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| Bob Hartman |
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Robert Hartman (born December 26, 1949, in Bryan, Ohio) is a Christian artist, guitarist, writer and songwriter. He is the founder of legendary Christian rock band Petra. Hartman was involved with the band from its foundation in 1972 to its end in 2005. He took a break from touring in 1995, but continued to write most of the band's songs, record guitars and produce most of the albums. He officially returned to touring with Petra in 2003 until he decided to retire the band in late 2005.
Biography
Bob Hartman was born in Bryan, Ohio. He learned to play guitar when he was 13 years old, teaching himself from books and watching other people. He has said that one of his major influences was Joe Walsh, a member of "The James Gang" at the time.
Hartman converted to Christianity when he was a teenager. When he was 21, he joined a Christian band called Rapture with John DeGroff. During this time, he wrote some of the songs of the first Petra album. He also studied at Bowling Green State University, earning a B.A. in Psychology.
When Rapture broke up, DeGroff moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana to attend Christian Training Center (a school based on a church there). Hartman was already jamming with guitarist Greg Hough and they both moved to Indiana to attend the same school. Upon meeting drummer Bill Glover there, they formed Petra. Hartman became the principal (and most of the time, the sole) songwriter of the band, writing the lyrics and music for almost all of their songs.
In 1995, he felt he needed to take a break from touring but remained as the band de facto leader, songwriter, and producer. He also continued to play guitars on all of the albums despite not being featured on the album pictures or promotional material.
Amidst the struggles in the band, Hartman decided to officially return in 2001 for the release of the band's third praise album: Revival. In 2005, after much praying, he decided to retire the band after 33 years of ministry.
After Petra's retirement, Hartman started working with former Petra singer, John Schlitt, as II Guys from Petra in an album which was released in January 26, 2007 titled Vertical Expressions.
Trivia
- Hartman enjoys playing tennis.
- He is a self-taught computer programmer.
- Hartman has a studio in his house called House of Bob.
Personal life
- Hartman is married to Kim Whisonant; they have one son.
References
- Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Petra". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 692–699. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.