My Story
When I was a pup I was fascinated with music. I remember getting my first transistor radio and hooking up a big railroader's battery to it just so it'd never run out of power. Every night I went to sleep listening to stations from all over the country. Country, Rock-n-Roll, you-name-it; especially any music with vocal harmonies. I've had a love for music ever since I can remember.
At eight years of age my Dad gave me a big ol' boxy Kay acoustic guitar...that thing was enormous! The strings were about a half-inch from the fret-bar...it was all I could do to press hard enough to make a note ring...but I did. I tuned it with an old tuning fork. I'd listen to songs and travel up the low E string 'til I found the right key. Then I'd play every chord I knew 'til I discovered where that song was coming from and join the band. Whenever a guitar player came on the television I'd sit right in front with my guitar and watch his finger placement. Usually by the end of that song I was playing right along. I took some lessons for about two weeks but the teacher told my Dad he was wastin' his money. Anyway...by-n-large, I guess I'm self-taught.
I can't read music...other than a chord-chart I'm sort of lost when it comes to sheet music. However, and thankfully, I have a good ear--I can hear a melody and pretty much play that puppy after some searchin'--plus, I think having a fairly decent ear helps me learn while I'm watching someone else...sorta combining what their fingers are doing with what I'm hearing. Anyway...that might not be the best way but it works for me.
I did the normal electric guitar / rock star wannabe circuit 'til I went off to college. I traded my wired equipment for some no-account cheap acoustic flat-top that kept me company throughout my matriculation days. During that time I'd play for church deals as well as some para-church gatherings...even did a few gigs at some frat houses. The main thing is I kept playing and learning.
My first foray into songwriting happened the summer before my third year at Texas. I watched a Billy Graham Crusade on the tube and got inspired to write something...the next thing I knew out came my initial attempt, If Life Was a Picture. Ya know?...I played that tune a thousand times and folks always encouraged me to continue writing...probably cause they were sick of hearing that one song! Anyway...I wrote whenever the inspiration came and continued getting positive responses from those unfortunate cheerleaders.
After college I was on staff with Up With People and traveled all over the country...sang and played at the Super Bowl, the Indianapolis 500, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and more cities and towns than I can remember. When that tour was finished I went to Colorado with some friends and played up there 'til it got so cold my fingers quit working. Then it was time to get serious about making a living so I sashayed on back to Texas.
I moved from Austin to Ft. Worth to go to seminary and be an Area Director for Young Life. Both of those experiences were wonderful...however, the best part of homesteadin' in Cowtown was meeting my wife Jeniece. She was my biggest inspiration...as well as my greatest encourager and fan. (I've included Jeniece's Journey on this website...if ya want to read a love story just click the 'Store' button there on the main menu...you can read an excerpt from the book too).
Before I move on I'd like to share a little story with you. I'm sure you've heard the expression 'that was music to my ears'. What's 'music' to some could be just plain ol' noise to others...n-vice versa. I love bluegrass music with it's simplicity and precise three part harmonies. But some folks just flat out don't like it...I used to be one of 'em.
Growin' up I loved rock-n-roll...all of it...from 'Elvis the pelvis' to the 'British Invasion' to 'Motown' to 'Bubblegum'...I played and sang 'em all. Back then I didn't particularly care for bluegrass. When I was about 9 my grandpa took me to hear it out at the colosseum. He said 'there's some real good hillbilly band from the blue ridge mountains comin' to town and we need to go see 'em'. So I excitedly tagged along. The lead singer--you won't believe this but it's the dadburn truth--could actually sing words out his nose!...I saw it with my own eyes. His mouth was movin' but all the words were comin' from those two holes above...and y'all it was the worst 'noise' I ever heard in my life. This fella had him a real high tenor voice-n-when he commenced to projectin' nostrilly, LordyMe y'all I thought the windows were gonna start crackin'! To my rock-n-roll ears it was way too foreign...I'm pretty sure I was too young and ignorant to appreciate it. Anyway...I never listened to it again 'til about 5 years ago. Today I don't think there's a more God-centered, family-oriented, universal genre than bluegrass...I absolutely love it.
Music has different sounds...but I think it all comes from the heart. Did ya know that back in King David's time everyone in Israel was a musician...says so right here in the Bible: "Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals" (2 Samuel 6:5)...see there?...'all the house of Israel'...we learn somethin' every day huh. These folks didn't just him-haw around either...when it came to playin' music "before God" they played "with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets" (1 Chronicles 13:8)...with all their might! Ol' David not only sang, he could throw down a few steps too: "and it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music" (1 Chronicles 15:29)...whirlin'! Yessirree...singin'-n-dancin' to the Lord!!
It's rather difficult to listen to any style of music-n-not have a foot tappin' or some hand clappin'...you know, movin' with the music-n-all. Some music even moves us to tears. Music can have a profound effect on it's listeners.
Lots-o-songs put ya in a hole-n-leave ya there...but not the music that's played "before the Lord". From what I can see, in Old Testament times it was mainly played as thanksgivin'-n-praise...as an act of worship. And it wasn't necessarily calm either: "Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps" (1 Chronicles 15:28)...shoutin'!
Ever wondered why there are so many different types of music?...well, I think it's on account of--whether we're aware of it or not--music is commanded: "shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises" (Psalm 98:4)...all the earth! Ever wondered why we sing in church: "sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints" (Psalm 149:1)...in the assembly! Music is a natural expression of our love for our Father.
When it's all said-n-done...when it's new body, new heaven, new earth time...we'll all be playin' music-n-singin' "the song of the Lamb, saying great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!" (Revelation 15:3). That's gonna be music to our ears too...even if it's comin' out your nose!!
You've probably heard the term 'frustrated musician'. Well...thats what I was for many years. Even though I continued writing and singing there was lots of humiliation, rejection, and even pain associated with my progress.
Like every songwriter I suppose, I believed in the songs I was writin' and wanted to 'get them out there'...so I made three trips to Nashville. With lots of hope--and several demo tapes--I walked up and down Music Row, knockin' on doors, introducin' myself and givin' out song samples. That first trip was barely productive...the second one was painful...that third one?...well, I'll let you feel the descriptive word.
For an entire day I confronted the gate-keepers, sat in foyers, persistently fought with 'we don't take unsolicited music' and made myself open that next closed door. At my last stop, I got what I thought was a semi-green light...'have a seat, Roger (not the real name) will see you shortly'. After the day I had this was a treat. Several minutes passed 'til ol' Roger asked me into his office. We hoorahed for a spell then he asked to listen to the tape. (This was the first person in three arduous forays in Music City who actually wanted to listen while I was present...I was happy to say the least.)
Ten seconds through the first song he turned off the machine...leaned back in his chair and gave me this little diddy...'do yourself a favor; do us all a favor; go back home and find somethin' else to do; your songs aren't good enough; don't come back to Nashville'. He pointed to the exit...I heard the door thud as I stood there on the stoop.
I walked back to my truck cryin' like a two-year old. LordyMe y'all I was devastated. I want to believe ol' Roger was just bein' as honest as he knew how to be and was tryin' to 'help' me realize what an awful writer I was in order to save me more disappointments later on. Even so, his words hurt somethin' ferocious...but they didn't curtail my mission.
Several years later, after another in the long line of rejections, I sat in my favorite chair and let all my frustrations and disappointments out...I was givin' God the what-for!...y'all I was gripin' to beat the band. As clear as a bell...out of my Spirit...I 'heard' this...'don't look to the world to validate the gifts and talents I've given you'. From that moment on I've stopped lookin' for verification from this world and its inhabitants. And ya know what?...my songwriting's gotten better and the opportunities to play are more frequent...imagine that!
I play where ever and whenever I can and thoroughly enjoy being a small part of the music industry. I'm comforted just gettin' to experience the communication between audiences and players...really, just sittin' in the corner and listenin' to the variety of instruments and talents is very refreshing. So...if you happen to come to a festival or a jam and I'm there too...well...please say hi...I'd love to meet you and experience the Master's love as it flows from your gifts and talents...we'll enjoy it together.
(I'll be updatin' this site frequently and I'm hopeful there'll be more of the story to share. Here's one little tidbit...I'm fixin' to start another effort to get my songs 'out there'--gonna attempt to do a journal-type deal in here just to let you know what all's goin' on. Hopefully, my experiences will provide you with some insight into this wild songwritin' world. I hope the nuances in those experiences will encourage you to stay true to your gifts and talents regardless of what anybody else says or thinks. I'll promise ya I'm goin' to.)
I'm certain every 'entertainer' gets some fulfillment when folks compliment their work...I know I do...its wonderful when folks enjoy my songs. Whenever that happens, I'm humbled and encouraged. The difference for me today is I know it's the Lord gettin' and givin' the compliment...I'm simply the recipient of another of His endless blessings. I've found this to be true as well...there continue to be instances when my music doesn't appear to be 'liked' by an audience...regardless, I still rest in the fact that I know whose music this is and its His responsibility to cause it to bless others...I'm just delivering the message. Any confidence I have comes from knowin' Who's in charge. Let me tell ya that's a peaceful place to be.
One last thing...regardless of your expertise, I encourage you to find a bluegrass jam and jump on in. In almost every one I've attended the folks are always happy to have you join their little circle. I really believe you'll enjoy the music and the fellowship. Also, look for bluegrass festivals close to your home and attend a few. You'll see and learn from some great singers and musicians...and there's always plenty of pickin' and jammin' throughout the event. Come on in y'all...the water's fine.
So there ya go...a little part of my story. Come visit any time...me-n-Tux'll be right here.
Blessings.
Bobby
Sharing the Journey...
I believe God's gift of life is a free gift...as is this ministry...any longevity will be proven by His blessings. With that as our premise, friends have inquired how they might encourage Music Mountain Ministries: first of all, the Bible tells us prayer is always effective--if God says the same, pray for us...secondly, purchase one or all the songs and the books...thirdly, invite us to come share our gifts and talents with you...finally, you may send a monetary contribution--please know, however, since your contribution is not tax-deductible at this time, we will receive it believing it comes at His urging.
Visit as often as you'd like...read and listen to all you want for as long as you want. We're honored you come.
''There is a fountain, on Music Mountain, where that living water flowsOn Music Mountain, from God's own fountain, the blood of Jesus, it overflows'
Blessings.
Bobby
