GRAMMY & DOVE AWARD WINNER JOHN SCHLITT GARNERS 2020 GRIZZLY AWARDS NOMINATION FOR CLEAN ROCK VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Grizzly Awards Nomination Caps Productive Year for Legendary Vocalist
in the Midst of the Pandemic
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 29, 2021) -
Grammy and Dove Award-winning recording artist and Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame member John Schlitt has capped off his 2020 year with a Grizzly Awards nomination for Clean Vocalist of the Year.
The Grizzly Awards, now in its 2nd year, exist to honor and invest in the passion and craftsmanship of faith-based rock and metal. Because there can be a marked difference between metal and classic rock vocal stylings, The Grizzly Awards has recognized excellence in both arenas by creating categories for “Scream Vocalist” and “Clean Vocalist,” respectively.
The nomination closes out one of the most challenging years on record for performing artists around the world as the Covid-19 pandemic shuttered performance venues and left many artists questioning how they could continue their calling. “Yet,” Schlitt notes, “God is faithful even when the world seems out of control.”
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Grammy and Dove Award winning recording artist John Schlitt has added a Grizzly Award nomination to his plethora of achievements during his remarkable five-decade career. (Fred Nguyen photo)
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Just before the pandemic hit the United States, Schlitt unveiled GO, his first solo album of original material in seven years. The ten-song collection of sanctified rock ‘n’ roll released digitally on December 23, 2019, with the physical CD following on February 28, 2020. The project met with immediate critical acclaim and was tapped as one of the Top 10 Albums of 2019 by Classic Christian Rock Magazine, which extols the project's sweet melodies, direct lyrics, and Schlitt’s seemingly ageless vocal prowess. Schlitt also released a special edition limited vinyl version of GO from Girder Music on August 7, 2020, under the Limited Run Vinyl series.
“I’m incredibly anxious to tour GO,” says Schlitt. “But wisdom dictates we bide our time as this pandemic runs its course.”
While the pandemic has created issues for recording artists, creative people find a way to stay productive, and Schlitt is no exception.
In February 2020, just prior to the pandemic lockdown in the U.S., Schlitt celebrated the release of his new project, GO, at the National Religious Broadcaster's NRB 2020 Christian Media Convention, the world's largest gathering of Christian communicators and ministry professionals, which was held in Nashville, Tennessee. There, he met with and was interviewed by numerous influential media outlets, including CCM Magazine, nationally syndicated radio show Bill Martinez Live!, Faith Radio's The Meeting House, World Christian Broadcasting, and more.
During the pandemic, Schlitt carved out time to record and perform. Along with fellow Petra alum John Lawry, he joined recording artist Dan Vasc virtually to record the popular Brazilian YouTube sensation's upcoming single, a cover of the classic Petra song, "Beyond Belief." The Gospel Music Hall-of-Famer, who is also the former lead singer of classic '70s mainstream rock band Head East, joined former Kansas lead singer John Elefante on stage for the Legends of Rock concert, and he joined his fellow Jay Sekulow Band members virtually to record eight tunes, with each band member recording their parts separately. To cap off 2020, Schlitt joined Petra bandmates Bob Hartman, John Lawry, Greg Bailey, and Cristian Borneo to to perform the Grammy winning band's first live shows in four years. “It was an amazing time,” Schlitt declared. “We had a ball!”
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About GO:
GO represents Schlitt’s first full-length solo album of original material in seven years, and the project is proving to be well worth the wait for fans of the man GospelMusicChannel.com (now uptv.com) has called "the best rock singer in Christian music history.”
GO, which released in early 2020, was tapped in pre-release as one of the Top 10 Albums of 2019 by Classic Christian Rock Magazine, which extols the project's sweet melodies, direct lyrics, and Schlitt's seemingly ageless vocal prowess.
GO joins chart toppers and fan favorites on CCR's 2019 "Best Of" list, including projects by Newsboys, Michael Sweet, David & the Giants, and Guardian's Jamie Rowe.
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GO, the latest CD by Grammy and Dove Award winner John Schlitt—recently went vinyl in a special edition limited release from Girder Music. (Cover art, by Jonathan Leslie & Fred Nguyen, courtesy of 4K Records)
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GO confirms industry opinions that Schlitt’s vocals have never been in better form.
With production and engineering by Dan Needham, John Lawry, and Mark Lee Townsend, combined with savvy songwriting collaborations with the likes of Needham, Lawry, Townsend, Jerry McPherson, Scott Bernard, Jeff King, Scott Faircloff, Ryan Horn, and Chuck Anderson, and A-list musicianship from some of Nashville's finest, GO is a tour de force of straight up, spiritually astute rock 'n' roll. It's the kind of album that sounds great the first time through, then gets better each time you listen to it.
The title track eases you into the groove, with a deceptive acoustic guitar and bongo line that builds in intensity, with the not-so-subtle message to get up and do something. "As Christians, we have been sitting around for too long," Schlitt declares. "We are blessed, but with blessings come responsibility. What is God calling you to do? Do it!"
If there was any question about the rock 'n' roll nature of the project, Schlitt answers emphatically on "Feel It," the first single. Thundering toms, driving guitars, and Schlitt's signature grit and gravel vocals undergird the song's clarion call to "have a little faith."
Schlitt struts confidently into classic arena rock territory on "Takin' It Higher," then pulls back on the piano-driven rock ballad, "Fighting the Fight." "Life is a fight," Schlitt muses. "Without Christ, you're wasting your time. With Christ, the battle is already won. You just have to go forward and do what God's put on your heart to do."
Fuzzy distortion and a techno vibe enhance "Just Let Go," a thumping, Beach Boys-esque rocker with a message of trusting God when you can't see the next step. The tune segues effortlessly into the loopy, cautionary prog-rocker, "Time Keeps Rollin.'" Then, Schlitt proves he can groove with best of them on the Motown-inspired "Where Would I Be," that will have you wondering if the California Raisins are singing background vocals. "'Where Would I Be' is just one of those songs I've always wanted to do," Schlitt grins. "The music style is fun and the title says it all."
"Find a Way," which finds Schlitt exploring the softer side of acoustic rock 'n' roll, is a song that would not feel out of place on a Crosby, Stills & Nash album. Ripped-from-the-headlines lyrics, thudding drums, tasty electric guitar licks, and passionate vocals underscore the in-your-face message of "Fake News."
If Stallone ever decides to do another Rocky movie, "Let's Go" could easily be the theme song. "Are you fighting for truth or illusion?" Schlitt wails. "I am a fighter on my way / There is no time to hesitate. / Let's go!"
Schlitt closes the project with a playful bonus track, "Not Dead Yet." The singer, whose career has spanned more than half a century, proves he can not only run with the big dogs, he can still compete with the young pups in an industry that is increasingly youth-centric.
Ultimately, GO is a declaration of movement. Sometimes that movement is a forward motion, and sometimes the movement takes a momentary pause as we wait for direction. Either way, GO is not an invitation to sit in our comfort zone and do nothing.
"We're either going forward or idling in expectation of God's direction," Schlitt says. "And when the time comes to go--then we GO!"
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About John Schlitt:
For more than four decades, John Schlitt has enjoyed a stellar musical career as a solo artist, as the lead singer for Grammy Award-winning Christian band Petra, one of the most successful Christian rock bands of all time, and as the former lead singer for popular '70s mainstream rock band Head East. In addition to his work as a solo artist, Schlitt is currently a member of The Union of Sinners and Saints, a band he formed with former Whiteheart band member Billy Smiley in 2016, and he brings his lead vocalist talent to The Jay Sekulow Band, a seven-piece ensemble featuring Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law & Justice and host of his own radio and talk shows. In addition to Schlitt, other band members include John Elefante, John Lawry, Scott Kirkman, Marco Pangallo, Mark Lee Townsend, and Chris Cooke.
Schlitt has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as the lead singer of Petra during the years when the band won 10 Dove Awards and four Grammy Awards. He was named the best rock singer in Christian music history by GospelMusicChannel.com (now uptv.com), and according to the website, Schlitt "remains one of the most distinctive and impactful men to ever stand behind a microphone." Schlitt was also named Male Vocalist of the Year in About.com's 2011 Readers' Poll in a category that included Chris Tomlin and Jeremy Camp.
The legendary vocalist's busy schedule in recent years has included appearances in media outlets including CCM Magazine; Cornerstone TV's flagship shows, Hope Today and Real Life; Inspiration.org; 700 Club Interactive; CBN.com; Faith Radio's The Meeting House, World Christian Broadcasting. Huckabee; 100 Huntley Street; Jay Sekulow Live; TBN's Praise the Lord and Music, Moments, and Memories TV programs; nationally synicated radio show Bill Martinez Live!; Jesus Freak Hideout; Jubileecast; The Bottom Line; and many more, as well as extensive international touring and media coverage.
For more information on Schlitt, his music, and touring, visit johnwschlitt.com.
About The Grizzly Awards:
The Grizzly Awards seeks to celebrate the innovation, excellence, and spiritual impact of rock and metal community members at every level of the creative process: on the stage, in the studio, and behind the scenes. In the true spirit of rock and roll, we recognize talent and purpose-driven hearts wherever they are found—not just within the approved delineations of major label rosters and radio airplay.
Beyond simply awarding the few, The Grizzly Awards exists to unify the Christian rock community as a whole, fostering connection, community, and the pursuit of excellence. This means inviting listeners into the process at every level, extending the opportunity to be a part of investing in a movement to strengthen a genre that has often been overlooked and under-resourced.
The Grizzly Awards commits to operating at all levels with a foundational commitment to the Gospel, adhering to an unwavering belief that Jesus Christ changes and saves lives. This belief is the ultimate impetus for building an event supporting songs that are a unique tool for communicating that message of redemption. For more information visit thegrizzlyawards.com.
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To schedule an interview, contact:
McCain & Co. Public Relations
Phone: 615-262-1727
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