My friend in Romania, Adrian Schiopu, who runs the Romanian Christian Drummers web site got to ask Terl Bryant, founder of Psalm Drummers, some questions. He has graciously acquiesced to allow me to post the interview online on The Christian Drummer web site. Many thanks Adrian! Enjoy this brief interview with Terl.

How did you come up with an idea of a site for Christian drummers, when and how did it all happened? Last but not least WHY?

It wasn’t an idea, but a response to a dream I had in 1994, in which (I believe) the Lord called me to gather His drummers. I was on tour with a band called Iona and had fallen asleep on the tour bus. I dreamt I was standing in a semi-circle with a number of other drummers. We were worshipping and declaring God’s kingdom by pounding our drums in a strong unison pattern. It was as if we were on duty and called together for this moment. I was drumming hard and could sense the others were too. The drumming was powerful and relentless. I then recognised there was an accompanying song - it was from Psalm 97, “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice”. When I woke from the dream I was inspired! That is why I started Psalm Drummers. Now 12 years on the vision remains, to join with the Father’s heartbeat in heralding His son, Jesus. When we play we declare “Thy Kingdom Come!” through the stirring sound of our drums. It is part of the announcement from Psalm 97, “Righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne” - and from Psalm 24 ” “Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Why the name “Psalm Drummers”? Any story behind it? And what does “Psalm Drummers” do (the ministry)?

Psalm Drummers is the name - because we operate in the spirit that encapsulates the book of Psalms. we want to live a life of praise, being real about the challenges and victories we face, but with our eyes firmly fixed on the Lord. At the heart of the ministry, as I said before, is the gathering of drummers to announce Christ as King. However, there are lots of different types of drummer involved, each has different skills and abilities. So Psalm Drummers ends up doing quite a few different things as part of the expression of the ministry.

We have a leadership team here in the UK that oversee groups involved with street ministry outreach, drum-circle intercession, doing workshops and also offering teaching and training for drummers in the wider church. We also have performers and solo artists linked with Psalm Drummers playing in both the Christian and secular music scenes. We have teams that go on overseas missions and we all come together in various forms throughout the year for worship and fellowship as well.

What is your history in drumming? (bands, albums, churches, etc)

I was about eight years old when I discovered hitting things could be fun. I don’t come from a musical family, in fact, I often tell people that my mother used to try to sing me to sleep as a small boy and I would ask her to leave the room so I could get some sleep! At the age of 12, my father bought me a drum set and I joined the school band. By the age of 15, I was playing in pubs with local bands and had decided I wanted to be a professional drummer. I learned to play by drumming along with records. My influences were people like Ian Paice, Stewart Copeland, John Bonham, Gene Krupa and Charlie Watts. I always liked the solid hitters. My mother took us to our local Anglican church in the village, but my father never came. I did have a faith as a young boy but it wasn’t until my early 20s that I made a true commitment to follow Jesus. I moved to California in the early ’80s where I played in bar bands for a few years and I was 22 years of age when I met some Christian musicians who helped lead me back to Christ. Since then God has led me on an amazing adventure and I’ve ended up playing with all sorts of wonderful people. These include touring and recording with MATT REDMAN (Facedown vid), JOHN PAUL JONES live ‘Nosumi Blues ‘Smile of Your Shadow (You Tube), FAITH HILL, STEVE LEVINE (PRODUCER), PURE ASSASSINS, EDEN’S BRIDGE (Isle of Tides) - RODDY FRAME ‘Bigger Brighter Better’ on Later with Jools Holland, STEELEYESPAN, HONEYZ, BARBARA DICKSON ‘Erriskay Love Song’ BBC2, THE NELSON BROTHERS, LOUISE (ETERNAL), LESLEY GARRETT, 6 DAY RIOT, MADDY PRIOR (5 albums), IONA (Treasure video), SUNAMI RELIEF SONG ‘Grief Never Grows Old’ with BRIAN WILSON, STEVE WINWOOD, SIR CLIFF RICHARD, RUSSELL WATSON, GEORGE MICHAEL, ANDY GIBB, GARY MOORE, DAVEY SPILLANE and others. PETER MURPHY ‘Cuts You Up’ ‘Keep Me From Harm’ NY Limelight MTV, STEVE TAYLOR ‘On the Fritz’, PAUL WILBUR, ROBIN MARK, JOANNE HOGG, DARRELL MANSFIELD and a bunch of others!! check out terlbryant.com

How are you at this point involved in church or in any other events, related to your drumming?

Jules, myself and our children are members of The Point Anglican church in Sussex, UK where we live. We minister together as part of the discipleship program and sometimes lead worship at church events and take part in the Sunday worship team when able. Our ministry through Psalm Drummers is supported by the Point church.

What books, tapes, videos, DVD’s you have out or with / about Psalm Drummers?

Psalmshop.co.uk - there are special offers and shipping rates are the same worldwide!

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