Our first official interview is with Houston’s Gary Mayes. Having played the likes of Shawn McLemore, Kim Burrell and Kathy Taylor, it makes sense that he is well known for his drumming abilities. However, Gary is also a writer, producer and preacher of the gospel.

Gary Mayes and his group Nu Era released their first project – “The N.E. X-perience Vol. I” – in 2002. Their Current Project, “Diary of a Strong Souljah” covers all bases. There are the contemporary tracks, traditional gospel tracks and worship tracks. Side note: “We Owe U More” is one of my favorite worship tracks on the album. Request that on your local stations!

Having said that, I reached out to G. Mayes to be our first interviewee and he was kind enough to take time out of his schedule on the road:

When did you first develop an appreciation for Praise and Worship? 

If I had to pinpoint a date and time, it would have to be September of ’03. I was working at a church and the pastor, at the time, charged all the musicians and ministers of music with understanding what worship really was. So I had to go and buy books; worship literature. [The books] talked about the Levites and I was able to get a better understanding of what worship really was about. I thought praise and worship was strictly a devotional period. As a worship leader you have already been consecrated, so when you lead worship what you’re trying to do is get the people to be connected to you so they can be in connection to God. That was a 6-week training that I took in September of ’03. That’s when I started understanding what worship really was and stopped taking it for granted. I started taking it a lot more serious.


Was there any individual(s) who strongly influenced how you minister through music?

Yeah, this young lady by the name of Renee Davis. At the time Kurt Carr had a real hot record out, and it was talking about the devil being defeated. It was a real war cry, but we spent more time talking about the devil instead of real worship. I thought the song was hot and a good song to sing, but [Renee] and I had a sit down conversation, and it wasn’t worship. Renee played an intricate part in my better understanding of what real worship is and what worship leaders are supposed to do. To this day, she does not know the impact she had on me just from that thirty-minute conversation she and I had that day.

Praise and Worship creates a personal relationship with God. As you came to understand this, were there changes beyond music? Did you experience any lifestyle changes?

Yes, Lord! In everything, I actually started to worship God. I didn’t have to wait for Him to do something to tell him thank you. I didn’t have to wait for something miraculous to happen for me to just really want to love Him. My daily walk changed. From September/October of  ’03 up until today, a lot of my growth is because of the time I spent at that church being around Renee and other people. Worship is not something that you do on Sunday mornings. It’s a lifestyle: the way you act, speak, and carry yourself around other people. It’s a lifestyle and I think that’s the biggest thing. We all need to understand that. 

For some people going to church and participating in Praise and Worship is “normal” or routine. However actually changing one’s lifestyle beyond church on Sunday is a difficult task. What was the hardest aspect of changing your lifestyle?

I spent more time with Him rather than the television. I spent more time with Him than I did writing, producing and playing drums and basketball. I understood that if my relationship with him is right, everything else would fall in place. I am a TV-aholic. Anything Martin Lawrence, I had to have it. When I would get up in the morning the first thing I would do was turn on my television. But I had to get into the mode hoping that my day would be great. I had to tell God “thank you” as soon as I got up. That was hard for me. I don’t know about everyone else, it may seem minute to some and big for others. But for me, it was humongous. It was colossal because my worship was television. I stayed connected and listened to music all day. I never took the time to say “I’m going to set aside this time.” After I brush my teeth and wash my face, I take the time to thank God and just love on Him. What young people need to understand is: you don’t have to wake up in the morning and start speaking in tongues while running around the house anointing your walls. Just telling God “thank you” at the beginning of your day. Make sure it’s sincere and coming from the heart.  Like “God, once again you’ve spared me and I thank you. If you don’t do anything else today, Lord you allowed me to get up this morning. That’s enough for me to tell you ‘thank you.’ In Jesus’ name, Amen.” And that’s enough.
 

Some people want to do 20-30 minute devotionals and they’re still raising hell and don’t have a real true heart of a worshiper. It’s the simple things. For those kids and young people that really want to learn how to worship, it’s simple.  Stop letting people make you think it’s really hard. It’s simple. Telling God ‘thank you’ is the beginning of a worship relationship.  Just telling God [you] appreciate what He’s already done. The one thing I had to change was my routine of getting up in the morning and turning on the television or radio. I had to make sure I stopped to give God praise for a brand new day. Where I’m at now is totally different than where I was six or seven years ago.

Since we are talking about lifestyles, let’s get on testimonies. You don't have to be in a pulpit to give a testimony. Sometimes it’s just how you live and exhibit yourself to other people. Was it ever an issue for you to be confident in your praise or display your God confidence?

No. I’m a walking testimony. I’ve been through so much in my day. He has delivered me from a lot of things and I have no reason to be afraid of anything. I should be able to tell anybody anything. First of all, I’m a transparent type of guy. There are some things [that I speak on] that people always question. But me, on the other hand, I feel that I went through it because I am supposed to be able to testify about it. I let people know some of the things I have been through and have come out of. I don’t have a reason to be afraid to testify and be honest. As we say now “keep it 100.”

Obviously you have found your calling. What would you say to you people who have yet to hear their calling? Or maybe they have heard it but are afraid to answer?

Don’t run. [laughs] The worst thing you can do is run. There is a sign. You will be able to hear and know when God is calling you. You’ve got to keep your ears and hearts open.

 - J. McNair