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The Most Gratifying Time I've spent in a long time

Guest JackButler

By Guest JackButler
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Guest JackButler

Guest JackButler

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I need to share this with someone or I'm gonna burst...

Not too long ago I was put in charge of developing a music program for my church's High School ministry..the goal was to develop a band much like the one that I play in.. but made up of high schoolers to play for high schoolers.. after weeks of cattle calls and calling and knocking on doors and collecting numbers and addy's..I set out to do this with 11 kids...a few had sang in chorus and a few had played in the high school band..most just in the bedroom..the ones that played in high school bands were/are horn players and this was to be a "rock" project..

so after putting them together and most of them not knowing each other and not having any chemistry to bounce off of...I made charts and cds for these kids and we set out to learn songs..develop some chemistry and whip this into something that resembled "a band".. I've sat back and watched these kids develop over the last 4 months into a real group..not just a bunch of people who meet to play and then go their seperate ways..but friends and family.. kids that have each others back when one of them is having a rough time of it..kids who help each other when one is having trouble getting their part up to speed..no egos..but there's even stage presence in the performances..they range in ager form 14 to 16..and they can seriously rock..I've seen them learn a song on a Monday in 2 hours and get up in front of a crowd and pull it off on a Tuesday the next day..I took this on despite the fact that it paid nada..I figured..well, first ..its kids..and any of you that know me..JB is all about the kids and music..I thought it'd be this cool little side project and that would be it..you know..a happy diversion..

Now those of you who have worked at any kind of youth (church or otherwise) project know that for the supervisors and for the participants its usually mostly thankless work.. its kids.. and most of it goes un-noticed until there's some award function and then everyone gets warm and fuzzy and then uts forgotten about again..I've sat back and watched how hard they've worked and the hours they've put in and how far they've come..and how outside of our group not much gets noticed..so I decided to suprise them tonight and serve them a holiday dinner at rehearsal..so ..put the kids on the bus this morning and got things cranking in the kitchen..I managed to make a couple of pecan pies, a batch of cookies and pan of dressing, a turkey and some gravy between 8am and 3pm this afternoon..got the kids off the bus and loaded it all into the car and off to the church we went..

Now..I know that we've all seen and heard and talked about and experienced obnoxious teenagers..and I know that even the most gentle spirited teen is still a raging mound of hormones just waiting to test the limits and boundaries of everything and everyone.. even at church! LOL!.. some of this kids heard about this project through word of mouth and didn't even really attend any kind of service before being in this group.. but.. I took these kids into the room where I had all this laid out for them and just did my best to convey to them how proud I was of them and how thankful I was for all their work and what they had accomplished as musicians and as people..there wasn't a dry eye in the room.. these were the most humble young men and women I've ever had the chance to be around..it was more than even a band..it was family...all from different parents and backgrounds and economic situations..but it was family in the purest sense.

Now I'm not wanting to post this for any slaps on the back or whatever.. I just want you who read this to know that I see hope..not only for music..but for people and hope for a future..it was right up there with watchng my kids come into this world..it was absolutely beautiful.

Sorry for my ramblings..I just got bck from this and put my three to bed and I'm too wired to settle down for the night.

oh...yeah...I almost forgot.. my lead guitarist, Becca (girl), plays an import flametop standard.. and a slammer strat,,and my bassist, Ally (girl) plays a import Hamer bass as well..so there's the obligatory Hamer content.

Happy Holidaze, blessings and in the words of the Ozman.."I love you all".

BCR Greg Veteran HFCer

BCR Greg

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You are one cool guy, but I'd never say it in public.

Love you back, my brother.

Guest pirateflynn

Guest pirateflynn

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Way to go...........that's really cool!

Jeff R Veteran HFCer

Jeff R

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Nothing as gratifying as reciprocating and extending the difference we make in kids' lives beyond those of our own.

Many of those kids, statistically speaking (baiting Mike Lee and JohnnyB), got more out of their time with you from an artistic and creative standpoint than they would have got at home.

Job well done, Kev. Be sure to post an mp3 for us all to enjoy when it's time.

cmatthes Veteran HFCer

cmatthes

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Man, reading that made my day somehow.

Thanks for what you're doin', man.

ZR Veteran HFCer

ZR

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"School of Rock part 2"...starring Kevin!!!!!

That's just too cool, man!!

tafkathundernotes Veteran HFCer

tafkathundernotes

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"The Force is strong with this one"

There's nothing more gratifying than reaching children - especially when you get them to recognize something greater than themselves. Even for a moment...

Nice work Kevin :angry:

Caddie Veteran HFCer

Caddie

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Kevin, deep bows to you and your new band. You and the band have "raised the bar" for us all.

Merry Christmas

Noonan

marcus2 Inner Circle

marcus2

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For as postive and important of an experience it was for you, it was even more so for them.

I wish more adults would have the energy and trust in kids to invest in their future the way you do. That alone goes a long way.

Nice work.

Marc

Bruiser Brody Veteran HFCer

Bruiser Brody

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Nice work Kev!

Hey..before anyone thinks that the younger generation is abuncha lazy kids..think again. I've been up in Dallas lately and checking out the music scene and have really been blown away. I gotta say the metal scene in Dallas is really booming with 18-25 y/o kids playing good songs, solos, good stage performances, the whole thing. Deans and Kranks dominate the guitar side and the influences of these kids..Sabbath, Slayer, Pantera, Metallica, Iron Maiden is undenied..these kids have been doing their homework and ALOTTA woodshedding.

tafkathundernotes Veteran HFCer

tafkathundernotes

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Technically, there are a lot of days you do your job for free. Look at your paycheck - seem like something's "missing? Those are the free days. :angry:

MCChris Veteran HFCer

MCChris

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Technically, there are a lot of days you do your job for free. Look at your paycheck - seem like something's "missing? Those are the free days. :angry:

Ummm...are you aware of how much boo-teek gear this dude buys? LOL

Good on ya, Jack. Nurturing the young'uns who appreciated it was easily the best part about putting on all-ages shows.

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