I ran into Greg, during the recent performance by The Disco Biscuits in Acme to discuss his association with CULM. This is a busy summer for the Church, with numerous events yet to come including Funk Fest from July 31 through August 2.

When was the first time that you played at CULM?

Somewhere around 2000, close to the time Gent Treadly started playing with The Grateful Dead’s Vince Welnick.

How many times have you played there?

The mists of time make it a little difficult to remember every time. I have been out there a bunch of times both as a musician and as CULM’s legal representative. If I had to pin down a number, I would say at least 8 times.

When you booked that first gig at CULM, did you have any preconceptions of shady goings on or dubious cult rituals?

I had a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. I was weary that I might be exposing the band to some kind of cult until I spoke to Willy Pritts, CULM’s founder, who put me at ease. Willy is definitely not what I would call a typical venue owner or manager. I quickly realized that the folks at CULM are not interested in converting anybody and are solely interested in spiritual expression through playing, listening and participating in the live music experience.

What was your first impression of Willy Pritts?

Willy definitely is an exceptional individual and does not come across as your typical businessman. His enthusiasm for the venue was very clear and his interest was focused on the music, much like a fan, which again is atypical to many other promoters I have dealt with. You could feel his roots as a long time Deadhead, I have a bit of a radar for that! Working with Willy, it becomes quickly evident that he is coming from a good place, cares about the music, and cares about the artists. Over the years, I have found that while he may be unorthodox, he is exceptionally trustworthy and an honorable guy.

What do you think drives Willy to keep the venue going strong?

One of the first things that I did for CULM, even before signing on as their attorney, was to help lobby the IRS to grant 501c3 non-profit status. I did that because I saw Willy was making a good faith effort to run the venue as a non-profit organization. He loves the music and the community. I believe he is driven by witnessing the joy others receive when they are surrounded by music that they feel is meaningful and the natural beauty of the venue’s location.

How did you decide to offer your legal services to Willy & CULM?

I played there several times and Willy and other CULM members would mention their struggles with the local zoning authority. While I really can’t get into specifics of these problems because of a confidentiality order as part of CULM’s recent settlement with the county, let me say that these struggles had come to the point that CULM would have to stop its live music operations.

So, the first half dozen times that I was asked to help with CULM’s lawsuit, I kind of backed off from helping, as I had no experience in religious land use law. When Willy showed me a contempt order that CULM was being subject to, I realize that Willy and CULM really needed help to fight for their rights. Willy seemed to be having a hard time relating to the attorneys helping CULM early on and I understood CULM’s point of view. In the end, it’s like my mother told me, “If you do not assert your rights, then you don’t have any!”

Since we can‘t get into any details of CULM’s settlement with Fayette County, tell me about the ride home from court after the settlement was reached?

It was by far the most gratifying experience that I have had as a lawyer, knowing that I was actually helping so many people out directly. We left the federal courthouse in Pittsburgh and Willy called up several CULM members to let them know the news. Still in my suit, we got back to Acme. All the CULM members were surrounding a huge bonfire they had built for the occasion. They greeted Willy and I with a huge wave of cheers when they saw us arrive. Everyone was exceedingly grateful to me for the work that I had done. I wish I could experience that feeling more often as a lawyer.

Did taking on CULM’s case, which was centered on the question “What is religion,” help define the answer to this question personally or impact how you approach faith in your own life?

In college, I majored in religion and anthropology, so I have always been a bit of a cultural relativist. If freedom of religion means anything, it means freedom to be different. No one is going to persecute a majority religion. The only type of religions that need governmental protection are the unorthodox ones. CULM is exactly that type of group. Anybody who regularly goes to see live music would empathize that there is definitely a spiritual element and religious expression in all music. CULM and its members just magnify that spiritual element.

So, does CULM’s spirit carry over to your playing when you perform there?

In a subtle manner, that is one of the interesting things about CULM. I guess there is an element of religious expression whenever I play music. Music is an emotional and spiritual outlet. CULM offers musicians a rich experience through its natural beauty and the positivity of its members.

The spirituality in the music is heightened at CULM, but there is no immediate religious component to any lyrics and the music does not sound like a hymn being played. When you listen to funk music, The Disco Biscuits or whatever else at CULM, there is a definite spiritual element happening. I think the fact that the venue is a church does lead people to be more respectful of each other, the venue and the musicians.

There is no dogma or specific rituals or any barriers to entry at CULM. It does not involve disavowing any other religious heritage, you can be a Christian, Jew, Muslim or Atheist and also be a member of CULM. The spirituality at CULM is not heavy handed and no one is hit over the head with it, but it is there in the music.

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