The Petra Zone

Got the chance to come down from Grand Rapids to see the drop-in show at Lakeshore Christian Church in St. Joseph, MI. I knew it would be a great night because the first person I saw in the church when we got there was John. That was sweet. It was a very intimate setting, maybe 80 people in the room, but the guys still played with fun, passion and energy! Ever hear an acoustic version of Jekyll and Hyde? Me neither until Sunday night. It wasn't the full band, being John Schlitt, Billy Smiley and Jason Fowler. Outside of the incredible catalog of songs they shared, it was great to hear Jason's testimony. That guy loves the Lord. Plus it was the first time I ever got to meet Billy Smiley, and that was really great. He switched back and forth between acoustics and the keyboard. All three of them shared great anecdotes about their pasts, their friends, who they've worked with, stories behind the songs, and more.

Here's a few pics. They don't really capture the energy, but I was too busy rocking out.
The "Medley" included Fly Eagle Fly, Coloring Song, Desert Rose and Just Reach Out.

Dude! He closed it out with "Never Been Any Reason!" It was amazing. It was a really great story too. John wanted to wait until he was done with the Petra years so that Petra didn't have to account for that song in any way "or the kibitzers would have had a field day." Didn't get to Beyond Belief, but that's ok. The room pretty much filed out by that point. What can you do. I could have listened to them tell stories and sing their songs all night long.

Very cool.

I was at the show in Green Bay two nights before... awesome!
(I can't get this to play inside the post)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caLRVvDTxr8

Thanks Sue! By the way, did you get my email? I can't tell if it went through.