How many of you, "fellow chordians"is playing in a band?

I have played in my church band for nearly 13 years. This is not your ordinary church band I can assure you. We rely heavily on God and if any thing take a "less is more" approach to practice. Not that we don't practice. Every week, 3x's a week. One dedicated day and before each service. I am not saying that is the right way, that is just how we roll! There has been MANY people in and out and in again. I primarily (First Instrument) play drums and continue to. I also have played acoustic and bass in the same environment. We play many of the songs I've written and I always sing them whether on the drums or guitar. (Mostly the drums) All that to say, it is my opinion that if you feel it when you play it alone than you need to be able to envoke that feeling in others as you play. Does that involve confidence? Yeah. Is it all confidence. No. Broadway theatres take there performance on the road to smaller venues to work out the bugs and see what works the best etc. Why? Besides the obvious, they are gaining confidence with each performance. Not everybody starts out with confidence, but those who gain it will not lose it.
There is a musician, you may have heard of him. He is big time inside the industry. Don Potter. He made an album called "Facing The Wall." The premise was based on not playing for the approval of people , in his case, but for the approval of God and himself.
Thus facing the wall. It is a brilliant album. Point is that, when you can play a song, like in his case, with passion and feeling for God or whoever, people will pick up on that and that is what makes performers electric!! When people believe you!! They believe what you say becuase you believe what you say. Does ever performer have it, NO! Do you need that, NO! Do I want it, HECK YEAH!! That has always been my goal. I have reeached it on occasion, but not enough in my opinion.
If you think you have something to say, SAY IT. We have a saying in our band we tell musicians who seem to be holding back or a bit unconfident, treading lightly. "DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!"
Commit to what you are going to do and deal with the consequences, if any, after. Meaning, Don't be scared to make a mistake. The're going to happen anyway. As the drummer, when I screw up it's usually HUGE!!! Oh well. I'll have to play better next time.
Understand I am not saying don't try hard, just give yourself a little grace when despite your best efforts you fall. We usually recover better when we give grace than when we are extremely hard on ourselves. 8-)
I hope this will encourage you, that has been my intent. Just remember.....
"DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!!!!!"

I was in two bands when I was in high school,Now I get a call about every six  nonths from a group that lives about one hundred miles away from me. They book play gigs at some monterey or santa cruze blues and jazz clubs.I play an electric acoustic with them about six or seven songs a night.I have a good time and do not want money ,they always pay for my gas and food.

I don't know if this counts but we have a little foursome called, Crash Helmut Jug Band and we get together and play at Kitchen parties. We never rehearse at all just get some people in the kitchen and have a fun time. Spirits flow, great food to eat, and the music is great. Sometimes we will work out a song and add it to our nite. On any given nite we will play instruments like,
harmonica's, gazoo's, bongos,shakers,eggs,tamborines,acoustic bass,acoustic guitars,fiddle,
and tin flute. To us it's just pure fun and I always look forward to the next jam.

Take Care.. Badeye