POWERGRAMS

11 the choir, Johnson is often called on to sing and play piano. Johnson said in his role, he is the "mediator" between the choir, the minister and the congregation. "You're dealing with a lot of different personalities and a lot of different attitudes. People don't always agree," said Johnson, customer service representative, West Jefferson Office. "The key is to be understanding and realize that everyone is different. You need to understand what their needs are and what they are feeling. You have to be the diplomat and the psychologist both at the same time." Although Johnson has served at the church for 10 years, he began pursuing his dream of entering the music ministry in 1986. "Back then, I was trying to teach myself how to play the piano," said Johnson, who had been singing in the choir since boyhood and had played in the West Jefferson High School band. "A friend of mine said, 'There's a little church in Walker County that needs an accompanist. I think that would be a good place to learn how to become a church minister.'" That was just the beginning. Since then, Johnson has worked as music minister for four churches across Jefferson County. He is on the board of the Birmingham Chapter of the Gospel Workshop of America. Several of his songs have been published by this international organization that promotes gospel music as an art form. Johnson said despite the hard work that goes into a performance, the end result is worth the effort. "I especially enjoy being able to present a beautiful presentation to the congregation," he said. "You go through a lot to get there, but eventually you do get there." Entertaining from the bench Charlotte Shirley can barely recall a Sunday when she has not been sitting on the piano bench at First Baptist Church of Gordo. As the church pianist for 53 years, she has become the backbone of the music program. "When I was 12 years old, the church lost its pianist. They asked my dad if I could fill in, and I've been playing ever since," said Shirley, administrative assistant, Western Division Office. One of Shirley's favorite things is playing offertory duets with her cousin, June Elmore, who is also a Sunday fixture as church organist. Although the two meet a couple of hours a week to perfect their song, Shirley said performing in tandem has almost become intuitive because they have been playing together for so many years. Fitting music into her busy daily schedule is always a challenge for Shirley. Along with working at Alabama Power, she takes care of her grandchildren and her 96-year- old mom. But every week, she finds time to practice with the choir and manages to spend a few hours at the piano ironing out new songs. Shirley, who began learning to play the piano in the second grade, said she is often called on to play popular contemporary praise music, but her favorite songs are the "old hymns." "To sit down and play the piano is relaxing and calming," Shirley said. "It's a ministry for me. People tell us they get a blessing through our songs every week." Waiting on the call Another accompanist, Melissa Williamson, buyer, Plant Gaston, is the backup organist at First Freewill Baptist Church in Sylacauga – a spot she prefers since she is a "behind- the-scenes" kind of gal. "I like playing the organ because the focus isn't on you," Williamson said. "The piano is always the dominant instrument, but it's the organ that brings the music together because of its power and sound." Williamson began learning to play when her parents bought her an organ as a 14-year-old. She studied piano at Alexander City Junior College (now Central Alabama Community College) and received an Associate of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in music. But her true love has always been the organ. Williamson, who has attended First Freewill Baptist for 28 years, sings in the choir and is on the worship team. She steps in on occasion to lead the choir in the music minister's absence. "Music speaks to me," said Williamson. "God ministers to me personally through music and through song. It's a connection to God that allows me to worship back to him." Sam Hensley, Burroughs, Oakley and Craig Cargile sing in Centreville. Williamson plays organ for Sylacauga church.

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