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Music ministry

Madison-based Christian rock group
to perform at Salem festival

‘As I Am’ to open for nationally
recognized Christian musicians

By Lela Jane Bradshaw
Contributing Writer

(August 2009) – When customers drop by the River Valley Financial Bank in downtown Madison, they may not realize that one of the friendly managers assisting them with their accounts is also a rising star on the Christian music scene.

Ryan Nix

Photo provided

Ryan Nix performs with the group
As I Am in August at Adonai
Fest in Salem, Ind.

When Ryan Nix of Milton, Ky., isn’t helping customers, he can often be found singing lead and playing guitar with the Christian rock group “As I Am.” The local group, which performs at North Madison Christian Church, will soon be sharing the stage with musicians from Texas, Nebraska and Minnesota when some of the nation’s popular Christian music performers gather for Adonai Fest in Salem, Ind. Nix explains that As I Am looks to use music “as an instrument to tell others about God.”
As I Am will kick off the upcoming Christian music gathering, Adonai Fest on Aug. 29 at the Salem Speedway. The festival will feature well known Christian musical artists Addison Road, VOTA and Jason Gray. “We are opening up for three national bands – we are the only local band in the show,” says Nix.
While the group has only been playing together for about a year, its music is already reaching the public and touching lives. In addition to Nix, 28, the band includes Madison musicians Tim Schanie on bass, John Burns on drums and Chad Sebree on guitar. Locally, As I Am serves as the worship band for North Madison Christian Church, where bass player Schanie serves as a youth minister. The group is known for its role in the contemporary worship services hosted on Sundays at 4:30 p.m.
The band can also be seen on You Tube performing its single, “Push Me Away.” As I Am worked with Collin Welch, area film producer and student at the Chicago Film Institute, to produce the video, which includes Madison’s historic landmarks.
The appearance of As I Am at Adonai Fest marks the group’s return to the Salem Speedway. They previously took part in another musical gathering that included about 40 bands. Nix characterizes the group’s accomplishments saying, “We’ve had a lot of exciting things happen. It’s pretty exciting what God is doing in our lives.”
Nix explains that the group was invited to take part in Adonai Fest after a promoter attended one of their concerts about six months ago. He is pleased to see the concert organizers “bring these quality bands to this area” in such a way to promote Christian music “in a positive environment.”
The members of As I Am hope to continue to develop together musically and share their message of hope with a growing audience. “Our goal as a band is to eventually get our music out there to people who are hurting and broken and looking for something more,” says Nix.

• Advance tickets for Adonai Fest are available for $10 at the Salem Speedway or or online at www.itickets.com.

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