One on One with Jeff Frankenstein

How did you start to work with the Newsboys?

Well, in 1993, a friend of mine was promoting a Newsboys show at Rochester Adams high school. He asked me if I would help work at the concert, basically just do whatever was needed, and I agreed. I ended up being the runner that day: the guy that drives the bands around to run errands. Through that day I got to know Peter and some of the guys. We had both recently purchased the same keyboard, so we talked about that all day, and I didn't really think that much of it.

About three months later, the band was in need of a keyboard player. Little did I know they were trying to track me down. I came home from a night class at school and my mother informed me that "a guy with and Australian accent wants you to call him." I returned the call and sure enough it was Peter. He told me the band's situation and said they were going to be playing in western Michigan that weekend. He gave me the set list to practice and asked if I could audition in 3 days. I said "uh, sure."

My life was completely changed after that phone call. I spent the next 3 days practicing my brains out. Then I met the band in Holland, Michigan for their show that weekend. I auditioned with them that afternoon. I was completely overwhelmed but I thought things went pretty well. Newsboys' manager asked me if I would play the show with the guys that night! I took a deep breath and said "sure."

I played the show that night with a group of guys who barely knew my name. After talking with them, they asked me to come out on the road the next weekend. I said "okay, see you next week." I went home that night and informed my family what had happened. Within three days, at nineteen years old, I dropped out of college, packed my bags, and moved to Nashville. I jumped on the bus, and haven't really gotten off since. During my first year with the band we did about 280 shows. It was exciting, scary and lonely at the same time, but I knew that God was calling me and using me. It felt really great to have such an obvious sign from the Lord.

PAGE 3 - What led you to take the risk?