CLOSING CURTAIN
'Petra Farewell' to Release November 22nd
Band in the midst of 50-city international tour
CBN.com
– Franklin, Tenn.- To celebrate 33 years of music and ministry from the pioneering Christian rock band, Petra, Inpop Records will release Petra Farewell on November 22nd. Petra Farewell, recorded on October 4th in front of an audience of family, friends and fans at W274 in Franklin, Tennessee, features Petra classics, emerging worship favorites, and special guest appearances by former band members, including vocalist Greg X. Volz and keyboard player John Lawry.
“It was great to see Greg and John on the same stage together,” says Petra lead vocalist since 1986, John Schlitt. “Everyone had fun and I’m sure the fans enjoyed the show. We’ve had a wonderful 33 years, and God has done amazing things through this band. We are thankful for all He has given us,” Schlitt says.
Just hours after the announcement went out about the exclusive taping, fans snapped up all 250 invitations and traveled from as far as Northern Europe and South America to be part of the historic Petra Farewell show.
“Petra’s fans have been incredibly supportive over the past three decades,” says Inpop Records President Wes Campbell. “Not only will the Petra Farewell CD commemorate one of Christian music’s greatest rock bands, it’s also a tribute to the fans that have been with them all along,” he says.
Plans for a Petra Farewell DVD are also in the works, and the project is currently set for a 2006 release. The comprehensive DVD will include concert footage from the show, in-depth interviews with band members, fan snapshots, and other special features.
At present, the band is in the midst of its international “Petra Farewell” tour, concluding in December. Featuring openers Sarah Brendel, Farewell June and Bread of Stone, the tour will impact over 50 markets including Brazil, Germany and Norway. In August, Petra formally announced its plans to disband at the year’s end. The decision to retire the band was mutual by all members.
Petra, currently comprised of Schlitt, band founder/guitarist/songwriter Bob Hartman, drummer Paul Simmons and bassist Greg Bailey, has impacted generations of musicians and fans alike over the years with over seven million CDs sold, four GRAMMY Awards, 10 Dove Awards and an induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The band initially formed in 1972 and paved the way for the rock genre perhaps more than any other in the Christian music industry. Petra is closing 2005 strong with over 20 albums to its credit, the latest being the 2003 Grammy-nominated Jekyll & Hyde.
"I think Petra's greatest accomplishment has been maintaining its good reputation for the last 33 years," concludes Hartman.
Courtesy of Inpop Records
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