NEW LIFE IN CHRIST THROUGH MUSIC

My Experience with the Christian Band, “Come Thirsty”

By: Carlos Solórzano

            Christians all over the world know of the true meaning of living life to the fullest once they allow Jesus Christ to be their guide. And, through the power of the Holy Spirit we can feel God's presence in our minds and hearts directing our every move, especially in the decisions that we make.

            And it is with that idea that I'd like to share something with you all about God directing my life.

            Aside from my teaching and writing I also work as a professional drummer in the state of Arizona . It is not uncommon to find me moonlighting with various country and top 40 bands or in a recording studio laying down tracks for local artists.

            Creatively, I do solo drumset shows where I adapt world rhythms to the kit and have been blessed to have performed at various events all over the state including some high profile shows. I also compose tribal grooves that are available for licensing, which has blessed me with grants, awards, and of course, the thrill of having my music featured on television shows and on the radio. I have also received some endorsements from some great companies as well as a featured article in a drumming magazine. But I must admit, something still left a whole in my heart.

            And then came Come Thirsty …

            After 15 years of playing in the Los Angeles music scene with my own bands I moved to Arizona to start a new life and to raise my family. My wife is a vocalist and I worked in so many projects with her over the years including Christian bands. But after our run in the Los Angeles music scene ended she focused on motherhood and work and I only wanted to play music if it was a working situation so neither of us had any intention of being in a band again.         

            But as the saying goes, want to hear God laugh, make plans .

            It started one day when I decided to play some old Stryper CD's in the car with my kids. My son loved it so we started playing it on a regular basis. After all, what parent would mind since they are a Christian band? Then my wife started playing the local Christian radio station more and more and soon after that we found ourselves at our local Best Buy purchasing Christian CD's along with our country favorites.

            To make a long story short God put it on both of our hearts to start up a Christian band and within a short time period we met two other musicians who were not only professionals like us but also Christians that also had no intention of playing in a band again until God grabbed a hold of their hearts, too.

            The first meetings were magical. We sat together and immediately knew it was going to work. We started playing some praise songs and before we knew it even started writing our own material. And each rehearsal and performance has been such a blessing I can't even put it into words.

            As of now, we've done three local shows and they have all been wonderful experiences. Our most recent one was for a Celebrate Recovery service and let me tell you, there is nothing more emotional and beautiful than to sing God's songs to a group of people that have thrown their lives at the foot of the cross after asking Jesus to heal them of their addictions. I told the band it was probably the best gig I've ever played.

            We are so happy to give our gifts back to God and to share God's love through our music. It is humbling to be used as His vessel and we look forward to being out there more and more to serve the One that gave us our musical abilities.

            Let me leave with something I read a long time ago. Your talents are God's gift to you. What you do with those talents is your gift back to God .

CARLOS SOLORZANO has a BA & MA in Religious Studies from Cal State Long Beach. He lives in Southern Arizona and teaches theology at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson , AZ

Please visit:

www.myspace.com/carlossolorzano

www.yourchristianspace.com/comethirsty

www.shoutlife.com/comethirstytucson

The band Come Thirsty can be reached at come.thirsty.music@gmail.com