After major surgery took its toll on John Vento’s singing voice, divine intervention took over. “Let God Drive” is from his year-long release “Brick By Brick.”
In November 2018, Pittsburgh music veteran John Vento was entering new and exciting territory in his creative career. After fronting the Nied’s Hotel Band for years, Vento was going it alone, releasing his first solo album, “Love, Lust and Other Wreckage.” In fact, he had just signed a label deal for the release, when he began having serious voice struggles. By January 2019, his singing voice was gone. Too many years of poor singing technique and abuse, combined with vocal chord scarring from tubes having been put down his throat during major surgery a few years earlier, had taken it’s toll. Ironically, one month later, John scored his first ever Top 20 iTunes Canada chart hit with “Rainbows And Lightning.”
By July 2019, John had his first #1 iTunes hit in South Africa, “Well Yeah Maybe,” but by then, John was struggling to speak, let alone sing. At that point, he opted for multiple vocal chord medical procedures, which were unsuccessful. Throughout this period, John and his wife Michele had been attending church service, praying for healing. When others would also offer prayers, Michele would confidently tell them, “When John can sing again, he has promised me that he will write and record a gospel song.”
Part Americana, part traditional gospel, highlighted by a soulful choir of praise voices, this track, “Let God Drive” fulfills that promise. Though many elements of his singing voice have returned, John still has a long road ahead, in training and rehabilitation, to get where he wants to be. In the meantime, he feels completely blessed and thankful for everyone’s prayers and support.
“Let God Drive” will be released on May 1st, 2021 on MTS Records. Written by John Vento, Matt Wohlfarth and David Granati, it is from John’s year-long album release, “Brick By Brick.”
ABOUT JOHN VENTO: In addition to his solo career, John Vento fronts The Nied’s Hotel Band, voted Pittsburgh’s Best Bar Band in 2016. Through his performances, he has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for charity. John is a Communitas Award Winner for his work as co-founder of Band Together Pittsburgh. His leadership, generosity and work ethic are well known throughout the Pittsburgh music scene. John is a #1 international iTunes charting artist, a Billboard Magazine Emerging Artist and a 2019 International Music and Entertainment Association Award Winner. He has appeared on Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC TV.
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Lyrics – “Let God Drive”
I was lost in the desert
In a sandstorm of lust and greed
On my knees, filled with shame
Prayed for grace
Jesus rescue me
I was drowning in the ocean
In a sea of addiction and lies
Couldn’t catch my breath
Near death
Then the Lord opened my eyes
I was headed in the wrong direction
Thought I knew what to do, but I couldn’t see
Now I’m Living through his resurrection
Gotta’ trust, have faith and let God drive
Let God drive, Alright!
Let God drive. Alright!
I was trapped in a jungle
With an evil serpent on my tongue
Tried to run so fast
From my past
But he forgave me from the cross with his blood
I was headed in the wrong direction
Thought I knew what to do, but I couldn’t see
Now I’m Living through his resurrection
Gotta’ trust, have faith and let God drive
Let God drive, Alright!
Let God drive. Alright!
I was headed in the wrong direction
Thought I knew what to do, but I couldn’t see
Now I’m Living through his resurrection
Gotta’ trust, have faith and let God drive
Let God drive, Alright!
Let God drive. Alright!
Performed by:
John Vento – Lead Voice
David Granati – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass
George Perilli – Drums & Percussion
Fred Delu – Organ & Piano
Voices In The Choir :
Beth Claussen
Eugene Perry
David Granati
Glen Freeman
Joe Freeman
Nicole Freeman