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Name of
church you play for/pastor
B.J. - I play organ at City of Refuge, Church
of God in Christ Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Elder J.W. Stripling Sr., Pastor.
K.D.
- I currently play guitar for a Roman Catholic Church in the city called St. Augustine's. The church is at the corner of
Minerva and Hamilton. Our pastor is Rev. Bob Gettinger. He's a very special man who is utterly revered by the community.
 How long have you been playing and who inspired you to start playing?
B.J. - I have been playing for about 18 years. I'm 32 now. The person who inspired me to play was the former
minister of music at my church! Missionary Bernae Brown-Richardson. She has a great ear and can still kill an organ. Not
an ounce of granny musician in her!
K.D. - I first started playing guitar at the
age of 29. I was teaching high school at the time. Another teacher by the name of Steph Otis had a classroom across from
me. He used to skip his lunch so he could practice. One day I invited myself into his room to hear him play. I still remember
the tune he played. I remember being in disbelief that a guitar could sound so beautiful. I was hooked.
 What drew you to want to play/minister in the black church?
B.J. - I heard a sound that I never heard before. I grew up in a white Presbyterian
Church. I fell in love with the Hammond Organ instantly! Consequently, God saved me and filled me with the Holy Ghost!
K.D. - The Choir Director for St. Augustine's is Simeon Layne Jr. Simeon is an inspirational
musician (keyboards/piano), a convert to Roman Catholicism and dedicated to his church family. We first jammed together at
a retreat for African American youth where I met him. Simeon asked me to play in his band for two years before I finally worked
up enough nerve to try it. I've always loved Gospel music but didn't think I could play at the level of Simeon's band. In
many ways I still can't but I'm glad I finally decided to jump in and try it. I hoped that by playing with Simeon it would
help me to reach beyond the plateau I seemed to be incapable of leaving behind at the time and expose me to a genre of music
that really moved me.
 When you started playing was it the African American style and if not
what style?
B.J. - I took a few lessons from a lady at my parents
church, but pretty much from jump I was playing Black Gospel.
K.D. - Soon after
hearing Steph play I asked him about lessons and we've been playing together ever since. That was 12 years ago.
 What are you dislikes if any about playing for a predominately black church?
B.J. - I love the black church, I love the passion and the praise!
One thing that can be a turn off to many is the offerings. Oh yeah, and people tripping over titles. My name was Brian
before anything else. You can call me brother, doc, whatever. I'm not tripping! I know my name. I think many churches,
especially in denominations are becoming too political and focus more on protocol and process rather than the praise, word,
and miracles that brought souls in to the church back in the early days. As a result, there are people leaving the denominations
to rid themselves of unnecessary weights! I don't think denominations are bad or of the devil. A denomination let's you
know what kind of church you are attending. The organizations just need to get out of the money making business and get back
to the soul saving business! (Yeah Lawd!) I certainly don't want to be fooled in to going to St Joseph's Worship Center and
it turns out to be a Catholic church. That's just not me.
 If the opportunity arises, will you ever go play for a predominately white
church?
B.J. - No. I grew up there, and it did not interest me.
God drew me to the black church. That's where I was saved and that's where I'll remain! I am so grateful that I was filled
with the Holy Ghost! It may have never happened, if I didn't break racial barriers and follow the leading of God. No, I'm
not saying that the Holy Ghost doesn't reside in Caucasian ministries; I'm just saying this is what reached me!
K.D. - I've been playing music at St. Augustine's for 8 years now. The faith community,
our pastor and, of course, the music keep me there. It feels like home. I can't see myself returning to a predominantly
white church if I can't bring the people and music of St. Augustine's with me.
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Do you feel any discrimination? If so, what are they?
B.J. - No, I really don't. Everyone treats me like family. It does get a little old hearing
the he doesn't play like he's white. But I know what they mean so I'm cool with them saying that.
K.D. - I've not experienced any explicit discrimination while at St. Augustine's. Every now and then someone
will pass me over during the sign of peace but I've never attributed that to my race.
 How do you deal with any animosities or discriminations?
B.J. - Sometimes, I think people expect you to like and dislike who they like and
dislike. The truth of the matter is, nobody pays my bills or makes decisions for me, but me. I like who I like and I can
respect the fact that others either like or dislike someone. Just don't expect me to feel the same way you do! I think that
is where a lot of discord in the church comes from. BANDWAGGONS! People will dislike you simply because you like someone
they don't! That is very simple and small of people. I just love everybody. If I have a problem, I'm upfront and try to
address the issue. If they don't want to address the issue, there's nothing more I can do unless I bring a witness to speak
with them. It's never that important. I just realize people will dislike you just because you are you. They won't sing,
they won't support, and they'll talk. But if you love the Lord and you treat God and his people right, you will always be
blessed! I know this!!!
K.D. - Two years ago one of the more vocal "church
ladies" excluded my 6 year old son on an Easter basket distribution. That was hurtful. I think if something like that
happens again I'll definitely confront her about it and give her a chance to explain. But for now I've given her the benefit
of the doubt.
 Do you feel that in worship there should be a difference in a black style versus
a white style of playing?
B.J. - I don't think that it should
necessarily be restricted to racial boundaries. I'm white and I have played in an African American Church since I was 15.
While the church is black, the music and preaching are indicative of the African American Worship Experience; the church
is for everyone. People have choices and that's why there are different churches. So to surmise, I don't necessarily think
there should be a difference amongst color lines. But I think different worship styles are there to reach different people.
What reaches you, might not reach me etc.... I do know of a young black pastor who birthed a church here in Oklahoma City.
His thoughts are that many young African American Pastors are abandoning who they are to try to "crossover" He
feels that the main motive for this is the almighty dollar. The bottom line is be who you are, weather your white, black,
red, brown or yellow. You will reach who God intended you to reach, if you stay consecrated. If you can whoop, why would
you not whoop? Because you are afraid you'll turn people ($$) off? If that's the case, the only people you will turn off
are the people you weren't predestined to reach in the first place. Come on! Be for real! And if you can't whoop, sing
or whatever, don't hate on those who can. REACH WHO YOU CAN REACH!
K.D. - As
far as worship styles go I tend not to think in terms of black and white. I used to travel a lot and was always amazed at
the multitude of playing styles I'd come across when in church. There's so much variation out there it almost seems as if
nature designed it to be that way. Take part in a service in South Africa, for example, and it's going to differ from what
you experience in Zimbabwe. A service in France will be very different from what you experience in Italy. So I guess I side
with the old French expression, "Vivre la difference!"
 Final thought, encouragement for fellow musicians.....
B.J. - My only advice would be to follow God and follow your heart. There is no place you
can't go. You can do what people say can't be done. Nobody ever thought I would ever play for a COGIC church and be able
to hang. I am living proof God doesn't see colors. He see's your heart and your lifestyle! If you are willing to serve
him, and give him the praise that he deserves; He will give you the desires of your heart! Practice, ask God to anoint you
and never settle for the "that'll do mentality".
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