Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The band will take the stage at 7 p.m.

The Laramar show is part of a tour that is taking the band all across the country. SkeleTour has 16 stops through April 20, 2024. It includes shows in 13 different states.

Bringing a band of this stature to Fort Dodge is a joint project spearheaded by Wendy and Gabriel Casciato and some of their friends. They worked with several other churches and businesses to make the concert happen.

“It started with a couple from another church in town that we know. (Josiah and Amy Kaufman). We connected in a different venue and realized we both like music and working with bands,” said Wendy Casciato. “We both had a vision of bringing music to Fort Dodge that isn’t normally here. People really value bands that are high in quality and also have a high quality message.”

Gabriel Casciato had actually seen Disciple live before and thought it might be a good fit for Fort Dodge, but he wasn’t sure it would happen at first.

“They put on an amazing show. It’s heavy metal, which I like. I thought, why can’t we bring them to Fort Dodge,” he said.

They said they reached out to the Laramar and the management there was willing to waive its rental fee, which is helping to keep the cost of the tickets low. Local businesses also offered to serve as sponsors for the concert.

“They were able to see our vision and wanted to support it,” said Wendy Casciato. “They (the Laramar) are in the beginning stages of their rebranding so they were excited to bring in a quality artist.”

Tickets for the show will be just $10 for general admission. A VIP package including a meet-and-greet with the band will be just $25. Tickets are available on the band’s website, www.disciplerocks.com and they will be sold at the door. They can also be purchased through the Laramar Ballroom website.

The Laramar will have drinks and snacks available for purchase as well.

The band includes Kevin Young, Josiah Prince, Andrew Stanton and Joey West. They are based out of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Formed in 1992, Disciple has recorded 12 albums and three EPs, played thousands of shows worldwide, headlined tours since the late ’90s, has 15 No. 1 singles, sold hundreds of thousands of records, received two Dove Awards and multiple nominations, had its music featured by ESPN’s NFL Live, WWE, Fox Sports, as well as in commercials for CBS’ “CSI: Miami” and “Criminal Minds,” and more.

“You know, rock music isn’t the most popular music genre right now, but it’s also the music genre that will never die,” Young posted on his band’s website. “Rock music always comes back around. And with that, I know what we’ve been called to do, and that’s to do our best to show Christ to people with our music, and with how we interact with them, both on and off the stage.”

Disciple was recently part of the WinterJam tour and had a stop in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena.

“We have made the ticket price very reasonable with the hope of allowing as many people as possible to attend. We are not trying to make a profit, but instead, trying to bring the band in to make a positive impact on our community,” said Wendy Casciato. “Our desire is that this band with a great message could be a positive influence on our community, especially with all of the violence we have had of late.”

Churches providing volunteers include CrossWay Church, Prairie Lakes Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church. Wendy Casciato said most of the churches in town and surrounding communities are helping promote the show.

Business sponsors include The Laramar, Iowa Sportsman, L&M Ethanol, Curt Bacon Body Shop, Justin H Rasch LLC, Walker Bike Shop, Josephson Manufacturing Co., 365 Mechanical, Auto Drive, Modern Sound, Pizza Ranch and Bloomers on Central.

Jimmy Johns, Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart and Dunkin Donuts are providing food donations and the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association has provided promotional support.

“They have all been able to see the value of working together to do something unique and positive,” said Gabriel Casciato. “The response has been overwhelming. It’s beyond what I was expecting.”