take A leap back with The Leading Edge!
About the Band
Our band got together in early 2023 to have fun and play rock and roll music that most of us grew up with during the 60's, 70's and 80's. Adding horns (plus one cello) allow us to be a bit different and play a wider variety of music. From beach parties and class reunions to a Fish Festival and Halloween bashes, we have played a number of gigs since 2023 in and around the Vermilion and northeast Ohio area.
Our next Gig
We will be playing at Jilly's Music Room in Akron on November 7th at 7:00pm.
Contact Us
Have a question or comment? We'd love to hear from you! Visit our 'Contact Us' page to send us a message, give us a call, or connect with us on social media. We're always happy to chat with about your need for festival bands, party band or cover band.
About us
Private Events
We are available to perform for private parties, reunions, company picnics or parties. We can play for up to 3 hours and love venues that have plenty of room for dancing.
A Variety of Events
We love playing at outdoor festivals and community events that feature cover bands. Many of our members grew up or currently live in the Vermilion, Ohio area and we have played in a number of outdoor events in this area. We would be happy to travel in the northern Ohio area and perform at your event.
Meet the Leading Edge Band Members
Guitars
Dom Febbo - Lead Guitar and Vocals
Rob Kruty - Rhythm
Born and raised in the vibrant town of Strongsville, Ohio, Rob Kruty's musical journey began when he first laid hands on his brother's Harmony guitar when he was nine years old. The old Harmony was later traded in for an early 60’s Fender Jaguar that his dad bought at DiFiore’s Music store on Lorain Avenue in Cleveland, OH.
Venturing into the realm of academia, Rob pursued a degree in Economics at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY. Despite the demands of college life, his love for music remained a constant undercurrent. It wasn't until a fortuitous Christmas party in 2022 that Rob's musical destiny would take an unexpected turn.
At the party, amidst the festive ambiance, Rob discovered a guitar standing in the living room. True to his nature, he seized the opportunity to showcase his musical talents.
The morning after the party, Rob received a call from none other than Ken Burkins, the drummer of a local band. Ken extended an invitation to join their musical journey.
Since that serendipitous encounter, Rob Kruty has become an integral part of the Leading Edge Band, contributing his musical skills and infusing energy into their performances. Rob remains a testament to the transformative power of following one's passions, no matter where life's journey may lead.
Keith Holliday – Bass
Born in Pittsburgh, PA raised in Ohio and New Jersey, Keith Holliday’s musical training started with the saxophone and guitar. As a senior in high school, he impulsively took up the violin which led him in a different direction. Since then, Keith has enjoyed a career as a music educator, violist with the Akron Symphony and Lakeside Chautauqua Orchestras, conductor and string quartet violist/manager. Life has now come full circle back to his roots playing the music he has always loved with the phenomenal personalities and musicians that are The Leading Edge Band.
Horns
Mike Cremean - Trombone/Vocals
Mike originally hails from Sandusky, OH, and has lived in Vermilion for over 30 years. He has been married for over 40 years, and has three children and two grandchildren. He is an engineer by education, and recently retired from Bendix where he worked in product/program management. He has played and sang in community/big bands and church through the years, but is loving playing with The Leading Edge!
Mark Dolan – Sax
Mark started his music journey playing sax in jazz and symphony bands and singing in the choir at GlenOak High School in Canton. Mark married his high school sweetheart Karen after college and began his career in corporate finance. Today, Mark and Karen have 2 children and a grandson. Mark has intermittently been involved in music by singing and directing his church choir and singing with the B-W Men’s Chorus. He most recently picked up his sax again to play in a few local community theater shows in his hometown of Medina and is glad that his friend Mike Nickley asked him to play in The Leading Edge band to continue his love of music.
Bobbi Emery – Trumpet
I began my “Journey” into the world of music in the 5th grade, playing trumpet whenever I could, even down at the beach when my family was tired of listening to me. Today they come to listen! I play in several area musical groups. It’s my greatest enjoyment!
Vocals
Percussion & Cello
Karen Starr - Vocals
Karen is a well-known vocal performer in the Akron area rock scene and brings a breadth of talent to the Leading Edge. She is a resident of Akron and owns Hazel Tree Interiors which she does when she is not making great music and entertaining her audiences.
Percussion & Cello
Producer - Engineer
Percussion & Cello
Ken Burkins – Percussion
Ken Burkins started his musical journey at age 8 with lessons on a snare drum. That quickly morphed into numerous percussion instruments in Junior High and High School bands and orchestras, with his favorite instrument being the Tympani within the Classical music genre. His evolution into rock started his junior year of High school with a group of band buddies who were strongly influenced by Chicago and BS&T. Career (executive management) and family consumed years of life and music was back-burner-ed. He played in several local bands over the last 15 years and decided in December of 2022 to form what is now the Leading Edge. He is very lucky to be a part of a great combination of passionate musicians who have become partners and friends.
Kim Burkins - Cello
The band’s newest recruit to Rock music, cellist Kim Burkins comes from the classical tradition of music performance. Beginning piano and cello at a young age, Kim continued her cello training through her college years, studying with accomplished cellists at Kent State University and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and later playing with the Bloomingdale Chamber Orchestra and string quartets during her years in New York City. A retired Advertising Creative Director, Kim now gratefully lends her skills to any of the band’s songs that might call for a cello part.
Keys/Vocals
Producer - Engineer
Producer - Engineer
Michael Nickley - Keys/Vocals
Mike grew up in Vermilion and got his love for music from his entire family. He married his high school sweetheart, Beth, and they have 5 children. He is an avid Cleveland sports fan and enjoys playing tennis and golf. He has degrees in music and theater. He is a systems engineer by day and created is own AI to help seniors communicate with their loved ones over the TV. He plays trumpet for musical theatre productions and loves playing jazz and classic rock on the keys. Mike finds music to be fuel for the soul.
Producer - Engineer
Producer - Engineer
Producer - Engineer
Wayne Bauman - Producer/Engineering Manager of The Leading Edge
Wayne, a life-long resident of Vermilion, grew up on the family dairy farm. He married his wife, Natalie, and joined her in the family food business that is still based in beautiful downtown Vermilion. Wayne is now retired and (begrudgingly) serves as the maintenance man extraordinaire for the family business. Three (3) daughters, two (2) grandchildren, and a Harley as well as a certified scuba diver rating used to comprise his busy life. Now, he has adopted a classic rock and roll horn band that does not play his favorite country music and hosts weekly rehearsals and band parties at his decked-out barn. He is a tireless supporter of The Leading Edge Band and we all will be forever grateful for his contribution.
Sound Engineer
Kelly Bonner
Kelly lives in Medina with his wife but grew up in California. Kelly has a daughter and 1 grandson. He worked for different telecommunication companies in various sales and management roles and is now retired. He first started with sound engineering in college and then picked it up again for the Leading Edge this year.
Sponsor
We all can use a little help on our journey. We are pleased to mention our great sponsor, Granny Joe’s and Papa Joe’s. Their gift of rehearsal space, food, and libation during our practice sessions is of enormous value to us and a huge contributor to our progress. Please visit them in downtown Vermilion and their website at www.papajoesvermilion.com for more information.