Pete had always participated in school choirs, musicals, and the local karaoke circuit, but it was prompting from family and friends that enticed Schlegel to start a band. With his popularity on the rise and the riggers of touring, Pete would have to choose between his normal life as an ex-Ohio State Trooper and EMS helicopter pilot, and his childhood dream. Pete left the family farm in March 2002 and Pete headed to Nashville, where he began working with producer Clyde Brooks.

Brooks produced Pete's debut album "Strong Stuff". A total of three nationally charted singles were released from "Strong Stuff". The singles "Short For Gone", "Leavin' Ain't As Easy As It Sounds" and "It Takes A Whole Lot Of Liquor To Like Her" have exposed Pete to a wider audience in the United States as well as Europe. "Leavin' Ain't As Easy As It Sounds" dominated the international chart for over seven weeks and became the Number 1 single in Germany. The "It Takes A Whole Lot Of Liquor To Like Her" video was chosen as a Hot Pick Video on Great American Country (GAC) television and received substantial video spins on VH1 Country.

Pete completed his sophomore album "I'm Not Listening" under the direction of Nashville producer Ted Hewitt in January. The first single "Alcohol Abuse" was released mid summer of 2006. His last single and video, "You can't bring her back" was released in 2008. The videos for "Alcohol Abuse" "It Takes A Whole Lotta Liqour To Like Her" and "You can't bring her back" can still be seen on GAC and CMT.

After three years of touring 2005, 2006, 2007 with Daryle Singletary and Jeff Carson, Pete has came off the road in 2008 to operate his family farm, he still plays select dates, but no longer tours. See Pete in a city near you.