Peter grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, he knew at a very young age he had been given a special gift. He sang his first solo at his grandmother’s little country church when he was six years old. Peter fronted a band and released his first record “Quest To Be Normal” when he was fifteen. “Singing was one of the few times when I felt totally at ease,” recalls Peter. Peter’s tastes in music were shaped by his mother’s extensive record collection that included everything from the gospel titan Andre’ Crouch, to the silky-smooth pop sound of Kenny Loggins, the Carpenters and the Bee Gees to the funk of the Commodores and Stevie Wonder to the R & B stylings of Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye. As he left home for college, he took with him all the musical influences he had grown to love and began to forge a style all his own. He began writing songs in college, disenchanted and wondering where he fit, he poured his heart into music and, as usual, found comfort there. His music is both profound and inspiring, and a celebration of the best of his diverse influences. Peter brings to his music a sound, a touch and a heart uniquely his own. Label it if you like, or just simply say that Peter Penrose is a voice for these times.

Upon graduating from college Peter was invited to tour with a traveling band of singers and musicians. For two years, Peter traveled the globe with about twenty other musicians gaining invaluable knowledge and friendships along the way. It was soon after leaving the group that he set his sights on his new bride’s hometown of Nashville Tennessee where he knew he could work on his music and hone his skills as a songwriter. Peter methodically and purposefully began building his “Behind the Music” story, minus the drug-induced car/ motorcycle/ ATV accident that forever changed his perspective on life. Peter became a regular fixture in the studio singing background vocals on other artist’s records and singing demos for other songwriters. He soon was signed to a record deal and released a solo record; the record had moderate success in the marketplace.

While living in Nashville, a childhood friend contacted Peter to see if he had any interest in performing his music in prison. Well, what began as a gig became a passion and Peter soon realized that his music was helping people. “Singing to these incarcerated men and women across the nation has become a huge part of my life and allows me to come face to face with a forgotten population of hurting people. I’ve looked into the faces of hardened criminals and literally seen their shells melt as they listen to the music and hear the stories of men and women just like them who found the strength to survive and overcome.” Peter believes that walls can come down through music and laughter. “Sometimes I just want to let folks forget about their troubles for a short while and help bring a smile to their face. I think we have a responsibility to share our gifts and talents with those who for one reason or another have fallen on hard times or in many cases, have had hard times fall on them. I feel like I am a little bit of light in a dark place. I have learned that more of us need to make ourselves available to others around us then and only then will we see lives changed and hurting people healed.”

Prior to the release of Peter’s second solo attempt, he was dropped from his record company. Although the news was difficult, it paled in comparison with the news that would follow. Peter’s one year old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Peter and his wife were devastated beyond words. The doctors gave very few answers and very little hope. Peter’s world and dreams of changing the world with his music came to an abrupt halt. Peter and Nicki along with their daughters Madison and Bailey began what would be the most difficult season imaginable. The tumor was imbedded within Bailey’s little brain and removing it would likely result in severe brain damage or death. The doctor’s prognosis was not a good one: “the seizures will likely spread to other parts of the brain unless they can be controlled with medication and the damage that the seizures have already caused to her brain is irreversible.” For five long years Peter and Nicki tried to control their daughter’s seizures with every medication known to man, but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Finally, the doctor’s told them that surgery had to be considered. The frequency and intensity of the seizures had become very dangerous and could ultimately take her life. The surgery itself carried a great amount of risk and little percentage of success, but it had become the only option. The doctors said that the seizures could not be reversed even if the tumor were successfully removed. They said that Bailey would have to be on some type of seizure medicine for the rest of her life. But removing the tumor would increase the chances of the medicines working to control her seizures. However, if the tumor is not removed, there is zero chance of controlling the seizures. In any case, the tumor had to come out because it will eventually find a way to grow. That is the tumor’s job . . . to grow and to destroy healthy tissue. Peter and Nicki continued to pray for a miracle.

To make a tremendously long story shorter, in February of 2003 Bailey underwent brain surgery at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. The surgery and Bailey’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. Peter and Nicki’s prayers were answered. Bailey is in perfect health and suffers no ill effects from the five years of daily seizure activity. She is now tumor free, seizure free and free of all medications. God completely restored her to perfect health . . . all of the prayers were answered. There is so much more to the story and Peter and Nicki are working on a book detailing all of what God did in their lives and the life of their daughter. It is nothing short of amazing the miracle that has taken place in Bailey’s little body. Peter and Nicki, through this trial, have walked together and formed a bond that is strong beyond measure. They give God all the glory for His incredible love and faithfulness.

Peter is beginning again to dream. He believes that the new music is simply a by-product of the new life that he and his family are experiencing. “It’s a whole new thing, another level. When you’ve walked where we have walked, there is no going back to just surviving. Once you’ve seen God’s hand and experienced His presence, nothing else will do. I want my music to be heard, but mostly I want my life to make the maximum impact for the Kingdom of God. I want to impart something to the people of this world. My dreams have been on hold, but God is allowing me to dream again. This time, He is in control and He is guiding each step. I am taking hold of the destiny that is rightfully mine. I’ve been waiting on the courage to step out, but now I have resolved to do it afraid if need be. I wouldn’t trade the hard times we have walked through because now I know what real love is all about . . . I have tasted of God’s undeniable love.”

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