Akron ❤️s Tom Petty

Great guy and friend to the fish. Loves clouds, cotton candy, John Prine, and candlelit rooms.

Kevin Ballard is a songwriter and guitarist appearing solo and with his band, Kevin Ballard and the Detonators who released their first album in 2025. He has appeared on bass and guitar in many acts throughout NEO since moving down from MI in 2006. He was raised from birth on Rock & Roll with Tom Petty’s music being near the top of the list.

Angela Berlingeri’s musical and artistic background spans generations; singing and playing multiple instruments were part of everyday life. While following a career path in the visual arts and design education, she continued performing with semi-professional choirs and as a guest artist with various bands out east. In 2012, she met guitarist Joe Troyan, and their shared love of acoustic music, strong vocal harmonies, and an eclectic repertoire led to the formation of The Fretters. Originally bi-coastal, Novelty, Ohio, is her long-time home, where she lives on none other than…Music Street!

Hallie Bowie is singer, trumpet player, and percussionist who has been performing in the Akron area since 2001. She provided lead vocals and harmonies in the local Celtic group Si Bheag Si Mhor, and was a founding member of Scott & Hallie Music with Scott Evans. Currently she performs with One Fine Day, as well as her musical and life partner Jeff Reynolds. Hallie is pleased to be a part of the Tom Petty Tribute, and will be doing her best to channel his long time musical collaborator, Stevie Nicks.

Ed Bridge is a local singer/songwriter who has been a huge Tom Petty fan for over 40 years. He has covered over a dozen Petty songs on guitar and piano since he started playing in public in 2010.. Ed has attended five Tom Petty concerts and considers these shows some of the best live performances he has ever experienced!

Northeast Ohio artist of many styles.
Sings the blues, kicks ass, still loves dogs.

Zach Hamlin is a singer/songwriter of the SoulFolk genre, and a storyteller.  His songs intertwine heartfelt lyrics with metaphor, humor, and soulful delivery.  Zach also is the guitarist and singer for local band, Folk Paper Scissors.

Musician, community organizer, and a member of the band Rye Valley. A mainstay in the Akron music scene, Landon founded Rubber City RockBank in 2026 to further bridge the gap between live performance and local philanthropy. His efforts have helped raise funds for Summit County non-profits, turning a shared love for music into tangible community support.
When he isn’t coordinating events at local venues, Landon is a dedicated husband and a father of three. An avid outdoorsman, he finds his greatest inspiration in the natural beauty of Northeast Ohio. Whether he is hiking a local trail or hitting the road with his band, Landon remains driven by a passion for family, the outdoors, and the enduring power of a great song to bring people together.

Cindy Calle Ley from Wadsworth, Ohio, came to music late in life. She enjoys various music styles, but her main interest is alternative folk. Her current influences are Rhiannon Giddens, The Civil Wars, Abigail Lapell, and Gillian Welch. She considers herself primarily a singer, but also plays multiple instruments and has recently delved into songwriting. Calle has played various venues, both individually and with others. She especially enjoys the accompaniment of strings and mandolin. She is currently working on recording. You can find Calle on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Seth Ohm is a story teller at the finest. North East Ohio raised, Seth spins stories of the journey of life, love and finding oneself. He bears all he is thinking and feeling, yet leaves room for interpretation. He may be found at a local open mic with a glass of bourbon and is always collaborating with other local musicians. His love of Tom petty started with being told to learn Free Falling for a show. The collection of songs has expanded as well as inspiration in writing.

Chris Platis is a singer/songwriter from Northampton, Ohio. He currently lives in Stow and has had the pleasure and good fortune to work with many of the most talented local musicians in North Ohio – both in studio and live! He is currently a member of Acid Raincoat (singer, occasional percussion), the Drecking Crew (singer, random percussion 😉), and his original music vehicle – Cool Blue Planet! (www.chrisplatis.com). I am very excited and honored to be part of this tribute to Tom Petty. He was the epitome of cool!

Jeff Reynolds learned to harmonize with his brother and sister, inspired by the work of The Beatles, The Partridge Family, and The Osmonds. Other early influences included The Bach Brothers, who introduced him to Petty’s seminal work “Damn the Torpedoes”. He pursued formal music education in high school choir, but his rebellious spirit soon led him to hone his skills outside academia. He joined his first band in 1980, singing with Steven Sweet of Warrant. His solid sense of rhythm led a college roommate to give him his sh***y Yamaha, adding guitar to his musical skill set. Since then, he has been honing his resonant and soulful vocal harmonies with Hallie Bowie and local favorites The Jungle Studs.

Akron, Ohio based singer/songwriter Katy Robinson is a product of a large musical family, a thriving local music scene, and a lot of self-motivation. She started playing guitar at 13, and quickly began frequenting area open mics. Her biggest influences include songwriters and storytellers like Brandi Carlile and Tom Petty. Her folk-pop-rock blend and unique voice combined with her raw and relatable lyrics have landed her area gigs, and she is making waves on local radio.

JD and Noah Spinner are a father and son duo. They are longtime fans of Thomas Earl Petty and were able to see him in concert on his final tour in 2017. JD has been playing guitar for more than 50 years. He’s been in several bands and is currently in the acoustic rock duo, JD&KEN. Noah first picked up the guitar after hearing the Traveling Wilburys’ “Handle Me With Care.” Currently, Noah is running for the Ohio House of Representatives, District 31 (More info at spinnerforohio.com). JD and Noah would like to thank Landon, who they met at the Silver Swan open mic many years ago.

Steve Wartko taught himself to whistle by the age of five. He proudly looked up to his musical parents, one older brother, and five older sisters. His Dad worked in construction and played upright acoustic bass then electric bass in a weekend polka band to help pay rent and feed the family of nine. In the evenings, Dad would gently lullaby the small four-bedroom, one bathroom house to sleep with polkas and waltzes on one of his many full-size piano accordions. With almost no musical theory, Mom could hear a song on the radio, then with little effort, she would sing while playing it on the living room organ (joking she played by ear ache). Mom could also play guitar while singing a two-chord song called Pistol Packin’ Mama.
At age 11 Steve took music lessons soon thoroughly mastering the very basics of the B flat clarinet also exploring several of dad’s saxophone collection. At age 13, gathering his allowance, he spent $15 acquiring his first secondhand guitar from his oldest sister. It was a vintage, 2-year-old Decca 3/4 scale student model flat top parlor acoustic steel string guitar with a chrome stamped tailpiece and a floating pine bridge originally purchased from Kmart for nearly double the price.
Half a century and many instruments later you may find Steve on stage and off-stage producing music with friends, singing, and playing acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, cajon, harmonica, and piano keyboard. Don’t let him play the violin or trumpet if you know what’s good for you.
Steve’s greatest accomplishment was in 1989 with the birth of his son Mike who now plays piano, writes, and records amazing music.
Oh wait! Steve also enjoys kayaking, bicycling, white water rafting, snow and water skiing, motorcycle riding and long walks on soft sandy saltwater beaches.