Rock band CTS-Called To Serve was founded by Univerdal Music/ Mi5 Recroding Artist, Pilot by day, Rocker by night Jeff Senour. As a professonal Hollywood movie film Pilot, Airline Pilot and Singer/Songwriter, the two passions came together to create the original music of CTS.
Ever since it’s inception 15 years ago, rock band CTS has made a huge impact on many around the country with their edgy rock sound combined with lyrics that touch the heart with inspiration. Fueled with a passion for music since childhood, Singer/Songwriter Jeff Senour formed CTS to inspire people of all ages to live their dreams and honor our real American Heroes. Jeff’s mission for the band was to pass along a message of the American dream through music. The band’s dedication to our Military, Police, Firefighters and First Responders has placed their music in numerous festivals, Military events, fundraisers and charities across the nation. Jeff’s vigor for life carries over as well to his career as a Screen Actors Guild Film Pilot, News Pilot and Southwest Airlines Pilot. "The freedom of flying has spawned many songs as you see the world from a different vantage point", says Jeff.
The musical journey of CTS has garnered the band numerous awards from album of the year and video of the year with several music organizations, the Founders Award with Military Writer’s Society and most recently the President’s Award with Southwest Airlines. “Can’t Get Off This Train” hit the National radio charts at #42 in 2008 and has had other radio play along the way as well. The powerhouse sound of CTS consists of Jeff Senour, Dylan Elliott, Joe McGinnity and Jerry Nuzum all world class musicians on their own, have joined together to create the high octane sound of CTS.
From Festivals and Schools to Churches, this band has performed all over the country in various venues and opened for numerous National Artists. CTS performs in cities around America, it’s one of a kind show called “Freedom Rock Experience”. The concert is a multi media rock show, placing high school or college orchestras on stage for a high energy performance with up to 250 students rocking the stage with CTS.
Honoring the real American Hero from Military, Police, Firefighters and Teachers, the show is designed to inspire our youth of today, to live their dreams. Jeff's creative talents also came as a movie film pilot in Hollywood with blockbuster hits such as, “True Lies”, “Executive Decision”, “Hot Shots”, “Space Cowboys” and hundreds of Military photo chase missions. Jeff flew a specially equipped Learjet with the Nettmann Vectorivision system for 15 years, capturing some of the most stunning aerial photo shots enjoyed by many in movies and Military research and development. Jeff says the music of CTS is the melodic story of his life and that we can all achieve great things in life if we try and believe in ourselves.
Bass player Jerry Nuzum is a school music teacher who can play just about any instrument you put in front of him and devoted his life to music that inspires.
Drummer Joe McGinnity has performed and toured with numerous bands throughout his life and brings a huge amount of talent to the CTS lineup.
Lead Guitarist Dylan Elliott is the youngest in the band as he is still in College and plays as lead guitar in numerous large Churches on Worship teams along with other music projects.
Together this powerhouse lineup of CTS is a must see live. They are raw, real rock and roll without a bunch of prefabricated sounds, just great live music.
You can also tune in to Jeff's new show called "Backstage Pass" on ROKU, Youtube and Dish Networks. Jeff is the host of this positive show showcasing amazing people doing extraordinary things in life. People from National Artists, Medal Of Honor Veterans, Filmmakers and many more actually living their dreams.
BACKSTAGE PASS WITH JEFF SENOURr- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrPis0JttrPeULXYgeijgkGS6tKXrPosU
CTS LIVE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrPis0JttrPdXcEMoeQ0gkpPK8C6m31s7
In the works, Pilot by day Rocker by night Jeff Senour and Emmy Nominated Actor Jack Scalia wil be hosting a TV Reality series called "Reach For The Sky" the name of one of our songs. Jeff and Jack will travel the country helping Veterans and First Responders in search of great human interest stories and each show will end with a CTS concert in differenct cities.
Stay tuned for more info soon.
We are excited that this summer we will go to Nashville to record a new album. We are working with Platinum Producer Mark Oliverius. Stay turned for more exciting news and more to come.
Well we did it. Ray Chavez oldes survivor from Pearl Harbor turned 105 years old and we put on a rock concert aboard the USS Midway in San Diego to celebrate this American hero. What a night of magic honoring such a great person. National news, CTS, NBC and many others aired the event and we all became a part of history. How many times does someone turn 105? Not very often and it was an honor to celebrate Ray's big day with him.
On Pearl Harbor Day, Jeff Senour will perform with the Army Band on the decks of the USS Missouri to honor our heroes. On the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Jeff will sing an original song, "You Won't Be Forgotten" joined by the Army Band, commemorating the anniversary of such a historical event in American history.
Joining us will be the Medal Of Honor, Legacy Of Valor and oldest survivor of Pearl Harbor, Ray Chavez at 104 years young.
We are so honored to be a part of this history at CTS.
CTS original song, "Way Back Home" has been featured in a new movie documentary called "Searching For Home". Produced by Eric Christiansen, this amazing movie tells the stories of Soldiers returning from war only to find that the battle isn't over once they attempt to adapt back in Family life.
CTS song "Way Back Home" is featured in the credits of the movie. It won best documentary at the Burbank Film Festival and is being aired Nationwide this Veteran's Day weekend.
CTS performed on the APS Medal Of Honor float in the famed Phoenix Veterans Day Parade. This is our 3rd year at the parade and what an honor to say thanks to those who serve.
CTS performed at the Mesa Music Festival along with Mountain View and Gilbert High orchestras. It was an awesome show while honoring our Veterans, Police and Firefighters.
Jeff Senour won the President's Award with Southwest Airlines for his dedication to inspiring our youth and honoring our heroes through CTS. This is a huge honor and example of what the CTS mission is about.
"I recently had the pleasure of joining CTS on stage at two events. The first was a concert at Valencia High School presented by American Soldier Network with the Yorba Linda and Esperanza High School Orchestras. I was amazed at the skill and passion with which the young musicians played! Hearing all those violins, cellos and basses rocking out with the band was like nothing I'd experienced before. Then to take that same performance and put it on the main stage at the NAMM trade show in Anaheim was something I'll never forget. The smiles on the students’ faces were contagious. They played just as hard as the CTS boys and the crowd responded in kind. Jeff Senour & CTS are doing a wonderful thing bringing their love of music and sharing it with younger musicians around the country. All the parents I spoke with after each show expressed a renewed enthusiasm for his or her child's interest in music. If I learned anything growing up, and now as a father myself, an engaged parent means a happier child. Next time CTS comes around, I hope they'll invite me to jam with them again.” Michael Broderick Actor - Los Angeles, CA http://about.me/actormichaelbroderick
“The CTS Freedom Rock Experience student concert series was an engaging and unique opportunity for our students and faculty. Students were provided with a fun & exciting experience that brought music to life for them. They had a fantastic time playing original CTS music and working with professional musicians. What an experience to see a professional concert from the background, guided by such awesome role models. The CTS band members were real and showed passion in what they do! Band members were easy to work with and very flexible - keeping the primary goal of providing a great experience for our students at the forefront! Not only did CTS provide a memorable performance with our students, they conveyed very positive and age appropriate messages throughout the show. Thank you CTS for such a great program for our students and music department!” Kimberly Heinz Assistant Principal Sandra Day O'Connor High School
“It was such a pleasure working with the CTS band during our "Freedom Rock Experience" student concert. I was impressed by how well organized and professional they were, and the music parts and scores fit perfectly into the show. Thank you Jeff, Jerry, and the whole CTS band for a wonderful and meaningful experience for our school orchestra program. I would highly recommend this student concert series to any music educator looking for that ‘extra special opportunity’ for their music program!” Amber Dudley Mesquite High School (Mesquite, AZ) Director of Orchestras & Performing Arts Department Chair
WE just came off of several huge concerts with Heritage Academy and Amarillo and Tascosa High Schools. We had an amazing time performing in Mesa, AZ at REd Mountain Community Church for Young Lives then one week later flew to Amarillo, TX for a full show wiht Amarillo High snd Tascosa High orchestra and band.
What an amazing show and the students sounded increrdible.
6.1.2015 Scott Bonner
I am the conductor of the Corona (California) Youth Symphony Orchestra and of the Corona Symphony Conservatory. As well, I assist with the string program at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
This evening these three groups combined to perform with the CTS Rock Band as part of their Freedom Rock Experience. It was unbelievable! My students will be talking about this for years.
The CTS band were prepared, professional and profoundly motivating. The individual players in the band interacted with the student musicians to create a memorable and entirely positive experience. The drummer, Joe, interacted with me as a conductor with such consistency and precision that tiny ripples disappeared by adjustments that he made, and that the band adjusted to instantly. It was remarkable.
The music was itself inspirational, patriotic and a just fun. With string players, the opportunities to get up out of their seats and just absorb themselves in both the music and the concert environment are rare. My students were rocking out.
The music was challenging, but well within their range, and CTS understands that when working with groups with little combined rehearsal time between the students and CTS that the rock band has to be on top of its game to create a strong musical performance. CTS did that and more.
Our groups made some money, and that is always helpful. Groups are constantly having to fundraise, and tonight we made a good profit, had hundreds of people in the audience and just played music.
Jeff Senour and the CTS Rock Band created magic for my students. The videos and graphics, the lights, the fog machine and the rock and roll music that, as a teacher, I didn't have to worry about the message were unparalleled.
Thanks CTS. You created memories that will last for years and years and gave my students a performance opportunity that they would not have had any other way.
What an experience!!!
CTS just came off of an amazing concert at Red Mountain Community Church for Young Lives Teen Moms. We had over 40 young orchestra musicians from Heritage Academy as well rocking the stage and for a great cause. We performed a full hihg energy rock show with over 40 students on stage and several violinists, Laura Reed, Alexis Mason and Annice Jones.
We had two dragters from American Dragcar, a red carpet entrance with a Hollywood style welcome. Melissa Kahn of Priceless Reflections took pictures of our guests as they entered. Presentation of colors was presented by Red Mountain High School ROTC Honor Guard. Then the show bagan and rocked the stage.
During "Weight Of The World" the Young Lives Teen Moms walked across the stage with a cardboard confessional about their lives.
It was an amazing night to be had and fun for all.
12.23.2014
Andru Moeller
Thank you jeff for letting me play with you guys once again its always fun to play with the band and see all the smiling faces on the other students faces. You guys keep doing what you guys are doing which is inspiring the futures generation! You guys really do inspire us students to accomplish our dreams and help others when they really need help. I have been doing alot more volunteering around school and outside of school. Thanks to you guys! You and the band AMAZING and inspirational and i love that cause when you bring students the freedom rock experience the next day thats what the whole school is talking about and how you guys are really changing the world little by little (: once again thank you jeff for another amazing concert! I hope to do many more concerts with you guys soon!
- Andru Moeller
Student, Cello Player
Chandler High School
11.13.2014
Ann Templeton
On October 20, 2014, the Chandler High School Chamber Orchestra rocked it out with CTS in a benefit concert that included great music, inspiring messages, and much celebration. The event was highly successful and allowed CHS students the opportunity to perform with professional artists and a full stage show, including high tech lighting and video. It was amazing and our musicians loved it! Jeff Senour was instrumental in organizing the top notch performance, and helped us maximize our fundraising through ticket sales, advertising, and auctioning items. His creativity and enthusiasm were catching; our students, orchestra director, and I really enjoyed working with Jeff and CTS!
- Ann Templeton
Assistant Principal
Chandler High School
“CTS performed with our entire Strings program at Mountain View High School (on 5/17/2012). Our students had a great time, from rehearsal to the concert itself. The music was terrific, CTS was great with the audience, and our families and students had a blast. Beyond the music, CTS shared important messages of family, the appreciation of our military heroes, and the reminder that we live in the greatest country in the world. The whole night was filled with great music and wholesome fun. It was absolutely a great experience for everyone.” Craig Luketic Principal – Mountain High School Mesa, AZ
12.31.2013
Thank you so much to Jeff, Jerry, Tony, and Joe for bringing the Freedom Rock Experience to Nashville, Tennessee! What a huge honor for Music City Youth Orchestra to participate in such a moving and inspiring tribute to our Fallen Warriors as part of the GoldStar 11 Mission tour across America with C.T.S. and the American Fallen Warrior Memorial Foundation.
What C.T.S. brings to our youth is the most inspirational and rockin’ experience of our time! Every high school band and youth orchestra in America should invite C.T.S. to their hometown to experience the awe-inspiring music and powerful energy that can only come from the Freedom Rock Experience!
Thank you for honoring America, our troops, and our youth with your music and may we never forget the sacrifices made for the freedoms that we enjoy. God bless America!
- LeAnn Austin
Executive Director
Music City Youth Orchestra, Nashville, TN
10.20.2014
Tonight was a fun night!! Thanks to Jeff Senour and the rest of the CTS band. This group is just amazing they go around the country playing with high schools and helping them achieve their dreams. I have learned a lot tonight!
Everyone has a best friend that they are close to and can tell anything and everything to you should keep it that way so no one feels like they have no one to come to when they need it. Keep it to where you guys are close because you will never know when they will be gone your friend could be gone tomorrow.
I like the saying Jeff Senour said tonight. "On a plane there is turbulence and in life there is turbulence you will never know what comes next exceptionally when that turbulance hits" just remember everyone needs a friend or love and we should show that more to each other I sure know me and my best friend show each other love she loves me so much she came to the concert just for me lol!! If anybody ever needs someone to talk to at school or anywhere I will take time to talk to you guys!!
Thank you once again for the wonderful concert! Thank you to the audience as well supporting Wendi VanBriesen and the Chandler High music program!
- Andru Moeller
Student
Chandler High School Orchestra, Chandler, AZ
“I want to share a few thoughts about my students’ recent performance with the CTS band. My symphonic strings from Mountain View High School (Mesa, Arizona) performed with CTS at a concert honoring our veterans and protective services (fire and police). My students played string backup to four tunes arranged for performance with CTS and had an absolute BLAST. The music was fun and engaging, and the band members treated the kids with warmth and respect. CTS interacted with the orchestra on both a personal and professional level giving them a true rock concert experience they will never forget. Through their love of music and sharing it with the orchestra, CTS drew the students into the performance experience getting them excited and JAZZED for an unforgettable performance.” Dr. Walt Temme Director of Orchestras Mountain View High School Mesa, Arizona
6.4.2015 Lori Bonner
I am the education director for the Corona Symphony Orchestra in Corona, California. Our Conservatory Students and Youth Symphony recently performed with the CTS Rock Band as part of the Freedom Rock Experience. My phone and email have been burning up with the positive comments from students, parents and audience members.
Our students worked very hard to prepare the music and their efforts were greatly rewarded with the professionalism, courtesy and outright joy that CTS brought to the event.
The program included an honor guard, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and other dignitaries. I was pleased to see our students interact with the very positive social forces.
The CTS musicians interacted with the student musicians throughout the rehearsal, sound check and concert, and recognized them for their work. The band worked very well with our local conductor to create a strong communication from CTS to the conductor to the students, and back to CTS. Not easy to do in just one combined rehearsal.
This will be an event that the students will remember for many years. CTS was even able to work in our youngest students for one giant combined number which included the band, the orchestras and the beginning students. This was "Reach for the Sky."
Overall, it was night of inspiring people, inspiring music and inspiring performances.
- Lori Bonner, BA, MA
Education Director, Corona Symphony Orchestra and Conservatory