Franklin, TN (May 10, 2010) – Legendary recording artist John Schlitt — solo artist and former lead singer for Grammy Award-winning Christian band Petra and mainstream rock band Head East — is slated to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Russian Gospel Music Association conference (EMA). The EMA will run from May 12-15, 2010.
During the conference, Schlitt will perform at various locations throughout the city of Moscow, including an open air concert in Gorky Park, the prestigious “Radio City Moscow” night club and the closing EMA ceremonies.
In addition to performing, Schlitt will also conduct master classes for aspiring Russian musicians, designed to stimulate professional growth and personal development.
“I am so glad that American musicians who heard of our plight for years are lending a helping hand in bringing their expertise to Russian musicians,” says EMA founder Nikolai Pankratz, formerly of the Christian band Ruscha.
With the demise of Communism, a new era of music — and Christianity — in the former Soviet Union is being ushered in. “I am very excited about being a part of EMA and sharing my knowledge and experience with the people of Russia,” says Schlitt. “Nikolai, having grown up in the former Soviet Union, told me about the times the secret police would storm into a meeting, confiscate Bibles and break musical instruments. Pastors were taken to jail, and his grandfather was arrested and killed for believing in God,” Schlitt continues. “It’s amazing how times have changed; I feel that the Lord has major plans for the week and I’m very honored to be a part of it all.”
With more than three decades worth of water under the musical bridge, John Schlitt has earned multiple Gold Records, Grammys and Dove Awards. He has toured all over the world and has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as a member of Petra, one of the most successful rock bands in Christian music history. Schlitt was recently named the best rock singer in Christian music history by GospelMusicChannel.com. According to the website, Schlitt “remains one of the most distinctive and impactful men to ever stand behind a microphone.”
For Schlitt’s latest solo album, The Grafting, he called on the multiple talents of son-in-law and rising star producer/songwriter/drummer Dan Needham (Amy Grant, Petra, Michael McDonald) to help craft his vision. The Grafting finds Schlitt exploring uncharted musical territory, while remaining anchored by his unmistakable voice. At once intimate and accessible, The Grafting is without a doubt Schlitt’s most potent solo album to date.
The Grafting is available on 4K Records and is distributed by New Day Christian Distributors in the U.S. and internationally by Go Global Entertainment. For more information on John Schlitt and The Grafting, visit johnwschlitt.com.
For more information on EMA, visit gospelmusic.su or ambassadorforlife.com.
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