Sam Hinn
Sam Hinn is the founder and senior pastor of The Gathering Place Worship Center in Sanford, Florida. Sam has committed his life and calling to helping people find and fulfill God’s vision for their lives. His focus is encouraging God’s people to make a difference in the world and to help shape the next generation. He is the author of the best selling book, "Changed In His Presence", "Kissing the Face of God" and "From This Day Forward". Sam has been married to Erika for over 20 years and they have four great kids.
Ray Hughes
Ray Hughes is the president and founder of Selah Ministries and has been in full-time ministry for over 30 years. He received his Doctorate of Divinity in 1996 and is considered to be one of the foremost authorities on worship and its biblical foundations. Ray is a teacher, author, historian, musicologist, preacher, poet, storyteller, songwriter and instrumentalist. He has traveled worldwide conducting evangelistic crusades and worship events from Sri Lanka to Wales and has given 25 years to extensive research on worship and church revival history and into the biblical foundations of praise and the ways God used, and continues to use, the power of sound and praise to demonstrate His love and faithfulness to His people. This research has been developed into multiple teaching series for the purpose of training and releasing new generations of musicians, worship leaders and worship teams and has become the foundation of curriculums in Bible schools and churches around the world. Ray is also recognized internationally as a strong and clear prophetic voice. The Lord has directly revealed His heart through Ray on numerous occasions to individual churches, states, regions, countries and the Church body.
Bryan Lenox
Bryan Lenox is a 5 time Dove Award winner who has worked on over 50 #1 hits. He has served as audio producer for the Dove Awards and produced the winner of the American Music Awards New Artist of the Year. He has had 5 Grammy Nominations and worked with lots of artists including Garth Brooks, Michael W. Smith, Toby Mac, Bruce Springsteen, Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant, Jars of Clay, CeCe Winans, Sonicflood, Hillsong United, and many, many others.
Chester Thompson
Chester Thompson has surpassed the boundaries of musical genres by working in Jazz (Weather Report), Rock (Frank Zappa and the Mothers), Pop (Genesis/Phil Collins), and Gospel (Ron Kenoly, Rebecca St. James). Chester's performance and recording experiences have influenced over three decades of music and musicians. Whether he is playing drum kit or percussion, Chester's masterful subtleties and unyielding time create the firm musical foundation for any musical genre. Every time Chester plays he gives 110% - there is no such thing as practice. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Chester started playing in local nightclubs at age 13. He has spent extended periods of time working in various musical centers, including Los Angeles, CA and London. After a heavy touring schedule in the 70s, 80s and 90s, Chester and his family now call Nashville, TN home. Keeping extremely busy with live performances, studio recordings, clinics and writing, Chester's Nashville residence has also afforded him more time to invest in students. On faculty at Belmont University since 1998, Chester teaches applied drum lessons and directs a jazz ensemble. Known for his exceptional teaching style and zeal for music, Chester is a favorite among students and fellow colleagues. His album, Joyful Noise, was first released in 1991. He has released a DVD of a performance at the 2003 Paderborn Drum Festival entitled "On the Fly" and another DVD with Luis Conte, "Drum Talk, El Habla Tabor". In 2007, he completed a world tour with long-time friends, Genesis.
Natalie Grant
Natalie Grant is Gospel Music's 3X Female Vocalist of the Year, has recently released the critically acclaimed and best-selling project, Relentless. The album is an authentic and honest interpretation of Natalie's heart, who says that "God has always been relentless in His pursuit of us. That is what I want my life to look like in return. I want to relentlessly pursue Christ and pray that my life is my message." She has also authored a book, "The Real Me: Becoming The Girl God Sees" released on Thomas Nelson, and has committed to using her platform for the eradication of human trafficking, through her efforts with The Home Foundation. Her most beloved role, however, is wife to Bernie Herms and mommy to Gracie and Bella, her 16-month old twin daughters.
Bernie Herms
Bernie Herms is a multi-facetted musician whose career has flourished over the past few years. He has been a success producing, writing, and arranging for well-known artists such as Natalie Grant, Casting Crowns, Brad Paisley, Red, CeCe Winans and Nate Sallie. His production credits not only include artists, but also popular soundtracks such as The Nativity, Amazing Grace and Charlotte's Web. When not in the studio producing, Herms is busy songwriting, having co-written the mega-hits, "Praise You In This Storm", and "East to West", both recorded by Casting Crowns. The focus of Bernie's production and songwriting continues to be glorifying God and His kingdom purposes through the artistic gift of music, and empowering artists to reach their full potential for Christ. Herms lives in Nashville, TN, with his wife, Natalie and daughters, Grace and Bella.
Joey Elwood
Joey Elwood has been president and co-founder (with Toby Mac and Todd Collins) of Gotee Records and Emack Music from 1994 to present. He has mentored and helped develop scores of artists including Out of Eden, Grits, Sonicflood, Sarah Kelly, John Reuben, Aisha, Relient K and many more. He and his family are members of Christ Community Church in Franklin, TN. He and his wife Cathy Jo have been married for 12 years. They have 3 amazing children (Sam, Noah, and Georgia).
Kent Henry
Kent Henry's ministry has been totally devoted to worship leading and training for over 25 years. He has led worship on 6 of Integrity Music's Hosanna! recordings, including: My Refuge, The Secret Place, and So Close to You. He has also produced 22 of his own worship recordings, including: Awesome in This Place, The Psalmist Trilogy, Jeremiah 29:11, Children Worship!, The Psalm Series and Dance in the Glory. Kent holds B.A. degrees in Music, Religion and Management from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. For the past 20 years Kent has been traveling and ministering through "The Worship Seminar" and "Fresh Fire" meetings to thousands of worshiping believers around the world. Kent's passion is to see true worship blanket the nations. For years, Kent has helped to facilitate prayer with praise, and intercession with worship. He believes that a major facet of his calling is to help release and launch the next generation of worshipers in their callings and destiny in Jesus. He has been referred to as an "apostolic psalmist". Kent, his wife Carla, and their 3 children reside in St. Louis, MO.
Grant Norsworthy
Grant Norsworthy brings a fresh perspective as he speaks and sings passionately about the true nature of worship, life and meaning and, above all, following Jesus. Originally from Australia - formerly the bassist for pc3 (Paul Colman Trio), SONICFLOOd and many other artists - Grant is a Grammy nominated and Dove Award winning musician who is quickly gaining a reputation as a powerfully engaging speaker. As an "alien" in the USA, Grant offers a fresh perspective, encouraging a re-examination of accepted "truth"; challenging us to connect more completely with the source of truth - Jesus.
Doug Gould
Doug Gould, Associate Manager of Technical Training and Shure Associate for 6 years, has over 25 years of experience in the pro-audio industry. Upon joining Shure, Doug played a key role in helping establish the fledgling Market Development department, solidifying the company's role in the house of worship market and identifying new opportunities in theater and music education. He has presented hundreds of workshops all over North America and other parts of the world to musicians and technical ministries serving in their churches and schools. Doug is also the co-author of the Shure educational publication, "Wireless Microphone Systems and Personal Monitor Systems for Houses of Worship," and was instrumental in bringing leading church songwriters and musicians into Shure's artist relations program. Doug is a faculty member and presenter for Integrity's Seminars4Worship series, Christian Musician Summit, the School of Audio for International Worship Institute, and many, many more. He is a lifelong musician and Worship Leader at Heritage Christian Center in East Windsor, NJ.
Sheri Gould
Sheri Gould is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She has taught voice privately for over 25 years and has been a worship leader and music director in various local churches since 1986. She was the director of Good News Productions, an evangelistic outreach involving singing, drama, dance and original musicals for 13 years. She writes for Worship Musician! Magazine and tours the country with her husband teaching and equipping the Body of Christ for music ministry at such conferences as, Christian Musician Summit, Seminars4Worship, International Worship Institute, Karitos Conference, Worship Institute Northeast, His Call Ministries’ Throne Zone Conference and many more. A home-schooler since 1985, she and her husband Doug reside in New Jersey where she is now home-schooling the last of her six children.
Brent Milligan
Brent Milligan is a musician, producer and session player. He has played on many Platinum and Grammy-winning records, and has toured with Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, and dc Talk among many others. He also enjoys working with worship teams to help them play more effectively and with better communication. He lives in Nashville with his wife, Sarah and their 3 kids, and plays tennis whenever possible.
Lou Santiago Jr.
Lou Santiago Jr. won the 2001 Guitar Center South East Regional Drum-Off, placing him 7th in the nation. Two years later, in 2003, he won the over 18 age division of Modern Drummer's "Undiscovered Drummer" contest and then toured with legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. Since then, Lou has gone on to work with some of the industry's finest artists, such as afro-cuban/jazz bassist, John Benitez, top German session bassist, Martin Engelien, Marco Barrientos, Raul Sanchez, Del Sol (Curve Records), International Drummers for Jesus, Lamar Boschman, and the International Worship Institute, just to name a few. Recently, Lou partnered and toured with Jeff Deyo, one of today's prominent worship leader's formerly of Grammy nominated Christian rock band Sonicflood. In addition, he has been very successful as a clinician, inspiring and influencing drummers of all ages in Europe and the US. Highlighted in Modern Drummer Magazine, Lou says, "...I understand fully that it [drumming] is a ministry given to me from GOD to further his kingdom."
Dante Gulino
Dante Gulino has been married to his beautiful wife Darlene for 29 years and has 2 beautiful adult daughters, Carly and Alyssa. In the 80's, he toured and recorded with professional well known rock musicians (Michael Bolton, Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane, and Carlos Santana to name a few), and in 1981, while attending a home cell group, he and his wife were radically saved and spirit filled. In 1984, they headed west from their home in CT to Valencia, CA to move the gospel and establish home cell groups. Twelve years later, they moved to VA to help plant a non denominational Charismatic church, where Dante served on the leadership team and also as the worship pastor, while his wife served as the youth pastor and also led the intercessory prayer team. The family moved back to CA in 2003, where their oldest daughter attended The Call school with Lou Engle. It was at this time that they were drawn to the leadership and vision of Harvest Rock Church with Pastor Che Ahn. Dante and Darlene currently host and oversee the Sunday night service (Night of the Supernatural), the young couples group, oversee several cell groups and Dante serves as a worship leader with both daughters singing on the team. Dante is also a minister in the marketplace..
Jim Freedman
Jim Freedman retired in 2005 after having served for 14 years as the Executive Director of Nashville Baptist Association. NBA is the organization of the 200 plus Southern Baptist churches in the Nashville, TN area. During that time Jim was an active partner and mentor for Jeff Deyo in the WorshipCityPraise events, and was greatly involved in the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship, the March for Jesus, the Metro Pastors Fellowship, the Tuesday Afternoon Ministers Prayer Meeting, the Billy Graham Crusade in 2000, and was the founder of Nashville Bridges Coalition. He and his wife, Sandy, currently live in Poplar Bluff, MO, where Jim serves as Minister to Senior Adults at First Baptist Church.
Josh "The Kurnoll" Deane
Josh "The Kurnoll" Deane is a producer/writer/bassist who lives and works in Nashville. He has played and or recorded with the likes of Matthew West, Greg Long, Nate Sallie, Danny Chambers, Janna Long, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, Jeff Deyo, C.R.E.W. Worship Experience, Anthony Skinner, Brian Johnson, and of course, who could leave out; etc! (pun intended). He can currently be seen on tour with Jaci Velasquez. His most recent studio projects include Jeff Deyo, Soulfire, Alabaster Box, Seeker, and Brandan Bustamante. He is most known for rockin, but also has an intense passion for God that overflows into all of his work. His main goal is to destroy mediocrity, push creativity, and live as an act of worship.
Leann Albrecht
Leann Albrecht has been a worship leader, studio singer, writer and speaker for the past 15 years. She has worked with artists such as Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, John Tesh, Paul Baloche, Don Moen, and Ron Kenoly. Leann appears on over 75 Integrity Music projects as well as Maranatha Praise Band CD's. She has partnered as a worship leader for Women of Faith, Renewing the Heart, Maranatha's Praise Band, and Integrity's Seminars 4 Worship. She also has four solo CD projects, "Verses For The King", "Pour Your Spirit Out", The Greatest Gift" and the brand new 2008 release of "You Are The One" - Songs of Intimate Worship now available your local Christian bookstore or at www.leannalbrecht.com. Leann has been ordained as a minister of the gospel by her home church, Grace Center in Franklin, TN, and she resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, Carl, of 24 years... with two cats and two dogs.
Jeremy Medkiff
Jeremy Medkiff made music an integral part of his life from a very early age. At 15, he moved from Memphis, TN to Nashville to pursue a career in the music industry. God has blessed him to work as a successful producer and session guitar player in Nashville for the past 20 years. Jeremy has played on recordings for Vince Gill, Larry Stewart, Alvin Slaughter, and Clay Cross and many others, yet his main passion is to touch God's heart through authentic worship. He desires to humbly serve God with a spirit of excellence and to lead others into His divine presence through thanksgiving, praise and worship. He has served as Worship Pastor for 15 years at Living To Go Life Center and has also recently helped with a church plant known as The Lift Nashville. Jeremy's passion for the presence of God and his zeal for true, authentic worship are evident in his leadership and in his life.
Tony Morra
Tony Morra was born and raised in New York City into a family of musicians. His Dad and grandfather were professional drummers and Tony studied under the tutelage of them both. (Interestingly, the Morra family made its way to the states from Italy in the early 1900's while touring with an opera company). Tony also studied with prominent NYC teachers Joe Cusatis and Hank Jaramillo. He toured extensively with several pop artists out of NY, one being Kathy Troccolli. Through his association with KT, he made his way to Nashville, TN in 1997 and has never looked back. He's toured and recorded with Avalon, Crystal Lewis, Amy Grant, Toby Mac, Stephanie Smith, Point Of Grace, Carmen, Nicole C. Mullen, Britt Nicole, and Nicole Nordemann, to name a few. He also has recorded with Bruce Springsteen and has his own drum library of loops, "Heavy Mental", through the popular Discrete Drums series. He currently runs his own Studio, "The Downtown Batterie" where he cuts drums and produces for many Artists and songwriters. Most recently Tony had the honor of tracking the demo, "Time Of My Life" which won the American Idol song contest. It was tracked at his Studio with famed Artist/Songwriter Regie Hamm. Tony still hits the road occasionally, but generally stays in town recording, and loves being with his awesome wife and 2 children.
Trent Swartzentruber
Trent Swartzentruber is 23 years old, and he's been playing guitar and singing background vocals with Jeff Deyo for the past 2 and a half years. He played about 90% of all the electric guitars on Jeff's latest studio CD release, Unveil. He's been playing guitar for 10 years, but actually started out on the bass guitar 13 years ago. He can't wait to see God impact people at PWI, because he really believes there's a powerful new calling for musicians in this day and age. He also can't wait to share some of his passions about worshiping God with an instrument, because he feels there's a definite need today for there to be a true Kingdom purpose when playing an instrument in worship. Trent feels his calling is to not just "be a part of the backing band" but to step out as a lead worshiper by playing his instrument passionately while allowing his guitar and his whole self to be in agreement with what his heart is saying to God. The world may call it "rocking out", but Trent believes we are to re-define what worshiping with an instrument truly is by letting our passions show, all the while leading others to do the same.
Josh Brewer
Josh Brewer has been playing keyboards and music in general for about 6 years. Prior to teaching himself to play the keyboard, he had no previous musical experience (other than playing the CD player). A few years later, he decided to learn acoustic guitar as well, and now sings and plays acoustic as he leads worship for the youth at his church, Northridge Church in White House, TN. He's been playing with Jeff Deyo for almost a year, and has also had the opportunity to play with Jonathan Lee (3 years) and Andy Kirk (2 years) and he has filled in with Rebecca St. James and Ayeisha Woods. His desire for the week of PWI is to further equip musicians, specifically keyboard players, with knowledge of how to play their instruments, as well as how to worship with their instrument. God has called Josh to minister to people through words and music, and he knows where God calls, He equips with passion and ability to fulfill that calling.
Chad Carouthers
Chad Carouthers has been playing for Jeff Deyo for about 1 year. Before this, he played with a band called Inhabited for about 2 years. He played on their latest release entitled "Love". Before that he was a session player in Houston TX, and also played anywhere from churches to restaurants to weddings and funerals to Jewish holidays (seriously). He plans to teach the students at PWI the art of using their instrument to war in the spirit with power and with excellence, as well as everything from theory, to how to play different kinds of music, styles and techniques. He plans to do this all while always maintaining an underlining focus of why we do what we do, which is to give all praise and glory and honor to Jesus!
Derek Guynes
Derek Guynes is 23 years old and just recently moved to Nashville as Jeff's new drummer. Derek was on staff at the Oaks Fellowship in Red Oak, TX, where he served the worship department in a variety of roles, including leading worship for the youth group, playing drums for all the main services and writing for and recording on their 3 worship CDs. He grew up in Aurora, CO, where he started playing drums at the age of 12. Since then he has played in church services, musicals, a mexican wedding band, and on numerous recordings. A graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, TX, Derek plays all kinds of sports and instruments, and loves writing music. He is blessed to be married as of 1 month ago to his sweetheart Lacy.
Justin Burns
Justin Burns got into sound as a teenager in 2003 and eventually decided he wanted to pursue it as a career. Upon completing school at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Phoenix, AZ in 2006, he moved to Nashville, TN to intern for Jeff as his sound engineer for 2 months, a situation that was a total God connection! After the 2 months was up, he was offered the job, and he has now been on staff with Jeff Deyo/WorshipCityMinistries for over 2 years. He even assisted "The Kurnoll" with work on Jeff's CD Unveil. At PWI this summer he plans to give "sound doctrine" about being the one who controls and mixes the sounds of heaven...because he strongly believes you can (and must) pray through the faders.
Jason Halbert
Jason Halbert is a Grammy-nominated producer and platinum-selling recording artist whose career has spanned the world as producer and music director for some of today's top selling recording artists. After landing in Los Angeles to serve as Music Director for Backstreet Boy, Nick Carter's solo project, Jason was brought in by "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson to act as music director and keyboardist for Grammy-nominated Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, Justin Guarini, and more. His television appearances include The Grammy Awards, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America, 20/20, Dateline, MTV, The View, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, to name a few. You can also hear his work as producer and songwriter on a variety of albums including Kelly Clarkson, Sonicflood, Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, David Ruis, Andy Park, dcTalk, Petra, Audio Adrenaline, Rita Springer and more. When Jason isn’t playing keys and "MD-ing" on Top 40 Pop tours, he can be found in Burbank, CA where he is runs his studio The Listening Station and lives with his wife Rhonda and 2 kids, Kennedy and Kelton.
Gail Davis
Gail Davis is a seasoned worship pianist, holding BFA and MFA degrees in piano. She has years of experience arranging for all instruments & vocals-in a variety of venues from musical theater to high church. She has been there-as a rehearsal pianist, the part-picker for the singing group, the only instrumentalist who showed up for worship, in the studio where less is more, and as the one responsible for styling out a song. Gail believes that if you are playing for Jesus, make it excellent in every way. For 17 years she has been the church pianist, altar worship leader, band leader and choir pianist at Cornerstone Church where she serves with her husband, Maury Davis, who is the senior pastor.
Mark Woodward
Mark Woordward is a native of North Georgia who moved to Nashville in 2001 to study music at Belmont University. He had a radical encounter with the Holy Spirit his first year in college and fell deeply in love with Jesus. He graduated with honors in May of 2005 with a degree in music, and then spent a little over two years on staff with WorshipCityMinistries as Jeff Deyo's keyboard player. While with Deyo, he also had the opportunity to arrange and record most of the keyboard, synth, organ, piano and loop parts on Jeff's latest recording, Unveil. His highest goal is to know Jesus in the fullest way possible for any human being.
Chuck Butler
Chuck Butler was born and raised in Jackson, TN. He later moved to Nashville and now calls Franklin, TN home. Growing up, Chuck was a big bluegrass fan until the age of 11 when he heard Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and from then on Pop music became his passion. Raised in a Christian home, it wasn't until age 19 that he dedicated his heart to Christ. He then turned his attention to Christian music. By 25 Chuck was a member of the CCM group "A Cross Between" and had won the GMA Spotlight Competition, which in turn led them to Benson Records and a record deal. After touring for 2 and a half years, Chuck felt it was time to come home. His talents started to gain attention from many writers and producers in the Nashville area and he began to play on demos and other projects. Chuck's passion for pop music came back to life again, and since then he has worked on many major Pop, Country, and CCM projects, including Jeff Deyo, Kelly Clarkson, Nick Lachey, Backstreet Boys, Kimberley Locke, The Afters, Brandon Heath, Ace Young, Diamond Rio, Neal McCoy, Miley Cyrus, and High School Musical 3. He loves to write, produce, program, and play guitar. Basically, he likes to make music. Living in Franklin, TN, Chuck has a beautiful wife Amy, a 6 year old son Jordan, and a 2 year old daughter Lilly. They attend Grace Chapel in Lieper's Fork, TN.
Chris Thomason
Chris Thomason is president/CEO of Indelible Creative Group, a media company producing, marketing, & distributing films and music. Indelible's high profile releases include films and music products with best selling authors Max Lucado, Erwin McManus, and Beth Moore and artists Jeff Deyo, Travis Cottrell, and Phil Joel. Indelible's mission of "helping build God's kingdom by creating remarkable experiences through media products that are culturally and spiritually relevant" drives this company to create compelling & innovative products. Prior to founding Indelible in 2005, Thomason spent the previous 13-years at Integrity Media where he served as Sr. Vice-President/General Manager/Executive producer. During his tenure, Thomason was instrumental in creating multi-platinum selling brands like iWorship & Songs4Worship and has been A&R, producer, and executive producer for products that have sold in excess of 60 million units worldwide. Thomason has music performance and production degrees respectively from Auburn University and Full Sail University. Most importantly, he is married to an amazing person who is Jean, and they have two incredible children; Marilyn and Christopher. (www.indelibleonline.com or christhomason.blogspot.com)
Chris Nichols
Chris Nichols began working in artist management during college. He started with the Halsey Company working in country music (with artists like Tim McGraw and the Clark Family Experience), first as an assistant and later as a road manager. He then transferred to the LA Halsey Company office for a taste of television and music video work, but quickly returned to Nashville and what inspired him to work in music in the first place - great Christian artists. He opened Nichols Management in 2002 and continues to love the rewards and challenges that come with partnering with artists. Nichols Management currently represents and serves Jeff Deyo, Starfield, and Josh Wilson.
Matt Ewald
Matt Ewald graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2003 with a B.S. in Recording Industry Management. A belief that "songs fuel the music industry" and a heart for seeing songs impact both the church and our culture led Matt to EMI CMG Publishing, which is a part of EMI Christian Music Group and represents hundreds of songwriters ranging from Chris Tomlin and Leeland Mooring to Jeremy Camp and Hawk Nelson. Matt is a Creative/A&R Manager at EMI CMG Publishing and has worked there since 2004. As such, Matt works with songwriters on a daily basis helping them develop their gifts and finding ways to promote new songs.
