Bob confirms it: Petra WILL retire this year

petra4ever · Post by **petra4ever** » Tue May 10, 2005 10:49 pm

I've been a fan since Beat the System. I heard the news on one of my local CCM stations (after they played "Lord I Lift Your Name on High"), and was in disbelief. I thought that I'd better check things out here at the Zone.
After my brother went to a concert in '97 in San Antonio, Petra was at a Christian bookstore. My dad told me (or maybe my brother told me what my dad said) that he (my dad) told John thank you for being a positive influence in the lives of my brother and me. Now my dad is with Jesus (5 months after my mom went), both praising Him.

micah · Post by **micah** » Tue May 10, 2005 10:56 pm

Blast. I just got thumped at Risk and came home to this news!

Really sad. Can't believe there's no new studio album, I thought that was all but confirmed?

But let's keep praying for the guys and that God will still use them individually and that the music continues to minister.

And no, I don't plan to take the Zone down anytime soon....

Kirkman · Post by **Kirkman** » Tue May 10, 2005 11:37 pm

String wrote:First of all, please don't take offense to this Josh. I respect you very highly, I hope you know that.

Why is this being published before the official statement at Petraband.com? I see ChristianRock.net has announced it already based on Josh's website. I just find that kind of odd....unless Bob or John said to go with it. I am surprised that ChristianRock.net has announced it before the official announcement.

If Christ intervenes and sees fit for the band to continue (wishful thinking) before Thursday, there is going to be some egg on some people's faces.

Doug, Mike answered your question pretty well. But let me give you my perspective. As soon as I started to hear multiple reports from fans that John and Bob were talking retirement in Europe, I knew something was up. One fan was also talking about the fact that the concert posters there said "Your last chance to see Petra!" My reporter's radar was beeping loudly.

I wrote to Bob and explicitly told him my intention. And he wrote back knowing what I planned to do. All the quotes you see in that story were on the record. That means that the people I talked to knew that I was working on a story and agreed to be quoted in it.

I've essentially had this story for over a week. I held onto it at the band's request so that they could get their press release out Thursday. If they don't have the release ready, that is not my fault.

I think Bob surprised some of the folks related to Petra and the record label, because not everyone knew this decision had been reached. Many of the folks I contacted were totally caught off guard.

Regarding your last question, if God does miraculously intervene, that would be awesome. I would carry that story with an even bigger headline. It would be great news. But there would be no egg on my face, because my story right now is accurate. Two band members and the manager are all quoted on the record saying Petra is retiring. If anyone had any egg in that situation, it would be Petra.

One other thing... about press releases. A press release is a group or organization's attempt to control the news about what's happening. But often those releases obscure or leave out details that are very relevant. A good example of this is in the case of Louie's dismissal two years ago. Wayne Seboa never said Louie was fired, only that he parted ways with the band. He made it sound almost amicable. It was only after Louie went public that we understood some of what really had happened. Bob later confirmed that Louie was fired, but that was about 3 months later.

I have always seen myself as a fan and an objective reporter about what's happening with Petra. I have always tried to stay on top of Petra news, good or bad because I think fans have a right to know what's up with their favorite band. I've always tried to be as fair and thorough as I could be. So that's where I'm coming from.

--Josh

Auspet · Post by **Auspet** » Tue May 10, 2005 11:50 pm

I am sad. On Thursday I will be officially sad.

God bless the band members (past and present), and their families (for unselfishly sharing them with us). Even though we all knew it would happen eventually, it still hurts to think they, as a band are nearly over.

As many of you have said, I too have been blessed. Songs that have been used by God to touch me and encourage me when I've been down, encouraged me to get up again and to witness to others when I've been too chicken.

Let's not forget that although the band is comming to an end, we still have the last 3 decades to look back on and treasure. We also have those albums as a witnessing tool (resource) to those who love rock but not THE ROCK.

To all the current guys in the band, we thank you, and may God bless you in all you do. Thankyou for comming to Australia for one last time before your retirement. It was a real hoot!!

God Bless.

PS It is good to hear that this site will still be around for a while

. Great place to come and visit and get encouraged.

MJanke · Post by **MJanke** » Wed May 11, 2005 3:15 am

I blog on a regular basis. Spent most of today's blog entry on Petra - my response to their decision to call it a day. I won't repost it all here, but if you're interested you can hit the link below.

http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=Mik ... =260339678

Corval · Post by **Corval** » Wed May 11, 2005 5:57 am

Well,

Josh... I want to congratulate you to maintain us informed.
So, we need to pray always for them.

It is a terrible note, but PETRA will retire.
But let remember and thanks to GOD all that He has done trough them.

Artur

pmal · Post by **pmal** » Wed May 11, 2005 7:13 am

Thanks for everything Petra. Your ministry has changed my life forever. I know I wouldnt be the same person I am today if it werent for the impact you had in my life. I grew up listening to you guys all through jr high and high school and now at 30, I never really thought about Petra retiring, I guess I just kept thinking there would be one more big record and tour. I cannot honestly remember a day in the last year that I didnt listen to a Petra song.

Thank you Lord for everything the band has meant to me and to others and thank you for what you have accomplished through the band that none of us will know until we get to heaven.

Preacherman777 · Post by **Preacherman777** » Wed May 11, 2005 7:32 am

MJ-
The comments you made about Petra in your blog were perfect. They were exactly the kind of tribute this band deserves. I can only hope the notion spreads throughout CCM in this their final year.

reoracer · Post by **reoracer** » Wed May 11, 2005 8:59 am

MJanke wrote:I blog on a regular basis. Spent most of today's blog entry on Petra - my response to their decision to call it a day. I won't repost it all here, but if you're interested you can hit the link below.

http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=Mik ... =260339678

Well said...

I blog as well, and have a little bit of the personal effect Petra has had on me here:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/reoracer/120599.html

but nothing as eloquent or fitting a tribute as you have written.

Jen

sue d. · Post by **sue d.** » Wed May 11, 2005 9:07 am

Re: Josh's explanation about press releases: I've worked at a newspaper for the past 16 years. Nine of them in advertising, seven in the newsroom.

We get tons and tons of press releases about every subject (and non-subject) in the world; some of them are new information that we've never heard of, and some of them just confirm what we already know. Some of the information is "spin doctored," and you need to track down "the rest of the story."

Whether or not the information is released in print is basically up to the newspaper. If there is a good relationship with the subject, and they request the info be kept under wraps until a particular time, that request is ususally honored. But if it's a matter of public concern or safety - then we go to press with it. Each paper wants to "get the scoop" on important stories.

Not to put a feather in my cap, but when it comes to Petra, I probably have the closest inside track of anyone here. But have to be very careful in what I say and don't say here on the Zone. The reporter in me so wants to put out all the info I'm privvy to, but my friendship with John and my working relationship as a booking agent/webmaster prevents that. Sometimes it's a hard road to travel, but I would not ever write anything that was said to me in confidence.

I knew about the retirement weeks ago, but could say nothing. I chose to wait until the official announcement before making anything public on jws.com.

Now that it is almost official, we will put out a newsletter(s) on it in an "official" capacity.

Shell · Post by **Shell** » Wed May 11, 2005 9:13 am

It wouldn't be right for anyone to repeat something said to them in confidence; that applies to all of us. I can understand how that would be hard for someone who works in the news industry though. I figured Darth Dempster had heard something even if she didn't know all the details, but a wise person knows how and when to keep their mouth shut.

That was a good blog about Petra, Mike. It is hard to see a band that's been around so long retire, but God isn't finished with them yet.

onnyII · Post by **onnyII** » Wed May 11, 2005 4:43 pm

I won't lie to you guyz... I'm crying right now....

Shell · Post by **Shell** » Wed May 11, 2005 4:45 pm

It'll be okay Onny, God isn't done with them yet. It had to happen someday.

onnyII · Post by **onnyII** » Wed May 11, 2005 4:47 pm

Shell wrote:It'll be okay Onny, God isn't done with them yet. It had to happen someday.

Sorry... but that didn't make me feel better....

THIS SUCKS!!!!!

PetraFan007 · Post by **PetraFan007** » Wed May 11, 2005 7:55 pm

I used to be a huge Petra fanatic. Still love them but I'm glad I'm not as obsessed as I once was as this only moderately hit me like a 1/4 ton of bricks instead of a whole ton of bricks. But it still effected me none-the-less.

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Bob confirms it: Petra WILL retire this year

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