Phil is an under appreciated National treasure. He usually skips discussing his choices, but fame and the fortune it would've brought would've involved producing music for crowds of people to ingest liquor and various other "mood stabilizing" stuff, which is a "great void" he wanted no part of. He has - obviously - no problem with rocking out; but Rock concerts, and that culture, displace the faith community(which has, unfortunately, gotten itself mixed up with politics, and the money and power it can bring). A famous Rocker once described what they do as "seat-of-your-pants Shamanism." I think that Phil has done really well; but as he says, he tours and makes music steadily, and he's 68. He shouldn't have to work so hard, but as the great Frank Zappa once said, "the meek shall inherit shit." I'm a long-time fan, and I talk him up to folks when I can, but I'm not a social lion, and as a card-carrying nonconformist, I'm not much of an avatar. The crowds can be difficult to communicate with if you don't keep up with TV and pop culture. I love the nuggets I've found in this interview, though. As usual, Phil is un-affected and friendly. He's as great a man as he is a guitarist. Thanks for posting this.

Absolutely! As a new believer, Phil’s music drew me in closer to Jesus and opened my heart and soul to a whole new dimension of worship and love for our God!

The mainstream does not like his religion let's face it .

Thanks for the kind words Ken.

Derin Beechner, Phil is a multi-millionaire with a net-worth of in excess of $3,000,000. Hardly a popper! 25 years ago he was commanding on average $5000USD /night to be booked, plus his flight (two people) and hotel and meals. I know because we looked into booking him at our church at that time. 5K USD to come play guitar for 2-3 hrs was VERY good money then and for true “struggling musicians” today, it would still be a gold mine for a solo performer. He had released upwards of 50 albums and tours regularly. Go fund the truly poor orphans in 3rd world countries and never mind thinking about a celebrated guitarist like Phil. His two Olsen guitars are worth upwards of $25-50K USD in today’s dollars. Hardly a poor man’s instrument. His guitar collection alone is probably worth a small fortune. Phil IS an amazing musician no doubt. But be serious my friend. 🤦‍♂️

@@jmp6943 I enjoyed him a lot more when he had 10 albums. It got a lot less interesting after that. Phil is a talented guitarist and musician but all these Christians calling him the greatest in the world is embarrassing. And probably to him too. I guess they never heard of Allan Holdsworth, Pat Metheny, Steve Morse, Julian Bream, John McLaughlin, and so many other giants of the instrument.

@@reidwhitton6248 : yep!! Phil's playing is certainly on that level! I'm not looking to cause any trouble, but it isn't merely "Christians" who recognize...! In my opinion you overstepped quite a bit here n do not know or realize just how great his playing has been and is.

​@@chrisk973 I understand what he's doing on the guitar. I've played one since 1977. I love Phil! He's a great player. But neither Phil or anybody else would say he's in the same league as someone like Holdsworth. But that's fine. Everyone is an individual doing their own thing.

church is inside the man, god is inside the man

You are welcome and many thanks for letting me know how what you thought of the interview.

Thank you for the kind words Rod.

I first saw him when I was a teenager back in ‘79 at Calvary Chapel. He was awesome then….and remains so.✌️🙏🎶

God heals people. Satan designed to make music and overcome with pride inhabits music, it's his venue. Be very careful about where you give honor and praise. This will NOT keep you from being loved by your Creator Father Redeemer Saviour. But music has So Much deception in it. "All have fallen short of the Glory of GOD." 1) Beware of secret societies. The oaths they take. 2) Come out of her (Catholic church) there is no mediator but Yeshua Jesus Christ. 3) All the others religions are disobedient created little g gods. 4) Abraham Isaac and Jacob, there is a SAVIOUR, NOW. It's not racism, not hate it's just history. Very few things are what they appear.

Patrick Maiyo Thank you very much!

Thanks so much for the kind words.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon .Matthew 6

Stinky, I hope you will "grow" back into the fortunate parts of (what you referred to as that unfortunate) Christian phase. Christ is still here, still changing lives, still waiting with mercy for you to return. Ever since those days when I surrendered to Christ in 1980 and Keaggy was there for me, I've continued to have my life shaped into Jesus' likeness these many years later through no "effort" of my own, only His mercy and His grace doing its work. Blessings to you.

What about being a Christian do you find unfortunate?