Franchot Thomas, Jr. Vocals Ensemble Instruments Trumpet, Flugel Horn, Percussion Other Talents Composer, Arranger “Tentmaker” Occupation Firefighter/Paramedic Joined out.of.nothing in: The Beginning

Formal Training

Richland High School, North Richland Hills, Texas

Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble I - lead trumpet

University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas

            Jazz Studies, arranging, composition - Pete Lyngel, instructor; Trumpet performance, Lyman Brody, instructor

Testimony

In 1984, while playing a job with a church orchestra, God spoke to my heart in a song during the musical. I wasn't really looking for Him, but He had different plans. The song was "Oh, I Want To Know You More", by Steve Fry. As I sat there listening to the words of the song, I realized that at that time in my life I desperately needed God and all that He had for me. I knew some things about God, but I didn't know Him. It seemed from the outside that I had everything going for me, but inside I was empty. That night in a spirit-filled Methodist church in Bedford, Texas I asked Jesus Christ to be my Savior, and my life changed forever. By His abundant grace through faith in His blood that He shed for me, He has truly created something in me out of nothing.

I'm getting pretty emotional writing all this in seeing what God has not only brought us out of, but what He's brought us into. I'm reminded of a simple point that I heard early in my years as a Christian, that God doesn't want us to "live" in the past, in all of our prideful memories and glory of ourselves, but like the children of Israel after they where delivered from Egypt, He wants us to "remember" where He has brought us from. I'm continually overwhelmed at the power and desire of a personal God who loves and cares for me to change my heart to desire what He wants for me.

Performance Credits

out.of.nothing - trumpet, flugel horn, percussion

Bethesda Community Church Orchestra, Haltom City, Texas - trumpet

Founding Member of the group “Pneuma”

Rob McConnell

Rich Matteson

Galin Jeter

Max Goldberg

Bill Watrous

Numerous other artists and performing ensembles

UTA Jazz Ensemble I

Recording Credits

“Meet Us Here” - David & Juliana Barnett and out.of.nothing (2003)

            Trumpet

Writing Credits

“Meet Us Here” - David & Juliana Barnett and out.of.nothing (2003)

            Arranger - horn charts, section leader, horn contractor

Numerous other unpublished compositions

Awards / Recognition

University of Texas Arlington - Jazz Studies Scholarship recipient