Christian rock band Skillet ascends with ‘Awake,’ to perform in Ames

Christian rock band Skillet will make an appearance at Stephens Auditorium in Ames as part of its “Awake and Alive Tour” at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, with special guests Hawk Nelson, Decyfer Down and The Letter Black.

Tickets are on sale now at the Stephens Auditorium Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster locations, with advance tickets available for $22.50 and tickets priced at $25 the day of the show.

Skillet formed in Memphis, Tenn., in 1996 and consists of John Cooper as lead vocalist and bassist; his wife, Korey Cooper, as rhythm guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist; Ben Kasica as lead guitarist; and the newest member, Jen Ledger, as drummer and vocalist. Skillet has released eight albums, two of which have received Grammy nominations. Skillet’s latest album, “Awake,” which was released in August, charted at #2 on the Billboard top 200 selling around 68,000 units in its first week. It also tied the record for highest-charting Christian album on The Billboard 200 with Underoath’s 2006 release “Define the Great Line” as both albums debuted at #2.

John Cooper and producer Brian Howes recently collected two BMI Music Awards for “The Last Night” and “The Older I Get,” both featured on 2006’s Grammy Award-nominated “Comatose” album. That album proved Skillet’s most popular work to date, with sales now approaching RIAA gold certification. “Comatose” followed the band’s 2003 label debut, “Collide,” which launched Skillet into the mainstream while also garnering their first Grammy Award nomination.

For more information, visit www.skillet.com or www.myspace.com/skilletmusic. Call (800) 745-3000 for visit www.ticketmaster.com for tickets to the Ames show.