Band Bio

CHELAN RENE’ RUSS

{lead vocals}

I have loved singing since about 1991 when I was coerced into joining a youth choir. I stuck with it for six years until I was booted for getting married. Since then I’ve been a part of two local-venue bands, many worship/outreach teams, some benefits, & church recording projects.

I live in Hutto, TX, but grew up in Oregon where my mom would sing and play the piano & organ, and my dad would play his acoustic Takmine. My grandparents would sing & play guitar in church & the Senior Center.

In ‘05, I realized a new dream. As I read “The Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkinson, God showed me that he had placed in me the potential to song-write and to play guitar. I’ve been working on both so that I can be all that I can, one day, all for His glory. I hope to eventually have an in-home sound-proof  studio where I can write, sing, play & record. Another goal of mine, is to be able to learn the art of percussion.

Illuminate has been something I’ve looked forward to be a part of, three years in a row, now. Every fall, we get the ball rollin’ with more & more excitement & creative ideas. If it were up to me, we’d be doin’ this thing year-round (as soon as I get enough original songs for a quality set). And I believe I’ve been called to do my thing outside the walls of a church, as a way to reach out, and shine a ray of hope further into the community. Hope that reaches people right where they are.

RENE RAMOS

{rhythm guitar}

I currently live in Round Rock, TX and attend church at “Shoreline Christian

Center” in Austin, but was born in a small community in South Texas. My early influences included AM Tejano Radio and Church songs.

I remember my Uncle Luz visiting from Lubbock, TX, where he played at his local Church. The Family would stay up while my uncle played his acoustic guitar, singing some of our favorite songs…man, those are great memories!

I’m truly excited and blessed to be a part of  ’Illuminate‘! Here, we have a group of diverse  Christian musicians that have come together for a  single purpose – to use our God-given talents to  celebrate the GREATEST event of mankind – the birth  of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My hope is that God will work through each of us to  glorify His name.

VINCENT “LEE” FLORES

{lead guitar}

I was born in Austin, TX – 1955 and grew up in South Austin.  It brings me a lot of joy to play live.  My mother’s side of the family is very musical; grandfather played accordian, guitar and piano. My mother and her sister were singers. At age seven, I started playing piano by ear, but got my first guitar from my grandfather at age 13; learned to play guitar from a couple of cousins and from listening to records.  At age 13, I saw my first rock concert (Led Zeppelin).

Two years later, I was in my first band, playing covers and a few originals, and started listening to the blues. I listened to BB King, Albert King and John Lee Hooker, but was heavily influenced by British blues players, John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Peter Green and Jimmy Page.  If resources weren’t an issue, I’d like to record a solo cd.

JASON KRAFT

{bass}

I moved to round rock twelve years ago from Houston. I really love all the music opportunities Austin has to offer.  I’ve been playing bass for about eleven years, and started out playing in a church praise and worship band.

After about ten years of playing at church, I started branching out and playing with Christian musicians outside of church.  To this day, I still play at churches, what I really believe I am called to do. I’m also happy to be a part of a group of Christian musicians, spreading the Christmas spirit.

DANIEL SALDIVAR

{rhythm / drums}

I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. I first got a chance to play in a band when I was 13 years old. I played percussion in my Tio’s Tex-Mex band, he was the drummer and every now and then he would let me sit in on a set. Soon thereafter I purchased my first drum set for $120.

I went on to play in the middle school and high school band as well as the high school jazz band. I enjoy playing all types of music, (except perhaps country, lol), and I have tried to pass on the gift of music to all three of my children who all play instruments or sing.

I moved to Austin in 2000 and have been playing at youth retreats, young adult conferences, and the Life Teen Choir at St. William Catholic Church for the past 9 years.