Tony Cummings spoke to the drummer and visionary behind PSALM DRUMMERS, Terl Bryant.

PERCUSSION PRAISE: Psalm Drummers

The next time you encounter a church ignoramus who insists that all modern worship music sounds the same, the best thing you can do is to pass him a copy of the Psalm Drummers' groundbreaking self-titled album. This dazzling percussion collective is taking worship music into a whole new vista of creativity a long, long way from the usual guitar-driven pop rock template. The drumming visionary behind the Psalm Drummers is one of Britain's top session percussionists Terl Bryant. Terl recounted the Psalm Drummers' beginnings.

"The vision for Psalm Drummers came through a dream in late 1994. In the dream I was standing in a semi-circle with a number of other drummers. We were worshipping and declaring God's kingdom, pounding our drums whilst singing, 'The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice' from Psalm 97. My head was bowed because the light of God's presence was so bright. Later in the dream I saw the word 'PSALM' written in capital letters. Around the same time I heard the Lord speaking, 'gather the drummers.' This was the initial prompt to start Psalm Drummers.

"I started meeting with a handful of drummers in London in 1995 and was soon hosting a regular meeting. We explored prayer and worship through drums and were really encouraged to see God touching those who came. This meeting continued at various venues in London through to 2003. The meetings were very exciting and clearly many were envisioned and ministered to. During the first four years news of this seemingly 'new thing' travelled fast and before I knew it there were meetings using the name all over the UK and even some in Europe and USA. We started a database and had over 1500 people on it. Psalm Drummers was looking like an organisation. I took advice and aiming to stay accountable, I set up a charity to help facilitate the vision. However, in late 2003 I was clear we were moving in a direction that was not God's will. The meetings had become a gathering for many who were enjoying the 'drum-circle' experience and undoubtedly enjoying worshipping, but it was taking on a form that had moved away from the heart of the vision. I was gathering everyone but the drummers. There has remained a number drummers committed to the vision who do meet, and there are several regular gatherings around the UK, but I had to take courage and wind down the larger network which was moving off in every direction.

"I believe God is restoring the drum to the Church and is calling drummers, both individually and corporately, to drum out a new beat. A beat that carries the heart and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The purpose is to declare his presence. I have seen drumming to be a powerful voice for prayer and praise; it can unify the divided, encourage the disheartened and stir up much needed courage within the Church in our times. We have a coming King. He is the bridegroom spoken of in Scripture and his bride (the Church) must ready herself. For thousands of years people have used drums to announce the coming of man. The Psalm Drummer uses the drum to announce the coming of King Jesus."

Terl explained how Psalm Drummers is not a group in the traditional meaning of the meaning of the word, nor a formal organisation, but a vision where drummers drum out the beat of God's heart. Said Terl, "The name 'Psalm Drummers' serves as a banner name for a network of drummers and percussionists (worldwide) who choose to use their drumming gift to glorify Christ Jesus. There are several people in the UK who gather teams of drummers using the Psalm Drummers name for events, etc, but how many around the world that associate with it is really unknown. I hold the vision with a team of friends who support me and to whom I am accountable.

"If you step away from the organisation idea - you can see the Psalm Drummer vision is carried in the heart of Christian drummers and percussionists all over the place (across the world). They are only known to each other or me through relationship. That's how the network works. There is the website (www.psalmdrummers.org) which lays out the vision and another site (www.rhythmtrade.com) which people in the wider drumming community can connect through. The network includes famous kit players and professional players working in both secular and mainstream bands, drummers from many different denominations involved in church bands and worship teams, drum teachers, drum circle facilitators and more. Each carries the vision and a heart for God in their numerous different activities. It is true that the Psalm Drummer vision has been most visible when groups have gathered for Christian events. We have had teams of drummers involved with a huge number of events and festivals."

Terl explained how the 'Psalm Drummers' CD and DVD came about: "My good friend (and part of my council of reference) Les Moir at Survivor Records encouraged me to do it. I spent nearly a year recording bits in various locations on my travels. I took a portable Protools set-up and a couple of good mics with me and asked a number of folk I knew and trusted who gathered as Psalm Drummers to let me record them. I worked on a number of themes and then developed the tracks in my own studio. I recorded in USA, South Africa, UK and in Eastern Europe. Other groups sent me stuff they did from as far as Australia and Canada. I visited an amazing gathering in Texas called 'Drummers for Jesus' where 2000 drummers met for a weekend. I was there as part of a concert with some of the most famous players in the world, and was privileged to have a session teaching too. It was stunning - we recorded a group whilst there which are included in the track 'The Dreambeat' on the CD. All the sessions were stirring and the players gave themselves wholeheartedly every time. The idea of the CD and DVD is to inspire drummers, yes, but also for it to work as a study tool, to be used for private and corporate worship and prayer intercession for the wider believing community."