It’s always interesting as a musician to connect with someone who dreams of taking their guitar and passion for worship to audiences worldwide. These conversations often spark my curiosity, and I usually find myself asking a few questions to better understand what truly drives their aspirations. Sometimes, I encounter individuals with a solid grasp of the path they wish to pursue. However, other times, I sense a romanticized notion of the Christian music industry that doesn’t quite align with the day-to-day realities for a working musician, or specifically, a “Guitar Guy” in that world.
Now, to be clear, my personal touring experience is quite humble. I haven’t toured with any major Christian artists. My tours are more like local gigs, driving an hour or two to play worship music with fellow leaders I know. To quote Bart Millard from MercyMe, my typical compensation is often just “Taco Bell and directions home,” and honestly, I’m perfectly happy with that. However, I’m fortunate to have close friends who are deeply embedded in the Christian music industry at various levels. These range from local artists hustling to fund their album recordings to band members touring with platinum-selling, Dove Award-winning artists. Through countless conversations with these friends, I’ve gained valuable insights into the joys, challenges, and genuine realities of life as a professional musician. The overwhelming sentiment is that while it’s a tough career path, most of them can’t imagine doing anything else. Their experiences have given me, and hopefully can give you, a more grounded understanding of what this line of work is truly like for a “guitar guy” and beyond.
