"The Greater Cause" - John's New CD

[executioner]

I think it would be a HUGE mistake if this album was anything less than all new material. We as supporters have put up the funding for this and anything less would unacceptable to the majority.

[Tutor23]

Yeah, Don't Look Back to HeadEast material. There's Never Been Any Reason to do that.

Making the goal - it's exciting, isn't it!!!
I look forward to John's giving of everything he's got to this project - talent, energy, passion, effort. I'm proud to be a part of his ministry. And I'm grateful for the positive impact he and Petra have had on me over the years.
Andy

[zak89]

I think it would be a HUGE mistake if this album was anything less than all new material. We as supporters have put up the funding for this and anything less would unacceptable to the majority.

Hmm. Can't say I'd feel the same way about covering some Petra classics, but at any rate John has made it clear this is going to be all-new material.

My only "concern" is the songwriting itself - I don't know who's going to be involved, of course, and the music and lyrics of Grafting are solid, so I hope for the best. But since John doesn't usually write most of his solo music, it's kinda up to the folks that create the messages that John brings out so well, to determine how hard-hitting and potent the album will be. That, and John's choice of what songs to record, I suppose.

But I hope for the best. I do feel better knowing that there's no corporation calling the shots on what John can or can't say. I pray John is able to take full advantage of that - encouragement and comfort is great, but today's CCM is lacking that 'in-your-face' style of music that the classic Christian rock used to bring. Powerful, aggressive music should carry a powerful, aggressive message.

My $0.002

[Timbo]

Too bad he couldn't work something out with Bob to record the stuff he had written for the next album after J&H. Sounded like at the time Bob had a lot of stuff for several records after J&H.

[Preacherman777]

You never know, Bob may rework some of that material to be used for Classic Petra's original album.

By the way, it doesn't bum me out that John isn't going to do that reworked version of never been any reason, I just said I thought it was cool. In other words, I'm glad the video exists and that he at least did it that one time. I'm all for all new material.

[executioner]

It wouldn't surprise me if we see a couple of Bob's songs on the album.

[Jan]

YAY!! Up to 38K now! Hopefully that will cover the fees that are taken out.

[p-freak]

It wouldn't surprise me if we see a couple of Bob's songs on the album.

It would very much surprise me if this was the case. Bob has never had anything to do with John's solo material. He has hardly ever written music for other bands besides Petra. There's a song he wrote for Mastedon and some songs he wrote for the Who Do You Listen To? film, but that's it.

I think John and Dan make a fine writing team. Just hoping that the production will be a bit edgier than the usual stuff Dan produces.

Why not hire Matt Odmark of Jars Of Clay and use their studio? Matt was looking for music to produce / record / mix for this Summer.

Never Been Any Reason would be fine, but then only as a just for fun bonus track. But I fear it would be a misfit musically.

[rexreed]

I'd absolutely love to hear a well produced, authentic to the original, reworking of Never Been any Reason.. That song is incredible. The version I have has the sissiest sounding snare drum in my entire music collection.

[sue d.]

A supporter came up with this idea, and I think it's great!

Today is the first day of August... John & Dorla's anniversary month. On Aug. 28 they will celebrate 40 years of marriage! Such a milestone! Wouldn't it be a TERRIFIC ANNIVERSARY GIFT to reach $40K TODAY in honor of their 40th anniversary?!!

If everyone on all the social sites pledged a few bucks, we could do it! Only $1570 is needed to reach $40K. That would be so cool....

Remember: Donators will get a password to an EXCLUSIVE website to follow John on the journey to the new CD! We have big plans for this... it'll be so fun, with photos, videos, blogs, etc. A very inside look at EVERYTHING, including writing sessions, recording in the studio, John making the rewards, mailing them out... anything & everything.

[sue d.]

Here's a further explanation on the upcoming Website / Insight:

To THE GREATER CAUSE CREW: as a backer of John Schlitt's new album, "The Greater Cause," you not only get your selected reward, but as an additional bonus exclusively for the TGC Crew (The Greater Cause supporters, as John now calls them), you will receive the password to access JohnWSchlitt.NET, a new website strictly for the Crew. There you will be able to follow John on the recording road, with photos, videos, blogs and much more! Take a ring-side seat to ALL that goes on in the creation of John’s CD - from start to finish.

This will include

watching John in the studio,
listening in as tracks are created,
seeing him make the Kickstarter plaque rewards,
viewing him signing hundreds of CDs and posters,
laughing as he prepares the reward packages and licks hundreds of stamps (ok… maybe not that!).

Anyway, we’re open to taking suggestions for whatever YOU want to see!

So please consider backing The Greater Cause if you haven’t done so yet… any dollar amount will make you a Crew member with full rights & privileges! ;~)

Pledges are taken here until Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. CDT: http://www.tinyurl.com/thegreatercause

[Jan]

Over $40K now!! All Right!!

[sue d.]

Isn't that superb??!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FROM TGC CREW!!!!

[executioner]

Praise God!!!

[zak89]

Amazing. I find myself smiling every time I think of how excited John must be to see this idea become reality.

May God bless his new ministry.