HANDS ON THE HORN - PHILL DRISCOLL

HANDS ON THE HORN - PHILL DRISCOLL

Phil Driscoll's earliest memories are of his mom
playing piano and his father preaching in one of
the fifteen churches this pioneer evangelist built.
Phil played music in the church throughout his
early years and a true God given gift became
evident as his abilities on the trumpet earned him
extensive awards and recognition.
With over 60 full scholarships offered the young
Driscoll, he accepted an offer from Baylor
University where, as a freshman, he formed
Baylor'sfirst jazz band. His second year found
him recording his debut album with the noted
Stockholm Symphony Orchestra. A Touch of
Trumpet immediately became a best seller for
Word Records. With Christian record company's
refusal to accept a more contemporary style,
Phil's creative gifts needed an avenue to express
themselves and he was drawn into the
mainstream music industry. As a senior at Baylor,
he won more than a dozen rounds of the CBS
talent search series The All American College
Bowl, winning over Karen and Richard Carpenter
in the final competition. With appearances on Ed
Sullivan, Merv Griffin, Steve Allen, and Della
Reese Shows, Phil's secular career was secure.
He soon found himself touring for four years with
rock & roll legend Joe Cocker as well as writing
and collaborating with such groups as Blood
Sweat & Tears, Steven Stills, Leon Russell and
.38 Special.
CBS noticed Phil's remarkable talents and
awarded him a contract to write and produce for
himself and other artists. He built a studio onto
his home on the ocean in Jacksonville, FL in
conjunction with creating and performing in
Jacksonville's hottest night club, Driscolls.
After ten years of running away from God, Phil's
mom and dad convinced him and his girlfriend,
Lynne, on Christmas morning, to go to church
with them. Expecting only to appease Phil's
parents, they were amazed and touched by the
presence of God as the worship service began.
As God's presence surrounded them, all their
worldly dreams and aspirations paled in
comparison. Nothing had ever been as fulfilling
as those moments. That morning they committed
their lives to Jesus Christ. Phil's father soon
married Phil and Lynne and shortly thereafter,
went on to his heavenly reward.
Phil's deliverance that day was astounding. He
found himself freed of his extensive cocaine
addiction, but he had other problems. Two
weeks later his home was surrounded by 19
federal agents. Phil was arrested and charged
with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute
cocaine. By a series of miraculous interventions,
he was acquitted. By now Phil knew that God
had a plan for his life.
In 1981 Phil began work on his first Christian
album in over 10 years. Since then, he has
expanded the boundaries of contemporary
Christian music with his artistry, his
improvisational abilities, and technological
innovations. Twenty albums later, he is the owner
of a Grammy Award, other Grammy nominations,
as well as many Dove Awards. Undoubtedly, he
is one of the world's greatest trumpet players,
while his soul stirring vocal abilities are equally
as impressive. For these gifts, Phil Driscoll gives
all the glory to God.
Because of Phil's past, he has a tremendous
ability and license to relate to the world and to
communicate Jesus Christ; he is truly a gifted
evangelist. There was a time in my life when God
wasn't in the picture, says Driscoll. Now I want
to reach as many people as possible with my
music and tell them what a difference He can
make in their lives.
Today, after all the success, the awards,
thousands of appearances, and so many lives
that have been touched by his ministry, Phil
Driscoll gives little thought to slowing down. In
fact, his desire to keep going is as strong, if not
stronger, than ever before.
What does it is the true presence of the Lord,
says Driscoll. That's what causes me to be able
to go again and again. They that wait on the
Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount
up with wings as eagles... Eagles fly from the
time they are young until they breathe their last
breath. With God's help, I believe I will continue
to fly.