In this episode of Worship, Bass, Coffee, I sit down with Adam Kiser — a bassist and MD whose path runs from a tiny south-Georgia church to Bethel Music and the road with Josh Baldwin. We met before serving on a live worship project at The Bridge church and kept the conversation going over coffee. Adam shares how a visiting praise band made bass feel “cool,” what it felt like to move across the country at 18, and why not making the team his first year at Bethel ended up being one of the best things that happened to him.

We talk about the craft behind the calling: learning songs by ear, then locking them in with simple Nashville Numbers notes; getting handed a talkback mic and stumbling into MD’ing; and how to prep for sets when Planning Center isn’t doing the heavy lifting. Adam gets real about life in Nashville, choosing the right trips, communicating at home, and finding a sustainable rhythm between family, ministry, and the road.

And yep — plenty of gear talk. Adam walks through his go-to Puleo Jazz, a trusty American Standard Jazz, and a ’73 P-Bass when the gig fits. On the board: Union LAB Compressor, Aguilar Tone Hammer, JHS Colour Box, Walrus Julia chorus, and the MXR Poly Blue Octave for those “keys-bass” moments. We hit why the Tone Hammer sits so well in modern worship mixes, how right-hand dynamics beat endless pedal stacking, and where modeling (HX Stomp) still makes a ton of sense.

From influences like Geddy Lee to the minimalist vibe of Laura Lee (Khruangbin), Adam’s approach is musical, practical, and deeply encouraging. We wrap with a quick devotional from 2 Peter 1:5–8 on perseverance — a reminder that growth often looks like humble reps, honest feedback, and trusting God’s timing.

Whether you’re serving every Sunday or just starting out, Adam’s story is full of grit, humor, and wisdom for worship bassists. Grab your favorite cup of coffee and join us for this encouraging conversation.