The Linford Twins have always been passionate about music. Jason and Jeffrey are both graduates from BYU. (Courtesy of Jeffrey Linford)
In 2007, Jeffrey Linford told The Daily Universe that he wanted to change the world with a ukulele. Now, nearly 20 years later, Jeffrey and his twin brother Jason are seeing that dream come to life after years of songwriting, auditions, entrepreneurship and an unwavering belief that music can uplift others.During their years at BYU, Jeffrey Linford became a familiar face around campus, carrying a ukulele from place to place and entertaining students waiting in the Testing Center lines.
The twins practicing the ukulele and the drums. While attending BYU, Jason studied scouting education and Jeffrey studied pre-med. (Courtesy of Jeffrey Linford)
Nathan Ward, now an Associate Dean of students at BYU, worked with the brothers through BYUSA student leadership and remembers their willingness to connect with everyone they met.“I was always impressed that they had time for everyone, and they would take time to visit with all kinds of students, not just their friend group. And it always struck me as genuine that they truly did care about people,” Ward said.The brothers shared how BYU became the place where they began taking music seriously, writing songs and performing regularly while balancing school. That enthusiasm and commitment to serving others followed them beyond campus, even when life took them in unexpected directions.After graduation and the 2008 recession, the brothers put a pause on their music careers and started a pest control company called, “The Hollywood Bug Guys” in their hometown of Mesa, Arizona. But they continued to write songs and perform wherever they could.
Jeffrey and Jason Linford and their wives, Ashley and Esther playing tug-of-war. The brothers proposed at a YSA regional conference on stage. (Courtesy of Jeffrey Linford/Burnt Exposure)
While building the business, both brothers met their future wives. They also attended BYU with the twins but hadn't gotten to know each other until after graduation. The brothers later staged a double proposal during one of their performances.Their faith has also shaped many of their career decisions, including one that nearly cost them a chance to appear on "America's Got Talent." (AGT)After auditioning for AGT multiple times, they were chosen to audition on camera and train for nearly six months with producers. When they were told that their audition would be on Sunday, they faced a difficult decision.“I made a promise early on as a kid that I would keep the Sabbath Day holy. Now, I know a lot of professions, and even in the entertainment industry, we're not judging anybody… as I'm on this entertainment journey, music journey, I had to lean on God because that's where melodies come from. That's where opportunities will come, the doors will open,” Jason Linford said.Ultimately, they were able to audition on a separate day for Season 11 of America’s Got Talent.
America's Got Talent Season 11 Episode 2 intro
“I can tell that the things that have happened in their life come because they aren't discouraged. They don't give up and they keep moving forward,” Ward said. “And you can see it's not easy to produce an album. It's not easy to perform and do all those things and they've just continued to do those things throughout their lives.”This decision became one of many moments they say reinforced their faith. The brothers continue performing professionally, recently opening for the Righteous Brothers before signing a nine-year Las Vegas contract.Their latest music reflects that same focus on hope that has been their mission in making music.Inspired by the deadly flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas, the brothers wrote "A Pocket Full of Dreams" as a message of hope for grieving families. They performed the album for the family and friends of those who were lost.
"Pocket Full of Dreams" Official Performance Video - Linford Twins
“I was almost done with the song, and Jeff's like, 'Jason, is this about the girls over there in Texas?' I just thought, oh my gosh, this song is about them. You know, maybe there's a message here,” Jason Linford said.Ultimately, the brothers say every song they write points back to the same message they've carried since their college years, to keep pursuing the dreams that matter most.“What I like to tell people, and at the show, we're gonna say take your dream, write it down on a piece of paper, put it in your pocket with a prayer, if you believe in God. If you don't, just give it a try. You have nothing to lose. God will take that dream, and He will multiply it by ten. He will magnify it. And you might have to wait 20 years. Like we have,” Jeffery Linford said.Their album, A Pocket Full of Dreams can be streamed on Spotify and YouTube.
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A Pocket Full of Dreams
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