Worship Bass Coffee

Jay Szalay
  • 5.0 (15)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS

Worship, Bass, Coffee is the podcast for worship musicians, bass players, and creatives who serve the Church and love a great cup of coffee. Hosted by a Nashville-based worship bassist Jay Szalay, this show features real conversations about worship music, bass gear, playing techniques, faith, creativity, and serving in ministry. Hear from special guests—both well-known and behind-the-scenes—as we talk tone, gear, grooves, and what it means to lead with humility and heart. Whether you’re on stage every Sunday or just love the worship music world, this podcast is brewed just for you.

  1. Behind the Bass: Samuel Rady on Maverick City and More

    FEB 9

    Behind the Bass: Samuel Rady on Maverick City and More

    Episode 16 of Worship Bass Coffee features session and touring bassist Samuel Rady, a longtime “Insta-friend” of Jay’s whose playing you’ve probably heard even if you didn’t realize it. Sam shares his story of getting started on bass, landing early opportunities with Housefires, and how that path led into the rise of Maverick City Music—including what it was really like going from church gigs to arenas and huge stages. They talk about the reality of touring (the good, the hard, and the unexpected), the importance of the people you’re surrounded by, and what it takes to stay grounded as opportunities grow. Of course, they also go deep on the gear: Sam walks through his bass lineup (including a PJ Custom Shop, a ‘92 Thunderbird with Lollar pickups, a G3, a Mustang, a Coronado, and more), his live setup with the Quad Cortex, and his “absolute unit” studio board—plus why the Noble DI is still the one piece he can’t live without. The episode wraps with rapid fire favorites, coffee talk, and practical advice for worship bassists and aspiring touring musicians who want to grow the right way. Grab your favorite cup of coffee and listen.

    1h 44m
  2. A Drummer’s Perspective on Worship with Jeremy Williams

    JAN 26

    A Drummer’s Perspective on Worship with Jeremy Williams

    Episode 15 features the first non-bassist guest of 2026, and one of my best friends — drummer Jeremy Williams from The Bridge Church. In this episode, Jay and Jeremy talk about serving on worship teams from a drummer’s perspective and how real friendships off-stage directly impact chemistry, feel, and tightness on-stage. Jeremy shares his story of growing up in church with a worship-pastor dad, starting drums at a young age, and how those early experiences shaped his heart for worship. He also opens up about his current season of life as a husband and father balancing ministry with a demanding career that requires constant travel, and what intentional preparation looks like when time is limited. The conversation dives into practical worship topics including how drummers prepare without a kit at home, what drummers listen for from bass players, locking in with the kick, serving the song, building dynamics, tone in in-ears, and handling mistakes on Sunday mornings. They also talk about humility, patience, and why relationships within a worship team matter just as much as musical skill. Grab your favorite cup of coffee and listen.

    1h 21m
  3. From Sessions to the Stage: A Conversation with Jacob Lowery

    JAN 12

    From Sessions to the Stage: A Conversation with Jacob Lowery

    Episode 14 kicks off 2026 with Nashville session bassist Jacob Lowery, whose résumé spans everyone from Reba McEntire and Michael McDonald to Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and more. Jacob and Jay talk about what a “normal” week in the studio really looks like, how inspiration (and learning songs) often beats practicing scales, and how relationships + being a great hang can open doors just as much as playing the right notes. Along the way, Jacob shares early influences from church and radio (a true Louisiana gumbo of styles), surreal career moments on massive stages, and the discipline of serving the song—knowing when to add a little “spice” and when to stay out of the way. They also dive into gear: Bluesman basses, strings, and Jacob’s signal chain (including his always-on approach to tasteful drive), plus his upcoming Bass Summit where he mentors players on sessions, charts, tone, and real-world etiquette (sometimes with a Bluesman bass giveaway!). Jay closes the episode with an invite to join the Worship Bass Coffee Bible reading plan, a Psalm reading and encouragement for anyone feeling under attack, and a reminder that this community is better together—so grab your favorite cup of coffee and listen in.

    1h 50m
  4. From Leading Out Front to Serving from the Low End with Phil Lawson

    12/29/2025

    From Leading Out Front to Serving from the Low End with Phil Lawson

    In Episode 13 of Worship, Bass, Coffee, Jay sits down with bassist, worship leader, real-estate pro, and longtime supporter of the show Phil Lawson. Phil was one of the very first people to reach out when the podcast launched, and this conversation feels like the full-circle moment it was always meant to be. Jay and Phil talk through what everyday life looks like when you’re juggling family, full-time work, serving at church, and still trying to stay musically sharp. Phil shares how his journey—from music education, to leading worship, to building a career in real estate—shaped the way he approaches Sundays, preparation, and ministry today. They dig into his musical roots, the bass that shaped him, how he balances calling and schedule, and the practical rhythms that help him serve well without burning out. And of course, they spend time on gear, tones, strings, and the stories behind the instruments that carry his sound. Settle in with your favorite brew and join us for this reflective close-to-the-year end episode.

    1h 42m
  5. Bryce Vaughn and the Heart Behind the Tone

    12/15/2025

    Bryce Vaughn and the Heart Behind the Tone

    In this Christmas-season episode of Worship, Bass, Coffee, Jay sits down with fellow Texan and tone architect Bryce Vaughn for a conversation that’s equal parts gear talk, real-life honesty, and worship-community heart. They dig into what life actually looks like when your weeks are stacked with Sunday sets, midweek services, artist dates, studio sessions, and the constant tension of staying creative without burning yourself out. Bryce shares how growing up as a pastor’s kid in an all-Black gospel church shaped his feel, his pocket, and his instinctive approach to worship bass—and how that background still influences the way he plays today. From the “why” behind his pedalboard to the story of how he started building presets and eventually launched Backline Resources, Bryce talks openly about tone, inspiration, and what it means to carry your own musical DNA rather than copying someone else’s settings. He also offers grounded, heartfelt advice for new worship bassists—whether they’re teenagers stepping onto a stage for the first time or adults discovering the instrument later in life. So brew your favorite cup, settle in, and enjoy this Christmas-season conversation.

    1h 19m
  6. The Worship Bass Coffee Holiday Gear Wish List Episode—with Scott Beavers

    12/01/2025

    The Worship Bass Coffee Holiday Gear Wish List Episode—with Scott Beavers

    It’s a Worship, Bass, Coffee Christmas special! In Episode 11, Jay is joined once again by his friend and fellow bassist Scott Beavers for a full-on worship bass gear wish list—perfect for Cyber Monday hunters or anyone dreaming up their next tone move. They kick things off with budget-friendly bass options for newer players, then work their way into boutique builds from Puleo, Bluesman Vintage, Mike Lull, Low End, and more. From there, Jay and Scott walk through their “gear pyramid,” highlighting the essentials every worship rig needs before diving into all the fun extras. Along the way, they touch on DI favorites, drives, fuzz, chorus, octaves, compressors, pedalboards, power supplies, and even share a few exclusive discount opportunities from builders they love. But through all the gear talk, they still land on one key truth: great playing and serving well matter far more than piling pedals onto a board. Tune in, grab a cup of coffee, take notes, and maybe even find a few items to add to your own Christmas list.

    1h 37m
  7. From Gospel Beginnings to Disney Stages: A Conversation with LaVon Rushing

    11/17/2025

    From Gospel Beginnings to Disney Stages: A Conversation with LaVon Rushing

    In this episode of Worship, Bass, Coffee, I sit down with LaVon Rushing — gospel bassist, MD, multi-instrumentalist, and one of the most joyful and gifted players influencing modern worship and gospel music today. LaVon shares how growing up in Virginia with a guitar-playing father and a bass-loving mother shaped his musical DNA, eventually leading him from early church experiences to a full career in Orlando’s vibrant creative scene. LaVon and I revisit their first meeting at Disney’s Joyful! Christmas show, his move to Florida, and how unexpected opportunities — including playing on multiple Hilary Duff records — opened doors he never imagined. LaVon talks honestly about balancing an intense weekly schedule of rehearsals, sessions, and family life, and breaks down how he practices “by thinking the impossible,” using recording moments as his time to grow. He also dives deep into the reality of Sunday morning life at his church, where sets change last-minute and everything is “on the fly,” requiring intuition, talkback communication, and trust. Gear lovers get a full walkthrough of LaVon’s world: his custom 7-string Bootleg bass, unique tunings (down to low F#), Bartolini pickups, Aguilar preamps, DI choices, and the pedals he relies on — including the H9, OC-2, Tone Hammer/AG, Whammy, and more. LaVon also shares powerful reflections on leading worship from the bass, adapting across genres, finding the right church environment, listening deeply, and the importance of surrounding yourself with peers who sharpen you. In one of the most heartfelt moments of the episode, he opens up about losing a close friend and how God has been reminding him to embrace the present, move with purpose, and be fully here for the people you love. If you love gospel chops, gear talk, worship conversations, or simply want encouragement in your musical and spiritual journey — this is a can’t-miss episode.

    1h 14m
  8. Josh Summers — The Heart of Worship

    11/03/2025

    Josh Summers — The Heart of Worship

    In this episode of Worship, Bass, Coffee, I sit down with Josh Summers — a fellow bassist, husband, and dad of four based in Cleveland, Tennessee, who has a deep love for music, tone, and serving in the local church. From early days in punk and alternative bands to leading worship at Calvary Chapel Chattanooga, Josh shares how his journey as a musician has evolved into something far deeper than just playing notes. We talk about preparation, intentional playing, and what it means to “serve the song.” Josh opens up about his process of learning structure first—then finding where not to play. He shares how dynamics, silence, and restraint often carry more weight than fills or flash, and how the best bass parts support the moment instead of stealing it. From learning to adapt with different drummers to post-service “Give It Back” moments of humility, this episode digs into what heart-led musicianship really looks like. And of course—there’s plenty of gear talk. Josh walks us through his two Fender Mustang basses, both heavily customized, and explains how his setup evolved from a simple analog board to a streamlined digital rig centered around the Darkglass Anagram. We get into fuzz tones, subs, compression, pitch-shifting tricks for those Eb Sundays, and the pros and cons of leaving the pedal world behind for all-in-one solutions. If you’ve ever debated going from analog to digital, this one’s for you. Josh also shares about balancing family life, working remotely, and finding peace in both the loud and quiet seasons. His perspective on worship—removing ego, playing with purpose, and letting God shape your approach—reminds every bassist why we do what we do. Whether you’re deep in the worship world or just love a good gear conversation, this episode is full of encouragement, humor, and honesty from one player to another. Grab your favorite cup of coffee and join us for a real, grounded, and inspiring conversation.

    1h 45m
See All (16)

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Worship, Bass, Coffee is the podcast for worship musicians, bass players, and creatives who serve the Church and love a great cup of coffee. Hosted by a Nashville-based worship bassist Jay Szalay, this show features real conversations about worship music, bass gear, playing techniques, faith, creativity, and serving in ministry. Hear from special guests—both well-known and behind-the-scenes—as we talk tone, gear, grooves, and what it means to lead with humility and heart. Whether you’re on stage every Sunday or just love the worship music world, this podcast is brewed just for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Jay Szalay
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jay Szalay
  • Show Website
    Worship Bass Coffee

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