Jen Ledger

Jennifer Carole Ledger (born 8 December 1989) is an English singer, drummer and co-vocalist for the American Christian rock band Skillet.[1] At the age of 18, she became Skillet's drummer when Lori Peters retired.[1][2]

Jen Ledger
Ledger in 2019
Ledger in 2019
Background information
Birth nameJennifer Carole Ledger
Born (1989-12-08) 8 December 1989
OriginCoventry, England
GenresHard rock, Christian rock, alternative metal, Christian metal
Occupation(s)Musician, singer
Instrument(s)Drums, vocals
Years active2008–present
Member ofSkillet, Ledger

Ledger released a solo EP in 2018 under the name Ledger. Several songs hit the Christian Rock chart and several other songs hit the Contemporary Christian music chart.

Early life

Ledger was born in Coventry and started playing the drums when she was 13.[3] Ledger attended Coventry Blue Coat Church of England School where she passed her GCSEs.[4] She played drums in a local band and was a finalist for the United Kingdom Drummer of the Year competition in 2006.[1]

She relocated to the United States at age 16 to major in drums with a scholarship at Living Light School of Worship in Kenosha, Wisconsin.[4] She joined the band The Spark; since the band already had a drummer, she played bass.[1]

Musical career

With Skillet
Main article: Skillet (band)
Ledger drumming in 2017

Band members from Skillet discovered Ledger when they attended church services in the United States, where she was living at the time, and asked Ledger to audition for an open drummer spot in the band.[4] She has been Skillet's drummer and female vocalist since 2008, beginning with their promotional tour for the album Comatose.[4][5]

Solo

Ledger stated that she and bandmate Korey Cooper began to write music for her own pop-influenced solo-project album in about 2012.[6]

In March 2018, it was announced that her debut EP, Ledger, was scheduled to be released on 13 April.[7] She has signed a deal with Atlantic Records and Hear it Loud, the imprint launched by Skillet's John and Korey Cooper and manager Zachary Kelm.[7] Ledger was produced by Korey Cooper along with writer and producer Seth Mosley.[7] Ledger was named the opening act for Skillet's Unleashed tour.[7] On 6 April, she released an official audio for the song "Not Dead Yet" on YouTube.[8] In a 2018 Billboard article, Deborah Evans Price stated that “Ledger wrote “Not Dead Yet” about a difficult time in her life when she was badly struggling with anxiety, fear and panic attacks.”[9]

On 8 October 2018, it was announced that Ledger would be performing at the 2019 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, along with Newsboys, Danny Gokey, Mandisa and Rend Collective.[10]

On 15 February 2019, Ledger released her non-album single, "Completely,"[11] followed by a music video published on 27 March.[12]

On 14 February 2020, Ledger released her second non-album single, "My Arms", which was accompanied by a lyric video the same day.[13]

Personal life

Ledger became a US citizen on 1 April 2021.[14]

Discography
Ledger performing in 2019

With Skillet
Main article: Skillet discography

Extended plays
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[15]		 US
Christ
[15]		 US
Rock
[15]		 US
Alt.
[16]
Ledger 63273

Singles
Year Single US Main.

[18]

 Christ.
Rock		 US Christ. Christ.
Airplay		 Album
2018 "Not Dead Yet" 31 1
[19]		 — — Ledger (EP)
"Bold" — — —[upper-alpha 1] —
"Warrior"
(featuring John Cooper)		 — 2
[21]		 — —
2019 "Completely" — — 29 28 non-album single
2020 "My Arms" — — 32 32

Music videos
Year Title Director Album
2018 "Not Dead Yet" Roland Bingaman Ledger
2019 "Completely"
  • The Elements – "Neon Feather" remix – TobyMac featuring Ledger

Awards
YearAwardCategoryResultSource
2012Drummies! AwardRising StarWon[22]
Independent DrummerWon

Notes
  1. "Bold" did not enter the Hot Christian Songs chart, but peaked at No. 10 on the Christian Hot AC/CHR chart.[20]

References
  1. Smith, Angela (2014). Women Drummers: A History from Rock and Jazz to Blues and Country. Scarecrow Press. pp. 169–170. ISBN 9780810888357. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  2. Skillet drummer exits; Jesus Freak Hideout reprint of John Cooper press release, 14 January 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2008
  3. "Jen Ledger of Skillet". Modern Drummer Magazine. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  4. Waddington, Jenny (20 May 2008). "Coventry teen Jennifer Ledger rocks all over America". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  5. "New Drummer". crossrhythms.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  6. "Ledger, 'Not Dead Yet' - Exclusive Song Premiere". Loudwire. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  7. "Skillet's Jen Ledger Inks Solo Deal, Releasing EP Next Month: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  8. "Not Dead Yet (Official Audio)". LEDGER. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  9. Evans Price, Deborah (16 August 2018). "Jen Ledger Overcomes the Odds in 'Not Dead Yet' Video: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  10. Clarks, Jessie (9 October 2018). "Winter Jam 2019 Tour Details Announced". TheChristianBeat.org. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  11. Cluver, Ross (15 February 2019). "LEDGER Releases Compelling New Single 'Completely'". CCM Magazine. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  12. Blabbermouth (26 March 2019). "SKILLET Drummer JEN LEDGER Celebrates God's Love In New Video, 'Completely'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  13. "LEDGER Drops New Single & Lyric Video 'My Arms'". 14 February 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  14. "I BECAME AN AMERICAN CITIZEN TODAY!". Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  15. "Skillet Side Project Ledger Debuts at No. 5 on Emerging Artists Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  16. "Chart Search | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  17. "Metal By Numbers 4/25: Breaking Benjamin's sales are hotMetal Insider". 25 April 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  18. "Rock Music: Top Mainstream Rock Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  19. "Christian Rock | Week of 2 June 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  20. "Chart Search | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  21. "Christian Rock | Week of 8 December 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  22. "'Skillet's' 'Jen Ledger' Named 'Rising Star' in Drum Magazine's 2012 Drummies Award". The Metal Resource - mauce.nl. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
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