He knew me before I knew myself.

Really, someone knew me before I knew myself. I remember hearing that several times while sitting in church. But why did He, my heavenly Father, want to know me first before I got to know me? Did He, know how I would react to things? the problems I would face, the talents that He would give me? Yes, God did know, and yet I was created. He knew all the good I would do, along with all of the wrong I would do. And yet, I was created. Yes, I know I can be stubborn sometimes. Why is that? Because of God's gift of free-will to all of us. I tend to dry out as clay sometimes, that is just when God "dunks" me in some more water lets me soak, and I become workable again.





What does this have to do with playing bass? Maybe nothing, maybe a lot. See as a young boy, I would get into trouble messing with my mom's record player, trying to play records. I enjoyed listening to music, even though I didn't know the words to any songs at the age of 3, I enjoyed the music. Later on in life, I would sit with my mom, and watch American Bandstand, Solid Gold, America's Top 10, or Hee Haw. Hee Haw probably had more inspiration on me, as you would see people like Buck Owens, Roy Clark, and Grandpa Jones, play guitar or Banjo. Then to see other stars like Johnny Cash on there perfoming, whether it was a hit song for him, or a gospel tune. The end of Hee Haw though always ended with a Gospel song or hymn, like "Will The Circle Be Unbroken, I'll Fly Away," or something else.





When I got into fifth grade, I learned to play clarinet. In eighth grade, I learned trombone, and my Junior year of highschool, I taught myself bass guitar. That was when I started learning to play some of the music I listen to then. Heavy Metal genre, was the choice then for me in the mid 80's. But somehow Christ would find his way into my life even then. A couple of schoolmates were talking about Petra. One of them had a piano book, of all of the songs from three recordings, about 30 songs in all. I didn't know church music could sound somewhat similar to what I was listening too. Then came Stryper, and their song "Calling On You." They are a christian metal band that was getting airplay on MTV. This was awesome. I thought that if guys could look like that with long hair, and still be able to serve God, then they got to be cool to listen too.

So these were my early influences of music, it ranges so far, from listening to Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to Kiss and Twisted Sister to Petra and Stryper. Eventually, due to my sister's continual watching of Coal Miner's Daughter, I started listening to select songs of Patsy Cline. I would continually look for more, like Aretha Franklin, Sam and Dave, and Wilson Picket. There are probably more. But listening to songs like R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Think, Soul Man, Mustang Sally, Down on the Corner. What an era of music I sort of, kind of missed. But thanks to my mom, I was able to hear some of these songs. Still what does this have to do with my subject matter I am addressing? I think a lot. See I don't think that God, just gave me any mother, but gave me my mother. He used my mother in shaping me in regards to music. Now, I know that some of my music choices aren't the greatest, some songs I listen to have some deep messages to make you think, addressing the times, when they were release. Others are just a part of my history of growing up.

He (God) knew that music would be a major influence in my life. I know am able to use this talent of playing music or playing my bass, to lead others in worship, preparing hearts to be open for the message which is to follow. Sometimes I will go on a lead tangent, other times I will just play a rhythmn and once in awhile, can get a little "mean". Oh, that is me just having a little too much fun with my playing. This is how I believe God shaped me into the musician I am today, but I don't believe God to be done just yet, because God never stops molding and shaping us into the person He wants us to be.

The Cross and the Bass

This idea came to me while at church on a recent Sunday morning. So now you can tell by the title that this blog has something to do with Church and music, or in particular, playing bass guitar. Yes, I am a bass guitar player. I consider myself average. I haven't played with anyone famous, and I am cool with that. I play bass with my church family, that including my lovely wife Lisa who sings. The purpose of this? Well I thought about chronicling ideas and thoughts while playing bass guitar and doing worship. Bass players or music, whether christian or secular, that have inspired me to try a riff that they have use and incorporate it into my playing. Also with that things that God inspires me with, through the music that is use to lead the congregation in worship. I ask, if you choose to leave a comment, be truthful, be inspiring, be suggestive in who I could listen too, or a particular song.

Jeff Hubbard