I was talking to a young brother the other day and he asked me about my influences in music. We also talked about how I felt about going on stage, how I prepared and so on. I hadn’t thought about these things in quite a while. As we talked, I compared what I did as a musician to what I do as a minister.
My musical influences were varied. At 4 years of age, I saw Sammy Davis, Jr. and from that point on, I wanted to be an entertainer. Around 7 or 8, I heard Albert Ammons play “Swannie River Boogie” and Erskin Hawkins play “After Hours” and I wanted to play piano so that I could play those songs. I learned how to play piano, but, never really learned to play those songs. From watching Little Richard and Victor Borge, I saw that it was possible to be entertaining and funny while playing piano. Listening to Ramsey Lewis taught me how to arrange for small groups and to make them sound larger and fuller as well as how to get the most out of each instrument in the group. I learned chording from Horace Silver. Though he wasn’t a piano player, Mongo Santamaria was a tremendous influence as I picked up on his conga rhythms and translated them to piano. From Ray Charles and Nina Simone, I learned how to go beyond just playing a song or reading a poem. I learned to tell the story in the music and poetry.
These influences added to my own thoughts on music, entertainment and leading bands produced Charles Perkins the musician and entertainer. I practiced to improve my craft. As often as I practiced, I don’t ever remember practicing one time to be bad or lousy on stage. I always practiced to give a good performance, so I always went on stage assuming that most of the audience would enjoy the show. After all, that’s what I practiced for. I was never intimidated by who went on before me or after me. I knew that there were pianists who were better than me and groups that were better than mine, but, when I went on stage, none of that mattered. When I went on stage, the stage was mine. I always figured that if I did the work at practice, I would get the reward of a good show on stage. That’s why I never needed drugs to play. Playing WAS my high. I had fun on stage. My band had fun playing with me. The audience had fun being a part of what we experienced together.
When I performed, it was all about my preparation, my skills, my performance, my confidence in my abilities. I knew that if I brought it to the stage like I was supposed to, everybody would go home happy. When I became a minister, it was no longer about me and my talent. When I go to preach, or teach a Bible study, I still prepare as much or more than I did playing music. But now, it’s not about my preparation. It’s not about my ability to preach or teach. I don’t have to “win” an audience over or come up with a “hook”. I don’t even have to convince anyone that what I am saying is true. In fact, there is absolutely no pressure on me at all. When I share God’s Word, IT’S GOD’S WORD!!! It’s not my word. I did not write the Bible. He did through His chosen prophets. All I have to do is correctly deliver it and He does the rest. Preaching and teaching God’s Word is the easiest thing I have ever done.
First of all, I have total confidence in God and His Word. It’s no longer about self-confidence. I believe His Word to be true, so, I not under pressure to prove it. He does the convincing by His Spirit not by my delivery. Like in music, I don’t get intimidated by who goes on before or after me. It doesn’t matter if it is bishop so and so, pastor whoever, reverend righteous or the pope. I am not in competing with them. When it is my turn to speak, I have to say what God has given me to say. Besides, I figure if we are all ministers, then we are all supposed to be about the same purpose: Bringing people closer to God. I loved music and I loved playing it. I love God’s Word and sharing it more. Being an entertainer fulfilled a desire. Being a minister fulfills a purpose. In sharing God’s Word, I still get to use the music and poetry in me. I am more creative now than I have ever been. As an entertainer, I always tried to do my thing. As a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I always try to do His will.
Just as I had many influences in entertainment, I have many influences in the Bible. I read how people like Joseph, Job, Ruth, Daniel and others continued to grow in their faith through their trials. I read how Paul, John, Peter and others continued to spread the gospel in spite of the obstacles and persecutions that came their way. So, I will continue to share God’s Word, continue to grow in my faith in and love for the Lord. As an entertainer, I tried to make sure that when I came off the stage, I had given my all. When it comes to God and His Word, when all is said and done, I do hope that I will have given my all.
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