John DeGroff
DeGroff was one of the original members of Christian rock band Petra in 1972, along with Greg Hough, Bill Glover and Bob Hartman. He played bass guitar in the band's first two records before leaving in 1979. Petra has been inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame (2007), the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2000), and the Hard Rock Cafe (1994).
John DeGroff is a Christian musician.[1]
After leaving Petra, DeGroff played in several bands in the Fort Wayne area, and also did some session work. In 1987, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee and dedicated himself to songwriting and other musical activities. He has had some songs recorded on independent records and does some occasional studio work. He recorded with Cosmonaut Bob in 2003.
Also in 2003, DeGroff joined Hough and Glover in a project called "GHF".
In 2004, he and Hough rejoined Bob Hartman on stage in a reunion of the original Petra line-up held in Angola, Indiana.
DeGroff, Hough, and Glover also rejoined Bob Hartman for what was at that time scheduled to be Petra's final US appearance, November 19, 2005, in Enid, OK.
DeGroff released a progressive rock solo album, SALT, in 2018. John Schlitt sings on some of the tracks. Salt 2, Trophy Hunting for Unicorns will be released in late 2020. It features guest appearances from John Schlitt, Greg Hough, and Shawn Browning.
DeGroff is also a freelance music journalist and has written articles in several music magazines, periodicals, and online sites.
John DeGroff had two children with former wife Lynnette Stanley (nee Fry). Daniel, born in 1989, serves in the United States Army, and his daughter, Sara, is married with two sons in Ohio. DeGroff married Jennifer Savage in 2006; the couple currently resides in Indiana and are active in music ministry in their church.
References
- Cusic, Don (2009-11-30). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music: Pop, Rock, and Worship. ABC-CLIO. pp. 331–. ISBN 978-0-313-34426-8. Retrieved 19 April 2012.