This week we interview our webmaster, Josh Renaud. So sit back and he will give you the 4-1-1 on Petra, Bolivia, and all things Josh.
Josh, can you tell us what you've been up to?
I've been up to a lot lately. First, I've been traveling frequently with my wife Yoli (and we found out in January that she's pregnant!). I also started a full-time position at the newspaper in my city. And I've been trying to improve my bowling score.
Josh, we know you are a "huge" Petra fan because we've seen your fan website, Petra Rocks My World. How did you first hear about Petra? How many Petra CDs do you own, and which is your favorite?
I sort of grew up with Petra. I imagine my parents heard about them first and we just listened to their music all the time. At some point while I was in junior high, music shifted from being something in the background to something I was conscious of. And that's when I began to understand who I liked and didn't like. Petra was a band I liked.
At one point, I owned all of Petra's studio releases on CD, as well the War and Remembrance box set. However, almost my entire music collection, including those Petra CDs, was stolen a couple years back. I still had a few Petra CDs, though - they were pre-releases of "Double Take" and "Revival" that I got from Inpop.
But after I got married, my Petra collection was virtually restored because Yoli owned almost all the albums as well.
Let this be a lesson to everyone, young and old. I don't advocate filesharing, and in fact I don't even think online music stores are a good deal. But digital music is great. I think people should buy CDs so they can get the physical album and liner notes. Then they should make digital copies of the songs as a backup. I did that with some of my old albums, but not all of them. And I regret it to this very day.
As far as a favorite album, it's tough to pick one because Petra's discography is so large and diverse. I'd have to go with "Beat the System" or "Beyond Belief," I guess.
You are the webmaster of the 3 Chord Records website and Liberty n' Justice's website. How did you get involved with working on these sites? What is your personal view of LNJ ?
I was recruited by a mysterious figure who calls himself Justin. I believe he is the mild-mannered alter-ego of the "Justice" part of Liberty n' Justice. In my short time working with LNJ, I've come to learn that they are an amazing league of superheroes committed to defending freedom, justice, and the American way.
Rumor has it you met your wife in Bolivia (which is very cool, congrats). But what were you doing there? Wouldn't have Disneyland been a little closer?
I met my wife because of our mutual love of Petra. She lived in Bolivia and wanted to start her own Petra website in Spanish. She wrote to me to ask for permission to translate some of my articles into Spanish. This was a rare thing - many of the websites that use stuff from my site just steal it. Anyway, to make a long story short, we started writing frequently and became friends. Eventually she made it to the U.S. where we fell in love. I promised to come to Bolivia and meet her family and friends. I kept the promise in January 2003, and we were married in November of that year.
Disneyland may have been closer, but it didn't have Yoli, and it's a heck of a lot more expensive than Bolivia!
We know that you have a copy of "Welcome to the Revolution." What are your thoughts on this CD? Are the songs you've heard from "Soundtrack for a Soul" any different from the songs on "WTTR"?
"Revolution" was a cool idea for a project that could have been better executed. The new songs are much, much better. Great performances, great production quality.
John Schlitt recently sang on a CD called "Project: Damage Control." What do you think of this project?
That is another interesting idea for a project, that will probably get a lot of attention from Petra fans because of John and Louie Weaver's involvement. I'm glad John's finding a way to get onto other projects, and Louie, too. The exposure can only be good for Petra.
I have to be honest. Unlike many fans, I don't really go out of my way to find albums where members (or former members) of Petra perform as guests. I like Petra as Petra. But that's just me. I know the majority of fans really dig projects like this.
Most people know that the relationship in 3 Chord Records was a little stressful at the end. What did you think when you got an email from Gary Manuel saying he owned the label and that any other changes to the website would have to be approved by him?
Well, I didn't and still don't know anything about what happened in that situation, so the email sort of came out of left field. But things since then have seemed fine.
Can you tell us three of the highest and lowest points so far in your life?
Well, my memory is not so good, so these probably change from time to time as I remember different things.
High points: Marrying Yoli; Finding out we'll have a baby; Serving as editor-in-chief of my college paper; performing in a play my senior year of high school.
Low points: Probably my single lowest point took place during my senior year of high school, but it didn't last long. God has been very faithful even during hard times.
The last of Josh…
last Petra CD you listened to
Captured in Time and Space
last time you visted Bolivia
January to February 2005
last TV show you watched
Star Trek: Enterprise
last time Justin emailed you with an update and you just shook your head in disbelief
May 1
last movie you watched
Napoleon Dynamite
last time you found out your wife was pregnant
Well, the *only* time I found that out was January 4.
You totally revamped the LNJ website, and we have had nothing but great response about the way the site looks. Can someone hire you to do their website and how do they get in touch with you?
I really enjoyed working on the new LNJ site. The album title and album cover art have a great concept. It was exciting to translate those concepts into something similar but different for the site.
I was also pleased to incorporate some more cutting-edge web design techniques involving CSS and PNG. Most visitors will never notice what's going on (or even care), but web folks might get a kick out of it.
While I am available for hire on web projects, my schedule is tight. I am not actively soliciting work right now because of my full-time job. But if you've got an interesting project, feel free to contact me. You can reach me through my website, joshrenaud.com.
How many albums does Petra have left in them? Besides Petra what other bands do you like?
I think they could continue for years, personally. But they may not feel the same way, and there's the rub.
Lately, I've heard a lot of recent first-hand accounts from fans who saw the band in Europe that Bob and John are pessimistic about the future, especially the lack of concerts and airplay in the U.S. I can understand that frustration, but I hope the band continues.
"Jekyll & Hyde" was Petra's best album in a decade. It is going to take time for them to break through the walls that have built up over the years and reach a new audience. But I think they can if they persevere. There is an audience hungry for quality straight-up hard Christian rock, and Petra delivers.
My other favorite band is Five Iron Frenzy, who recently broke up after nearly a decade together. I had tickets to their farewell concert in Denver and was mentally preparing to make the drive down I-70. But my wedding in Bolivia ended up taking place the same day, so I didn't go. It was a no-brainer. Anyway, I loved FIF because musically they were tight and inventive, and their lyrics ranged from extremely clever and funny to deep and touching.
I'm also a fan of Audio Adrenaline, Newsboys, Caedmon's Call, Relient K, Brave Saint Saturn, Supertones, Sixpence None the Richer, Skillet, PFR, Whiteheart, Phil Keaggy, Russ Taff, and Keith Green among others.
What do you really think of the "LNJ Get to Know" feature?
I think a lot of music stars don't know how to spell correctly or use good grammar. :)
What do you spiritually believe?
I believe in a sinless, righteous, and powerful God who is just and cannot tolerate sin. But He is also love, and because of His love, He sent His son Jesus to die on our behalf. It is only through Jesus that we can be reconciled to God.
You can read more in full detail on my website.
What does 2005 and beyond hold for Josh Renaud?
Well, a baby and maybe a house!
And finally, a Liberty n' Justice 4-ALL word association. We will mention a name or thing, and you give us your thoughts:
Brent Handy (Project Damage Control)
An interesting guy with strong opinions and lots of connections in the music industry.
Jamie Rowe (Guardian)
From what little I've seen, he seems like a great guy. I never got into Guardian, but I know my wife is a big fan.
Bob Hartman (Petra)
An amazing guitarist and a humble guy. I'm glad he returned to performing live with Petra.
Greg X. Volz (former Petra lead vocalist)
An unforgettable singer
Sue Dempster (webmaster at www.johnwschlitt.com)
Probably Petra's most enthusiastic, committed fan and supporter.
John Schlitt (Petra)
A leader with a big heart
Louie Weaver (former Petra drummer)
"Do you doubt the truth in the tales of brave Ulysses…?"
Ronny Cates (former Petra bassist)
Great bassist who was fun to watch in concert
Yoli Renaud (your wife)
La amor de mi vida