Greg X. Volz: The Voice of Petra, Why He Left & the Backmasking Controversy
Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM RewindShow Notes
Before John Schlitt, there was Greg X. Volz, the powerhouse vocalist whose extraordinary four-octave range helped define the classic sound of Christian rock pioneers Petra. In this episode of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, Shayne Brian sits down with Greg X. Volz for a fascinating journey through the Jesus Movement, the rise of Christian rock, Petra's biggest albums, and the personal decisions that changed his career. Greg reveals how a dinner party changed his life in 1970, leading him to Jesus, the Jesus Music movement and the formation of his band E, whose ministry saw more than 2,000 people baptised in a single year. He recalls meeting the original Petra at a Fort Wayne coffee house in 1971, his early involvement with the band, and eventually becoming the lead singer behind classic albums including Never Say Die, More Power to Ya, Not of This World and Beat the System. But what really happened when Greg left Petra at the height of their success? Greg reflects on relentless touring schedules of up to 300 days a year, the recording of Captured in Time and Space, the unexpected events surrounding his final performance, and the decision to leave the band that would eventually welcome John Schlitt as its new vocalist. He also explains Petra's dramatic musical evolution, from the softer sounds of Washes Whiter Than to the synthesisers and electronic production of Beat the System. And Greg's musical journey is far from over. He reveals that he has ten albums' worth of unreleased music sitting on his computer, offering a tantalising glimpse of what could be coming next. With decades of songwriting and recording behind him, Greg discusses the possibility of new music and the creative passion that continues to drive him. Out of the Vault: "Judas' Kiss" We revisit Petra's 1982 album More Power to Ya and the unforgettable "Judas' Kiss", exploring the controversy surrounding backwards messages in rock music, church opposition, record burnings and Petra's deliberately reversed message. Greg also discusses "Witch Hunt", the criticism Christian rock artists faced, and why the arguments surrounding rock music became such a defining part of the era. In this episode Greg's musical inspirations, four-octave vocal range and daily vocal routine His conversion in 1970, the Jesus Movement and the extraordinary ministry of E Meeting Petra, the REO Speedwagon connection and joining the band Recording Never Say Die in six weeks on an $11,500 budget Touring with Servant and spending up to 300 days a year on the road Why Petra's sound changed through the 1980s The controversy surrounding "God Gave Rock and Roll to You" Leaving Petra, Captured in Time and Space and the Classic Petra reunion "Judas' Kiss", backmasking and the Christian rock controversy Ten unreleased albums, the possibility of new Greg X. Volz music and what the future holds Stories about Pat Boone and Perry Como, plus a Fast Five round
Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: The Voice of Petra 03:00 – Finding Faith in 1970 and the Jesus Movement 09:44 – Meeting Petra and the Road to Joining the Band 16:44 – Recording Never Say Die and Life on the Road 20:38 – Why Greg Left Petra and the Classic Petra Reunion 26:17 – How Petra's Sound Changed Through the 1980s 31:24 – Four-Octave Range, Vocal Health and New Music on the Horizon 36:26 – Out of the Vault: "Judas' Kiss" and Backmasking 43:41 – Faith, Musical Freedom and Following Your Calling 51:36 – Fast Five, Favourite Petra Album and What's Next Connect with Greg X. Volz Website: https://www.gregxvolz.com/ Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind We didn't just listen to these records. We lived with them. Beyond the Chorus revisits the artists, the albums, the missing years, and what came next, celebrating the pioneers of Jesus Music and classic contemporary Christian music from the 1970s, 80s and early 90s. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChor
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Mike Roe of The 77s joins Shayne Brian on Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind for a deep dive into more than four decades of one of Christian alternative rock's most influential and fiercely individual bands. From their beginnings as a church-backed outreach project in Sacramento to albums including Ping Pong Over the Abyss, The 77s, Sticks and Stones and the controversial Pray Naked, Mike looks back at a band that consistently refused to fit comfortably inside the traditional Christian music industry. Unlike many bands from the classic CCM era, The 77s never really went away. Their music moved through new wave, alternative rock, blues, psychedelia, power pop and roots music, building a loyal audience that continues today. Mike explains the unusual story behind the name The 77s, his early work on the radio program Rock and Religion, and how the band gradually learned to focus on great songwriting rather than forcing a message into the music. For Out of the Crate, we return to the band's 1982 debut Ping Pong Over the Abyss and explore the early sound and identity of The 77s. Mike also reveals why Sticks and Stones may be the best place for a new listener to start. We also revisit Pray Naked and the controversy surrounding its title, Christian bookstore censorship and the tension between faith, creativity and the expectations of the Christian music industry. Then we move to the new album 7. Mike explains why the record took around 12 years to complete, why "Heart Back" made him want to create another 77s album, and how "Hand to God" evolved from a hard-driving new wave arrangement into the slower, psychedelic version heard on the finished record. Mike also talks about how The 77s audience has changed since 1982, his overlooked solo and instrumental work including Daydream and Orbis, and what could be coming next from The 77s. For fans of The 77s, Mike Roe, Lost Dogs, The Choir, classic CCM, Christian alternative rock and 1980s Christian music, this is a conversation about faith, creativity, survival and more than forty years of refusing to fit neatly into anybody else's box. Timestamps 00:00 - Why The 77s still matter after four decades 03:18 - From Sacramento church outreach to The 77s 08:46 - The dream that gave The 77s their name 12:00 - Mike Roe on Rock and Religion 21:43 - Ping Pong Over the Abyss and the early sound of The 77s 25:39 - Pray Naked, censorship and Christian music 31:47 - Why the new album 7 took 12 years 36:44 - How "Heart Back" restarted The 77s 40:02 - How The 77s audience has changed since 1982 45:01 - Mike Roe's overlooked solo and instrumental albums Connect with The 77s Official website: http://www.77s.com/ The 77s music: https://the77s.bandcamp.com/ New album 7: https://the77srock.bandcamp.com/album/7 Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheChorusClassicCCMMusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheChorus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BeyondTheChorus Follow and subscribe to Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, and share the show with anyone who loves classic Christian music and the bands that helped shape it. Drop the needle. Press play. We're going beyond the chorus.
Nearly 40 years ago, Kim Boyce was my very first artist interview. I was 19, she was touring Australia with David Meece, and after sitting down and completing the interview, I discovered I had made one fairly significant mistake: I hadn't pressed record. Kim graciously sat down and did the entire interview with me again. Now, almost four decades later, we've come full circle. In Episode 4 of Beyond the Chorus: Classic CCM Rewind, I reconnect with Kim Boyce, one of the distinctive voices of 1980s and 1990s Contemporary Christian Music, to talk about the songs, albums, faith, family and unexpected turns that shaped her life both inside and outside the CCM industry. Kim takes us back to her early years growing up around Southern Gospel music, discovering artists including The Archers, Sweet Comfort Band, Andraé Crouch and The Imperials, and the unusual path that took her from Miss Florida and the Miss America pageant to a recording career in Christian music. We talk about her early work with Carman on The Champion, signing with Myrrh Records, touring Australia with David Meece, and what it was like discovering that people on the other side of the world already knew her songs. Kim also goes behind the music of her 1986 self-titled debut album, including “Love Resurrection,” “Darkened Hearts” and “Here,” and reflects on working with musicians and songwriters including Brian Tankersley, Tom Hemby, Tim Miner and Cindy Cruse. We revisit one of Kim's favourite albums, Time and Again, its classic Hollywood-inspired imagery, and her dance-pop reinvention of Rare Earth's “I Just Want to Celebrate.” But this conversation goes well beyond the records. Kim talks candidly about why she eventually stepped away from the relentless CCM cycle of albums, radio, touring and television after becoming a mother, and why choosing her family became more important than chasing the next hit. We follow her story through a new chapter in Branson, Missouri, where she returned to the Southern Gospel music of her childhood, performed for a decade and later created an all-gospel show with her husband Gary. Kim also shares some deeply personal reflections on faith, grief and family, before bringing us up to date with her life today. And, of course, I had to ask the question longtime Kim Boyce fans will want answered: Could there ever be another Kim Boyce album? For me, this is one of the most personal episodes of Beyond the Chorus so far. Kim was there at the very beginning of my journey as an interviewer, and getting the chance to sit down with her again nearly 40 years later feels like closing a very special circle. Thankfully, this time I remembered to press record. In this episode: Kim Boyce remembers touring Australia with David Meece near the beginning of her recording career. How Southern Gospel, The Archers, Sweet Comfort Band, Andraé Crouch and The Imperials shaped her musical world. From Miss Florida and Miss America to a career in Contemporary Christian Music. Singing with Carman on The Champion and the road to signing with Myrrh Records. The stories behind “Love Resurrection,” “Darkened Hearts,” “Here” and “Not Too Far From Here.” Why Time and Again remains one of Kim's favourite albums. Turning Rare Earth's “I Just Want to Celebrate” into an 80s CCM dance-pop favourite. Why Kim Boyce walked away from the CCM touring and recording cycle to focus on family. Her years performing Southern Gospel music in Branson and the album that was never released. The renewed interest in classic 1980s Christian music and whether Kim could record again.