Jesus Blues

Carlos · Posted: Mon May 05, 2003 10:38 am Post subject: Jesus Blues

I am new to this but not to being in Christ nor to the blues. I play in a christian blues band ministering in the prisons and to motorcycle event and secular blues events and sometimes churches in the southern part of Ill. I front a chrisian blues band called "Forgiven", good message for the prison don't you think?
So the question is, who are the other christian blues players or bands out there and what is there/your ministry?

Keith "Carlos" Kibler
lead strat, harp and general bottle washer and amp rack toter

Forgiven
as in "we are and you could be too" #Bluegrab

Zathrus · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2003 12:19 pm Post subject: There's one in my area

There's a Christian blues/rock band in my area (southeast WI). They were called Saved By Grace, but have shortened it to SBG. I haven't heard from them in at least a year, but they're probably still around.

They played this local Christian music festival every year, as well as the Christian clubs and coffee houses in southeastern WI.

preacher95 · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 7:56 am Post subject: Christian Blues Rules!

Awesome! I would love to be part of a grop like that. Too bad we are not closer.

Carlos · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 9:37 am Post subject:

So, is God calling you to start such a ministry? He did me and we are still at it 10 years later, with various people in and out since the start. Our name is "Forgiven", which is a pretty good message for the prison system.
Carlos

preacher95 · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:21 am Post subject: Jesus Blues

I have tried to "start" a group for this purpose. At this time, I have been unable to find musicians. I did a similar group with teenagers and had a great time. I have applied to work as music leader at summer camps. I do some music on the side as well as preach. How about you? What else are you into? ANd what gear do you use?

Carlos · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 2:29 pm Post subject:

I prayed that God would send me the labors. He did. I also prayed that he would supply the stuff to do the work. I made a list.
He supplied it and more. Not including all our own gear, He has provided us with over $ 30,000 worth of gear and trailers.
We are currently a four piece band and take the Gospel to jail, prison, horse camps, biker rallies, secular blues festivals even one
blues bar that let us do our thing the night before Easter. We are also invited to several area churchs
I preach when allowed and we probably are in a total of 70-100 services of one type or other a year.

The key here is prayer my brothers. He has all the answers .

Smile

preacher95 · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 2:34 pm Post subject: Jesus Blues

Of course you are right and I will continue in my praying for His will. If you have a cd of your stuff and some information, I would like it. If you would travel to NW Arkansas sometime maybe I can help your ministry.

Carlos · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:16 pm Post subject:

Getting ready to burn some new demos. Where do you want one mailed? It will be a few days, my daughter, who just graduated from a school in orlando as a 3d animator has offered to make a new cover. Or I could just burn one and send you a plain one.
When I prayed at the outset of all this I did not just pray "for God's will to be done" I specifically prayed for what I believed he was calling me to believe for and thanked him for gettting me the stuff and the people to play the stuff. He delivered, and as he is no respector of persons, will do the same for you.
Its the scripture in Mathew about "whatso ever you believe you will receive"= faith , thing.
We now have 2 trailers, full play out big rig with Mackie vlz 24 channel board, triamped, with 2 sets of 18" subs, 3 sets of mains, more on the way, full stage set up, seperate board for monitors, snake, 2 rolling racks for amps and effects, 6 power amps,
drum set up and about uncountable mics, stands, etc
full practice setup that doesnt have to be moved including 2nd drum kit
smaller setups with portable battery powered amps for street playing/preaching and jail stuff in small settings. We also use these for ministry in Central America. The battery powered stuff is Crate
and hognose.
None of us are from the same church. But all have the heart of sharring the gospel to the out of the way places with a musical style to fit the group we are going to. Its a Paul on Mars Hill thing.
Very Happy

To do this successfully here is what I have learned:
1. Pray
2. Dont depend on a church to back you or support you. Most churchs just simply do not have a vision to expand the kingdom in a manner that does not benefit themselves. That is sad but true.
I have preached in everything from Methodist/Baptist/Pentecostal/Presbyterian/Lutheren/Especical and Independant. It is what I have seen over the long haul and across the board.
3. Dont be concerned if no one has ever done what God has called you to do. So what?
4. Never be suprised at what God does.
5. Never eat in a bad restuarant twice Rolling Eyes

This is really important in 3rd world countries.
6. Be open to God blessing you to enable you to do what he is called you to do. Give him glory, say thank you and be obediant to your calling. My day job is that I am a Lawyer in Marion Il with my own practice. It enables me to do this without having to rely on it for $. That is a good thing as prisoners dont pay well. They dont have to, I work for the King of Kings.
7. Every opportunity is not a calling. Pray before saying yes. I have done some good things that were not my calling. The difference between being in his annointing and outside is huge. Inside is much better.
8. Pray
Your brother
"Carlos"

Keith Kibler
Chief gear toter, lead guitar and harp and general cheerleader
Forgiven
Marion IL
P.S. my nickname or "apodo" in spanish is because the spanish tongue cant say th. after several years of having an unpronouncable name on mission trips I took Carlos as my nickname. Cool

ACfixer · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:52 pm Post subject:

One other thing... pray!

Your testimony is awesome Carlos, lawyers are like the modern day tax collectors so if God can work with the likes of you... Wink

Carlos · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 3:32 am Post subject:

If God can use Balam's jackass, you and I are in the perfect position to be used by him. Shocked

tommyd · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 6:19 pm Post subject:

Awesome story Carlos!! Sounds like you can preach it pretty good.

I'd love to get better at the music and I think the first step for me is a career change. A 50 hour/week job and young family don't leave much room for the blues. Although I did find some time to sing and play with some kids in our local youth group at a gig they had. It was awesome. I was just helping the kids do their thing, trying to stay in the background, and they begged me to sing "Let it Be". My wife said I can sing, and think she knows the difference. Ramble ramble... Carlos, please check in often!

Carlos · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:22 am Post subject:

You mean you sing in front of your wife? Crying or Very sad

My wife is my worst critic. I love the women to pieces, She totally supports me in my ministry and I do the same to hers. That being said, she is an artist but has absolutely no music ability or ear. I write most of the music that we perform.
I used to do trial runs in front of her before I play something cold in front of the rest of the band. A few years ago I learned my lesson. I played and sang a new song in front of her on an acoustic guitar and she broke out in wild gufawing laughter. She said it was the worst song she had ever heard. Boy was I mad.
Two weeks later, the whole band was playing, the arraignement was done and one of the guys who sing better than me (that would be all of them!) was singing. Sandy said, "I really like that song, is that new?"
She comes to many of our concerts and services. I try not to look at her much. I can tell instantly if I am flat from the look on her face. However the look may also mean she doesnt like my "guitar face" when playing lead or the harp is too loud or or or
To play music with your wife would be a good thing, or you have a special woman!
Carlos

ACfixer · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:25 am Post subject:

Carlos · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 10:49 am Post subject:

I am still laughing Lance! that would be womAn not women!

btw, I just got the guitar neck from herb, I will take an interesting photo, well maybe clever , well maybe an attempt to be clever photo and send the neck on to Dually.
? you know the tele questions I keep asking you guys? A local shop has a used red nashville tele with three tex mex pups. They are asking 490. Musicians friend has it new for 489.
1. If I play it and like it how much is it worth?
2. If I take out the middle pup and put in a splittable thin bucker will it crunch any with my marshall jcm 900?
Thanks Lance
and Merry Christmas brother
Carlos

Carlos · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 12:03 pm Post subject:

LanceAc,
I often ask divorce clients what their price would be to allow their ex to torment them. i ask them to name a figure. They always say no amount would be enough. I then tell them they are letting them do it for free Shocked

Some of them get it, others do not.