Calvin Rodgers: Shares his experiences & life lessons

No matter who you are, or where you come from, everybody has fantasized about what they wanted to be as a kid. Some wanted to be the usual, a doctor, or a lawyer or even a teacher but as a child Calvin Rodgers, pictured something much more unique. While other youngsters were playing doctor and pretending to make closing arguments in an imaginary courtroom, Calvin was marching to the beat of his own drum.

The sound of clashing cymbals, thunder of the bass drum, vibrating rhythm of the snare, is Calvin Rodger's sanctuary. He is perhaps one of the most influential and well-known drummers in gospel music and definitely a heavy-hitter in the industry. Calvin's playing has landed him the opportunity to work with several artists, such as John P. Kee, Marvin Sapp and Martha Munizzi, just to name a few. He is currently on tour with gospel artist Fred Hammond and has also been Hammond's musical director since 2005. Calvin, a Chicago native, believes playing is not only his gift, but his calling from the beginning:

"When I was growing up, having a career as a musician was really kind of unheard of, especially coming out of the church," Rodgers says.

"But for me, as long as I can remember, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. It's scary when I think about it but I just went through life with this plan and I never had a backup plan," Rodgers says.

Calvin knew that his God-given gift had a purpose and wanted to make sure he was prepared for what was in store for him. "I prayed to God throughout my life, that He would make me not just another musician but for a special anointing to reign over me," Rodgers says.

Growing up in church gave Calvin a strong foundation, and not only that, he learned to depend on God for the things that he needed. Just like Calvin, many young people share that same foundation but lack direction. This is why it's important for young people to be led by God when they have a special calling on their life. Even though Calvin knew that being a drummer was his destiny, the bigger picture was to know God's will for his life. Some say that with age comes wisdom and for young Calvin, the saying proved itself to be true.
"When you start getting older, you go through life, you start realizing that this thing is real." Rodgers says.
"Growing up in church, I was preached to, three to four times a week and in church five to six days a week, but I was just going through the motions, but there came a time in my life where I had to really go after God, I didn't really understand what was going on in my life," Rodgers says.

As a teenager, Calvin felt like an outcast because he knew he was different from other teens. He tried everything to fit in from selling drugs to gang-banging but eventually he had to give in to God. The christian morals instilled in Calvin as a child begin to
manifest. At this point, God began to reveal Himself to Calvin.

"I remember being in particular situations where I know for a fact, had I not been in a room praying for God to deliver me out of the situation I was in, not only would I but other people who were amongst me, their lives would've been gone," Rodgers says.

"So I developed a prayer life, started to develop my own personal relationship outside of just going to church and being on a gig and really that's when my life changed," Rodgers says.
"There were places I wanted to get and I didn't know how to get there and through prayer, fasting, and seeking God, I really saw Him place key people in front of me that would change my life indefinitely," Rodgers says.

While Calvin's relationship with God grew, so did his desire to pursue a career as a drummer. He even sharpened his playing skills by studying other veteran and professional drummers such as Dave Weckl, Will Kennedy, Joel Smith, Ricky Lawson, Phil Collins, Teddy Campbell and Terry Baker, who Calvin considers the "O.G." of versatile playing. In the midst of studying these great musicians, Calvin's hunger for something more, became greater. His ambition soon became to go after things that seemed impossible but he believed God would place him where he needed to be. Calvin's dream was to play with gospel artist John P. Kee, he soon realized the power of speaking things into his life.

Although Calvin didn't know it at the time, his words would turn into reality. One summer in 97' John P. Kee came to the Chicago Gospel Fest. He performed the hit song "Rain on Us," that featured a solo by his drummer. Kee announced to the crowd that the drummer was moving, and this would be the last time he played with the band.
"I told a friend that I needed someone to get me an audition with John, but I didn't know anybody who could help," Calvin says.

A few weeks later, God stepped in. Calvin played for a studio session with his good friend Kevin Randolph. It turned out that the original bass player couldn't show up that day. Little did Calvin know, the bass player who was filling in, by the name of Maurice Fitzgerald, was the bass player for John P. Kee.
"Me and Maurice just became tight from that day on, and we developed a really great relationship from the minute we met," Calvin says.

After this meeting with Maurice Fitzgerald, the rest was history, Calvin soon found himself playing for John P. Kee, gaining popularity with drummer's across the country.
"I was seeking God for that particular gig and I've seen God just do miracles and work wonders in my life, and I just know it's Him," Calvin says.

One of the most important lessons Calvin has learned in his life is that talent is just a small part of the bigger picture. Coming from Chicago, a place that seems to birth great musicians, talent can be found in every nook and cranny. The thing that gives talent a special touch is the anointing. The anointed of God stands out among other people, this is something that Calvin has witnessed throughout his career.
"Anointing allows you to tap in immediately to any type of worship element wherever you are, whatever situation you're in, it plays through you" Calvin says.

Being able to worship on his instrument is something Calvin couldn't do in any other genre but gospel music. "I'm an emotional musician, this is why I don't do a lot of secular stuff because there's no emotion tied to that," Calvin says.

Calvin is not against musicians playing in other fields besides gospel, but believes that musicians should pray and seek God to make sure they're covered to play in certain atmospheres. Calvin himself has experienced situations in the past where his Christian lifestyle could've compromised.
"I've had people do everything in front of me, from shooting up, to sniffing cocaine, and if I wasn't mentally and spiritually prepared for that, it could've ruined my life," Calvin says.
"I could've been in the position to think that this is what I needed to do to be in the circle and to maintain a gig. Sometimes you're in a place where you're not thinking logically, you're not using your better judgment a lot of times." Calvin says.

When Calvin was confronted with this type of pressure as a young man, he never gave in. Calvin knew who his life belonged too and refused to give in the pleasures of the industry. Although he was surrounded by ungodly influences, he chose to represent Jesus Christ above anything else. In the past he even played for R&B artist R. Kelly.

"When I was with Rob, I'm not saying I was perfect. I'm no angel, no priest or righteous man, but I made sure that when they always saw me that I exemplified what I said and who I said I was," Calvin says.
"I think it's important that you let your light shine," Calvin says.

There's a comfort in knowing that the anointing can move through you and most importantly, the power and presence of God can be felt there.
"When I play gospel music I'm really worshipping. Sitting on the drums is not just to get a check, it's an offering to God," Calvin says.

Even though Calvin's gift has taken him all over the world, Chicago is still the place he calls home. Several musicians just like Calvin, possess the same anointed gift, but in different arenas. There are several areas of ministry where God can use minstrels, outside of a major stage or playing with a major artist. Calvin believes in the bible scripture that your gift will make room for you but it takes on different meaning for him.

"Just because you only play at church on Sunday, or at bible study, or choir rehearsal, and you're great, doesn't mean that your gift hasn't made room for you," Calvin says.
"Some of our wives and children couldn't stand for us being on the road six to seven months out of the year," Calvin says.

"Everybody can't travel and be on the road, there are some of us who have to stay and be at church and be with our families," Calvin says.


No matter if he's on the road or on tour Calvin makes sure to return the love to drummers who supported and admire him. Whether it's as simple as returning an e-mail on myspace or taking time out to talk to a fan, he doesn't hesitate to reach out.

"When drummers come up to me and tell me how much my drumming means to them, it's just mind blowing to me it forces me to stay grounded and puts me in the spirit of humility," Calvin says.
"More than them being fascinated by a skill, I would like people to be inspired to walk a certain path, and through that, let God use them where they need to be used," Calvin says.

"It's more than just saying learn how to read or learn how to do this lick or that lick, more than sharing that with them, I'd like to say to them man, ask God to order your steps," Calvin says.

To some it may seem like Calvin has reached the height of his career. Contrary to popular belief, there are still challenges and higher goals he sets for himself. There is more to come from this fantastic drummer.
"I'm working on an album right now, which is not the type of album that people are expecting from me. It's a lot of more instrumental fusion jazz, a lot of more stretching in my playing," Calvin says.

Besides his upcoming projects, Calvin Rodgers' success continues to gain momentum. Not only has he been endorsed by Yamaha drums since 2004 but also has a signature drumstick by Promark in stores right now. To add to many accomplishments, he was nominated for a Dove award in 2007 and is even a Stellar award winner.

Even though Calvin's name is synonymous with drummers in the industry, he never forgets where it all started, the church. For Calvin, the church was his first gig and it will be his last. No longer is Calvin Rodgers the little boy who dreamed about being a gospel drummer, he is the man allows God to lead his career and life.

"Every time I've been in a place for God to show me something, or a place where I needed Him to speak to me, or for Him to comfort me, it's been on a set of drums, it's my secret place," Calvin says.