Skillet has sold 22 million albums, earned 5 #1 singles on mainstream rock radio, and played arenas alongside Slipknot, Korn, and Nickelback — while never once backing down from their faith.
But almost nobody knows the real story of how they got there. Their own label tried to sabotage them. Atlantic Records passed — twice. A rival manager tried to kill their deal from a golf course. And when they finally broke through, the hardest thing they’d face wasn’t the industry. It was waiting for them at home.
In a recent interview with Alisa Childers, John and Korey opened up about that painful chapter — and how NAR theology had shaped the church they called home.
I sat down with Zach Kelm, their manager for over two decades — the man who was in the room, made the deals, and saw the vision through — to tell the story that’s never been fully told.
This is the whole Skillet story. And why they didn’t deconstruct.
CHAPTERS
0:00:00 — Why a mother prophesied her son would lead people to hell
0:00:38 — The band nobody believed in
0:01:40 — Who is Ainslie Grosser / What is this channel
0:02:41 — John Cooper’s origin story: Memphis, music, and a mother’s faith
0:04:52 — The decision: prophecy vs. calling
0:05:55 — Enter Korey: how the band’s secret weapon joined
0:07:11 — DeGarmo and Key, Forefront Records, and the first deal
0:07:56 — Five records, seven years, and the crossover dream
0:08:28 — Enter Zach Kelm: the 25-year-old who bet everything on Skillet
0:09:35 — Paul Ebersold, the major label feeding frenzy, and what Atlantic did in ‘98
0:10:46 — John Cooper’s line in the sand: “Not ashamed. Next question.”
0:11:28 — Lava Records, the sabotage, and the golf course
0:13:35 — Brian Howes, Comatose, and the Grammy nomination
0:14:11 — Drummer Lori Peters retires — and trains her replacement herself
0:14:24 — Jen Ledger: the 18-year-old who almost talked herself out of the job
0:16:17 — Awake (2009): Howard Benson, Monster, and 7 billion streams
0:17:07 — Rise through Dominion: five #1 singles and a band that kept evolving
0:18:42 — The show: the reply-all email that launched Skillet’s arena production
0:20:36 — Ben Kasica exits; Seth Morrison era begins
0:21:15 — What the songs were really about and who they were really for
0:21:57 — The promoter who told John to stop talking about Jesus
0:22:17 — The couple from the adult film industry, and why they never stopped
0:23:22 — Kenosha, the church, and the hardest years of John’s life
0:26:59 — The rock world turns to faith: Jacoby Shaddix, Clint Lowery, Billy Corgan
0:27:50 — John Cooper’s careful words on what’s happening right now
0:28:35 — Revolution (2024): Skillet’s first record on their own label
0:29:05 — Zach Kelm: what this band has actually accomplished
0:29:37 — What it means: the mother’s prophecy revisited
SOURCES & INTERVIEWS USED
All clips used under commentary and criticism (Fair Use, 17 U.S.C. § 107).
Primary interviews: (All clips used for commentary and criticism under Fair Use (17 U.S.C. § 107).
John Cooper — Tell Us a Good Story
John & Korey Cooper — Allie Beth Stuckey / Relatable
John & Korey Cooper — Alisa Childers Podcast
Zach Kelm — More Cowbell Please (Episode 1)
John Cooper — Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx
Jen Ledger — Audition Story Interview
Ben Kasica Departure Interview
About this channel: More Cowbell Please is an inside look at Christian music — the stories behind the songs, the deals, the faith, and the people who made it happen. I’m Ainslie Grosser, mix engineer in CCM for 30+ years.
🎙 More Cowbell Please Podcast → [link in Podcast tab]
Subscribe if you want more of this. There’s always more to the story than what you see on the stage.
source
I’ve been sitting on this interview for months because I wanted to do it justice. Skillet doesn’t get talked about the way they should. 30 years. 22 million albums. Still standing. Still not ashamed. This one mattered to me.
What’s your Skillet story?
If this moved you — a like genuinely helps more people find it. And subscribe for more stories like this:
https://www.youtube.com/@MoreCowbellPleasePodcast?sub_confirmation=1
CORRECTIONS:
1. Russia. I say the government has "never welcomed the faith of Jesus." Too strong — Orthodoxy there is a thousand years old and central to public life. The accurate version is narrower: the state privileges one church and restricts the others. Evangelism outside a registered building has been illegal since 2016 and that law is enforced. That's the government, not the people — and the people are the 8,000 in Moscow.
2. Jen Ledger. At 14:43 I say she had no idea who Skillet was when she arrived in Kenosha. Not right — she knew of the band before the audition, though how far in advance isn't clear. She was also close friends with Korey's sisters, which is how the audition came about at all.
3. Wrong photo. In the section on John and Korey, there's a shot of John with Jen Ledger. Entirely mine, and a strong argument for wearing my glasses during the edit.
4. Kenosha does not get nine months of snow a year, just 8. Much more mild right?. In my defence, that came from someone who grew up there, and I'm told hyperbole is part of the local climate.
Skillet helped me at school when I was bullied and found it hard. Helped me cling to Jesus through it all and have some fun while doing it!
Love the band Skillet. I am a Christian and I love the clean from your heart music that is their message to the broken peoples. Keep leading others to Christ. That is the only mission that matters in these dark days!
I got to see them just before Awake released, and they played Monster as a "teaser" and I knew they would blow up and next thing you know they were on the actual normal rock radio.
Russia has never been friendly to faith??? LMFAOOO
Putin is literally an Orthodox Christian
Skillet sucks ass…
Skillet's music has never been my thing but I really like John & Korey Cooper. I have a lot of respect for them and the message they carry and proclaim to their audiences. BTW, it does not snow 9 months a year in Kenosha. Try 3. I had no idea they lived there. I'm 30 miles up the road in Milwaukee. I really hope their former church collapses. It's evil.
Used to help put on a music festival called Fall Quest here in GA. John and the boys (a trio at the time) were so gracious that we kept having them back. Each year, John would remember my name and ask me about my walk. That's really stuck with me. Especially when I thought of him as just some kid… me being all of 6 years older. LOL
Jesus Christ is my God. God bless all
@3:00 Memphis is sketchy when it comes to modern mainstream Rock. They banned Tool for a bit for performing AEnima and Sober in 1998 iirc.
If you understand what secular music is, & what hollywood or should I say, "hollyweird" is all about, then you know, and you know what they do in order to achieve that level of fame. Skillet is amazing.They actually performed at delago casino 2 yrs ago, and I worked at the truck stop across the street, but I unfortunately could not attend the event. Had i known they were serious about faith i'd have gone.. Sorta sucks when some sell out to "the industry" for those curious? Audit your music. Ever jammed out to highway to hell, yet never wonder why?? So sometimes I wonder if the world is lost between soylent green & idiocracy. I believe we should honor our Brother & King Always💪🎉💯✝️
Christ gives more strength the most will give him credit for & it's sad that grok, an, AI is on the verge of limitless boundaries they say. Yet grok was asked to remove all the false god's & all got removed but one. ✝️
It does not snow 9 months of the year in Kenosha. It doesn't even snow that much in Green Bay.
I saw Skillet the first time on the Comatose tour at Winter Jam. I instantly became a fan, bought the Comatose cd that night. I’ve seen them a few times since, always a great show.
I really only listen to Christian music now and Skillet is one of main reasons why I do. Their music glorifies Jesus, not the world.
My favorite Skillet songs
Surviving the Game
I Want to Live
Fire Inside of Me
Awake and Alive
Whispers in the Dark
Comatose
Unpopular
I think sometimes God puts out 'false prophecies' to challenge us to grow and stay in faith. Had his mother not shared that would he have stayed faithful when told Skillet could be great if they gave up the God thing? Only God knows that answer.
I first heard about SKILLET from Allie Beth Stuckey, and the episode was about the song o come o come emannuel. I loved the sound and never went back. I will forever be a Panhead. I saw them live in Bloomsburg PA and brought my dad along. The feeling in the crowd and the music sweeps you into another world. #SKILLET FOREVER
I bought there first album when I was 21, it didn't really connect with me so I kinda moved on. I found them again with Rebirthing, went back and listened to Collide and have been here ever since. They will always be my favorite band. They are real people, with real struggles who don't pretend that Christianity is all sunshine and rainbows. They've helped me keep my oldest daughter connected to Jesus even if just a little bit for now. I learned alot from this and a couple other interviews I watched in the last couple of days. Just saw them again live in Omaha a couple of days ago. Thank you for this great little documentary.
I have been a fan of them since the beginning. We were so blessed to see them when they first started!
AMEN Yes!!!
They're not Christian. They may be making people look towards god , but the whole genre is not christian , and it does lead kids astray. You can't set at both tables. I know it's tough out there and the most evil of men can lead someone to god. He doesn't claim to be christian though. I thought the music was great at first until I saw and felt it. They may certainly reach people that the church can't.I will say that. What they're doing isn't an evil thing. It's more of a gateway band in the middle of dark and demonic music. It's better than no band. I have yet to find where they say jesus anywhere in their music.
I bet it was a warning from his mom if they didn't stand on God Jesus. I'm glad they have stood on their faith never stop keep going
Funny enough, my dad actually was the one to give me Skillet CDs as a kid. I absolutely love that band. Never seen them in concert, only really know two albums, but their music does have a big role in my childhood.
Thank you for sharing this interview series. I have always liked skillet and it is amazing to hear his story and see how he would not bend to pressure from the indestry to be more like other artists. I am sad that our parents would not accept bands like skillet the same way they did for some of the other christian bands who are even now still on the radio. It is understandable that its hard to have certain styles of music on the radio but I would not have learned about some like "seven day slumber" accept for a festival. Fringe stages are very important for up and coming christian rock bands.
I got to see these guys at a Christian college in Oregon during the Alien Youth Tour and they had their skillet with them and got to see and talk to him after finishing at a church in Eugene love these guys. Another note Invincible was my Hybrid Theory especially Angels Fall down i listened to that so many times.
Skillet is aggressive and hard, certainly not the fruit of the Spirit. All music can be discerned by having the fruits of the Spirit, or not – Skillet's music is not.
I have known Skillet for years now, and they have released great albums, I even used songs from them for work
But one question is still concerning me: Is John really a Trump fan? If that's true, why? Doesn't John see, what his president is doing in his own country?
I’m not even Christian but there music is PEAK
Awake is definitely there best album imo
You think about revival in the 60s and 70s … and then I watched this video and thought wow is it going to happen again? I hope it does, I grew up listening to rock music and I was saved ten/eleven years ago …. And the Lord does not do what we expect he has his own plan. We are seeing God move in an industry that has been criticized by the church, rock music industry has had a rough road. This is starting to remind me of the 60s and 70s, this will be messy like before…. But it will tear down a boundary. I would not be surprised if we see more artists coming to Christ as their Lord and Savior moving forward.
Great video. While I feel bad for John that his mom passed so young, it shows us how our imperfect theology and doctrines while well meaning can be anti -GOD. It's important to have sound doctrine and realize GOD is GOD and He won't stay in the boxes we put Him in. He turned that "prophecy" on its head and used John in a mighty way. Our LORD, OUR GOD, OUR SAVIOUR, And OUR KING is Coming, prepare the way of the LORD we will see Him very soon. Take care.
I feel like there was a skillet song that carried me through every major season in my life… Stars was my anthem when my grandma was diagnosed with cancer in 2016. The Thirst is Taking Over and Angels Fall Down (specifically the live version from Comatose Comes Alive) have been a staple of my prayer and worship playlist for years. Comatose was the album that brought gave me and my younger brothers something to bond over, and we still bond over our love of the band. I’m hoping to take my sons to their first concert with me next year!
skillet fan since the early 2000s here.. their music kept me grounded in my faith outside..
Russia now is a Christian nation.
I don't mean to sound like a troll, but I just wanted to point something out around 6 minutes into the video: I understand using examples of other band's merch booth along side a picture of Skillet's booth to show how they've toured with secular groups (but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't and never have toured with Satyricon lol). Very informative video, though. 👍
SKILLET FOREVER
We're in training now for eternity in Jesus name Amen ❤🥳🎊🎉🔥💯✌️
There was a part of the video where the record companies promised to promote Christian rock bands if they play down Christ. You then showed a picture of POD. I think they are the perfect example. I heard their songs on the radio in the 2000s but there was nothing overtly Christian about them and I feel like they sold out big time. Perhaps they rationalised it that if they were hugely successful, they'd be able to spread their message in concerts or through B sides or something
God literally COOKED when He pulled Skillet through it all.
He got out His Skillet, stirred up the ingredients and witnessed His own creation fulfill the purpose He had placed over them to steward. All glory and praise to the almighty, and matchless Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN 🙏
Thank you, God! For Skillet.
You are a perfect Father, and an even better cook. 💕
I accidentally attended a Skillet concert long before they were famous, in Five Points in Birmingham. My friend confused them with a different band and grumbled the whole time. I had a blast.
A few years later they were on the radio.
I was raised the same way… My grandmother grounded me because I had a Petra tape. It was demonic!
It’s John Landrum Cooper. Not John Michael Cooper
I was a Rigger for concerts right after high school school for a few years and I got to rig an outdoor venue where skillet and KORN played together. Still have videos from it!
Just saw Skillet for the 92nd time with my daughter. She's the same age I was when I started following them and now I'm taking her to shows with me, this was her 28th show. John pointed me out on the crowd as he talked about how Skillet had some of the most loyal fans, just not many of them in their first 10 years. They are the kindest people ever. I just got tickets to take my mom, brother, 3 kids and 3 of their friends and can't wait.
This band gave me so much hope and encouragement through my teen years and even adulthood and I've been able to give them a letter to tell them how much they mean to me and what they've gotten me through.
The best thing that we can do for Skillet is to pray for them. Pray that God gives them strength and courage to carry the gospel and keep the faith and to be clearly separated from the world. Pray that they grow in their walk with God that they might be vessels to show His love unto a lost world. Only the Lord can speak as to what their impact has been but we have the power to lift them up to Christ that they would be in the will of God.
my main issue with skillet is that they tour with actually demonic bands. like slipknot. i believe there are people (myself included) who love specific genres more than others and need christian music that caters to that to keep our eyes on what is good. so no, i do not think their music is demonic. i think they send a message that its okay to surround yourself with unrepentant, demonic people and dabble in demonic things because God is forgiving, but that's not a good message to send. Jesus sat with sinners who had ears to hear, and eyes to see. not unrepentant ones. that's why he rebuked the pharisees over and over.
Russia unfriendly to the Christian faith? Someone has been drinking the mainstream media kool-aid.. its one of the most Christian countries. Unless youre one of the folks that doesn't understand Orthodoxy. They just banned Satanism.
wow , amazing story , everyone has a background for sure , I just wish I where like in a band like them , but well , I am still waiting for my time !!!
This is Awesome 👍👍 what an amazing Testimony for Jesus… people wake up, Jesus Christ is your Father and Creator, why would you not want His help? He is ok with your past and He died so that past can be wiped away. Just pray, talk to Him like you would talk to a best friend and Parent combined and I'm talking about about a Dad that has always helped you and never left you behind or a friend who always picks up the phone always has a bed or couch with your name on it in hard times…Jesus Christ is all that and MORE. A MILLION TIMES MORE… Y people think it's not cool to be a Christian are the people who need Jesus the most, there just embarrassed and have to much pride to ask for help, they are there own gods…and it never will work out for them…Choose Jesus, He knows how many hairs are on your head, when He created you, He gave you Free Will, He didn't want a robot programmed to Love Him, He wanted a relationship with you and He wanted you to Love Him because of Who He is and what He has done for you. Being a Christian is not uncool being a Christian is being Loved by your creator and Loving Him back for all that He has done and for a Future with Him for all of eternity. Don't wait any longer, death does not warn you the day before, so don't say Tom or next week
Do it NOW. Ask Him to be the Lord of Your life!!?
Skillet was one of the first rock metal bands I was exposed to and I latched onto their music and message ever since. They were the sound track to my youth.
Skillet has been one of my favorite Christian Rock Bands since 2009. Their music has helped me in so many ways since then. One day I hope to see them in concert. I saw them at Winter Jam one year but I want to go to a Skillet show one day.
I got introduced to Skillet not long after I got out of highschool. I've loved them ever since. My seven year old loves them, his favorite song is Psycho in My Head. He has no idea what it means, and sometimes he gets the lyrics wrong, but he loves the rock. There are so many songs I can relate to, but I think my favorites are Stars and Anchor. I love it when they slow it down sometimes, and those two songs just stay with me. I find myself asking God to anchor me when I start to feel stressed or depressed.
Satan worship dressed up like God. Satan sits in the temple proclaiming he is God. Our bodies are the temple and the spirit of Satan entered into the temple to reflect the image of the world and the beast so that people worship that as God.