[ Jeff ] So yes , we ’ re blessed . What ’ s interesting is it got to number 13 on the mainstream rock radio charts . After it was there for 12 weeks , it gave me a chance to tell Ted at Universal after even he says , “ Man , I knew it would do well , but I didn ’ t think it would do that well ” ( we ’ re just kind of shocked ) for me to go , “ You know what ? It ’ s God . He is doing things for us . He ’ s opening those doors ”.
And my dream and my mission is to inspire the people of the world to go find your gift , find your God-given gifts , realize that every day is a gift . Live your dreams , set your goals , you know , it ’ s not always gonna be easy . I compare it to flying where there ’ s a thunderstorm in your way sometimes you know ? And you got gotta figure out how you ’ re gonna get around it or avoid it . And that ’ s life . We ’ re dealt with those things all the time . And that ’ s really my mission in the music on Universal ’ s platform … to get us in front of more hearts .
[ WM ] Well said . Tell us about your acoustic guitar that you use on stage ?
[ Jeff ] It ’ s a Taylor . I ’ ve had that Taylor for years . I ’ ve got obviously all kinds of different guitars , but my Taylor is my go-to . I love that thing . Everywhere I play it , I play it at Dream City Church here in Phoenix . I ’ m on the worship team as well . And every time I plug that thing in on that big stage , everybody ’ s like , “ Oh , that guitar sounds sweet . So good .”
[ WM ] Now you ’ re electric lead guitar player in CTS plays a Gibson Les Paul . I like the stuff that he plays . It helps you rock it up some , tell us about him ?
[ Jeff ] He ’ s amazing . That ’ s Dylan Elliot . I met Dylan when he was 13 . He was on the junior high school worship team at Central Christian Church in Mesa here . And I was leading worship for the junior high and high school at the time . And Dylan was learning guitar . He was one of the band mates . And I used to joke that I had Dylan and two other kids … a drummer and a bass , and I played acoustic , but I was the only one with a driver ’ s license . ( laughing ).
And so I got to know Dylan over the years , and then about 10 years ago , we had a need for a lead guitar player . We lost our normal guitar player . He went on to other things and you know bands , they waver their course sometimes with members . And so , I thought Dylan would be amazing , but he was 19 years old at the time . I had known him now for six years and I called him up . And I thought there ’ s no way he ’ s gonna wanna be a part of it but I ’ ll give it a try . I called him up , “ Dylan , you would you like to be a part of CTS ? We ’ re looking for a lead guitar player ”. And he says , “ Are you kidding ? Jeff , I would love to , I would be honored .” And so I told the guys I ’ m bringing this kid in . He is 19 years old , and before you stay anything , just hear him play . I told Dylan to learn three songs and come to practice . And he just nailed it . ( laughing ). He he ’ s been with us ten years now .
[ WM ] Wow . Good story ! I like that you have experience leading junior high and high school worship teams too . Any advice you have for fellow worship leaders or fellow worship band
22 August 2023 Subscribe for Free ...