My dad is a forester, my mom is a folk singer…
My uncles are butterfly collectors, tile layers, Scientologists, and flamenco dancers.

I was dreaming of being Kris Kristofferson in “Convoy”.
I wanted to be a truck driver.

In 1989, while playing Poison’s “Fallen Angel” to a packed crowd of screaming teenagers, I felt God tap me on the shoulder. We were driving home the last few songs of our set, the energy was building, and as I took in the moment, peering through the smoke and the lights, caught in the audience’s joyful response, it seemed like I heard God quietly say, “I want you to do this.”

A few years later; 1993, still before the age of the Internet, email, cell phones, Chris Tomlin, Delirious, or Third Day… I began the adventure of my life, visiting youth groups, camps, and Sunday services with just a batch of original songs, a trunk of cassette tapes, and my acoustic guitar. I was on a brand new road to where music was going in church, and logging 100s of 1,000s of lonely miles up and down California, at odd hours of the day and night, joining the rushing current of 18 wheelers, I realized I had finally got my wish…

I was a TRUCK DRIVER!

It’s been 15 years since those formative days, and I’ve loved (almost) every mile. I’ve kept up the pace of over 130 concerts a year, every year…crisscrossing America and nine other countries. The nine CDs I’ve produced, and concert DVD, have sold over 35,000 units to date.

I have amazing parents, four crazy kids, and an incredible wife of 15 years. God’s used a lot of other people in my life, too; like Stan Arthur at Young American Showcase who taped my feet to the floor and taught me how to deliver a song…Bob Kilpatrick who showed me how to balance family, art, and work…with style, and the friends who booked me first and have continued to encourage my gifting, like Bill Funk, Rob Rhoden, Dean Curry, Karl Hus, Jeff Devoll, Troy Singleterry, Mark Batterson, Wayne Clark, Lynette Janzen, and Greg Wendschlag.

My band has been a constant sounding board and support network, too – our “small group” barreling down the interstate in a van. Our latest release; the concert DVD Justin Fox Band {LIVE} would not be what it is without Pete, Joe, and John. It took us two years to make, and you can see and hear their huge hearts and impeccable musicianship on every song.

To encounter quality art presented by an artist who’s dedicated his life to the craft, full-time, for a decade or more, one would usually have to go to a theater, concert hall, club, or museum…and buy a ticket. The popularity of these venues makes it obvious; art connects…and artistic expression is a powerful tool that God uses to draw people toward Himself. People connect with God in profound ways through art, and I’ve had the privilege of providing that opportunity, right in the middle of a church gathering - who would’ve thought! It’s been a welcomed surprise.

…and the mission all these years still seems to be hugging the turns; to present my songs and stories to people, with the purpose of inspiring them, believers and skeptics, in an artistic way, with a fresh realization of God’s love and a new passion for creatively honoring Him in obedience. My love for a rock beat, lyrics and melodies with muscle, and a chance to uniquely share God’s goodness…that’s what drives me! We all have a story to tell. I pray I’m able to pave a way for others to share their stories along the way…

I’ve been lost in Bangkok and found at a summer camp, been arrested for trespassing and married the love of my life, spent the night in a Greyhound station in Seattle and a VIP lounge in Hong Kong, sailed the record company president’s yacht and had to run from a burning tour bus, experienced great heartache and intense joy, heard the voice of God and the silence of doubt, felt the crush of singing to 20,000 people and the passion for singing to 20, slid down the massive face of a Honolua Bay set wave and tried to open a can of beans at midnight by the side of the freeway with a pocket-knife.

I can’t image what’s in store next, but I’m ready, excited, and keeping my eyes on the road…

As David Wilcox says it;

Really it’s driving long distance
Dialing in the gear
Studying the balance
Quieting the fear
All the hard landings
Teach you how to fall
But what do you get
For getting through it all?

You can’t keep it in a camera
Not a trophy on a shelf
Not a tale to tell the children
Not a way to prove yourself
It’s much bigger than we are
Can’t claim it as your own
But you’ve got to climb that mountain
To find your way back home

…and that’s how you make it look easy

10-4,

Justin

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(FAQ) Frequently Asked Questions:

What exactly do you do in a service, do you lead the songs?  What would be the cost?

What I do in a service varies from setting to setting. Sometimes I just lead the congregational singing and share a few original songs. Often times I have the privilege of taking the “sermon” portion of the service to share my testimony, scripture, stories, and more songs. Other times, I do both! I like to be used as much as possible! My heart is to serve and bless, so however I can do that most effectively in each setting is what I’m after. I’m used to being flexible, fitting into each church’s different style, service flow, and order. I am booked in morning services mostly (since there’s more of them around), but love the chance to minister in the evening, as well, usually trying to fill both times especially when I’m away from home. We have no minimum honorarium requirements or set fees. Just “as the Lord leads” is great! See the “Schedule” page on this site for the full story…

Would you call yourself a “worship leader”?

I do often get the chance to lead others in corporate singing, and I love it! My greatest passion, though, is sharing my original songs and stories in a teaching format. I weave stories, spiritual thoughts, and a challenging message within and around the music. My presentation is very worshipful, centered around declaring God’s goodness in a unique way. The songs hopefully draw people toward God, where they can respond personally. So, in a big sense, it is worship…and I’m leading it…so, yah, I guess I’m a worship leader.

Why don’t you become a worship pastor at a church?

“Evangelist” is not a very popular word these days, but I’m realizing more and more that that really describes what I do. I don’t wear a white suit and matching shoes, but do I live to stir people up, which is where the word “evangelist” comes from. My unique message, style, music, and delivery really challenges and inspires people to look at their relationship with God differently. As you can imagine, It wouldn’t really work to hit the same group of people with that every week, you know?

Do you ever get asked to become a worship pastor at a church?

About once a month.

Will you be a worship pastor at my church?

I’ll pray about it…

Is it OK to sing your songs at my church?

Yes, I’d be honored! They’re all registered with CCLI, so feel free to use them! Go ahead and reproduce chord charts and whatever else you need. You can even put your own creative spin on them!

Are you a licensed minister with a denomination?

I grew up in a spiritually expressive Baptist church, graduated from an Assemblies of God university, and spent years in the Willow Association, so my denominational background is quite diverse…I’m a mut! A non-denominational community we really bonded with years ago; Inland Hills Church in Chino, graciously licensed me as a part of their “outbound minister” team years ago, and it stuck.

Where do you go to church?

My family and I attend Rockharbor, here in Costa Mesa. I’m only in town for one or two Saturdays a month, so we’ll catch that service together when we can. I usually have only about one Sunday off a year. My wife and kids are super plugged-in though and loving it. My daughter sings in the Junior High Worship Band. Heidi and I lead a small group in our home every Tuesday night, as well. God’s been growing us in awesome ways through this community!

How do you financially survive?

It’s honestly a miracle…every month! We’re not funded by outside work, a missions organization, an inheritance or anything…God just works it out in miraculous ways! We don’t ask for money for concerts, missions trips, or merchandise sales at churches, but often pastors will take a free-will offering for us or write a check from their church budget as a gift. Many people “buy” our CDs and other merchandise, too (sometimes generously donating over the suggested price), and a few other folks donate monthly to us. All of it goes into our non-profit corporation account, and then filters out from there. We keep our expenses lean, carry little to no debt, and somehow make it. We make mistakes all the time, though – dumb choices that we learn from, but His grace has been healing and guiding. Like I said, it’s a God-thing all the way!

How come you’re not signed, on the radio, and famous?

God has not chosen to take me down that particular avenue. I know he’s got His reasons, and I know His way is always right and perfect. I have been signed to several smaller labels over the years, spent a year with a major, had radio hits, publicity tours, and played some festivals and high profile events, but none of those things hold my most favorite memories. Really, my most cherished times have been sharing my heart in intimate settings and really effecting people in a tangible way. I am a little bit famous, actually, though! I get recognized around town and at airports and such. I really dig it when someone comes up and tells me how they’ve connected with my music. My whole thing has been very “under the radar” and grassroots, and I’m thankful in so many ways for that space and freedom.

Do you answer your own email, myspace and facebook messages?

I have a myspace???! Just kidding….the answer is yes. Like I said, I’m not that famous.

Who does your booking?

My wife used to do it for the first five years. As our family grew, she got busy baking cookies and taking kids to the park, and I ended up taking over for her. She was naturally gifted at it, and I’m just thankful for God’s grace! I’ve also had a very long and fruitful relationship with Fishers Artist Agency. They schedule only a few dates per year, but they’re great!

How does your wife handle you being gone so much?

Heidi actually feels that she sees me more than her friends’ 9-5 husbands! It’s been OK because I rarely am gone for more than a week at time, and when I’m home…I’m HOME. I have a home-office that I use during the weekdays for scheduling and staying in touch with people, but really, I have a light, flexible schedule that allows me a ton of time to connect with family and personal events.

How do you write a song?

It comes together differently every time. Sometimes, I get a melody and lyrics for a chorus or something as I’m driving. I’ll sing it into my voice machine at home and put some chords underneath it later. More often though, I’m sitting down for bit of personal worship, singing some of favorite well-known choruses, and I’ll just stumble onto something new.

Will you ever settle down?

Lately, I’m wondering if I even know what that means! I’m actually not even sure if that’s one of God’s big priorities for us, you know? Nothing in this world is certain…or settled…God’s invited all of us to trust in Him alone. That’s where I’m trying to find real peace and security these days. The greatest journey we can ever take is learning to live a life of uncertainty, dependence and trust. So, no…I hope I never “settle down”…I’ll take the adventure!

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Hey, feel free to add to the list! Write in your question below…