Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, July 2008: JOHN SCHLITT TO PERFORM AT SPECIAL BENEFIT CONCERT ON JULY 29

JOHN SCHLITT TO PERFORM AT SPECIAL BENEFIT CONCERT ON JULY 29

Legendary Rocker to Take the Stage at "Mercy at the Merc" in Franklin, Tenn.

NEWS SOURCE: McCain & Co.
July 17, 2008

Nashville, TN (July 17, 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--will take the stage at a special benefit concert, "Mercy at the Merc," on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at the Franklin Mercantile (100 4th Ave. North, Franklin, Tenn.). Hosted by award-winning singer/songwriter Vince Wilcox, "Mercy at the Merc" is a summer concert series benefiting the Voice of Peace Orphanage in Harare, Zimbabwe, which serves almost 200 AIDS orphans. Admission is $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family, and music starts at 7:00 p.m. CST.

With more than three decades worth of water under the musical bridge, John 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, one of the most successful rock bands 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.

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