Louie Weaver
Encyclopedia
Louie Weaver III is a Christian
drummer
most famous for being the long-time drummer of legendary Christian rock band
Petra
for 22 years. Weaver was controversially dismissed from the band in 2003. He is currently working on several projects. In 2010, Weaver reunited with former members of Petra (Greg X. Volz, Bob Hartman, John Lawry and Mark Kelly) to form Classic Petra which released "Back to the Rock", a re-mastering of several Petra songs plus two new Classic Petra songs. The CD was released on November 13, 2010. A tour is planned in 2011.
, where he attended high school at Glencliff Complex High School. He was part of a school jazz band playing at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium
. In 1969 he graduated and continued to study in Trevecca Nazarene College
. There he obtained a B.A. in percussion.
After graduating he went on to work with several artists. He was a session player for Randy Matthews
and Fireworks, also touring with Matthews and Crossfire. He also played with Parable, Good Grief, and Chuck McCleod's Band.
In 1981 he joined Petra
becoming a staple of the band with his trademark drumming and style. After 22 years, he was fired in 2003 amidst some controversy. Both Petra and Weaver dissipated all of it and little has been discussed of the issue afterwards. He was replaced by Paul Simmons
.
In 2005 he collaborated with Project Damage Control
with John Schlitt
in vocals.
Weaver performed briefly with a band called Viktor with other well-known veteran musicians.
Weaver is now touring with Classic Petra and has been re-united with his old friends from the original line-up of Petra: Bob Hartman
, Greg X. Volz
, John Lawry
and Mark Kelly
.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
most famous for being the long-time drummer of legendary Christian rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
Petra
Petra (band)
Petra is a music group regarded as a pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for "rock"...
for 22 years. Weaver was controversially dismissed from the band in 2003. He is currently working on several projects. In 2010, Weaver reunited with former members of Petra (Greg X. Volz, Bob Hartman, John Lawry and Mark Kelly) to form Classic Petra which released "Back to the Rock", a re-mastering of several Petra songs plus two new Classic Petra songs. The CD was released on November 13, 2010. A tour is planned in 2011.
Biography
Weaver was born in Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, where he attended high school at Glencliff Complex High School. He was part of a school jazz band playing at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium
Nashville Municipal Auditorium
The Nashville Municipal Auditorium is an indoor sports and concert venue in Nashville, Tennessee...
. In 1969 he graduated and continued to study in Trevecca Nazarene College
Trevecca Nazarene University
Trevecca Nazarene University is a private Christian liberal arts college located in Nashville, Tennessee.-History:TNU was founded in 1901 by Cumberland Presbyterian minister J. O. McClurkan as the "Pentecostal Literary and Bible Training School"...
. There he obtained a B.A. in percussion.
After graduating he went on to work with several artists. He was a session player for Randy Matthews
Randy Matthews
Randy Matthews is a Christian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and pioneer of Jesus music. He was born into a family with at least five ordained ministers, including his father, Monty, a founding member of the Jordanaires. When Randy was in high school in Lamar, Mo., he sang in a quartet called The...
and Fireworks, also touring with Matthews and Crossfire. He also played with Parable, Good Grief, and Chuck McCleod's Band.
In 1981 he joined Petra
Petra (band)
Petra is a music group regarded as a pioneer of the Christian rock and contemporary Christian music genres. Formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for "rock"...
becoming a staple of the band with his trademark drumming and style. After 22 years, he was fired in 2003 amidst some controversy. Both Petra and Weaver dissipated all of it and little has been discussed of the issue afterwards. He was replaced by Paul Simmons
Paul Simmons
Paul Simmons is an American drummer. Currently, he is the drummer for the Reverend Horton HeatHe is previously most well known as the drummer for Th' Legendary Shack Shakers from 2003 to 2005. He was also the drummer in Christian rock band Petra from 2003 until their retirement in 2005...
.
In 2005 he collaborated with Project Damage Control
Project Damage Control
Project Damage Control is a musical project formed by musicians from several Christian and secular rock bands.-History:Project Damage Control was formed by Alan Sandifer and Brent Handy in 2004...
with John Schlitt
John Schlitt
John William Schlitt is known for his career as the lead singer of Christian rock band Petra from 1986 until the band's retirement in late 2005. Prior to joining Petra in 1986, Schlitt was the vocalist for Head East....
in vocals.
Weaver performed briefly with a band called Viktor with other well-known veteran musicians.
Weaver is now touring with Classic Petra and has been re-united with his old friends from the original line-up of Petra: Bob Hartman
Bob Hartman
Robert Hartman is a Christian artist, guitarist, writer and songwriter. He is the founder of 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,...
, Greg X. Volz
Greg X. Volz
Gregory Xavier Volz is a Christian singer. He is most noted for being the former lead singer of Christian rock band Petra from 1979 to 1985 and is currently the lead vocalist of the reunited lineup.-Biography:...
, John Lawry
John Lawry
John Lawry is a Christian musician, composer, producer, and songwriter. He is most remembered for being the keyboardist of Christian rock band Petra during their most prolific years.-Biography:...
and Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly (bassist)
Mark Dean Kelly is a Christian bass guitarist most remembered for being a member of Christian rock band Petra during the 1980s...
.
Trivia
- Weaver is married to wife, Penny
- Weaver endorses PaistePaistePaiste, a Swiss manufacturer and designer, is the world's third largest manufacturer of cymbals, gongs, and metal percussion. Paiste is an Estonian/Finnish word which means "shine"...
Cymbals, Vater Sticks, DWDrum WorkshopDrum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
Drums, and RemoRemoRemo is a male given name of Latin origin - see Romulus and Remus.Remo may also refer to:* Remo, an American drum skin company* Remo , another name for the German wine grape Riesling* Remo language, a Panoan language of Brazil and Peru...
drumheads. - Weaver is a fan of Mickey MouseMickey MouseMickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
, using his imagery on his clothes, drums, etc. He even named his daughter after the famous Mouse - Weaver was voted "Favorite Drummer" by CCM MagazineCCM MagazineCCM Magazine was a monthly magazine published by Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications. It was first published in July 1978, and it has always been a Christian music magazine. On January 16, 2008, Salem announced that the April 2008 issue would be the final printed issue of the...
's readers choice for five years in a row (1989-93.) - According to a radio interview, Weaver hates the Hershey's Twizzlers candy, Nibs, more than anything else on the whole planet.
- Weaver drives tour buses, commercial buses and is considered an excellent driver.
- Weaver is re-united with Bob Hartman, Greg Volz, John Lawry and Mark Kelly and is currently on tour with Classic Petra.
with Petra
| Date of release | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | More Power to Ya | StarSong |
| 1983 | Not of this World | StarSong |
| 1984 | Beat the System | StarSong |
| 1986 | Captured in Time & Space | StarSong |
| 1986 | Back to the Street | StarSong |
| 1987 | This Means War! | StarSong |
| 1988 | On Fire! | StarSong |
| 1989 | Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out | Dayspring/Word/Epic |
| 1990 | Beyond Belief | Dayspring/Word/Epic |
| 1991 | Unseen Power | Dayspring/Word/Epic |
| 1992 | Petra en Alabanza | Dayspring/Word/Epic |
| 1993 | Wake-Up Call | Dayspring/Word/Epic |
| 1995 | No Doubt | Word/Epic |
| 1997 | Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus | Word/Epic |
| 1998 | God Fixation | Word/Epic |
| 2000 | Double Take | Word/Epic |
| 2001 | Revival | inpop/EMI |