Robinson says it’s not unusual for him to roll into church service wearing the same clothes from a gig the night before, but playing Sunday mornings typically discourages him from being “too reckless” on Saturday evenings. There are always exceptions.
Musicians take gigs from almost anywhere. Want them to play in a dirty old bar? Of course they will. Need a musician for your company’s fundraising event? They will play it. What about a bassist who will show up on time to church service every Sunday morning to play songs about Jesus? If it’s a steady and paying gig, they are there — even if that means driving through the night to get there.
We spoke with DFW musicians — some who were willing to go on the record and some who weren’t — about how they balance life as a secular musician six days per week with two hours in a worship band Sunday mornings.
Emsy Robinson Jr.
A well-known local bassist, Emsy Robinson Jr. can be spotted playing regular gigs around town, especially in Deep Ellum with Cure for Paranoia, Colab, Goodnight Ned and Charley Crockett. He started playing church services his junior year of high school when the praise band at his school (which was affiliated with the Methodist church) was looking for a bass player. Now he plays weekly services at a Methodist church in Celina, about an hour north of Dallas.
Robinson says it’s not unusual for him to roll into church service wearing the same clothes from a gig the night before, but playing Sunday mornings typically discourages him from being “too reckless” on Saturday evenings. There are always exceptions.
“About 10 years ago, I partied with a theater group a little too long on a Saturday night. Sunday morning, I realized I was locked in a parking garage,” he says. “I called the music director and explained to him that I wouldn’t make it. It was embarrassing, but he understood. I never let it happen again.” AH
Brianne Sargent
Brianne Sargent, frontwoman and bassist for the Skinny Cooks, is new to playing church gigs. She started only a year ago after being recommended for a role at a Pentecostal church. It wasn’t a hard transition, though — she grew up in the faith.
“Nearly everyone on my dad’s side either preaches, evangelizes or plays an instrument,” she says.
She keeps the two worlds — playing club gigs and church gigs — separate, except when alcohol makes them bleed together.
“One time, a gig I played ended up starting late, and the band was given several shots. I was way too drunk to drive home, so I ended up sleeping in my car at the venue for a power nap. Next thing I know, it’s 9 a.m. I had exactly 30 minutes to get to church. Luckily, I had water and a toothbrush in the car, and I went to 7-Eleven for toothpaste and deodorant. My clothes smelled like alcohol, weed and yesterday.” AH
