Classic Petra in Norway

[trodLAN]

Classic Petra will be playing two shows in Norway, both Saturday and on Sunday.
I will only be at the Sunday show at Flekkeroy, and you can see photos and videos on this website (tomorrow):
http://www.oygospel.no/

For now, you can watch some video of other artist there.

[trodLAN]

I have just come home from the CP concert in Kristiansand, Norway.
I taped the whole gig, and took a lot of photos. The band did a very good gig, and Greg's voice was brilliant! He did an amazing job!
The band played a regular setlist with no surprises.
See setlist here: https://picasaweb.google.com/1051859197 ... 7338714098
They did the new song "Too big to fail". http://youtu.be/0DfyTIccwKo
I asked Bob after the concert when they will be releasing their new CD. And he said: "Maybe next year, - I am not sure yet".
I asked also Greg about it, and his wife answered "Maybe next summer, - we'll wait and see". (She answered because Greg was distracted by another fan).

So if anyone here at the Zone are waiting for a new CP-album, they'll have to be patient.

It surprised me there was no merchandise table at the concert, and Louie disappeared right after the concert. I only managed to talk with Bob.
Greg Volz & Mark Kelly was also there.

[executioner]

Thanks for the update; see how things change so quickly in this industry? They were suppose to be in the studio the whole month of May and have a release in September or fall. No matter the artist these days it always seems like the schedule changes and gets pushed back.

[superfly]

What is up with that? a whole year away now? I'm afraid interest may wane...it'll have been almost three years by then after BTTR came out. Something must have happened to change their plans so drastically. Last we heard, recording was supposed to be almost complete by now. Oh well, late is better than never I guess.

[executioner]

What is up with that? a whole year away now? I'm afraid interest may wane...it'll have been almost three years by then after BTTR came out. Something must have happened to change their plans so drastically. Last we heard, recording was supposed to be almost complete by now. Oh well, late is better than never I guess.

I'm afraid they have waited too long and interest is no way near it was just 18 months ago. I'm concerned about the waiting and I know others are also.

[brent]

They had to strike hard and fast while the iron was hot. I too believe they waited too long. The economy and demand is not there for them to play for what they wanted/needed. There just can't be enough cash in their shows and music sales to sustain all of the families involved. They would have to be playing a bunch more than what they are.

CDs are no longer considered a revenue stream, and are viewed as a promotion tool. So, it really doesn't do them any good to make more, since they do not have the opportunity to recoup their expenses (play live for large crowds). They probably did not break even last time. Of course, people can download it for free, so there is more incentive not to do anymore.

I keep saying this, but nobody listens. Petra's best albums are the ones without Petra doing everything themselves. When they had a strong producer/engineer, and there was a little conflict, the music was better. Van Halen's biggest record was produced completely by Mick. The band thought they could take it from there, but they never sold more and had more awards than the did with Micks record. The same applies to Def Lep. When they had Mutt producing, they were stellar and the records sold. The stuff they did on their own...sucks. CP needs someone on the outside to help write and produce IMO. It needs to be someone that can recreate the vibe and music of CP's era.

[Preacherman777]

I too am very disappointed to hear that a new record may be a whole year away, but I've seen the obituary written for this band way too many times to ever count them out.

[executioner]

They had to strike hard and fast while the iron was hot. I too believe they waited too long. The economy and demand is not there for them to play for what they wanted/needed. There just can't be enough cash in their shows and music sales to sustain all of the families involved. They would have to be playing a bunch more than what they are.

CDs are no longer considered a revenue stream, and are viewed as a promotion tool. So, it really doesn't do them any good to make more, since they do not have the opportunity to recoup their expenses (play live for large crowds). They probably did not break even last time. Of course, people can download it for free, so there is more incentive not to do anymore.

I keep saying this, but nobody listens. Petra's best albums are the ones without Petra doing everything themselves. When they had a strong producer/engineer, and there was a little conflict, the music was better. Van Halen's biggest record was produced completely by Mick. The band thought they could take it from there, but they never sold more and had more awards than the did with Micks record. The same applies to Def Lep. When they had Mutt producing, they were stellar and the records sold. The stuff they did on their own...sucks. CP needs someone on the outside to help write and produce IMO. It needs to be someone that can recreate the vibe and music of CP's era.

I hope you are not implying to bring back JDB, because I think that would be a huge mistake. IMO MPTY is the only album out of his catalog that had a high quality production; the others were good for the day but still lacked the power(punch) that secular artists had in the day. I personally would like to see Brown Bannister come back in; WUC is the best sounding Petra album to date and its a shame he was only in for one album.

[Preacherman777]

I don't think it's realistic to expect these guys to bring in a professional producer. They are most likely operating on shoe string budget and therefore, have to make due with what they have. I'm pretty sure Bob is quite capable of writing music without a professional producer helping him and I do think that BTTR proved that they can produce a decent album as an independent band. I've talked to Dean about this whole matter of the album being put off until next year and he said, and I quote...

Have heard ALL about the comment in Norway. Spoke to Greg about it yesterday.

There has been no radical departure on plans, and I am very much involved with those plans on a 24/7 basis, really.

Timing may be give or take, as is normal in this business....but this was an off-the-cuff comment and nothing more.

So I'm not gonna worry about it.

[shawnpfan2010]

I can't figure out why cd sales are so low. When I worked at Mardels christian book store, we sold hundreds of cds every month, sometimes I bet it was in the thousand range, so too always hear from Brent that cds no longer sell, I have a hard time understanding that. I realize it isn't what it was 10 years ago but cds still sell.

What makes me mad are the people who put entire albums up on youtube, even the tbn concert is their in full, that is what needs to stop. That and those stupid mp3 files and downloads. If more people could understand the sound differance, then I bet cd sales would take off again. But too many people either don't care about sound quality or just to lazy to order the cd.

Is any one praying for the band? Maybe if all the Petra fans started praying for the band something might start to happen, who knows!

[Dan]

CD's are history Shawn... the Walmart near where I live had 3 isles of CD's they cut it back to 1 last year... now there is a small section of cd's under $5..
Youtube is the biggest piracy ring on the Internet.

+1 to your post.

[BForm]

I'm not sure what they're going to do, but I can't imagine they're feeling terribly encouraged right now. I've watched nearly all the video that's been put online and it looks like the crowds are tiny. Even the European shows look small, which really surprises me.

It's going to be real interesting to see John's progress over the next few months. I love his new CD and he's at least getting a little air time. I would think it would result in a few concerts. If he can't get something going from all of this we need to just be content with the occasional fan funded disc and realize we've all been blessed with some great music on the way to eternity. If John is able to ramp up his concert schedule, then I've got to believe CP is going to consider moving in this direction as well.

Brent, did I just hear you sigh all the way from Georgia? Don't worry! I'm not holding my breath. But I do believe we can never know for sure what God will do. He may not need John or CP to do His work, but He may bless them for one last round just because He can.

[executioner]

I'm not sure what they're going to do, but I can't imagine they're feeling terribly encouraged right now. I've watched nearly all the video that's been put online and it looks like the crowds are tiny. Even the European shows look small, which really surprises me.

It's going to be real interesting to see John's progress over the next few months. I love his new CD and he's at least getting a little air time. I would think it would result in a few concerts. If he can't get something going from all of this we need to just be content with the occasional fan funded disc and realize we've all been blessed with some great music on the way to eternity. If John is able to ramp up his concert schedule, then I've got to believe CP is going to consider moving in this direction as well.

Brent, did I just hear you sigh all the way from Georgia? Don't worry! I'm not holding my breath. But I do believe we can never know for sure what God do. He may not need John or CP to do His work, but He may bless them for one last round just because He can.

I believe God has something left for them to do as a group, but I'm just not sure with this lineup. I think Brent made a good point about using an outside producer and I think that is the way to go, because no offense towards anyone but BTTR in everyway sounds dated and this includes the 2 new songs which are suppose to be fresh and current.
2 years ago they had the press for a comeback but for some reason they were very slow to act and failed to capitalize on it. They should have had the big tour in the fall of 2010 but overpriced themselves out of the market; instead of starting off in small venues like churches and maybe club type setting, they went for the theatre and small arenas which there was not a market for.

I've been told by my promoter friend that they had an opportunity in 2010 to be an opening act for a well known Christian Band for 15-18 dates but either management or the band turned it down. This would have been huge exposure for them with a current audience and the lead singer for this band had always been a fan and wanted to give them the props they were due.
At this stage of their career they can't afford business and market mistakes like this and expect to stick around.

[fcollazo]

I have been in constant comunication with Dean and evrything is on track. It's just that the tour is on its way and they cant keep up with touring, writing and recording at the same time at their age. For God's sake they are touring Europoe for the second time, in some places Petra has never been before, please give them a break. They are right now very happy with what they are doing, are very blessed to be doing it and humbled as well. Believe me I have had very close communication with both management camps in the past 3 years and they love what they are doing now, small or big. They have a record contract they have to fullfil and that is a fact, so relax. We are going to get more new Petra music than we deserve. Look at all of todays Christian Artists, the days of one record a year are long gone. Look a Toby Mac who has released 4 records in nearly 13 years.

God bless, Felipe.

[Preacherman777]

As I said, I'm not worried about this at all. May take a little longer than we hope for, but I am confident they will get things done. The last thing I'm gonna do is complain that they aren't playing big shows. I'm just amazed that at this stage of the game they are playing shows at all, much less sounding as awesome as they do in them. Exe, I know you didn't like the album, but I couldn't disagree more. I think they did a fine job, especially considering what they had to work with. If those songs had been released in in the early 80's with the rest of their stuff, no one would have thought them out of place at all and I'm pretty sure that's what they were going for. The old songs got beefed up a bit and I think they sound great. I, for one, can't wait to see what comes next and there is no way I'm gonna get on board with the doom and gloom.