Jon was a drummer that I got to know through the band and singles group at my church. Getting to know Jon was also the first time that I specifically recall beginning to see the distinction between gifts and talents. I got to know Jon at a weekend youth camp where we played together in the band. After the evening events, Jon and I spent some time trading guitar licks and showing each other some stuff that we had made up. Jon had only recently picked up the guitar, having always played drums in the past, and I remember being amazed at the way he played the guitar. There was just something captivating about every aspect of his style. Part of it was the way he approached the instrument and handled it. Part of it was his comfort level in playing things that are not ‘supposed’ to sound good, at least when it comes to structured music theory. The most intriguing though was just how naturally the music seemed to flow out of him through the guitar. It was truly amazing! Continue reading