Cullen Strange grew up in a family who loved listening to live music all across Austin. With musical influences ranging from Peoples Choice, Guy Forsyth, Wendy Colonna, and Allison Wonderland, Strange was constantly surrounded by great music ranging from Country to Blues and of course Rock & Roll. Coming as no surprise, Strange has evolved into quite the accomplished musician himself. Starting when he picked up the trombone in the 7th grade, Cullen would not discover until high school that his true passion was for the bass guitar.

As a freshman in high school, along with fellow band mate Bryan Chenault, it was suggested the two jam together and “start a band!” Little did Chenault know that he had lit a path of passion for playing music in his friend. The two started attending church together at Dripping Springs United Methodist Church where an opening was created when the former bass player in the youth worship band moved to attend college. Cullen eagerly stepped in and filled the gap.

After purchasing his first bass guitar, a four string fender bass, from a local pawnshop in Austin, Cullen quickly grew in his playing abilities and decided it was time to upgrade to something a bit nicer. Soon the bass prodigy was smoothly gliding along the fretless neck of a beautiful natural wood finish six string Ibanez which he immediately fell in love with playing. This particular bass was played for almost 3 years, until one afternoon when everything was stolen out of the back seat of his vehicle…including his beloved six-string.

This fateful day is what brought Cullen to the axe he now plays today, a 5 string Ibanez with a natural wood finish just like the one he had stolen. Not long after Cullen helped create The Encounter Project, he acquired one more instrument. It was Christmas in 2009 when Cullen was given one of the greatest gifts he had ever received, A beautiful upright bass. Although this particular bass is much more difficult to travel with, it is used for studio recording as well as live acoustic and full band shows to add a unique dynamic to many of the bands songs.

After several years of playing worship music at DSUMC Cullen graduated and grew out of the youth group. It was time for Strange to take his talents for music and worship needed somewhere else. In 2009 he joined the band Restored and began leading worship at a small church that had just been planted in Lakeway, Texas. Restored was together for almost a year before deciding to go their own ways. It wasn't long before Strange introduced Robin Mordecai to his new project members, Chenault and Jacob Wade, and though they were not aware at the time, The Encounter Project had been formed while standing in the living room on a warm summer evening.

Aside from his music, Cullen is also working towards becoming a firefighter. Working part time as a lifeguard has given him an edge when he beginning his EMT certification classes. Currently, Strange is completing his required EMT training while simultaneously preparing for Fire Fighter School. Cullen attributes the things he has been able to accomplish in music and every aspect of his life to the loving support of his friends, family, and church community. In his time away from studying and playing music, Cullen enjoys playing soccer, wrestling with his dogs, and simply spending time with friends.