Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast & Blog

Why I Won’t Hire You As A Musician

You may be an amazing musician. You may be fun to be around. I might even like to jam with you every now and then.

But, no, I won’t hire you as a musician.

It’s difficult for me to say because I love discipleship; however, I just wouldn’t hire you to play music professionally.

Here’s 5 reasons why:

1. You Aren’t Teachable

When I ask you to play something a certain way, you hesitate, argue, sometimes roll your eyes, or just plain refuse. You claim your idea is better. First of all, I’m hiring you to play MY MUSIC. To be a hired musician you submit to what the artist wants and offer input when you’re invited to. Second, that attitude is never acceptable in any situation.

2. You Don’t Work Hard Enough

I know you have a great heart and good intentions, but you’re not good enough. I want musicians who pay attention to the smallest detail and work their butts off on technique. I’m looking for musicians who will learn their own part and don’t need me to outline everything for them. They are go-getters, self-motivated, and put in the time.

3. You Have A Difficult Personality

All you seem to care about is yourself. You put down other members in the band and are not easy-going. I’ve overheard you complaining backstage quite a bit. Life on the road and playing the same concerts over and over requires a disciplined attitude – not always speaking what’s on your mind, laughing at yourself, and being positive.

4. You Don’t Listen to the Rest of the Band

I’m looking for a band that plays together. Your playing is WAY too busy and doesn’t create enough space for the other musicians. I want us to have one sound, not a band to support your constant soloing. Simplify, my friend.

5. You Don’t Have a Heart for Ministry

Whether you want to do worship music, Christian music, or just plain Rock & Roll, it’s important to have a servant’s heart. Particularly in the Christian realm, we want to serve the needs of congregations and connect them to God. You are more concerned with your look and sound than you are with serving people and worshiping God. I want musicians who pursue God with all their heart.

Question: What types of musicians would you never hire? What attitude do you strive for on your team? You can leave a comment below.

Comments

    • David Santistevan says

      Let’s do it, bro! I was highly impressed with your professionalism at the REVIVE event. Keep up the good work.

      • Christian Arnold says

        Thanks man. I was just happy to help serve you guys as you served everyone who attended. It was a pleasure to share the stage with such talented people that also possessed such a deep desire for Christ.

  4. Jeff Q says

    C’mon man!! Don’t you know everyone came to hear constant drum fills and 6-string bass licks?? Or the fact that I have $8000 worth of gear that I need to use every Sunday! Double stack Marshalls baby!

    Don’t forget my neighbor’s-daughter’s-Uncle plays the dobro and he wants to do join in the service today!! He’s getting set up right next to you and can’t hear himself, so he needs to be cranked up in your monitor mix.

    I exaggerate to try and be funny…but it’s not far from the truth!

      • Brandon says

        Haha! The best is when the guitarist tries to do “bluesy style” licks during worship. Stuff that belongs in the 80’s and needs to stay there! haha…

        • Gary L says

          I really find instrumental blues / jazz music inspiring.

          Blues electric guitar has so much feeling in it that it blesses me every time!

          Best

          Gary L
          Southern NH (U.S.)

  5. AC says

    I dont really agree w/ ‘MY music’ when a worship leader…as an independant artist, probably!! In the church setting, its a different story as a team….

    • David Santistevan says

      You’re exactly right. When you’re working in a church setting as a worship team, especially with volunteers, it’s a different story, though you still want to hold them to a standard.

      This post was more geared towards musicians who want to play professionally with other artists.

      Thanks for the insight!

  6. Justin says

    All these years I thought it was just that we lived far away…it’s all starting to make sense…

    • David Santistevan says

      Haha! If you don’t trip over any wires and start “Your Love is Amazing” at warp speed, I’ll gladly hire one of my favorite vocalists 🙂

  7. al di salvatore says

    I hate playing with people with crappy attitudes. Complain about a song, or mumble about the music leader. Or are too much of a perfectionist. There is a difference between playing with excellence and passion than perfection and cynisim.

    • David Santistevan says

      I tend to lean towards the perfectionist side but hopefully not the cynic! I can’t stand complaining and mumbling. I punch people who do that 🙂

  8. Adam Durham says

    David we currently don’t hire musicians at the church I serve at. Our view is it’s biblical to give back to God your time and talent, andI agree with that. We are called to serve the body. However, here is my dilema. I am the Worship Pastor at a new church plant. We have three locations. It’s a challenge to get good musicians when you are starting off. Yes, I believe God will provide for our needs and I am sure he is using this period to stretch me and grow me as a leader, but I also believe we need to hire musicians. Any suggestions, ideas would be greatly appreciated

    God Bless

    • David Santistevan says

      Adam, we don’t hire musicians at our church either. I’m not opposed to it, but we place a big emphasis on training our young people. This post wasn’t really directed to church ministry, but just musicians in general.

      Are there musicians from the other locations that would be able to help get things rolling?

  9. Lane says

    Ran across your blog and thought it was an interesting read. Thanks for posting this. There must be hundreds of musicians dying to work for you.

    To be honest, in my situations, I have been blamed for each and every negative item in your ‘reasons for not hiring’. 99.9% of the time I didn’t even realize I was behaving badly. Guess what??? Nobody helped me. Nobody told me. Found out later… —Christians—– *rolls eyes*

    This is why I won’t go back to church. Too many “perfect” worship leaders that I couldn’t live up to in any way. Good thing God doesn’t feel that way about me.

    This post makes you sound like a pretentious jerk…. just like my worship leader was to me. I’d like to smack you, but then I’d be guilty of #3.

    • David Santistevan says

      Hey Lane, appreciate the comment, man. I’m sorry you’ve had such a bad experience in the church. That stinks. This post wasn’t actually geared towards worship leaders or worship teams. Sometimes I like to write specifically for musicians and artists (in or outside the church). We don’t hire musicians at my church. Rather, I like to work with young musicians and raise them up to become better. We’re far from perfect and that’s sort of the beauty of it. This post was more for the professional musician who wants to be hired. It wasn’t actually referring to me or my team.

      Thanks for taking the time to comment. Hope we can discuss some more.

      • Lane says

        thanks for the clarification. Please don’t mind me, I am just angry in general. Reading back at my post was not fun. I am sorry for attacking you.

        • David Santistevan says

          It’s OK, Lane. I appreciate you speaking up. Always happy to have a conversation.

  10. Steve Rodgers says

    Well put, David. I like to follow the mindset that a musician should at least offer value before expecting to get any gig. What you outlined here are some very real examples of musicians always thinking it’s all about them.

    As a singer/songwriter I have seen first-hand how another musician wouldn’t like the idea of playing what they are told, without having any creative influence, but don’t take the job if that’s a problem. Music is meant to be played as it was written to be played.

    Nice article.

  11. Phil says

    Lane, I’d like to add that along my new life road in the last three years I have learned and grown exponentially serving along side with Dave and the other leaders at APC music department than almost any other time in my music experience. I’ve been involved for over 25 years worked with all types of ‘worship leader’ personalities don’t let one bad experience set you back. Adjust your heart towards God and commit to servant hood and He will provide your heart’s desire, He will put the people along your path to teach you. Don’t give up, the blessing is tremendous. Remember God doesn’t keep a clock, I can’t say when it will happen for you but it will if you humble yourself and move on to the next step. Pay attention to what Dave articulates God has blessed him with tremdous descernment, and a servants heart.