Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, June 2008: JOHN SCHLITT INDUCTED INTO CHRISTIAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME

JOHN SCHLITT INDUCTED INTO CHRISTIAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME

Legendary Rocker Recognized for Work as a Solo Artist at Recent Ceremony

NEWS SOURCE: McCain & Co. PR
June 30, 2008

Nashville, TN (June 30, 2008) - Legendary recording artist John Schlitt--solo artist, lead singer for GRAMMY Award-winning Christian band Petra and former lead singer for mainstream rock band Head East-- recently joined Michael W. Smith, David Meece, the late Dottie Rambo, Stryper, Ed Enoch, Lou Wills Hildreth and The Staple Singers as one of the newest inductees to enter the Christian Music Hall of Fame. He was previously inducted as a member of Petra in 2007. This honor follows Schlitt's successful international The Grafting Tour, where he recently played before large crowds in India and Mexico.

"As I was honored to be recognized last year by the Christian Music Hall of Fame as a member of Petra, it's also a great honor to be recognized as a solo artist this year," Schlitt says.

With more than three decades worth of water under the musical bridge, Schlitt has earned multiple Gold Records, GRAMMYs and Dove Awards. He's toured all over the world and has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. After 20 years fronting Petra, the most successful rock band in Christian music history, Schlitt released his third solo album, The Grafting, on June 24, 2008, on 4K Records. Still passionate about the message of the Gospel and compelled to deliver it in his own inimitable fashion, he called on the multiple talents of rising star producer/songwriter Dan Needham (Amy Grant, Petra, Michael McDonald) to help craft his vision.

The result, a stunning collection of nine new songs and one old favorite, is an astonishing, multi-layered look into the very nature of love and life, lost and found in Christ. While the moods may be many, at their core, they are all pure Schlitt. "Dan is my son-in-law, and I had him produce it for me because I knew the sound he would bring would be exactly what the album should sound like," Schlitt says. "It was amazing! He is a natural. There were some other writers that contributed to the songs, including Mark Heimermann, Scott Faircloff, Mark Martel, Kevan Cyka and Steve Merkel, but Dan was the main writer."

That close bond between father-in-law and son-in-law allowed for the creation of a uniquely new style for Schlitt--one that appeals not only to the Boomer Generation that grew up on his music, but is also relevant to younger generations. "I wanted it to be an album that would appeal to folks who grew up on Christian rock 'n' roll, an album for folks who want some tension in their music, but not too much," Schlitt explains.

The Grafting finds Schlitt exploring uncharted musical territory, while remaining anchored by his unmistakable voice. It is a combination that is sure to please his legion of fans and attract a new generation of adherents. At once intimate and accessible, The Grafting is without a doubt Schlitt's most potent album to date.

The Grafting is available on 4K Records and is distributed by TAG Artist Group. For more information on John Schlitt and his new album, The Grafting, visit www.johnwschlitt.com.

The Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. is a non-denominational, non-profit, donor-driven charity that aims to provide a place where people can go to see a history of Christian music and share in the lives of those who celebrated Jesus Christ through their music. For more information, visit www.hallmuseum.com.

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