Biography
Philip Allen Driscoll was born on November 9, 1947, the son of evangelists James Allen and Ruth Driscoll. Not long after that date everyone who knew him saw a tremendous talent blooming from within him. By the time he was 3 years old, he was playing a little plastic trombone and he soon was playing Hawaiian Steel Guitar as well.
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's first 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 writing and collaborating with such groups as Blood Sweat & Tears, Steven Stills, Leon Russell and .38 Special. He also toured with the legendary Joe Cocker in the late 70's, playing piano and trumpet and authoring three of Cockers hits, Southern Lady, Wasted Years and Boogie Baby.
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.
In 1978 destiny reigned and he returned to the Lord and began searching for his place in God's work. 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. In 1982 he founded Mighty Horn Ministries, in Cleveland, Tennessee, to organize his efforts to take Jesus Christ to all the world. 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 it does 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."
Currently, Phil makes more than 250 appearances annually, touring literally across continents, with performances from South America to Europe to Russia. He has tried to reach everyone he can with his music in an effort to usher them into the presence of the Lord. He has ministered to world leaders by performing at two National Prayer Services in Washington, DC, prior to presidential inauguration Ceremonies,: as well as for Dole's Election campaign, the Tom Skinner Memorial Leadership Conference and the Horatio Algers Awards. These public performances have opened the door for Phil to personally minister to a number of national and international leaders.
Phil's regard for family and family values has never faltered. He has a wonderful wife, Lynne, and three children. Both his sons, Shawn and Jamie, and his daughter, Danielle, have inherited much of their fathers heart for music, as well as for ministry. They, along with Phil's mother, Ruth, live in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Some Awards won by Phil Driscoll
1983 Dove Award: 14th Annual Gospel Music Album of the Year- Instrumental Artist
1984 Dove Award: 15th Annual Gospel Music Album of the Year- Instrumental Artist
1984 Grammy Award: "Keep the Flame Burning" Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or a Group (With Debbie Boone)
1985 Dove Award: 16th Annual Gospel Music Album of the Year- Instrumental Artist
1987 Dove Award: 18th Annual Instrumental Album of the Year
1990 & 1991 Readers Choice Award: Charisma Magazine Favorite Christian Instrumentalist
1991 Grammy Nomination: Warriors Best Gospel Pop Album of the Year