-FROM HEART TO HEART-
The Norwegian singer-songwriter Arvid Pettersen has recorded 8 albums, he has written about 200 songs and his music videos and concerts have been broadcasted through radio and television to more than 50 nations. About 1200 LIVE prformances in 15 countries have made his name known on all continents.
Arvids music is known by the special atmosphere, and a sacred presence. As he sais: “I am personally deeply inspired by The Spirit of God, and his word, that’s why my albums and concerts possesses the same inspiration”. Arvid’s desire to bring faith, hope and love is evident, and his commitment to charity goes hand-in-hand with his music.
The sound is acoustic and the use of real strings, real drums, etc makes the productions sound very “true”. This genuine signature is also remarkable in his lyrics. His obvious disesteem towards lyrical and musical clichés results in personal and very authentic songs. Arvids piano performances are known as characteristic and very affectional. He often mentions his dependency of the spiritual inspiration “in the moment.”
Arvid Pettersen has performed in a variety of places. From the Parliament buildings in Brussels, Bucharest, and Oslo, significant churches and concert halls in USA, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Romania, Armenia, Macedonia, Russia, Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, etc, to small gatherings in children’s homes, soup stations and camps. His audience is all kinds of people. From top political leaders and members of royal families to prisoners, homeless people and poor children.
By using the language of music to encourage, inspire and comfort people, Arvid has become an appreciated missionary of hope. He asserts that music has got to be passionate, and it has to flow, as he sais, from heart to heart.
SOME OLDER REPORTS: http://www.home.no/praise/reports.html
When did you start playing the piano?
ARVID: My mother bought our first piano when I was nine. We would love to buy one before, but my father died, and my mother couldn’t afford it. She actually drew a piano on a long piece of paper, and I practiced on that for a while. When we eventually got a real piano, I probably used it every day till I moved out at the age of 20.
2:
When did you start singing and playing in public?
ARVID:
When I was nine I started as a pianist in the local church.
3:
How many records have you sold?
ARVID: About 15.000 in Norway. Outside Norway I am not sure.
4:
How important are sales numbers for you?
ARVID: I want to have as much influence as I possibly can. But I would rather sell 15.000 records that people listen to again and again, than selling a million records that people only play once, and then forget.
5:
How often do you have concerts and other gigs?
ARVID:
About 120-130 gigs a year.
6:
How do you combine that with family life?
ARVID:
I take every Monday off. And when I´m home, I focus first on the family. The concerts are mostly in the week-ends, so I actually think I have more time with my family than other fathers have during the week-time.
7:
You cooperate with different musicians from place to place. Do you have a big team who alternate on joining you on the road?
ARVID: Yes, that’s right. When you play almost every third day of the year, it is obvious that the same bass player, singer or violin-player can’t join me every time. They have other things to do as well. I have 4-5 different drummers, 3-4 different bass-players, 2-3 different guitarists, about 6 different strings players, 3 different blowers and 6-7 different singers.
8:
How many songs have you written?
ARVID: There is about 200 songs registered on me in the official Norwegian register, TONO.
9:
What is the most important thing in your life?
ARVID: In the visible realm, it is my family and friends, in the invisible realm, it is the prescence of God.
10: Why do you have a big lion on your CD “Tid med deg” (Time With You)?
ARVID:I like lions.