New Years Eve

[calicowriter]

Well, well, well...

I just got an interesting email from the pastor at the On Fire Church in Murphy, NC where Petra will be performing New Years Eve.

It seems that a second show has been added. This one will be at 10pm. This means that those of us who are coming from afar will have to fork out another $25 to see the second show.

But the worst of it is (in my opinion) is that Greg Volz is making a "special appearance" at this second show and at Sunday services the next morning.

Now I am sure a lot of you think this is a good thing, but I think it is terrible. This last Petra show should be John's moment. Not to mention it really tightens the timeline for John getting from Murphy back to Myrtle Beach for his solo gig the next afternoon.

Whose brilliant idea was this?

[sue d.]

This last Petra show should be John's moment.

I heartily agree.

I have nothing against Greg, but the last show of the year should be JOHN'S and John's alone. He deserves to take the spotlight alone.

Not to mention that by the time he gets to Myrtle Beach (a 7 hour drive from Murphy), he'll be exhausted. He's good at sleeping in the car, but still.... I'm concerned.

[Kaiser]

Do we know for a fact this is Petra's last show, regardless of the rumors?

[Shell]

Have all the details for the second show been worked out for sure, and has it been confirmed Greg will definitely be there?

I agree it is dumb though; they ought to give the poor guys a break and give them a chance to relax a little before they have to make that long drive. Oh well. I seem to recall saying several times the music biz is insane...

[charl]

It sounds like they're saying (to me) that John will not be at the second show, or at least part of it, as he will be travelling...Maybe??

[calicowriter]

Oh no, John will be there. Greg is just making a special appearance, which probably means he'll do what he did in Franklin.

Even if they were to have a private jet to take John to Myrtle Beach, to ask someone to sing TWICE and not finish up until well after midnight, and then have to perform again at 12:30 the next afternoon is just inconsiderate at best. As it is, John is performing twice at the solo gig in Myrtle Beach on the 29th, then in Dawsonville on the 30th, twice in Murphy on the 31st, and then in Myrtle Beach on the 1st. That's six shows in four days.

I just can't believe that there was anyone who thought this was a good idea.

[tomtsc]

Am I missing out on something here? Or am I about to open a can of worms? What is this "Johns Moment" thing? I thought this was Petra who was started by Bob Hartman. So shouldn't it be Bobs moment? Or all inclusive Petra's Moment? Not just one members moment. Or maybe the one and only Jesus Christ Our Savior's moment? Just my opinion.

[Shell]

Valid point, but I think the idea is that John is the current lead singer for Petra and Greg isn't, and these are Petra's final shows in the U.S. It would be the same if the situation were reversed and Greg was still with them, and it would be the same if they had one of the former guitarists or Ronny or Louie play when Bob, Greg B. and Paul are the current guitarist, bass player and drummer. It's a matter of old fashioned consideration, and that seems to be a foreign concept in the music industry. Oh well, John and Greg didn't seem to have a problem singing together at the taping, they probably wouldn't now either.

I personally think it's crazy their travel time is being cut, but I would imagine they're used to tight schedules and rushing from one show to another. They're probably going to be worn out though.

[Petrapraise]

They may be run ragged, but they do it for the fans AND they get Paid for their troubles. It would be nice to see Greg, but John has worked very hard and deserves the spotlight. If you paid ahead of time you should be able to choose your show.

[BriGuyPEI]

Or will it be the final show? With a 10:00pm show, it will likely finish after midnight, with some kind of New Year countdown near the end of the show. Then John says something like this:
"We said we'd retire in 2005, but here we are playing in 2006. Might as well keep going for a few more shows."

Sorry, just having some fun.

[Preacherman777]

I don't have a problem with this. Petra is bigger than any one person and I think the grace with which John shared the stage with Greg for farewell, shows that he understands that too. I know that most Petra fans these days are all about John and that's great, but there are still a bunch of us fans out here who grew up on Greg and I think a lot of us are thrilled that Greg is being allowed to do this. It can be a blessing to us all and most important it's all for the glory of God, so let's pray that this makes for great time in worship to God and ministry to the people and leave the complaints for another day.

[jacuzzi]

I have inside information that the church promoting the final concert was contacted by Petra's agent about a 2nd show on the 21st of Dec. This was the result of the overwhelming fan response to the 1st show. The 2nd show was the agent, manager and Petra's idea, no one else's! When you are promoting a show you pretty much do what they suggest you do!
Secondly, NO limelight will be taken from anyone with a guest appearance by Greg X. Volz! This will be a great night to show the band our appreciation for the 33 GREAT years all of the member's have given us. It will be full of special things to show our appreciation!
Around the World Radio will be there with a live broadcast of interviews of concert goers pre and post concert!
Tickets are on sale at www.itickets.com!

If you want to be a part of the Final Concert, and Yes that is the way we were told to promote it, "the final concert", you may go to www.onfirefamilychurch.org and leave a "thank you" to the band in 150 words or less. This compilation will be presented to the band in the form of a "Farewell Petra Book" the night of the show!
Come out and be a part of this historical night!

[Pethead1]

I think it stinks. The show in Dawsonville was suposed to be the last one. What about us who got tickets and now do not have 25 to go to this new show. When I talked to itickets when I got my Dawsonville tickes they also understood this to be the last one.

But that is the way my year has gone. I do NOT care to see Christmas come this year and was looking foward to the last show Petra does. Well kick that on the side of the road as well.

Well I will be in Dawsonville and may drive to NC and sit out front.

[Shell]

I don't think it's so much that there is another Petra show to go to that is the issue here; I think what people are having issues with is how it was added so late in the game. I hope I'm wrong, but my guess would be many of the people who already have tickets for the first show won't be willing to fork over more money for the second show and the turnout won't be as overwhelming as anticipated.

Oh well, they probably are used to things being crazy.

[BForm]

Alright, I'll jump in on this one. I was always a little disappointed with the reasons we were given in the past for John and Greg never sharing the stage together. I thought Petra was all about the Gospel of Christ and not about an individual's fame?

I've gotta say this. I love Petra's music primarily because I love Bob Hartman's song writing and Petra's joint commitment to keep it blatantly biblical. Petra's success over the last few months has not been about John Schlitt. I know for a fact that Petra fans who haven't seen a show since the Volz era are coming back out just to see them one last time. Inpop was very wise to get Greg back for the Farewell CD, and I'm sure there are a lot of people that would love to see him again.

Let's not forget, Petra wasn't getting far without Greg's voice in the late 70's. He sure did an awful lot to lay the strong foundation that John reaped a great harvest from.

PS. This will not be Petra's last show.