Pete Orta
Pete Orta (born August 26, 1971 in Port Lavaca, Texas[1][2] is a Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter and music producer. He was a member of Christian rock band Petra from 1996 to 2000.
Born in Port Lavaca, Orta moved to Lubbock at age six. Despite the roughly 540-mile initial relocation[1] from south to north Texas, Orta's family kept moving within Lubbock city limits. Orta attended Haynes Elementary School, Mackenzie Junior High School[2], Evans Middle School[3], Matthews Junior High School and Lubbock High School before graduating from Coronado High School[2].
Orta was given his first guitar--a red, no-brand toy--by his aunt when he was four, which he taught himself to play[2]. Living in an abusive household, Orta was only permitted to go to school. The rest of the time he was banished to his room. Orta ate in his room and never had a telephone call, television, radio, books, pictures, or anyone to talk to. It was just him, his imagination and a kid's guitar. Family life changed, however, when his parents became Christians when Orta was age 15.[2]
At age 18, Orta left home, and although he had a job, he couldn't afford to pay both rent and for the black Steinberger guitar he had financed from Jent's House of Music. Choosing his guitar over a home, he lived in his car, slept in open churches and showered at the YMCA for a year. He eventually landed a job at Jent's, where he fell under the tutelage of co-worker and revered local guitarist, John Ellis. Ellis was surprised by Orta's melodic lines and fast playing ability, which he says often don't go hand in hand. He was also surprised that Orta had never heard of music greats, like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin or Van Halen, all of which he had been deprived of hearing as a child with no electronics made available to him.[2]
In 1996, Orta joined Petra; and, along fellow keyboard player Kevin Brandow and bassist Lonnie Chapin, he contributed greatly to the band's effort in the late 90s. He sang lead vocals in the band's song "Breathe In" included on their Grammy winning album, Double Take.[3]
Claiming that playing guitar for Petra had grown stale[4], Orta left Petra around 2000. In 2001, he went on to tour with singer Jaci Velasquez and performed a duet with her on the single "Season of Love" for her album Christmas. On September 18 of that same year, Orta released a solo album, Born Again on Word Records.[4]
In late 2001, Orta performed as part of the all-star chorus of CCM artists who recorded the 9/11 tribute song, "In God We Trust," penned by Mark Heimermann and Wayne Kirkpatrick and commissioned by the Gospel Music Association.[5]
Aside from Velasquez, Orta has performed on the albums of other CCM artists, including Steven Delopoulos, and Rachel Lampa.[6] He also rearranged and performed Jimmie Dale Gilmore's "Braver Newer World" for use in the 2002 motion picture Joshua[4].[7]
In 2005, Orta produced the debut album from Jaci Velasquez's record label, Apostrophe, by Michael Cook called Imprint[5][8] Orta also contributed his production techniques to the soundtrack for the Left Behind: World at War soundtrack.[6]
References
- ^ Petra Means Rock Accessed: 17 February 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Kerns, William. "A Persistent Calling to Play" Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Accessed: 17 February 2008.
- ^ All Music.com: Double Take Awards. Accessed: 18 February 2008.
- ^ a b Kerns, William. "Lubbock Native Orta Embarks on Solo Career." (23 Sept 2001). Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Accessed: 18 February 2008.
- ^ Price, Deborah Evans. "Higher Ground" Billboard (Jan. 12 2002), p. 17. Retrieved from Infotrac Academic One File 17 February 2008.
- ^ a b All Music.com: Pete Orta Credits. Accessed: 18 February 2008.
- ^ Kerns, William. Christian recording artist Orta blazes personal trail (28 April 2002). 'Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Accessed: 18 February 2008.
- ^ Price, Deborah Evans. "Velasquez's Label Dream" Billboard (Feb. 28, 2004), p. 8. Retrieved from eLibrary 17 February 2008.