Kacey Woosley
Staff Writer
Passion, edginess and creativity were all showcased at AG Silver’s performance on campus Oct 15.
The concert was a benefit for Blood:Water Mission, which digs wells in Africa. Band members Jon Ornee, Chris McKellar, Aaron Cowan and Josh Schicker, as well as opener Craig Vanderwier, have partnered with the mission group to serve these needy communities.
Ornee, a vocalist for the band, encouraged students to, “find a way to wed what you love to do with what you need to do.”
He, himself, was once conflicted with this issue. He loved music but also had a desire for social justice. This caused him to take a step back and evaluate what he would want to do if he wasn’t doing music. He realized, “Why can’t I do both?” He noted that Christians often feel pressured to sacrifice what they love to do what they should do.
“Sacrifice is at the heart of the Christian story, but sometimes it can be highlighted too much,” he said.
By pursuing music and partnering with Blood:Water Mission, the band is impacting people thousands of miles away
Opening for the band was artist Josh Schicher, who brought in past experience with Blood:Water Mission. His connection with Jars of Clay, who founded the agency, and a summer outreach in Africa inspired him do a benefit concert for his 2005 CD release of “Moonlighting.” For every CD sale, $1 went towards Blood:Water Mission.
AG Silver’s talent and passion began when Ornee, McKellar and Vanderwier got together for a ninth-grade talent show. Cowan joined the band in 2007 to complete the “thoughtful rock and roll” band, as described by Ornee.
When asked what the band likes to do for fun, Ornee’s prompt response was “to act like middle schoolers!” They entertain themselves by playing random games such as Bocce Ball, Home Run Derby, or seeing how many times they can bounce a croquet ball on a croquet mallet.
Flexibility is key to the band members’ random fun and adventures. Their obvious gifts and passions to make a difference are making a ripple effect and simply started with what Ornee described as “trying to figure out a song to play that didn’t totally suck.”