Jeff Kassell
With a Father who was a musician, and a Mother who was an aspiring opera singer, it's no wonder Jeff's real passion in life, besides his Wife Kathy, and Daughter Jillian, is music.
Born in Akron Ohio on August 31st 1962, Jeff was the youngest of three. His sister Alice was born in 1945, and his Brother Joe was born in 1957.
Raised in a Christian home, Jeff began singing at an early age. His first live performance was at age 10 in an elemantary school talent show. "I even remember what song I sang. It was Joy to the world. Not the Christmas song, the Three Dog Night song. I remember looking at my Dad who was in the audience, and he was motioning for me to dance, so I did. I remember the goosebumps I felt when everyone applauded. That's when I caught the bug!
I started playing guitar after that, and I played Bass guitar in a southern gospel group with a good friend of mine. We played all over Ohio. Even spent a week playing in North Carolina when I was just 14 years old. But like every teenager, rebelion and Rock and Roll entered the picture. I started listening to groups like Kiss, Bad Company, Aerosmith, and Santana. I would pick up my guitar and play along and I really loved the music, but growing up in a Christian home, I knew it was taboo. Until one day I was introduced to bands like The Resurrection band, The Archers, The Imperials, Larry Norman, and my favorite band to this day, Glassharp. These guys were playing Rock music, but talking about Jesus. How cool was that? Although my mom wasn't crazy about it, I started a Christian rock band called Joyful noiz. It was a power trio with Dave Cogar on Bass, and my best friend to this day, Duane Norman on drums. It was a real challenge, because I fronted the band, and Duane and me wrote all the music. But we played alot, and God really moved in the ministry.
Duane moved to West Palm Beach back in the mid 80's and I went on with Joyful Noiz for awhile, but it fizzled out, and I went back to helping friends playing in various southern gospel groups. In 1990 Kathy and I moved to Florida, where of course I started a new band with Duane, and his brother Dale. With John Littrell on bass, the band Archangel was complete. That was by far the best band I've ever been associated with. We played all over Florida, and once again God really blessed our ministry.
We all rode motorcycles, so we kind of had a biker image, which opened the doors for prison ministry, and we even played in Daytona Beach Fla. for Bike week in 1994. Unfortunately the band split up in late 94 and we all went our seperate ways, but remain the best of friends to this day.
I pretty much quit playing altogether until about 2002 when I felt that spark again. I feel God isn't finished with me yet, and when I see so many people searching for answers for their lives, all I can think is... Here am I Lord send me, and use me to bring peace to tortured souls, and an answer to the question in all of Mankind.....What is my purpose. Why am I here.
If you're reading this right now, and you're asking those questions, I can tell you that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Let Jesus be the Lord of your life, and he'll give you the answers. Remember... seek and ye shall find.