Thursday, March 17, 2011

Carl's NEW website

Hi Friends, Well we finally did it. We've posted our NEW websites. (* www.CarlAlbrecht.com & www.LeannAlbrecht.com ). They are still being "fine tuned", but we felt brave enough to let everyone in on the process. Be patient as we try to make things a little more exciting, but still user friendly. *Feel free to post ideas on FB, or the sites, or email us.* If we can be of service to you in anyway call us or email for booking production work, a session, a lesson, a ministry event, or even a "Worship Team Bootcamp" (stay tuned for more info. on that). Leann & I are plowing new ground in the journey the Lord has put before us. Thanks for your prayers & support. Peace, Carl
PS. Also watch for the NEW site for our ministry "The Well of Nashville" - You can find basic updates at Facebook - The Well of Nashville.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Recordings Sessions w/Paul Baloche Band

Hi Friends,
I'm sitting in Ben Gowell's home studio w/ the Paul Baloche Band. (Minn./St.Paul) Working on songs for a new project to be released this year (2011). We've probably recorded about 8 songs so far. Some powerful anthems for the people of God; declaring the greatness of God; telling of His grace; the power of the blood and the cross. As always, Paul is a master of composing anthems for the church. The challenge is trying to find new creative ways of telling the stories, and yet keeping them palatable for the people of these days. *I'm not always sure what that means.* // I guess it's deciding what style, and if I may say, what market you are targeting. /// I'm OK with that really. When you think of it even Martin Luther used the pub songs of his day to tell the gospel story. So as modern minstrels we are doing the same thing. We use what feels familiar to the general public to make the musical stories of our faith hit home in their hearts as it enters through their ears. // As a drummer; musician; composer; teacher; minister I live to love & serve God, and to love & serve people. I hope we are continuing to do that well as we record this new project. I pray, by HIS grace, we are able to do that to the glory of the name of Jesus Christ. Name above all names! Blessings, Carl

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Chattanooga House of Prayer / Carl is moved!

I'm sitting at this moment in the Chattanooga House of Prayer. Joshua Harris, a young man on fire with the Spirit of God, is sharing about praying at all times... amazing testimonies of the Lord moving among His people. I am deeply moved, and feel like "a large bowl of water about to spill over"... The Lord's presence is so heavy in this place... // It is a time for ALL of God's people to step into their callings... it is NOT for an elect few. Open your heart to HIM now... even if you don't feel it... just say YES to God, and ALL that HE has in store for you. "For the Lord is GOOD, and HIS LOVE endures forever." He has much in store for you, and for all who call upon His name. He will not fail you. Have no fear, God is near. Receive it, in JESUS name. Amen. Love & Peace, Carl

Thursday, February 3, 2011

New Seasons / Carl - drums & life

It's an interesting season for many. 2011 has started with a bang and it seems everyone is trying to navigate new waters. I recently saw the movie "The Chronicles of Narnia, The Voyage of the Dawntreader" - The thought of setting off into uncharted territory seems to be the theme of our time. Well... maybe it's always been that way. It just feels stronger now.
The music biz is in a major flux../ time of shifting... / Everyone I know seems to be in the dark about how things really work anymore. I still love being a drummer/ percussionist/ "minstrel", but ,man, I really don't like the business of it! I wish it could only be about the art & ministry of our callings. -- Sorry if I dream too much! ...anyway, we still have to be smarter and flexible and find options to "navigate the seas" of the business of what we do.
Bottom line... I put my trust in the Lord. Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. He will lead, (navigate), and I will follow. I choose this! I pray you can too.
As Jesus said, I paraphrase -- "... All of the law & commandments is summed up into these two. Love God, and love people." I pray, that in all I do in my life, that my course is set on this journey. It is my hearts desire. Now I just need to keep my hands steady on the wheel of this ship. -- Hope to see you all on the high seas! Blessed Sailing, Carl

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Drummers Think Tank

After writing over 38 articles and counting, I’m trying to stir up the creative juices a little bit. I have some ideas for sure, but I want to reach out to you, the readers, the drummers, and any other musicians. Actually anyone reading this is invited to participate if you’d like. Now is your chance to be heard. In future articles I would like to respond to your direct questions about drums, percussion, ministry, church life, touring, worship, or anything else related to worship drumming. Because this is a “drum/percussion” feature article let’s try to keep the questions focused on that general topic.

Although I’m happy to try to any answer burning questions you might have about anything… food, travel, politics, etc. etc. …. Wait – wait – on second thought, let’s just concentrate on music & ministry. I only get a couple of pages for space, not the whole magazine.

Direct your questions, ponderings, and thoughts to my email at LMAlbrecht@aol.com

Probably the number one issue remains the challenge of adjusting to the acoustics of every room or venue I play. My last article dealt exclusively with adjusting your dynamics to the audio environment and how to accomplish that. And this still remains the biggest issue for worship drummers all over the world. Really!

Secondly is the issue of timing & groove. This is probably the most important technical aspect of playing music for all musicians. For a drummer this skill is as important as their ability to control dynamics. So maybe these first two elements are tied together. For those new to my writing this means using a metronome or other click device for practice and performance. Yes, I use a click for EVERYTHING I do when playing drums.

Next is playing with sensitivity to the direction of the worship leader and the listening for the leading of the Holy Spirit. Along with this is the drummer’s awareness of the pastor’s role in worship as well as the congregation. To be a worshipper as well as a minstrel is the primary spiritual role for any worship musician. All of my musical and “life” work for that matter is all about loving God and loving people. This applies to church & secular work. The Lord wants us to be like Him everywhere we go.

In recent years the need for worship drummers to be more production savvy has become important. What I mean by this is the ability to use click tracks, computers, sequencers, samplers, and headphone systems has been come almost as valuable as your playing skill. Even on a small budget you should start expanding from just being a player to building a system that will help you in your “techno” skills. Start with a small headphone mixer and your own personal ear buds or headphones. Then definitely have your click device plugged into that. Then add drum & percussion loops with a small drum machine or sampler. It would be even better to use a laptop with music software like Ableton Live or other drum friendly programs and start building a loop library and learn how to do editing. Every drummer I know does this in some way. Start small, build your system, and keep learning. I am always working at this and continue to ask other players about their technical adventures.

Maintain the attitude of a learner. Always be open to new drum ideas. Take lessons, go to drum clinics, get a training DVD and try to keep a routine of practice in you life; just like maintaining a healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise. Don’t fall into the trap of being lazy towards your musical gifts “just because it’s only for church.” The Lord does deserve our best efforts.

Besides all of these drum ideas your ability to be a servant/ leader with your gifts is the “umbrella” that should cover all of these things. It’s sad when I hear about stories of musicians, who after gaining great skill and notoriety become arrogant snobs. Their talent has short-circuited their soul. No matter how “great” you think you are, God did not give you a gift for your own selfish reasons. He gives us gifts to learn how to be faithful in the short time we have the planet. To live well is to love God and love people.

So, welcome to the drummer’s think tank! I hope in sharing this you feel compelled to move to the next level and to be inquisitive and ask those questions. I’ll be expecting to hear from you.

Blessings in the journey,

Carl

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Latest Work

Oh... by the way my web is www.CarlAlbrecht.com
Check out my latest drum/perc. work on Paul Baloche's new release "Glorious" - www.leadworship.com
Peace & Blessings,
Carl

General Introduction

Hi Friends,
I intend to use this blog to answer the drum & ministry questions I get via emails/ Facebook/ twitter/ etc. etc. -- I'll also address the many questions and discussions that happen at the seminars and conferences I attend. Sometimes I'll even post excerpts from articles I have written. Feel free to email me or check out my web site for more info., links, and my schedule. See you in blog world, and around the world!
Peace,
Carl