ION INDIE MAGAZINE October 2016, Volume 29 | Page 46

Music by ASHLEY WINELAND “Red White and Blue”

Story by Kiki Plesha • Photography by JB Bridges
Music is a source of unification, for it speaks in a language that all can understand.
And it is especially meaningful and its effects far-reaching when it is utilized as a
platform to bring people together and raise awareness for a worthy cause. Recently,
I witnessed “music with a mission” in action—an event benefitting the charitable
organization NO GREATER SACRIFICE; a foundation that provides educational
support to the children of our nation’s wounded and fallen Service men and women.
This was a source of pride for this Editor, especially as ION Indie Magazine served as
a catalyst to unite the two featured bands that would lend their time and talent to
heighten awareness and generate funds for a very important and deserving cause.
I am a firm believer that there are no accidents in life--that much is pre-ordained. Thus, I also believe that it is no coincidence
that both of the bands performing on behalf of No Greater Sacrifice have graced the cover of ION Indie Magazine. And the
fruition of this effort was realized on Saturday, September 10, 2016—when Official CMT artist ASHLEY WINELAND and her
band (NICHOLAS SANDERSON, WHITNEY MEAD, JACOB JOHNSTON and TY NICOLAS THOMPSON) and the award-winning
band, SOUTHERN EXPERIENCE (SCOTT SANDERS, RON HUMPHRIES, NIKAO WALLACE and DANTE PATTERSON), came
together to utilize their musical powers for good. The place was the collegiately popular haunt JAKE’S ON DEVINE in Columbia,
SC. And of course, ION Indie Magazine was on hand to lend a hand—and to witness the fruits of the combined efforts of the
many people that made this auspicious event both a reality and a resounding success. But first--a little “backstory”…