
About
Raised on a dairy farm in Paulding, Ohio, Pete listened to
country radio shows while milking the cows as a child. This early exposure to
the radio shows grew his passion for country music. He
worked as a state trooper and EMS helicopter pilot but ultimately, it was his
love of country music that drove him to pursue his dream of performing.
He headed to Nashville in 2002, where he began working with
producer Clyde Brooks.Brooks produced Pete's debut album, "Strong Stuff,”
which saw three singles burst onto national charts. The singles "Short For
Gone,” "Leavin' Ain't As Easy As It Sounds," and "It Takes A
Whole Lot Of Liquor To Like Her" exposed Pete to a wider audience in the
US and Europe. "Leavin' Ain't As Easy As It Sounds" would go on to
dominate international charts for over seven weeks, and became the Number 1
single in Germany. The video of "It Takes A Whole Lot Of Liquor To Like
Her" was chosen as a Hot Pick Video on Great American Country (GAC) and
received substantial video spins on VH1 Country.
In 2005-2008 Schlegel went on tour with Daryle Singletary and
Jeff Carson. During this time, under the direction of Nashville producer Ted
Hewitt, Pete completed his sophomore album, "I'm Not Listening." The
first single, "Alcohol Abuse" was released in the summer of that
2006. The single, "You Can't Bring Her Back" was released in 2008.
Both videos can still be seen regularly on GAC and CMT.
After a short hiatus,Pete’s fourth album was released in April
of 2014. A collaboration with Grammy nominated Nashville producer Greg Cole,
“That’s What I Believe” provided fresh material for radio release, as well as
some of Pete’s all-time favorite "true" country songs.
Cole would also produce Pete’s fifth album, “Rusty Ole Halo” (a
southern gospel album). The track, “My God” which featured the guest vocals of
Darrin Vincent and Aaron McCune attracted the attention of Nashville based Joe
Kelly Entertainment and On The Rhodes Entertainment group, who signed Pete in
September of 2016 with the intention of releasing and promoting singles from
this album, “That’s What I Believe” and his 2017 release “J-Town
#realcountryandproud”
Schlegel released his sixth album J-Town #realcountryandproud on
February 13, 2017. It includes 10 songs that he has either written or co-written.
Saving Country Music reviewed the new CD with a 1 ¾ GUNS UP (8/10), “A cross between Don Williams and Mark Chesnutt.”
The first single to radio is “I
Don’t Drink Anymore” charted at 57 on the Music Row Charts and is currently receiving airplay across the world. The single is being worked by the radio
promotion team of Anne Chrisman, Anne Sarosdy and Regina Raleigh.
Listen to and request Pete on your favorite radio station and
see him in a city near you in 2021!