Playing music in the bowling lane, Timothy Nolan, Amy Wheeler, Kenny Hayward, and Angela Hayward perform at South Church on Sunday mornings. Photo by Phil Houseal
Details:
The Haywards play at South Church services which start at 10:30 on Sunday mornings at BB’s Billiards & Bowling on Hwy 87 South. Information at southburg.org.
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From the alley to the front porch
by Phil Houseal
May 26, 2010
Driving back from WalMart on Friendship Lane one Sunday morning, I noticed a young man and woman walking down that long sidewalk, singing and playing guitar. Except for a few passing cars, there was no one within a mile. Curiosity bit. I made an illegal U-turn and went back to intercept the two-person parade.
“Who are you and why are you playing music out in the street?” I asked.
They patiently explained they were Kenny and Angela Hayward, teenaged brother and sister who were just walking home from playing for the morning service in the bowling alley. They smiled and invited me to next Sunday’s service.
The parade reference was not far off, because the Haywards hail from New Orleans, home of Mardi Gras, the king of street celebrations. They grew up in a musical family of five kids, whose father Keith passed along his love of Cajun , rock, and other indigenous styles. The winds of Katrina blew them to the hill country about three years ago, and they have made their spiritual home at South Church.
That’s where I found myself and 70 other worshippers wedged in between the ball return machines and score tables at BB’s Billiards & Bowling.
Chuck Dobson greeted me. Dobson (who would be considered an elder if South Church had elders) explained how the church meeting in the bowling alley is not a reflection of scarcity of available rental space.
“We are trying to reach people in the community right here today who might be un-churched, de-churched, or maybe not strong in their faith,” Dobson said. “This site was chosen with a purpose.”
Kenny on guitar and Angela on djembe, joined by Timothy Nolan on guitar, and singer Amy Wheeler, literally stand in a bowling lane to sing and play as churchgoers file in. Their repertoire is a mix of hymns and contemporary worship songs.
Worship amid bowling balls is not only tolerated, but embraced by church leaders, whose slogan is “Stay out of the gutter.”
“People come in after the church service because the bowling alley opens up right after,” Kenny said. “They are not sure what is going on, because they are here to bowl, so they walk in a little bit baffled.”
Kenny and Angela are comfortable playing in unconventional venues. Before the hurricane from hell hit New Orleans, the Haywards would spend Mardi Gras set up on their front porch two blocks from the main parade route, playing for passersby.
“People would walk by and dance and smile,” Kenny said. “It was a pretty cool thing.”
The young guitar player has brought a bit of New Orleans to old Fredericksburg. It is the style Keith taught his children.
“It’s more jazz,” Kenny explained. “There is something about our family; we’ll come up with a tune and just go for it. We improvise. That’s pretty much how we do it in New Orleans.”
He sees no conflict. In music as in love, all is laissez faire.
“Gospel music is a lifestyle. It’s what I love. At the same time, I can’t change who I am and my heritage. I want to worship God. I just add a little rhythm and speed it up a little bit.”
The young man is working on bringing all of the Hayward siblings to the area this summer. If that happens, he promises they will be making music together. If they don’t get a formal gig, you will still be able to hear them.
“We’re going to sit on the front porch and just play some music.”