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Petra Lead Singer Goes Solo!
That's
likely to be the rumor once word gets out regarding John Schlitt's
first solo recording. But no, he’s not (N-0-T, not) leaving rock's
leading and most renowned group. He is firmly rooted and committed
to playing the front man of the group he has been an intrinsic part
of for almost a decade. Besides, who says he can't do two things at
the same time?
"As long as Petra exists and they're following the path God is
giving us, I will be with Petra." This from the man who has one of
the most distinctive voices in music today. "It's the ministry that
He put me with, and it's a ministry that I've seen change lives all
over the world, and I don't see that direction changing." When the
idea of a solo album kept recurring in various conversations, John
decided it was time to seriously consider a side gig flying solo.
When Word Records approached him about the idea, it soon became a
reality. His life soon garnered another aspect - John Schlitt of
Petra added a new persona... John Schlitt, solo artist. But let's
not forget John Schlitt - family man.
When he struts about on stage in his flowing white shirt, belting
out lyrics like "Underneath the blood/Through the cleansing flood,"
it's kind of hard to picture John Schlitt as Robert Young in "Father
Knows Best." But there's more to this man than just the exterior
layer as the lead singer of Petra. John has had his share of success
both with Petra and the ‘70s mainstream group Head East. Recipient
of a gold album, two Grammy Awards and multiple Dove Awards, John
has proved himself as one of rock’s premier vocalists. But as with
anything, fame doesn’t come without its price tag.
"I had two kids when I was still in the secular system, and I did my
best to ruin that family for many years," John recounts of his days
with Head East when the music and his career came before everything
else, including his family and his health. Along with the trappings
of fame and fortune, John got caught up in addiction to alcohol and
cocaine. "The fact that I still have a healthy family with kids that
still love me and my wife who still loves me – that’s a miracle in
itself."
The Schlitt family includes wife of 24 years - Dorla, daughter Kari
(20), and sons John Jr. (16), Christopher (11) and Krey (5).
Parenting is what John calls, "an unbelievable blessing - it tends
to make you young and old at the same time." John explains, "I mean
you look at your 20 year old and you go 'oh my gosh, I must be
really old.’ Then you look at your five year old who wants to
wrestle every single second of the day; and you realize that five
year old is going to want to have the same dad as the 20 year old
does."
Those ‘unbelievable blessings' have given John the ability to relate
to kids of all ages. His ability to relate to the family unit,
coupled with his own personal battle with drugs and alcohol, afford
him a responsibility that he knows he can't take lightly. "This
music is a forum - it's a way of allowing me to be heard. So what am
I going to say? I see so much need out there, and I've been given
the opportunity to have a platform where people will listen. As I'm
becoming more known and people seem to listen more, well then what
am I going to say...'Hey have a great day, buy my record?' Or am I
going to say 'hey gang there's hope - go for it, don't be afraid.
Don't be afraid to be a Christian.’"
It's many parents prayer that their kids will grow up as strong
Christians and remain in that strength, never having to battle the
slime pits the enemy puts forth. Unfortunately, we live in a real
fallen world. And given his past slime pits, no one knows those
trappings better than John. And he wouldn’t be human if he didn’t
admit he fears for his children.
"It's harder than you could ever imagine. The experimental stage of
life is scary to me because I know how you can get burnt while
you're 'discovering.' And I just didn't want (my kids) to go through
that - I don't want anybody to go through the garbage I did 'cause I
came close to ruining my life. And I don't want to see them going
through that. But they will. Some will. I'm hoping some won't
because of the efforts - if nothing else at least there's an option
to listen to this (album). The world has their philosophies, and
they blat it out in every avenue they possibly can, but we've got
our philosophies, too. And at least I've been part of getting out a
tool that can be used for that. I'm proud of that, and I'm hoping
that as many kids as humanly possible will listen."
With a title as simple as Shake, John hopes his solo release will be
a vital tool in the battle for what he feels the populous calls "the
lost generation." And the best warriors for that battle, John feels,
are found through that same generation, "the ones that have found
the Lord, know they're saved, but maybe have been a little
uncomfortable with that."
There's an intimacy that comes for John Schlitt on his own, sans the
lights and explosives of a Petra production. Although he gets the
chance to speak to more kids as the lead singer of Petra, John
admits there are limitations within a big production. On his own,
there is more time to move as the Spirit leads. That platform he
referred to then gets much bigger. "I saw some things that I could
do as a solo artist that I can't as a part of Petra... being able to
share my heart a whole lot more. This more intimate, one on one type
of situation - that's where the song 'One by One' came out - it's
like saying 'we can change lives one by one, by sharing our
testimony, by letting people know - that's what's cool about solo
dates."
Life is good for John Schlitt. He's learning and being used of God.
He feels blessed as a father and as a Christian. Two things stand
out while talking to John - one is his passion for his family. "I
don't claim to be the perfect parent. I'm just a parent who cares.
And I try very hard. I don't know how you can be a parent without
being a Christian and hope for any survival at all... it shocks me
how a family can survive and not be a Christian."
The other is where God has him right now. It's a good place to be.
For all of us. "I think that's what I'm going through right now -
the more opportunity that comes, the more I feel that I've blown it.
I'm apologizing to God all the time, it's like 'Oh God, thank you,
but oh I'm sorry. I've failed a lot.' But praise God once again the
fact that the blood of Jesus Christ gives us a second chance."
- CCM Magazine, March, 1995 issue
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JOHN SCHLITT
SHAKE
WORD
There is a voice that stands out in the world of Christian music,
predominately the rock genre. That is the voice of John Schlitt,
front man for Petra for almost a decade now. It just seems natural
the when you think John Schlitt, you think Petra. Get ready to think
again.
Schlitt has stepped out on his own – not leaving the group, but
giving us an extension of himself as John Schlitt. With a voice so
distinct, at first listen Shake can sound like a Petra spin off. But
a second and third listen reveals a wider variety of background
vocals, a children’s choir and in some cases, more of a pop feel.
Three producer teams were recruited for the project: mark
Heimermannn, Dann and David Huff, and Greg Nelson, in order to give
the project a variety of styles. But outside of the definite adult
contemporary cuts "Inside of You" and "One by One," Shake remains in
a rock groove.
From the opening cuts, the rocky "Wake the Dead," uptempo favorite
"Don’t Look Back," and acoustically flavored "Show Me the Way,"
Schlitt’s lyrics set the tone of a battle cry inspiring, encouraging
and reminding us that we stand on a Rock that cannot be shaken.
Co-writing nine of the 10 tunes, Schlitt establishes himself as a
singer/songwriter and indeed sets himself up as a solo artist.
However, it would help to distinguish this project from that of
Petra if he could lose the Petra coined screams. Prediction – Petra
fans will no doubt enjoy Shake, and non-Petra fans will be
intrigued.
- Melanie Friebel, CCM Magazine, April 1995 issue
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JOHN SCHLITT
SHAKE
WORD
John Schlitt has been the lead singer for the past eight years for
the first and most successful Christian rock band ever… need I
mention any names? But, as the man would say himself, you can’t stay
fixed in your comfort zone. Hence, Shake, John’s premier solo album.
No, he is not leaving Petra, but how did he like working on his own
project? "It was my baby," he says, "and it was super-exciting."
To say that flying solo is an ego thing for John would be to totally
miss the point. He’s really just got a lot to say and his own way of
saying it. It was time, he says, to get it all down on paper. So
maybe he is waxing reflective, nostalgic or whatever; he is also
passionate about the message of Christ. Making the album was much
more than just a musical excursion. Shake promises to please veteran
Christian rockers and new converts alike; with some irresistible pop
thrown in, John’s just shaking a few things up for a change of pace.
- Cory Cheshire, Release Magazine, January/February 1995 issue
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JOHN SCHLITT
John Schlitt, best known as the lead singer for Petra, has expanded
his ministry to include a solo project. Inspired instrumentals.
Passionate vocals. Many of the high-energy tunes on Shake encourage
God’s people to boldly press on without dwelling on the past. "Wake
the Dead" takes no prisoners as it calls lukewarm believers to
action. Christ’s agonizing sacrifice is the focus of "The Hard Way"
and "The Road to Calvary." Printed lyrics include related Scriptures
for each song. A solid effort from Word.
- Parental Guidance, Focus on the Family, April 15, 1995
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SHAKE IT UP
SHAKE
JOHN SCHLITT
WORD 7014244620
A successful band can easily swallow the identity of its individual
members. While there is no doubt that John Schlitt has one of the
most formidable sets of lungs in rock music today, even after
repeated listenings it is difficult to separate his debut solo
album, Shake, from the Petra sound he helped pioneer.
Musically, Shake is '70s rock dressed in '90s production (which is
first rate, thanks to session aces Mark Heimermann, Dann and David
Huff and Greg Nelson.) It is commercial and adheres to standard
formats. The two mandatory ballads, "Inside of You" and "Road to
Calvary" break the otherwise MOR/Hard Rock style, while the only
track that pushes the envelope musically is "Let It Show," which
grooves to some seriously funky riffs.
Lyrically, there's no brain-straining here; Schlitt, as co-writer of
nine of the ten tunes, lays it all out for the listener as he
explores themes of militant evangelism ("Wake the Dead"),
self-esteem ("Inside of You") and Christ's sacrifice ("Road to
Calvary"), which states: "On that road/He walked for you and me/On
that road, through all the pain and misery..."
Schlitt's tentative steps to establish his solo career with this
album will please old fans, and maybe win a few new ones too.
- Ashley Reeder, On Being, June, 1995
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INSIDE OF YOU"
JOHN SCHLITT
WORD
AC/INSP/CHR
A tender piano intro ushers in this lovely, hopeful song, sung by
one of Christian music’s most distinctive vocalists. As the song
progresses, the track gets a bit more aggressive, but remains well
within what is comfortable for AC airplay. This is the kind of song
that doesn’t necessarily hit you the first time you hear it, but
definitely grows legs with subsequent listens. A strong choice for
AC and INSP stations.
- The CCM Update, Single Reviews
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"SHOW ME THE WAY"
JOHN SCHLITT
WORD AC/CHR
An impressive guitar hook hits you from the beginning of the track
making this a song that is immediately appealing. Schlitt shows off
his vocal talent surrounded by a masterfully produced track that
features well-produced piano, bass and drum tracks along with smooth
harmonies. The hook continues to develop over the course of the
song, a sure best bet for AC and CHR radio formats.
- CCM Update, Single Reviews
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