Band Announcement

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  • Band Announcement
    Posted by John
    on February 13, 2011
    Panheads, fans, friends, and rockers,

    What's up everybody? We have just returned home from Australia,  New Zealand, and Japan, where we had an awesome tour! However, as we are taking a little time off, we have a sad message to share with you. Our long-time guitarist Ben Kasica is going to end his time with Skillet. We have had 10 years working together, and it has been an amazing ride! From the years we spent driving through the night in a van; to playing concerts all the way around the world, I've seen Ben transform from the kid who was nervous to play a guitar solo, to the rocker who now plays a solo...with his teeth! I always knew the time would come for Ben to leave and pursue other dreams, and now it is here.  We are a family and we are going to miss him.  We appreciate how hard he has worked for us and wish him the best in his  life off the road.   We have asked Ben if he would like to give a  message to the fans, being that I'm sure all of you would like to hear from him, and of course he did:

    Hello panheads. After 10 amazing years of playing with Skillet, as John has told you, I will be leaving the band. This has been an incredible journey for me. Joining the band shortly after turning 16 and basically growing up on the road, I had no idea how long the ride would last but have enjoyed it immensely and been thankful to God for everything I've been a part of. We've traveled to loads of places, met many many wonderful people, drunk way too much coffee, made tons of memories and hopefully touched lives with eternity. I feel completely blessed and honored to have been a part of Skillet's history. I want to thank John and Korey for the opportunity of a lifetime. They've been encouraging, compassionate, long-suffering  with me and it's been what's kept me going on all these years. I'm grateful for their years of input in my spiritual, personal and business life. They're amazing, inspiring hardworking people that i have the utmost respect for. I wish them the absolute best in their future in and outside the band.

    After getting off the road, I will be focusing on building my other companies, producing and developing artists at Skies Fall Studios and designing for LifeLoveMusic Clothing. I also look forward very much to being home and catching up on churchlife, family and friends.

    I want to thank you panheads for 10 years of incredible support. You've been encouraging over the years and made touring an amazing experience. You are the absolute best fans ever.

    Thank you
    Benjamin Judah Kasica

    We appreciate Ben's work , we love him, and wish him the best in his music and various business ventures. Thanks to all of the fans for your support,  and we will see you  all soon on tour!

    Stand and be strong,
    John Cooper


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John's picture
Submitted by John
on February 13, 2011 - 7:00pm
Panheads, fans, friends, and rockers,

What's up everybody? We have just returned home from Australia,  New Zealand, and Japan, where we had an awesome tour! However, as we are taking a little time off, we have a sad message to share with you. Our long-time guitarist Ben Kasica is going to end his time with Skillet. We have had 10 years working together, and it has been an amazing ride! From the years we spent driving through the night in a van; to playing concerts all the way around the world, I've seen Ben transform from the kid who was nervous to play a guitar solo, to the rocker who now plays a solo...with his teeth! I always knew the time would come for Ben to leave and pursue other dreams, and now it is here.  We are a family and we are going to miss him.  We appreciate how hard he has worked for us and wish him the best in his  life off the road.   We have asked Ben if he would like to give a  message to the fans, being that I'm sure all of you would like to hear from him, and of course he did:

Hello panheads. After 10 amazing years of playing with Skillet, as John has told you, I will be leaving the band. This has been an incredible journey for me. Joining the band shortly after turning 16 and basically growing up on the road, I had no idea how long the ride would last but have enjoyed it immensely and been thankful to God for everything I've been a part of. We've traveled to loads of places, met many many wonderful people, drunk way too much coffee, made tons of memories and hopefully touched lives with eternity. I feel completely blessed and honored to have been a part of Skillet's history. I want to thank John and Korey for the opportunity of a lifetime. They've been encouraging, compassionate, long-suffering  with me and it's been what's kept me going on all these years. I'm grateful for their years of input in my spiritual, personal and business life. They're amazing, inspiring hardworking people that i have the utmost respect for. I wish them the absolute best in their future in and outside the band.

After getting off the road, I will be focusing on building my other companies, producing and developing artists at Skies Fall Studios and designing for LifeLoveMusic Clothing. I also look forward very much to being home and catching up on churchlife, family and friends.

I want to thank you panheads for 10 years of incredible support. You've been encouraging over the years and made touring an amazing experience. You are the absolute best fans ever.

Thank you
Benjamin Judah Kasica

We appreciate Ben's work , we love him, and wish him the best in his music and various business ventures. Thanks to all of the fans for your support,  and we will see you  all soon on tour!

Stand and be strong,
John Cooper


Comments

Madiosn_of_music's picture

February 24, 2011 - 7:47pm — Madiosn_of_music
AW DANG! Ben, I can't believe you're leaving. You were my inspiration for playing the guitar, the reason I started actually. I wish you luck for where ever life takes you!
RC103's picture

February 24, 2011 - 6:54pm — RC103
Ben ur the best part of skillet... im gonna miss u and John i know many great guitarists if u wanna get a new one just find me on facebook Ryker Clayton or email me at ryker7194@gmail.com love yall
ac87f's picture

February 24, 2011 - 11:58am — ac87f
Whos gonna b the replacement?
perlsx809's picture

February 24, 2011 - 11:55am — perlsx809
Ben we'll miss you....Skillet won't be the same without you but I hope you succeed as a Solo and I know you will ;)
Magda z Polski's picture

February 24, 2011 - 10:57am — Magda z Polski
"How can Ben leave Skillet? That's like my eyes leaving my skull to fend for itself!" It will not be the same with out you... i can't believe it ;( Come to Poland, please ! I love Skillet !
Panhead2011's picture

February 23, 2011 - 9:34pm — Panhead2011
Ben you will be loved by us fans. It will not mbe the same with out you. I hope you can show someone else how to make good podcasts =) we love you man
Alive to Shine's picture

February 23, 2011 - 8:42pm — Alive to Shine
I can't believe it!!! I just hope and pray that God will lead and guide you in your future. May the Lord Bless You and Keep You!!!
PastFighter's picture

February 23, 2011 - 8:27pm — PastFighter
:D God bless y'all
the_hammer's picture

February 23, 2011 - 6:09pm — the_hammer
How can Ben leave Skillet? That's like my eyes leaving my skull to fend for itself!
Gibson707's picture

February 23, 2011 - 5:08pm — Gibson707
Ill Play for Skillet
AndreaSkillet's picture

February 23, 2011 - 4:47pm — AndreaSkillet
=( !!Ben we will miss you!!!!!!!you have given to us a lot of emotion, with all the band.... good luck for all,and Gog bless you... we must to be strong:that's right john....
JCJr5's picture

February 23, 2011 - 4:23pm — JCJr5
God bless you, Ben! we will all miss you! Skillet is still #1 in my book and on my iPod! May God bless the band as well with a new and worthy replacement for Ben Kasica
GREEK SKILLET's picture

February 23, 2011 - 4:16pm — GREEK SKILLET
COME ON WHY THE BAND WONT BE THE SAME WITHOUT BEN BEN WAS AWSOME IF JEN LEAVES TO I AM OUT OF HERE BEN BEST OF LUCK TO U
WiredtoGod's picture

February 23, 2011 - 10:31am — WiredtoGod
a sad day for Skillet fans everywhere. God be with you Ben!!
HURRICANE 23's picture

February 22, 2011 - 9:42pm — HURRICANE 23
WHOS GOING TO BE THE NEW LEAD GUITARIST? BEN WAS AWSOME LOVE YOUR MUSIC AND MY NAME IS COLE FOSTER JUST TO LET YOU KNOW
Seth Cooper's picture

February 22, 2011 - 7:37pm — Seth Cooper
Dang. gonna miss ya Ben. your an awesome guitarist and you r evn like a role model to me in guitar playing. you rock and i wish you the best of luck!
HisAngel101's picture

February 22, 2011 - 6:45pm — HisAngel101
:( I'll miss Ben alot I hope he successful in fulfilling his career and company though. You are a Amazing Rocker and the entire band inspires me to make the best of life and live it loud and be my life through rough times sad times and rocking times :( We will miss you Ben Every Skillet Fan Out their :)
Red Dog's picture

February 22, 2011 - 6:16pm — Red Dog
Ben, you were an awesome rocker and a great inspiration to me as I learned to play the guitar. I hope that where ever it is that God is taking you, that you will continue to pursue him and his plan with all of your heart. We're gonna miss you dude!
Mir's picture

February 22, 2011 - 2:27pm — Mir
you were an awesome person and verry talented guitar player...will miss you a lot Ben:(
living_evidence's picture

February 22, 2011 - 1:27pm — living_evidence
This is so sad! I've grown up with you Ben. I'm so greatful I got the chance to meet you before this happened. You will be greatly missed my friend.
panhead 380's picture

February 22, 2011 - 10:59am — panhead 380
ben im sorry to see you go its sad but we have to respect that pan head for life
Awesome person's picture

February 21, 2011 - 10:03pm — Awesome person
bye bye Ben :( *cry cry*
Skillet4Life_3's picture

February 21, 2011 - 4:22am — Skillet4Life_3
:(
Nrbtheman's picture

February 21, 2011 - 1:42am — Nrbtheman
Rock on! I hope you have very successful time in your various careers, and take them by storm with vigor! Your guitar playing has inspired me to write new songs and to learn as many skillet songs as I possibly can on my guitar. Thank you very much for contributions. You will always be remembered.
brokensunrise's picture

February 20, 2011 - 9:53pm — brokensunrise
thank you for being a big part of skillet god bless you and good luck on everything your gonna be doing we will miss you
KennedyElizabeth's picture

February 20, 2011 - 7:32pm — KennedyElizabeth
I know I'm going to miss you. You are an amazing guitarist ans I wish you the best of luck. God will be with you Ben :)
Samm3skilletjesus's picture

February 20, 2011 - 4:06pm — Samm3skilletjesus
I thank you for being a huge part of skillet:) god bless you on your new path!! We will miss you
Steve Ward's picture

February 20, 2011 - 3:19pm — Steve Ward
Ben I thank you for the ministry that you provided to all the lost souls and thank you for being such and encouragement. I pray God blesses you in all of your future endeavors!!!
tarek samawi's picture

February 20, 2011 - 1:15pm — tarek samawi
:'( ill miss you dude and the amazing songs you guys made oh well enjoy your life man
cbishkit's picture

February 20, 2011 - 11:49am — cbishkit
This is very sad news. Best of luck Ben, you will be missed.

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