When not playing rock 'n' roll or classic country, you might find local musician Mark Lewellen at the tiny Christian Crusaders Academy in Purcell, where he teaches mostly high school students language, math, the Bible and " if needed " even mops the floors.
He's been teaching, and loving it, for one semester.
"It's the best job I've ever had," said Lewellen, who plays in the bands The Townies, The Golden Eggs and The Nightlife Critters.
GIGS TO CHAPEL
Lewellen, the former front man of the Nineties band Barnyard Slut, uses his musical experience to help with Friday morning chapel music.
"I teach them the songs I learn at my church and usually they like them," he said.
To the students of CCA, Lewellen is special because of who he is rather than what he does at night.
"The kids at this school are already musicians," he said. "I don't think they perceive me as any more or less interesting because I play shows."
MUSIC NOT EVIL
Lewellen's position doesn't affect his outside secular musical work, but it does affect his choice of venues, and smoking areas in particular are a no go.
"Getting more into God things affects what gigs I take," he said. "I want to be a positive influence. "¦ The music part is not the evil part." "Tory Troutman
