astounding musicianship! Excellent interviews!

line6bassman
12-19-2011, 07:21 PM
I WISH to say to you and yours a very MARRY CHRISTMAS.and a HAPPY NEW YEAR and GOD BLESS YAL.

Thanks!! And may you and yours and all my wonderful bass friends here on Thunder Row have a safe and Blessed holiday in how ever
you may celebrate this time of year!!!

Line6bassman

line6bassman
12-19-2011, 07:34 PM
Some of my favs there as well, including both Abe and Norm.
Both are amazing bass players.

I have been in instructional sessions with Norm a couple of times over the past few years. I talked to him about his signature MTD bass when I was looking for my fretless. He is going to be at our Breakforth Conference this coming January, where I'm looking forward to attending another of his intensive, all day bass workshops. I am pumped about that! :)
A couple of years ago I watched him trade licks, note for note, with a well known metal guitard (but, not being into metal, I can't remember his name ) and Carl Albrecht (an amazing drummer). I don't think there was anything that the guitard threw at him that he didn't respond in kind. It was amazing to watch the guitard's face as the evening wore on. ;)

I have Norm's multiple DVD, bass lessons tutorial series. They would be fine reference material for a bassist looking for advanced material, but they are not the same measured instructional material that Roy has produced in TMBG.

Yes I remember you saying you went to a couple of his sessions ( Norm ) Yes I've been to a couple of his workshops also but he doesn't seem to get down my way to often. Wish I was able to make it to the one your going too you know like financially able HE!!HE!!.

Line6bassman

Bruce Alan
12-20-2011, 08:56 PM
Southern gospel quartet stuff is where I got my start playing bass. Back in '81. Gads, we played so many churches for a few years there all over Kentucky, where I lived at the time. Usually me, a piano, sometimes a guitar, and the four singers. Talk about learning how to fill space with only two or three instruments and no drums. I wouldn't trade those years for anything.

line6bassman
12-20-2011, 09:41 PM
Fred Hammond



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsTkyl5_M8g


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i_VyA5HoBw

line6bassman
12-20-2011, 09:58 PM
Jay Hungerford

Man!!! This guy I wish I could find 100,000 videos on this guy, but can't, this guy when I first heard him from Grace Outreach Church in Missouri made me go buy all the walking bass line books I could find!!!! I love this guy!!

You need to go to his myspace for this one!! Soon as I can change the file type I'll put it up.

Line6bassman


http://www.myspace.com/video/jay-hungerford/andy-firth-ken-kehner-jay-hungerford-joe-buerger/27411608

line6bassman
06-05-2012, 08:43 PM
Sean Byrd from http://www.gospelbasslines.com/


http://youtu.be/AeD-yYRVqXQ

Line6bassman

TobiasMan
06-07-2012, 11:30 AM
Amazing Grace - Very Tasty!!!!

line6bassman
11-24-2012, 10:37 AM
Today's featured Gospel bass player and all around great bass player is Sharey Reed!!! Also a lesson on the song
Thank You.

PS. On the book he promotes in the video I don't promote it in any way and know nothing about it.

Line6bassmanTR


http://youtu.be/j9mjqJFyu8U


http://youtu.be/tC7eX6OgDlo




http://youtu.be/1VPCO56Ktts

These are the lessons on the Song Thank You.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK3M4rp330Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKm2w3KIID8&feature=channel&list=UL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ogl30XfnBQ&feature=relmfu

Bassix
11-24-2012, 12:00 PM
Nice clips, L6b! He's as smooth as smooth can be.

I heard this song on the radio one day and discovered that it was Sharay Reed playing bass...very, very busy bass line, but he didn't play one note too many, imho! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HOBumgvMd0

line6bassman
03-23-2013, 11:46 PM
OK, this section has been quite for awhile so lets see if I can pick it up a little bit for you.
I've been working on are trying to work on a couple of songs you might say the right way and discovered a new
pretty cool bass player in the Gospel, Contemporary Christian field of music by the name of Terrance Palmer.
A pretty smooth great playing bass player I would say! Me and this guy are so much like each other its scary.
I'm not talking about in playing bass but in the way we believe how peoples attitude should be within the group (band)
You can check out his interview below for more on that. Another pretty cool thing I've discovered along the way with
songs like this is, and I have not tried this yet but if you could see the bass players hands and you played along with
him the same exact notes you might just find out that your bass just doesn't sound just right for some reason, can you guess why? Did you guess why are know why? This is what I've learned and was told to me, and that is because
in gospel music are music of this type lots of bass players tune their bass too Bb tuning. So now if you ever wonder are
you catch now why some of the bass sounds deeper are something different about it they might just be tuned to Bb.
Hey!! I've never heard of Bb flat tuning till I started on these songs. So maybe when I can get a minute and can put my thoughts and all that I've learned on this I'll share the full details on it for those of you that have never heard of it.
I've never heard it discussed around here that I know of. Just thought I'd share that little nugget of info with you.
Now on to Terrance Palmer of Israel Houghton and New Breed.

Line6bassmanTR


http://youtu.be/h5WnfCPWLyc


http://youtu.be/7v0s2fh9mik


http://youtu.be/ZXFi6lUUz5s

Here's a little extra bonus for you if you dare.


http://youtu.be/83Dca4aUG3I

PS. A Final PS on this from me, but if anyone on here reads this would anyone on here be interested in learning the song You Are Good
by Israel Houghton and New Breed like the video above? Note for note as close as possible? Don't know actually how I would do this as of yet but maybe a series of very short videos until done. I might even just do it and then when a few are done start putting them up
one by one. So if anyone is interested in this let me know.

Line6bassmanTR

line6bassman
03-26-2013, 11:08 PM
http://youtu.be/jdP0skZudSk

http://youtu.be/PdkntCq-_QI






Interview With Maurice Fitzgerald A Bass Not Played By Hands — interview by Melanie Clark —

Maurice Fitzgerald is a minister of the Gospel.
No, he is not a pastor of a church, although some would argue that his bass playing is as thought-provoking as a sermon.
If you are a fan of contemporary Gospel, you have heard him. If you pay even a little bit of attention to the credits on the top 10, you know him. Having cut his teeth with Dan Willis, honed his craft with John P. Kee, and perfected it with Fred Hammond, Fitzgerald is The Man when it comes to bass players for professional gigs. A great exhibition of humbleness and hard work, Fitzgerald shared with us just how he ended up thumping for a living — and it wasn’t always the bass for him.
“I started out playing the drums at church at about twelve years old. But there was just too much competition —like a hundred drummers and one bass player. So I figured I’d just play the bass where I’d get more playing time! That’s how I really started. I started to pick up really fast, and it came pretty easy. Within a couple years time I was able to play at church.” I grew up in the Apostolic church and [at some point] I met Dan Willis. He was putting together an interracial choir. I went to the choir rehearsal and there were like 5 or 6 bass players. We practiced and traveled with the choir for awhile, then came time to do the first record. Darius Brooks was producing.”

Fitzgerald had practiced and practiced and had prepared for the recording. But when the time came, Brooks decided that Willis’ crew was not ready for the session and brought his own guys in. Fitzgerald was a little hurt, but not discouraged.

“This is the choir I had been traveling with and working so hard with, but I knew he was right. When he brought the guys in that ultimately did the record, I knew I wasn't ready. These guys had a “sound”. They were playing together and it was just awesome!” He observed the professionalism of the session musicians and took note of what he had to work on. The next year, when the time came for the next album, he was ready.

“I was practicing a whole lot and I was working toward being the best at it. I listened to a wide variety of music and it was coming so fast that I figured that was the gift the Lord was putting in me. So I just pursued it like crazy.”

He was at a gig for the second Willis record when Kee first heard him. (Both Kee and Willis were signed to Tyscot at the time.) When Kee asked him to come audition and play with him a bit, Fitzgerald took $400 earned from the Willis job to take a Greyhound to Carolina to play with the Charlotte-based choir. After touring with Kee for a number of years, many began to take notice. Pastor Kee has launched the musical careers of many musicians, validating them by including them in his always-hot band. As tremendous as this experience was for Fitzgerald, life just kept on happening.

“From the time with John, that exposed me to some other artists. At home was I gaining responsibility and [some bills] and I had to broaden my horizons and start doing more recordings. I knew I had to make myself more visible so I could do other work.”

It was at that time that God began to confirm the call that comes with the gift.
“The turning point for me was when I started dating really heavily and started even thinking in terms of marriage. I had to look at the big picture and where I was going as a musician. I knew God gave me this gift and it had made plenty of room for me. I asked the Lord if it was going to be consistent for me to go ahead and get married and take care of a wife with this. Or, was I going to have to work for the cable company and play bass in my spare time.” “I prayed about it and came to a crossroads. I was engaged to be married and I had no regular, consistent gig, and felt like I couldn’t go ahead like that. So I asked the Lord for [clarity]. Through praying and counsel from Kevin Bond, I was really prayerful about it. And then doors opened up. He started exposing me to bigger records and doing stuff with different people and making me more visible. And I did get that confirmation from the Lord. The Lord dropped in my spirit that ‘I gave you this gift and you can definitely live off of it, trust Me.’”

“So I trusted Him, and in trusting Him, doors just started opening up.”

Lately Mo has been playing with Fred Hammond. An extraordinary bass player himself, just to be considered by Hammond, much less ultimately chosen is an honor. To provide the bottom for this bass player’s bass player is a complement that any musician would covet. “I’ve always looked up to Fred and enjoyed his ministry. Pages of Life helped me through my low point. Fred’s record meant so much to me and really ministered to me. I had no idea that a few years later I’d be in the position to be working for this guy. I love working for Fred, he’s your friend. He’s like your pastor, he ministers to his organization. I see God doing humongous things with his career and in his life.”

And things keep getting bigger and bigger for Fitzgerald. So big that artists outside the Gospel arena are calling. While to date he hasn’t done any R&B gigs, he doesn’t consider it to be out of the question. Either way, Fitzgerald knows that his personal relationship with God is what will help him make the right decisions.

“I’m trusting God to work it out. When you work at the electric company or whatever, most of the time your boss is not saved. But at the same time, particularly with music, you don’t want to just play for anybody. The secular arena can be a hostile environment, but you really have to know yourself. It all depends on your relationship with God. He’s been good to me. Ultimately I’m trusting Him wherever he takes me.”

So with a cautious but wise heart Fitzgerald moves on learning more about himself as he learns more about God.

“I grew up in the Apostolic church. There were a lot of things I couldn't do like wear shorts or go to the movies.”
Still, with reverence and respect for the teaching, Fitzgerald learned —partially through his musical development —that there was more to it than that.

“I started to really know God for myself and to gain a clearer understanding of the Word; He clearly states that [He] deals with people’s hearts. That’s why the woman who was wiping His feet with her hair got His attention. All the sanctimonious people were standing around calling her a prostitute, but He felt her heart. She was pouring her heart out to God. None of them were worshipping Him! God deals with the heart and not with rules and regulations. Sure there are things that you know you are not supposed to be doing, but if you are really and truly saved, the Holy Ghost and your spiritual side will let you know —you’ll feel it!” t’s the pouring out our heart to Him that gets His attention, and that arguably translates in music as well. “I go to churches and hear musicians that have ability to play, but they don’t have a passion and a heart for the music or the instrument. That’s definitely something that God has to give you. It’s something that you just can’t teach anybody. Then in other churches, they sound so fantastic and they don’t play for the Fred Hammonds or John P. Kees —they're just in church serving.” Pouring out their hearts whether anyone notices or not.”

And it is usually when we are so deliberately focused on God that people notice.

“It’s so incredible to me that people notice me. I mean I’m the behind-the-scenes guy, and with all that’s going on in a song or on stage, that someone would know my name really trips me out!”

TobiasMan
03-27-2013, 06:05 PM
Great interview and a great spirit there. :cool:

line6bassman
03-27-2013, 10:02 PM
Joel has laid the musical foundation for the brightest names in contemporary worship, including the Rev. James Moore, T.D. Jakes, Beverly Crawford, and Kim Burrell. In addition, he's recorded or performed with popular secular artists like The Jerry Garcia Band, Carlos Santana, Tony Toni Tone, Patti Austin, Al Jarreau, Frankie Beverly, Bobby McFerrin, Patti LaBelle and Michelle Shocked to name but a few. The list seems endless. Legendary bassists Fred Hammond and Andrew Gouche cite Joel as a constant source of inspiration and acknowledge his musical contributions to be extraordinary. Giving back to the community is of utmost importance to Joel. He not only performs and records but also is an established educator in the Bay area. He conducts workshops and gives private lessons.


http://youtu.be/FiQVNKNAHqk


http://youtu.be/mw9uFxNyrog


http://youtu.be/ko829mhfQcM


http://youtu.be/81C5D3XoMNc

Line6bassmanTR

DONNIE B
04-29-2013, 06:55 PM
JIM THANK YOU for putting these up they are very up lifting i love the music. and the word that it brings.it makes you forget about all the things you got going on in your life if just for a little bit . but that little bit helps and it makes you feel better . keep doing what you do my very good friend. and if not every one . some will be thankful for what you do.

line6bassman
05-05-2013, 08:30 PM
Thanks Donnie I know you do!! Appreciate the words!!

Line6bassmanTR

P7eston
05-10-2013, 02:37 AM
There NOTHING better in praise and worship music than a bassist in total praise.

line6bassman
05-10-2013, 11:52 AM
There NOTHING better in praise and worship music than a bassist in total praise.

No doubt about it!!!

Line6bassmanTR