Pete Orta

Pete Orta (born August 26, 1971 in Port Lavaca, Texas [http://www.petrameansrock.com/theband/peteorta.htm Petra Means Rock] Accessed: 17 February 2008.] Kerns, William. [http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/011297/apersist.htm "A Persistent Calling to Play" ] "Lubbock Avalanche-Journal". Accessed: 17 February 2008.] 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 [http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS258US259&q=from+lubbock,+tx+to+port+lavaca,+tx&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl] from south to north Texas, Orta's family kept moving within Lubbock city limits. Orta attended Haynes Elementary School, Mackenzie Junior High School [http://www.lubbockisd.org/Mackenzie/] , Evans Middle School [http://www.lubbockisd.org/evans/] , Matthews Junior High School and Lubbock High School before graduating from Coronado High School.

Orta was given his first guitar--a red, no-brand toy--by his aunt when he was four, which he taught himself to play.

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 [http://www.jents.com/ 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.

In 1996, Orta joined Petra; he contributed greatly to the band's success in the late 90s. His awards include a Gold Record, a Dove Award, three Grammy Nominations and for Gospel Rock Album of the year was presented a Grammy in the year 2000 for the award winning album, "Double Take". [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:dvfrxq9kldfe~T32 All Music.com: "Double Take" Awards.] Accessed: 18 February 2008.]

Orta left Petra in 2000, and embarked on a solo career. His success principles allowed him to overcome the challengesof his past and was inducted with Petra, into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and also the accomplishment of having his guitars inducted in Hard Rock Cafes around the world. In 2001, he was presented another Gold Record, this time while touring 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 receiving another Dove Award Nomination.Kerns, William. [http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/092301/ent_0923010056.shtml "Lubbock Native Orta Embarks on Solo Career."] (23 Sept 2001). "Lubbock Avalanche-Journal". Accessed: 18 February 2008.]

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.Price, Deborah Evans. "Higher Ground" Billboard (Jan. 12 2002), p. 17. Retrieved from "Infotrac Academic One File" 17 February 2008.]

Aside from Velasquez, Orta has performed on the albums of other CCM artists, including Tammy Trent,Steven Delopoulos, and Rachel Lampa. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wzfwxqujldde~T4 All Music.com: Pete Orta Credits.] Accessed: 18 February 2008.] He also rearranged and performed Jimmie Dale Gilmore's "Braver Newer World" for use in the 2002 motion picture "Joshua" [http://www.allmovieguide.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:262591] .]

In 2005, Orta produced the debut album from Jaci Velasquez's record label, Apostrophe, by Michael Cook called "Imprint" [http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6810289/a/Imprint.htm] Price, Deborah Evans. "Velasquez's Label Dream" Billboard (Feb. 28, 2004), p. 8. Retrieved from "eLibrary" 17 February 2008.] Orta also contributed his production techniques to the soundtrack for the soundtrack.

Apart from Jaci Valasquez, Orta has worked with other artist including: Jack Blades, Desmond Child, Tommy Sims, Michael W. Smith, Tony Rich, The Waiting, Guardian, Chris Rodriguez, Trey Bruce, Mariachi Rosas Divinas, Pete Kipley & David Rice.

In addition to his music career, Orta owns a Brand Development Company called Orta Universal.

References

External links

* [http://www.ortauniversal.com/
* [http://www.audiowreck.com/ Pete Orta's official site]
* [http://www.petramerchandise.com/ Petra Merchandise official site]
* [http://www.thepetrazone.net/ The Petra Zone]
* [http://www.petraband.ca/ PetraBand.ca (Canada)]
* [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2001/bornagain.html Christianity Today's Review of "Born Again"]