CP Dallas concert cancelled

[executioner]

Maybe they can come in Feb when they do the Houston date that was rescheduled. I think they should look into a church venue which would in most cases be more cost effective and also free publicity. I know for a fact that 2 churches in the area were willing to have the show, but management chose the Theatre over them at a higher cost to everyone.

[loengard]

Doing it in a church venue would be a better idea, IMO. There are churches of all sizes in San Antonio (as I'm sure their are in the Metroplex) that would be thrilled to have these guys do a show there. Many of these churches have better setups than the theaters they originally chose, as well.

I'll drive to Houston in Feb if I have to, but would prefer the guys to reschedule the Dallas and San Antonio shows as well. And when they do, find a promoter who gives a damn about them.

[executioner]

Doing it in a church venue would be a better idea, IMO. There are churches of all sizes in San Antonio (as I'm sure their are in the Metroplex) that would be thrilled to have these guys do a show there. Many of these churches have better setups than the theaters they originally chose, as well.

I'll drive to Houston in Feb if I have to, but would prefer the guys to reschedule the Dallas and San Antonio shows as well. And when they do, find a promoter who gives a damn about them.

Actually the promoter for the Dallas show bent over backwards to get this show scheduled and to go, and had some venue options(that included churches) that were willing, but for some reason management wanted a secular theatre type venue. The churches would have been cheaper for fans to attend and also most likely would still be a go. I'm sorry but there is no reason for a band or management to demand certain types of venues; they dug their own hole on these and now they won't get the revenue from it.
I lay the cancellation of all three 3 shows soley at the feet of the management and band.

[loengard]

Actually the promoter for the Dallas show bent over backwards to get this show scheduled and to go, and had some venue options(that included churches) that were willing, but for some reason management wanted a secular theatre type venue. The churches would have been cheaper for fans to attend and also most likely would still be a go. I'm sorry but there is no reason for a band or management to demand certain types of venues; they dug their own hole on these and now they won't get the revenue from it.
I lay the cancellation of all three 3 shows soley at the feet of the management and band.

Good information. I don't know first hand what happend in San Antonio, but I do know the promoter and have worked with him on several occasions. He has a reputation around here of under-promoting shows, so that's what I was talking about - the total lack of any media on the event around here. The result might have been the same, but, all I know is the only reason I even knew about it is because I frequent places like this. That's going to limit sales to hard-core fans and leave anyone else by the wayside. Also, the cost of the show was pretty high for what you get. I was willing to pay because I love the band, but more casual fans wouldn't.

Based on what you said, I'm very disappointed that the band and/or management for not thinking outside the box a little on this.

I'm about to the point of just accepting this for what it is. Petra retired in 2005. This Classic Petra revival showed promise, gave us a pretty good re-recording of some great work and fizzled out due to a year's worth of miscues and missteps.

Of course, I'd love to be wrong about that. The good news is, John's CD looks to be shaping up well and I'm anxiously awaiting that one. If, by the grace of God, Classic Petra can get their act together, I'll still be a loyal fan and will see them when/if they come.

[Dan]

Personally I don't think it is the fault of CP they have good intentions in their business. Management is the cost problem, I think things will turn around with the change in management. There are just so many things that could be done differently. For the average American income, the tickets are a flat out to expensive for that length of entertainment. Whether your on 20K or 200K per year income, there has to be a good reason to spend the money, people are scared of another financial crisis... and it could very well happen from what I am seeing ATM. This could be a record for cancelled Petra related acts.

We need to just keep praying for the guys and the new management.

[Preacherman777]

I agree. I'm not ready to give up on them yet. Sure, it looks bad right now, but there is so much that we don't know and Bob is notorious for keeping information close to the vest until everything is locked up tight. It would have been nice if they'd offered some information about why they decided to abandon the indi route and sign on with ANR and just what exactly we should expect that to mean for them and the future, but that's not the way they are playing it. Also, it's easy to armchair quarterback, but it's another thing to be in the game. God has used these people in the past and I have reason to believe he won't do so again. But yeah, I have to admit, I do wish they'd offer us a little more information.

[brent]

I don't think they are still with ANR, are they? I could be wrong, but isn't that the deal that Greg launched with? The label site still has no information and there have been no press releases about any of their artists for almost a year. I am just throwing this out there, but wouldn't a company with only a CEO, and a President, who are masters at marketing and promotion be DOING SOMETHING to key the Petra name out there? Heck, I know how to generate more web traffic and internet sales than some of these latest people, and I am not a brilliant person by any stretch.

[loengard]

This is the official reason from the Classic Petra blog:

Hey everybody. I know how disappointed you all are. It genuinely hurt to have to post that information.
The reason for the cancellations was lack of ticket sales. This was largely due to lack of promotional dollars from the record company. Many of you noticed the lack of promotion and commented on it. Also, the tickets prices were higher than many people could afford.
As far as what is coming up, I don’t have any information on that yet. I’ll keep you posted as I can.
We’ll do our best to answer any other questions you may have.
God bless all of you,
Yvonne

So, there you have it. Lack of ticket sales, as we all suspected, caused by lack of promotion. One must also keep in mind that they only started selling these tickets in October, so a 1 month out concert with no promotion means not enough sales to justify coming.

Apparently, from the comments on another post, the canceling of the Texas shows also includes the February rescheduled Houston show. So, as of now, all of Texas is out of luck.

[Dan]

True Brent & Preacher.

Brent I know exactly what you're talking about, management is a different ball game than it was 20 years ago or even 5 years ago. The principals are there, but the web traffic and online fan-base is what drives everything (sadly), and you must be in tune with what fans need and want.

In a way, this what has started happening when the labels don't deliver, kickstarter is a great example of what can be done with the fan factor power. I know Bob isn't going to read this but there is a huge amount of stuff that could be done to turn this around with the right Pethead's getting into the mix, for a small reward like kickstarter or even for free cause we want to. This could be when touring or even in the recording process.. fans need to be involved. The fact that people email and post requests for Mark Kelly's backing vocals on BTTR were ignored. You have to go with what the fans want to hear.

There is a need for an enthusiastic injection of youth to take over management, no more old school.

[Dan]

This is the official reason from the Classic Petra blog:

Hey everybody. I know how disappointed you all are. It genuinely hurt to have to post that information.
The reason for the cancellations was lack of ticket sales. This was largely due to lack of promotional dollars from the record company. Many of you noticed the lack of promotion and commented on it. Also, the tickets prices were higher than many people could afford.
As far as what is coming up, I don’t have any information on that yet. I’ll keep you posted as I can.
We’ll do our best to answer any other questions you may have.
God bless all of you,
Yvonne

So, there you have it. Lack of ticket sales, as we all suspected, caused by lack of promotion. One must also keep in mind that they only started selling these tickets in October, so a 1 month out concert with no promotion means not enough sales to justify coming.

Apparently, from the comments on another post, the canceling of the Texas shows also includes the February rescheduled Houston show. So, as of now, all of Texas is out of luck.

Thanks for this loengard. this is sad news, but this is not a reason for them to pass the buck to the record company blaming them for no dollars for promotion. The management doesn't get back to promoters either is this the record companies fault too? as fan we should be upset. I can't imagine how all the guys in CP are feeling at this time.

[Preacherman777]

Yeah, I don't know. Something sure doesn't seem to be being handled right. It seems like they were much better off when they just doing things on their own. There is no question they were getting more done and communication was better.

[brent]

Time to talk Daniel. Plan B. Kickstarter idea.

Raises money for Petra concert Bill Gaither style shot at a Christian owned state of the art facility here in the KC area.

Classic Petra
Schlitt Petra with Cates
Retirement Petra

All sit around and talk with each other and the audience. Each band plays apart and together.

All inclusive airfare and one night hotel stay
T-shirt (one size fits all, don't ask for others )
Captured on Sony HD cameras, edited in Avid, mixed in ProTools HD, broadcasted on-line for those outside of the USA who cannot attend, and released on BluRay in stereo and 5.1 surround.

[zman7720000]

This is the deal, the ANR thing is not what we where hoping for they have a contract but it’s distribution only. This replaces Sony as the distributor. ANR is not putting cash up! There you have it.

I wouldn’t be so hard on CP. Keep in mind except for Lawry these guys have been out of it for years! Also have Michael and Yvonne done this kind of work recently and have they been getting paid? Something tells me we are expecting to much to soon!

P-freak said that Bob may be a bit old school and I think he’s right. So what can we do? If we all believe in them so much, perhaps we ought to bombard them with our ideas. Let’s insist that they do a kickstarter for a new record every two years, for ten years. If we really want Schlitt to be part of it…well lets put up some $$$. My point here is only that we are a community of believers that should be holding up CP’s arms. If PETRA is a band, for entertainment only, and not a ministry, than perhaps they ought to fail.

http://thefrontrowreport.com/?p=641

[zman7720000]

Time to talk Daniel. Plan B. Kickstarter idea.

Raises money for Petra concert Bill Gaither style shot at a Christian owned state of the art facility here in the KC area.

Classic Petra
Schlitt Petra with Cates
Retirement Petra

All sit around and talk with each other and the audience. Each band plays apart and together.

All inclusive airfare and one night hotel stay
T-shirt (one size fits all, don't ask for others )
Captured on Sony HD cameras, edited in Avid, mixed in ProTools HD, broadcasted on-line for those outside of the USA who cannot attend, and released on BluRay in stereo and 5.1 surround.

I like it Brent, but you’re thinking to small. Bring in GHF and do it at PC3 to help reduced cost. Then later do the Gaither thing with more artists, White Heart and Cross, D&K – the K or some thing like that.

[LivingRock]

Time to talk Daniel. Plan B. Kickstarter idea.

Raises money for Petra concert Bill Gaither style shot at a Christian owned state of the art facility here in the KC area.

Classic Petra
Schlitt Petra with Cates
Retirement Petra

All sit around and talk with each other and the audience. Each band plays apart and together.

All inclusive airfare and one night hotel stay
T-shirt (one size fits all, don't ask for others )
Captured on Sony HD cameras, edited in Avid, mixed in ProTools HD, broadcasted on-line for those outside of the USA who cannot attend, and released on BluRay in stereo and 5.1 surround.

Yes. Just... yes. Homecoming-style Petra? I'm in.