Welcome to the first post in our new blog series where we introduce you to the people who make The Daniel Group tick. We’re kicking things off with Colton Brooks, our lead account executive/ marketing and social media guy has been with us for just over a yea now. Colton has worked as a performer and music director for many years including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Sight & Sound Theatres and more! We believe that getting to know the faces behind the projects helps build a stronger connection with our clients and partners. So, let’s dive into Colton’s story and see what makes him such a vital part of our team!
Q: Colton, let’s start with the basics. Where did you grow up and what led you to join The Daniel Group?
Colton Brooks: I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and was always drawn to the arts. I started out studying worship leadership at the University of Mobile but ended up switching to theatre. During that time, I spent two summers in Germany studying theatre, which was super eye-opening. After I graduated, I had the chance to perform at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Sight & Sound Theatres in Branson, and a bunch of random shows over the years. Talking about gear and production comes so naturally to me, but I never really thought about pursuing it from the tech side since most of my career has been on stage. When I found The Daniel Group, it just clicked. All those experiences taught me a lot about precision, reliability, and creating memorable moments, which fits perfectly with what we do here.
Q: Your background is really diverse. How does your experience as a performer and worship leader influence your work here?
Colton: My time in the performing arts really gives me a unique take on how tech plays such a vital role in storytelling. In theatre, every little detail—from lighting to sound—plays a role in telling the story. I bring that same mindset to AVL design. The tech should enhance and support the message, not steal the spotlight or become a distraction. It’s so so so importnat that everything works smoothly and is done with excellence. Nothing ruins an experience like poor audio, a lighting cue that’s off, or feedback issues to name a few. I've witnessed countless church services and shows were i was pulled out of the moment due to a technical issue.
Q: You’ve got a solid background in worship ministry too. How does that shape the way you approach your projects?
Colton: My experience as a worship leader helps me understand the balance between maintaining tradition and embracing new technology. I've worked for very traditional churches and super omdern churches. I want to help churches integrate modern tools in a way that enhances their worship without losing their unique identity. It’s about making sure the tech is a seamless part of the experience, so it supports worship rather than distracting from it. And since many of our clients use volunteers, making sure our systems are reliable and easy to use for volunteers is a big focus for me. There's so much information out there and it can be very overwhelming. I love taking the time to really get to know our clients and make sure i have a good understanding of their culture and community before staring a project.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at The Daniel Group?
Colton: I really enjoy seeing how our work impacts the communities we serve. It’s rewarding to know that the technology we provide helps create meaningful experiences. Plus, being part of a team that’s passionate about innovation and excellence is fantastic. Each project is a new opportunity to come up with another creative solution that makes a difference. The team we have here is incredbile and I'm honored to be a part of it.
Q: What excites you about the future of AVL technology in worship settings?
Colton: I’m excited about how quickly AVL technology is advancing. We’re seeing smaller, more powerful, and more cost effective systems that are easier to use, which is a huge advantage for many churches. I’m particularly keen on helping churches adopt new technology without compromising their traditions. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where tech enhances the worship experience and stays true to the community’s identity.
Q: If you could tell churches one thing, what would it be?
Colton: I’d say, its never to early to reach out to an AVL integrator and invest in tech that aligns with your vision and needs, not just what’s trendy or what the church down the road has. Choose equipment that complements YOUR worship style and enhances the experience for your community culture. It’s important to remember that the tech should serve your mission, not dictate it. And make sure to prioritize ease of use, especially if you're volunteer heavy, so you focus on what truly matters—creating meaningful worship experiences.
Q: You and Caleb are hosting a workshop at Disney soon, what can people expect who come to our breakout session at the Experience Conference?
Colton: At our breakout session, people can expect to have a good time and hopefully leave with some practical tools they can use when it comes to managing volunteers on a production and worship team. Caleb and I are so excited. We’ll cover practical strategies for integrating tech in a way that supports your worship environment without overwhelming it. Plus, we’ll share some real-world examples and offer actionable tips to make your setup as effective and user-friendly as possible. Caleb’s time as part of the staff for some big churches like Life.Church and Elevation has give him some incredible insights on volunteer management, team recruiting and more. It's going to make it an well-rounded session for sure.
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We hope you enjoyed getting to know Colton a little better. If you want to reach him you can shoot him an email at colton@danielgroup.co
Stay tuned for more posts in this series where we’ll introduce you to more of the talented individuals behind The Daniel Group!
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