Last night I had the opportunity to help out a friend I play with at my church. He is in the Humber College music program and because I am a graduate of this program it is nice to go back. I bumped into friends I have not seen in a while so it was nice.

But now I’m going to tell you what really irks me about playing with most Christian church musicians. Most don't know how to stay in their lane in a professional sense. If the person running the session asks me to read a chart, or play a certain way, I will do that. Last night, my friend had all my charts prepared and ready. For some reason, others chirp in your ear about what they want to hear, or how it should be played. I assume my friend was satisfied with what I was doing because he didn’t ask me to change anything.

This isn't the first time this has happened so here is something these musicians need to understand. My friends ask me to play. These are not “blind date” situations. They have seen me play the styles they want and are comfortable with how I play them. This is why they ask me. They do not ask me to play what is not on the chart or to play something different.

What I appreciate most playing outside of the "church musicians scene" is that effort and talent are appreciated here, much more than in places where it is blessed. And they pay me well out here too.