You may not know her name, and I'll bet you don't know her face, but if from the late fifties on you listened to AM radio, watched TV, or went to the movies you heard her play. From Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, to the Beach Boys-Brian Wilson actually sought out her advice on Pet Sounds, the album that influenced Paul McCartney to do Sgt. Pepper-to the theme for Mannix, Dirty Harry, and so many others, over 10,000 total, she was there in the studio. Her name is Carol Kaye, and is perhaps the ultimate studio session bass player. And in addition, played 12 string with Frank Zappa, and numerous guitars with other bands. In a profession where fame is fleeting at best-here today and forgotten tomorrow, Carol led her incredible bass lines to anybody who was-and many who weren't. Adding harmony to notes on a page-making notes into music, and music into a song.
Session players are often the ones you hear while listening to the album, not credited. When you listen to the Monkees, that's her on bass. And session players are often what helped make the song a hit. Talented musicians who chose to go the route they did, and requested when the artist wanted to make the song just right. Perhaps slighted because they are unknown by the listening public, but highly respected and in demand by the artists.
An old friend, Wayne Church, was a percussionist-don't call him a drummer. And before he got on with the Canadian Philharmonic Orchestra, did studio sessions. He used to joke that the music you listen to in the elevator or in the doctor's office could be him. A group of musicians would hire on to play and record, and he could work this around his schedule, make money, hang with other musicians, while he hoped for his big break. But for many, this was their in to the music business, not a lesser part, just not the star, or headliner. Talent, just not confined to one group. Or band. Making music with their friends.
When you come to the Lord, you become a minister of the gospel, a session player if you will. Not everyone is called to be like Billy Graham, or Chuck Smith, or a Martin Luther. God calls his people to fulfill needs as they occur, and counts even the slightest thing done in His name as valuable. My friend Bikerjim reminds me of this. When he decided to get into motorcycle ministry, he checked out many clubs. Only to find a prejudice based on his being a Catholic-one club even told him he couldn't join because Catholics aren't Christians. Just to clarify-being a Catholic doesn't make you a Christian, but being a Christian you can worship as one. And with them. Bikerjim joined other motorcycle clubs until he found his calling with Final Option, a secular clean and sober group. Here Jim gets to share the gospel, much as Jesus did with the lost, one on one, and is amongst a group that wouldn't go to church. They may not be let in by denominations, they don't fit their criteria. Can't have any sinners here, you know. So Jesus sends guys like Bikerjim to them, who gets to pray, console, and council those lost, or backslidden in their faith. Recently in telling someone about Bikerjim, I got the old line about Catholic rhetoric, and advised this person to seek Jim out and pray with him. You see years ago when I taught on prayer, I tell people never miss an opportunity to pray-don't say I will pray for you-do it now, Jim took it seriously! And still does. You see Jesus is above denominations, bike brands, ways to minister, and other social excuses for unity in the spirit. And he uses people like Bikerjim to love in these situations-something my prejudiced brother was reminded of. Bikerjim-a sessions rider in a secular world. And a brother who I love.
My other close friend is a man called Dick. To look at him, full beard, long pony tail, and a tough look, you would think he is a 1%, until he smiles, or offers to assist or pray. Dick has been around the San Diego biker scene for decades, and people know who he is, and what he is. At the Boozefighters 60th anniversary, of over 250 Boozefighters camping, he was only non-patch invited to stay with them. He has been introduced by their president as a man who can be trusted, and if they have a problem to go to him. He hangs in bars with them, and after a few hours there has been known to switch to the hard stuff-7 Up, after drinking soda water all night. A friend who shows the love of Jesus in his actions. A man that will spend a weekend with a card table set up at a secular Viet Nam Vet event, who will pray for those lost during the wet t-shirt contest, and gets excited when he gets a prayer request-after 48 hours in 100 degree heat.
One event I will never forget was at a Harvest Festival, a woman came up for prayer-her grandson had been killed by a hit and run driver. Dick leaped over the table-telling her she came to the right place, as he and his wife Sherry, had lost a grandchild to the same thing. I backed off as I watched the love of Jesus flow through this couple, just four people praying in a group of thousands of trick or treaters, showing God's love. A man who has earned, along with Bikerjim, something I don't give freely-my respect.
Your actions may not show up credited here on earth, but when the books are shown in heaven, many will hear "well done my good and faithful servant." To that group I am blessed to be a part of. Session missionaries, filling in where God sends them-and in many cases performing what others could not, or would not. And like Carol Kaye, not known by the public, but well respected and loved among her peers. A peer group, that as you get closer to God gets smaller, but richer. Friends and co-ministers that make sharing the gospel great-and basking in His love more enjoyable. True artists of the gospel, who take pleasure in knowing that what they are doing makes the song that much better. Who can make the songwriters reality the same as he heard it in his head. Who when a soul comes to Jesus, or sees a life changed, sits back and takes pleasure in saying "that's me. Thanks for using me in that way, Lord." And who, ministering in the background, have thrown seeds so that others may harvest. The song-Jesus!
If you want to be a headliner in heaven, look for men and women like these two. Watch as the gospel goes forth in love, not just a clanging bell spouting forth scripture. See as the love of Christ changes lives. And when asked, would say they are doing nothing special, just following the Lord. Men who can play on my album anytime. Sit in with them often, you just might learn what you didn't in church. Pray, love, repeat. And like an old 8-track, it keeps playing and playing.
love with compassion,
Mike
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