Honestly: My Life and Stryper Revealed Read Online Free
Author: Michael Sweet, Dave Rose, Doug Van Pelt
Tags: kickass.to, Chuck617
business to perform on those sessions, but he lovingly and patiently gave my brother and me a shot. That’s my dad—very family minded and always willing to encourage us in all our interests. He believed in us and I’m forever thankful that he gave Robert and me an opportunity to record at such an early age.
The studio was always filled with seasoned pros and being around those guys was a real inspiration. Of course, at the time I didn’t realize the magnitude of the influence they were having on me, but I learned so much from being a part of those sessions—watching the other musician’s play and picking up everything I could from anyone who would take the time to teach me something new.
One player in particular that I remember was an incredibly well known country/blues player by the name of Lou Martin. Lou would give me tips and pointers when we were between takes or waiting for set-up. I tried to absorb everything I could from Lou. He was probably one of my earliest influences as a guitar player aside from Chuck Berry and John Fogerty. Looking back, I’ve often wondered if this was a strategic plan on the part of my dad to surround me with amazing musicians at such a young age. Planned or not, it certainly inspired my love for music and for playing guitar.
My parents were as encouraging and supportive as anyone could be throughout my childhood and my years as a growing musician. Whereas a garage for most Dads is typically sacred space for working on cars, collecting tools, or storing cold beer, my dad always gave up his “man cave” and let us turn every garage of every home into a rehearsal space.
When I was in the third grade, Robert and I entered a talent show at our elementary school. We played two instrumental songs, “Honky Tonk” by Bill Doggett and “Walk, Don’t Run”, a song first recorded by jazz great Johnny Smith, but made famous in 1960 by The Ventures.
We won 1 st place! I played bass and Rob of course played drums. Despite the fact that the bass guitar was three times my size, and we looked like The Partridge Family in some fairly ridiculous outfits, it was our first taste of feeling the energy of a crowd from a stage. I liked it. It was just a third grade talent show, but to me, we may as well have been in a stadium playing for thousands of screaming fans.
From that moment on, there was never any doubt that this is what I wanted to do with my life. And what’s amazing to me is that I still love doing what I do as much as I did that day in elementary school with my oversized bass and Keith Partridge shirt.
Prior to winning the talent show, I was a short, skinny kid with a bowl cut. Almost overnight I became a cool kid. Music has always had a way of lending a helping hand to my personal life along the way.
We moved a lot when I was young. I went to three different elementary schools, one junior high school, and four high schools. So naturally it was tough to fit in everywhere and I found myself constantly trying to make new friends. But the one thing that saved me was music.
Still though, I didn’t quite dive into music with the same passion as my brother. Robert was married to music, I was just flirting with it.
THREE
It’s ironic that the preacher who would eventually speak out boldly against Stryper was the same one who first led me to Christ—Jimmy Swaggart.
I was twelve years old when I first said the sinner’s prayer. The sinner’s prayer is basically the admission to God that you are a sinner, and a petition asking for forgiveness along with an eagerness to accept Christ into your heart with the acknowledgement that He is the only way to heaven.
In 1975, most families would gather around the TV set to watch Lawrence Welk, Hee Haw, or maybe an episode of Lassie, but not us. We were regularly watching Jimmy Swaggart flailing his arms about and sweating profusely. Jimmy Swaggart was the epitome of the TV evangelist. Threats of hell and damnation coupled with tearful
The studio was always filled with seasoned pros and being around those guys was a real inspiration. Of course, at the time I didn’t realize the magnitude of the influence they were having on me, but I learned so much from being a part of those sessions—watching the other musician’s play and picking up everything I could from anyone who would take the time to teach me something new.
One player in particular that I remember was an incredibly well known country/blues player by the name of Lou Martin. Lou would give me tips and pointers when we were between takes or waiting for set-up. I tried to absorb everything I could from Lou. He was probably one of my earliest influences as a guitar player aside from Chuck Berry and John Fogerty. Looking back, I’ve often wondered if this was a strategic plan on the part of my dad to surround me with amazing musicians at such a young age. Planned or not, it certainly inspired my love for music and for playing guitar.
My parents were as encouraging and supportive as anyone could be throughout my childhood and my years as a growing musician. Whereas a garage for most Dads is typically sacred space for working on cars, collecting tools, or storing cold beer, my dad always gave up his “man cave” and let us turn every garage of every home into a rehearsal space.
When I was in the third grade, Robert and I entered a talent show at our elementary school. We played two instrumental songs, “Honky Tonk” by Bill Doggett and “Walk, Don’t Run”, a song first recorded by jazz great Johnny Smith, but made famous in 1960 by The Ventures.
We won 1 st place! I played bass and Rob of course played drums. Despite the fact that the bass guitar was three times my size, and we looked like The Partridge Family in some fairly ridiculous outfits, it was our first taste of feeling the energy of a crowd from a stage. I liked it. It was just a third grade talent show, but to me, we may as well have been in a stadium playing for thousands of screaming fans.
From that moment on, there was never any doubt that this is what I wanted to do with my life. And what’s amazing to me is that I still love doing what I do as much as I did that day in elementary school with my oversized bass and Keith Partridge shirt.
Prior to winning the talent show, I was a short, skinny kid with a bowl cut. Almost overnight I became a cool kid. Music has always had a way of lending a helping hand to my personal life along the way.
We moved a lot when I was young. I went to three different elementary schools, one junior high school, and four high schools. So naturally it was tough to fit in everywhere and I found myself constantly trying to make new friends. But the one thing that saved me was music.
Still though, I didn’t quite dive into music with the same passion as my brother. Robert was married to music, I was just flirting with it.
THREE
It’s ironic that the preacher who would eventually speak out boldly against Stryper was the same one who first led me to Christ—Jimmy Swaggart.
I was twelve years old when I first said the sinner’s prayer. The sinner’s prayer is basically the admission to God that you are a sinner, and a petition asking for forgiveness along with an eagerness to accept Christ into your heart with the acknowledgement that He is the only way to heaven.
In 1975, most families would gather around the TV set to watch Lawrence Welk, Hee Haw, or maybe an episode of Lassie, but not us. We were regularly watching Jimmy Swaggart flailing his arms about and sweating profusely. Jimmy Swaggart was the epitome of the TV evangelist. Threats of hell and damnation coupled with tearful
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