Current Line Up

From Left to Right:
John Schlitt - Lead Vocals
Louie Weaver - Drums
Bob Hartman - Guitars

Band

LEAD VOCALISTS

Name: John Schlitt Born: February 3, 1950 in Lincoln, Illinois Musical Bio: Lead vocalist for Petra since 1986. Lead vocalist for Head East. First band, age 13: "Vinegar Hill's Hometown Band, 'Something Different' " High School Ed: Mt. Pulaski High School, Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, class of 1968 College Ed: Graduated from University of Illinois with a degree in Civil engineering Fave Scripture: Revelation 12:11 Family: Wife Dorla (Froelich), daughter Kari, 23 (birthday--December 2nd, 1974) and sons John, 19 (birthday--January 28th, 1979), Kris, 14 (birthday--December 7th, 1983), and Krey, 9 (birthday--May 31st, 1989). John and Dorla's anniversary is on August 28th. Favorite food: Fajitas Favorite color: Green Words of wisdom to aspiring musicians: "Don't despise small beginnings. Know that if God has put it on your heart to be a musician, it is an awesome responsibility and takes a lot of preparation and work. But, it is very rewarding in so many different ways."

Name: Gregory Xavier Volz Born: January 12, 1950 in Peoria, Illinois Musical Bio: Solo artist with 4 releases. Former lead vocalist of Petra. Toured with the Wombats, Gideon's Bible and "e" band. Session vocalist. Offered and rejected lead vocalist position with REO Speedwagon. Family: Wife Barbara and children Jonna, Ben, Heidi & Heather.

GUITARISTS

Name: Robert M. Hartman Born: December 26, 1949 in Byron, Ohio Musical Bio: Founding member, principal songwriter and lead guitarist in Petra (now serves as executive producer for the band after retiring as touring guitarist in 1996). Played with Organized Confusion, International Crabgrass and later with Dove. High School Ed: Byron High School, Byron, OH. Class of 1968. College Ed: Graduated from Bowling Green University with a B.A. in Psychology. Fave Scripture: Proverbs 3:5,6 Family: Wife Kim (birthday--June 7), son Jeff, 6, and dog named Sweetie. Kim and Bob's wedding anniversary is on March 28th. Fave Food: Mexican Favorite color: Green First Guitar: A Sears Silvertone that cost $15 Words of wisdom to aspiring musicians: "Be faithful in small things and God will give you bigger things."

Name: Petra Orta Information about Pete Orta currently unavailable. Maybe you know stuff about the guy. I'd appreciate it if you could share it! Send me info about Pete Orta.

Name: Kevin Brandow Information about Kevin Brandow currently unavailable. Maybe you know stuff about the guy. I'd appreciate it if you could share it! Send me info about Kevin Brandow.

Name: David Lichens Home town: Eugene, Oregon Born: 10-13-1974 Married: Divorced from Lisa Hopper, his wife from 1993 to 1997. High School: Somewhere in Eugene College: George Fox Pets: lab/boxer mix named Arthur "boober" Petra Biography: Guitarist for Petra from 1995 - 1997. Musical Biography: co-produced Reality Check with Todd Collins of Gotee Records (also wrote and played on that record) Hobbies: golfing, writing music, playing his guitar, starting bands Where he is now: He now lives in L.A. He has been there since 1998

Name: Greg Hough Information about Greg Hough currently unavailable. Maybe you know stuff about the guy. I'd appreciate it if you could share it! Send me info about Greg Hough.

DRUMMERS

Name: Adrien Louis Weaver III Born: July 13, 1951 in Nashville, TN Musical Bio: Drummer for Petra. Session player on Randy Mathews and Fireworks albums. Toured with Randy Mathews and Crossfire. Played with Parable, Good Grief and Chuck McCloud's Band. Worked with Nashville Symphony. High School Ed: Glencliff High School, Nashville, TN. Class of 1969 College Ed: Graduated from Travecca Nazarene College with B.A. in percussion. Fave Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23 Family: Wife Penny (birthday--December 7), and dog named Hershey. Penny and Louie's anniversary is on February 25th. Favorite Color: Red Favorite Food: Mexican Words of wisdom to aspiring musicians: "The best looks in the world will not make you the most successful. Attitude and especially being able to get along with other people will get you in more doors. Be a positive person."

Name: William C. Glover Age: 48 Musical Bio: Original drummer for Petra. Performed on albums "Petra" and "Come and Join us". Represented "Young American Showcase". Ministered and performed at major universities and high schools throughout his early years with The Sanctuary Singers. Founding member, drums and vocals in "LOTH LORIN", an early Christian rock band. High School Ed: New Haven High School Family: Separated from Cynthia Carravetta who lives in Wisconsin. Has two sons, Ian Coleman (8) and Christopher Ryan (23). Words of wisdom to aspiring musicians: "Knowing who we are in Christ helps us realize we can live for God through the power of His Grace."

BASSISTS

Name: Lonnie Chapin Born: May 7, 1970 in Klamath Falls, Oregon Musical Bio: Grew up playing bass in churches, worked with White Heart as a production manager High School: Christian Center Academy, 9th-11th grades, Bend High 12th grade. Class of 1988 College: Bethany Bible College Fave Scripture: Matthew 6:33 Fave color: Blue Words of wisdom to young musicians: Don't try to push doors open by yourself. Let God push them open for you, And practice makes permanent, not perfect.

Name: Ronny Cates Born: September 25 Hometown: Shreveport, LA Musical Biography: Bassist and songwriter for Petra from 1988-1996. First band: "Arrival" High School Ed: Graduated from Magnet High School, Shreveport, LA. College Ed: Attended Louisiana State University. Fave Scripture: Psalm 139 Family: Wife Emily, (birthday 1/14), daughters Kelsi (birthday September 24) and Morgan (birthday July 22), son Tyler (birthday March 19). Ronny and Emily's anniversary is May 29. Fave food: lasagna, Napa salad (Emily's special recipe!) Fave color: Purple Words of wisdom to young musicians: "Strive for excellence and allow God to put you where He wants you."

Name: Mark Dean Kelly Born: June 28, 1956 in Enid, OK Musical Biography: Former bassist for Petra. Toured with Maranatha Repertoire Company and One Accord. Education: Attended Southeastern State, Northeastern State Universities and Southwestern Assembly of God Bible College with music and vocal majors.

Name: John Edwin DeGroff Born: 1953 in Byron, Ohio Musical Bio: Founding member, original bassist in Petra. Prior to Petra formed and played in Rapture with Bob Hartman. Prolific jammer, has played in total of 20 bands throughout career. Currently plays in jazz/rock group Cosmonaut Bob. High School Ed: Graduated from Hilltop High School in West Unity, Ohio, 1972. College Ed: Two years at Christian Training Center (a junior Bible college in Ft. Wayne, IN, associated with Calvary Temple, Inc., at the time); three semesters of communications studies at Ft. Wayne Bible College (which is now affiliated with Taylor University) in the early 1980s. Fave Scripture: Job 5:7 Family: Married for 19 years but now divorced. Has two children - 23 year old daughter Sara and 10 year old son Daniel Fave Food: Unequivocally Mexican Favorite color: Huh? Fave Bass Guitar: Has used the same Fender Precision Bass since 1970 Words of wisdom to aspiring musicians: "Being a musician becomes a lifetime commitment-that is when you finally stop trying to be a rock star and start being serious about music itself. No matter what style or genre of music appeals to you most, no matter what you're playing at the moment, be aware that you don't know it all. You can always learn something new. And, it's having that ability to continually learn new things that will always keep you interested and even inspired about what you're doing."

KEYBOARDISTS

Name: Bryce Bell Information about Bryce Bell currently unavailable. Maybe you know stuff about the guy. I'd appreciate it if you could share it! Send me info about Bryce Bell.

Name: Trent Thomason Born: February 4, 1972 in Inglewood, California Musical Bio: First real band was called "Ultimate Sacrifice." Later on played with "The Kry" in Australia and did mainly studio recording sessions for various up and coming artists. High School Ed: Woodrow Wilson High School College Ed: Long Beach City and then Chapman University. Graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy Family: Rebecca (Phillips) and son Bailey James Thomason, born on January 15, 2000. Trent and Rebecca's anniversary is on December 30th. Favorite color: Blue Favorite food: A chicken recipe his wife makes! Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 Words of wisdom to young musicians: Keep your eyes focused on Jesus. Don't think you have to try something because others are raving about it. God has a plan to prosper you... stay close to Him!

Name: John Lawry Born: June 15 Hometown: Millington, Michigan Musical Bio: Had a band at age 13 - "The Catalinas". Former member of "The Joe English Band". High School Ed: Millington High School, Millington, Michigan. Class of 1969 Fave Scripture: John 3:16 Family: Wife Stefanie (birthday--June 18th), son Jeremy (birthday--October 13th), dog Molly, and two cats named Sammy and Scratch. Stefanie and John's wedding anniversary is on October 12th Favorite color: Dark Green Favorite Food: Mexican Words of wisdom to young musicians: "Practice, practice and practice. An important factor that many overlook is to seriously study the Word which is vitally important to a ministry. Secondly, get some musical education and study hard."

Name: Jim Cooper Hometown: Princeton, IN Family: Wife Carla and son Adryan, 3 Musical Biography: Keyboardist for Petra since early 1994. Keyboard technician for John Lawry, former Petra keyboardist. High School Ed: Temple Christian Academy, Princeton, IN.

Name: John Milo Slick Born: September 28, 1953 in Fort Wayne, IN Musical Biography: Former keyboard player and synthesist for Petra. Seven years of classical piano training. Composes for musicals, piano songbooks and recording projects. Education: Graduated from Indiana University and Belmont College with a B.A. in Music. Family: Married on December 18, 1982 to Judy Oxford