Praise and Worship
Don Francisco & Mike Banta
Don is a contemporary Christian music artist, winner of two GMA Dove Awards. He has been writing and producing songs since 1976. Mike Banta will be joining Don at the PCM Summit. He is one of the noteworthy guitarists of this century as illustrated below.
Don Francisco
CCM singer/songwriter Don Francisco was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1946; the son of a seminary professor, he nevertheless pursued a career as a secular performer until a supernatural experience at the age of 28 convinced him to begin singing the praises of Christ. Issuing his debut LP Brother of the Son in 1976, over the course of subsequent efforts including 1980's Got to Tell Somebody, 1983's Holiness, 1988's High Praise and 1991's Vision of the Valley Francisco earned renown for story songs like "He's Alive" as well as comforting narratives including "I'll Never Let Go of Your Hand." In 1997, he celebrated 20 years in the ministry by releasing He's Alive, his 12th collection of original material to date; Beautiful to Me appeared a year later, and Francisco resurfaced in 1999 with Grace on Grace. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Visit Don Francisco's website at www.rockymountainministries.org
Mike Banta
Mike Banta is a veteran Christian musician with over 25 years of ministry experience. Called “one of the noteworthy guitarists of this century,” he has used his talents and skills in a variety of performance, recording and writing venues all over the world.
Within a few months of a decision to follow Jesus at the age of 16, Mike began to minister with groups of lay witnesses at churches all over Texas and the southwest. This was his first experience with sharing Jesus with others, and not surprisingly, he frequently had a guitar in hand, helping to lead praise songs with teens.
Mike began playing in Christian music groups and while attending Texas Christian University. During this period, he also served as youth and music pastor at several churches. Mike was part of the TCU jazz program, and played with some of America's great jazz artists, including Urbie Green, Don Menza, and Ed Shaugnessy, the drummer for Johnny Carson's Tonight Show orchestra.
Soon after completing college studies with a graduate seminary degree, many troubling issues came to the surface. "It was frankly a dark time in my life. I was in a failing marriage, financial difficulty, and had no outlet whatsoever for music or ministry." Then God began to rebuild and restore, bringing great emotional and spiritual healing. Mike met and married his beautiful wife Pamela, and together they have a family of three children and three grandchildren. In addition, God provided a reborn music ministry.
"God had to refine my attitude toward playing music," says Mike. "I had become caught up in pride and self-flattery. My hands developed an arthritic-like pain that forced me to stop playing almost completely. I finally came to my senses one day, and prayed 'God, I don't care if I ever play again; I just want to be with You.'" God brought healing to Mike's hands, and Mike began to minister again, leading worship in small groups and for children. God used that time in Mike’s life to rebuild a desire for ministry based on compassion rather than self-promotion.
While a part of the worship band at a large church in the Denver, Colorado area, he became acquainted with the Christian artist Don Francisco, and shortly thereafter began to accompany him in concerts all around the world, and he continues to perform and record with him today. He has also performed and toured with other Christian artists, such as Wendy Francisco, Danny Daniels and Barry McGuire.
Five years of study with Colorado guitar luminary Dave Beegle helped Mike to develop a technical yet passionate style on both acoustic and electric guitar. Mike’s acoustic work on songs such as “The Yearning” and “Through the Glass” have garnered standing ovations from many audiences.
Mike released his first solo album in 2000, and has just completed an instrumental CD, "No Words", released in February 2005 on Avant-Acoustic Records. His recordings are available through Mile High Music Store, Amazon.com, Rocky Mountain Ministries, and many online stores. All selections from his solo CDs are also available on iTunes. Mike has performed and ministered throughout the US and Canada, Europe and South Africa. Mike has also produced several albums for local Colorado artists, including Bill Maxwell.
Address: HomeBound Music, PO Box 461991, Aurora, CO 80046-1991
Website: www.mikebanta.com email: mike@mikebanta.com
