Linda Tillman, center, is introduced as the “Fan of the Game” before the start of the women’s basketball Battle of I-75 rivalry game between Bowling Green and Toledo. She is escorted by her daughter-in-law, Joan Fankhauser, left, and granddaughter Erin Fankhauser. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)
TOLEDO – The Battle of I-75 brought out a record crowd as more than 6,000 fans packed Savage Arena to watch the women take on rival Bowling Green on Saturday.
6,527 fans packed Savage Arena for the Battle of I-75 rivalry game between BGSU and Toledo. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)
One special season ticket holder, Linda Tillman, who is in her eighties (but wouldn’t divulge more than that), was in attendance to root for the Rockets and to celebrate her birthday with friends and family.
Tillman was also pronounced the Fan of the Game, and the love and energy inside Savage Arena before the tipoff was palpable as she was escorted onto the court and through a player tunnel by daughter-in-law, Joan Fankhauser, and granddaughter, Erin Fankhauser.
A season ticket holder for more than 10 years, Tillman briefly attended Bowling Green State University before earning her degree from Toledo.
“My loyalties are really all for Toledo; they did great today,” exclaimed Tillman, wearing Toledo’s blue and gold.
Toledo cheerleaders call for defense. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)
Fans turn on their cellphone lights during player introductions before the start of the women’s basketball Battle of I-75 rivalry game between Bowling Green and Toledo. (TFP Photo/Scott Grau)
“She normally doesn’t miss a home game,” said Erin Fankhauser. “She loves going and watches them on ESPN + when they’re online, so I would say she is a pretty big Toledo women’s basketball fan.”
Tillman shares her love for the Rockets with her family, including Erin Fankhauser’s mother, Joan Fankhauser, who is also a season ticket holder.
“We’ve all gone to Rockets games since I was little. I used to go with my family back when they won the WNIT (Women’s National Invitation Tournament), so we’ve been going for quite a while,” Erin Fankhauser said.
Tillman and her family will sometimes travel to away games, too.
“We go to Cleveland when they play in the MAC tournament. We love going to the games, especially the women’s games,” Erin Fankhauser said. “We go to a lot of football games and the men’s basketball games, too. But I’d say the women’s are our personal favorite.”
Toledo fans cheer during the women’s basketball game against BGSU. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)
The Rockets and Falcon will face off one more time this season when Toledo travels to the Stroh Center in Bowling Green on Feb. 22.
Toledo (13-5) defeated the Falcons (9-10) for the fifth consecutive time.
Members of the Toledo Blue Crew sing and dance to a song played during a timeout. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)A Toledo cheerleader is decked out in blue and gold during the women’s basketball Battle of I-75 rivalry game. (TFP Photo/Scott W. Grau)Toledo players pose for a team photo at the end of the women’s basketball Battle of I-75 rivalry game.
Toledo guard Sammi Mikonowicz shoots under pressure from BGSU defenders during the Battle of I-75 at Savage Arena.
Story by Max Alfonso | Photos by Scott Grau
Toledo guard Kendall Carruthers, a Springfield HS alum, is introduced before the start of the women’s basketball game.
TOLEDO – Toledo sophomore transfer guard and local Springfield HS alum Kendall Carruthers‘ 21 points and a robust second-half team effort lifted the Toledo Rockets over the BGSU Falcons for the 5th straight time in the Battle of I-75 on Saturday.
A back-and-forth first half led to a 10-point BGSU lead with 6:18 left in the 2nd quarter as BGSU senior guard from Cincinnati Lexi Fleming had it all working. But her high-game score of 23 points wasn’t enough to close the 12-point gap at the end of the game: The Rockets took the Battle of I-75 with a 80-68 victory.
Bowling Green guard Lexi Fleming (25) scores two of her 23 points against Toledo.
Toledo guard Sammi Mikonowicz gives instructions to teammates while pushing off BGSU’s Jasmine Fearne.
BGSU (9-10) went into the halftime break with a 32-27 lead, but it was all Toledo after that.
Toledo (13-5) came out in the second half hot. Two straight BGSU turnovers led to a quick five points to tie the game, forcing BGSU head coach Fred Chimel to call a timeout.
Toledo outscored BGSU in the second half 53-36 to secure their fifth straight game against their rival down south.
Graduate senior Khera Goss had 20 in front of a record-breaking crowd of 6,527, the most ever for a women’s UT-BGSU game.
Toledo guard Khera Goss goes in for a layup.
A record 6,527 fans for Battle of I-75 game packed Savage Arena to watch Toledo take on Bowling Green.
“I couldn’t hear myself think for a second there,” Goss said after the game. “I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a crowd like that before.”
Senior forward Jessica Cook only played 10 minutes due to foul trouble but her impact was felt. After having zero points in the first half, she finished the game with 8 points, and Toledo was +10 with her on the floor in the second half.
“She (Cook) was really, really important to us out there,” first-year Toledo head coach Ginny Boggess said. “She’s gonna be hard for us to replace.”
Toledo forward Jessica Cook celebrates as the game ends during the women’s basketball Battle of I-75 rivalry game against Bowling Green.
Boggess, who came to Toledo after three seasons as head coach at Monmouth University (New Jersey), said this kind of atmosphere is great for women’s basketball.
“This game is really exciting … it’s really fun,” Boggess said. “Women’s basketball is blowing up for a reason.”
BGSU dropped their second straight game in a season where coming out of halftime has been an issue.
“It’s a pattern,” admitted Chimel. “I think we’re getting better at it but I don’t think we’ve solved it; we’re going to keep on seeing the same test.”
Bowling Green hosts Akron on Tuesday, and Toledo stays at home to host Miami Ohio.
The inaugural episode of The Flyby, a Toledo Free Press podcast, featuring co-hosts Max Alfonso and Chas McNeil, who chat all things Rocket and Falcon athletics.Bowling Green guard Paige Kohler drives to the basket against Toledo’s Faith Fedd-Robinson.
Toledo guard Sammi Mikonowicz saves the ball from going out of bounds.
Toledo head coach Ginny Boggess reacts to a play on the court.
Toledo players celebrate a teammate’s made three-point shot.Toledo bench players react to action on the floor.
Toledo players pose for a team photo at the end of the women’s basketball Battle of I-75 rivalry game.
The University of Toledo bench reacts to a dunk against BGSU during the rivalry game at the BGSU Stroh Center Friday night. UToledo kept the Battle of I-75 trophy.
Story by Max Alfonso | Photos by Kyle Brown
BOWLING GREEN – In a Friday night tilt at the Stroh Center, the University of Toledo Rockets kept the Battle of I-75 trophy with a 84-71 win over the Bowling Green Falcons (7-12).
UT guard Sam Lewis is surrounded by BGSU defenders as he goes for a lay-up.
Toledo (11-8) came out hot with a 7-0 run to start the game. Isaiah Adams started with a quick 5 points and finished with 18.
Marcus Johnson answered for BG after the Toledo run to start the game with 8 points, including two deep threes. He came into the game as BG’s leading scorer, averaging 16.4 per game. The senior forward finished with a game high 28 points.
Sophomore guard Bryce Ford made four big treys for Toledo. He started the year coming off the bench but moved into the starting lineup in the first MAC conference game against Western Michigan.
“We needed some floor spacing,” said Toledo head coach Tod Kowalczyk about Ford. “We needed to get better defensively on the perimeter and what he did tonight played big in big moments. I’m happy for him.”
UT’s Sonny Wilson drives to the basket.
BGSU’s Marcus Johnson attempts a layup under pressure from UT’s Isaiah Adams.
Toledo guard Sonny Wilson had 18 points on an efficient 7-9 from the floor, and made his only three-point attempt.
Toledo came into the game 9th in conference play in three-point percentage (3P%) but went 12-24 Friday night.
“You’ve gotta give up something when you have mismatch problems out there,” Bowling Green head coach Todd Simon said. “Numerically, you would say yeah, you might have to give up a couple three’s to guys that are not making them.”
Johnson made a three to cut the lead to 6 with four minutes left. But Simon says they ran out of gas late.
“Right now we’re squeezing too many minutes out of everybody. It catches up with you at some point, I think the fatigue is certainly showing,” said Simon, who’s in his second season with the Falcons after spending seven seasons at Southern Utah.
BGSU head coach Todd Simon and UT head coach Tod Kowalczyk watch their teams play.
Toledo moves to 99-84 all-time in the battle of I-75 rivalry.
“This is a heck of a rivalry,” said Kowalczyk, who has played against the Falcons since 2010. “I know Senderoff and Groce disagree; they keep saying it’s the best rivalry in the MAC. It’s not .. this is. And if I offend those other two schools, it’s okay.”
Toledo, 4th in the MAC, travels to Athens Tuesday to take on Ohio, and Bowling Green goes east to Kent State to take on the Golden Flashes.
The inaugural episode of The Flyby, a Toledo Free Press podcast, featuring co-hosts Max Alfonso and Chas McNeil, who chat all things Rocket and Falcon athletics.UT’s Sam Lewis tries to block view of Derrick Butler’s 3-point shot.Isaiah Adams takes a shot during the rivalry game between the UT Rockets and Bowling Green Falcons.UT’s Jaylan Owing and BGSU’s Jamai Felt go for a rebound.BGSU’s Derrick Butler dunks the ball.Sonny Wilson gets fouled while attempting a lay-up.
Toledo fans cheer a foul call against the Falcons during the Battle of I-75 at the BGSU Stoh Center Friday night. (TFP Photo/Kyle Brown)
BOWLING GREEN – The Battle of I-75 is a historic rivalry, dating back to the 1915-16 season. Toledo leads the all-time series 98-84. They have also won five of the last six. Tonight’s game was nationally televised, which puts both programs on a huge stage.
Fans slowly filed into the Stroh Center for the basketball matchup between the Bowling Green Falcons and the Toledo Rockets. Whether in the stands or walking around the concourse, everybody was excited. Fans ranged from students to alumni, to locals looking for a Friday night activity.
Collins Lauf, 3, from Toledo, celebrates a Toledo basket. Lauf is a daughter of UT assistant coach Jordan Lauf, who’s in his 8th season with the Rockets. (TFP Photo/Kyle Brown)
While inside the Stroh was a sea of orange, many avid Toledo fans showed up to support their Rockets.
Throughout much of the first half, Toledo maintained a lead, making BGSU fans anxious. The Rocket fans were loving what they were seeing, hoping to see their lead grow. A huge play by the Falcons tied the game, and the fans went absolutely crazy. The game went into a timeout, and the crowd was still amped up.
Falcon fans cheer a three-point shot. (TFP Photo/Kyle Brown)
Following the timeout, however, Toledo responded with an impressive play of their own. Their own fans jumped to their feet, sucking the energy out of the Stroh.
The second half began, and the fans began to get back in the game. Toledo started the half off hot, making the BGSU student section taunt them out of frustration. Meanwhile, the UT fans were loving it.
In the second half, the Rockets continued to hold their lead. The Stroh was quiet and the fans remained nervous. The Falcons couldn’t close the gap, and the anxiety was palpable.
Falcon fans show their disappointment with a call.
BGSU kept trying to close the lead, but Toledo was stout in their responses. Even though the Falcons were down, their fans were doing their best to keep them motivated. With 3:29 to go in the game, UT held a lead of 75-67. At this point, many BG fans started to leave the arena, as they could feel their team was going to lose.
When the clock hit zero, Toledo had defeated Bowling Green, with a final score of 84-71. The UT fans cheered and celebrated their win, while the disappointed BGSU fans quietly filed out of the Stroh.
BGSU student Jayden Thompson reacts to making a half court shot during a timeout.
It wasn’t all bad, though. After speaking with a Bowling Green fan, there was still plenty to enjoy from the game.
Eli Konoff, from Montpelier, Ohio, said that “it’s really unfortunate we lost, especially against our rival. But at the end of the day, the energy was up there”
The crowd energy was high for the majority of the game, even when playing from behind. The Toledo crowd wasn’t huge, but they were very involved, making tons of noise.
Bowling Green and their fans travel to Kent State on Jan. 28. Toledo stays on the road, heading to Ohio University on the same day.
Dajonia Stinger listens as Aspire instructor Todd Lentz helps with math problems. (TFP Photo/Chas McNeil)
TOLEDO – While we all have different paths in life, one constant is the changeable nature of that journey and that plans can be altered in an instant.
Penta Career Center recognizes this fact, so through its Aspire Program, a grant-funded initiative, adult learners are offered the opportunity to pursue their GED, a free program available at 16 locations in Lucas and Wood counties.
Dajonia Stringer double checks her work after finishing a workbook page. (TFP Photo/Chas McNeil)
Genesis Hersha is an Aspire graduate and an example of someone who took advantage of the opportunity to take her high school equivalency test.
“I was 17, turning 18. I couldn’t pass my Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT’s) for the life of me. I did the prep test, the classes — all that stuff — and for some reason every time I would just retake them,” she recalled.
“I just tanked them. And in the state of Ohio, the only way you can graduate — no matter how many credits you have — you have to pass those Ohio state tests. So, when I turned 18, I got very discouraged and dropped out,” Hersha said.
But then a life-altering event ultimately led her to the Aspire Program.
In 2022 I was in a major motorcycle accident. When I woke up, half of my body was broken, so I was in a wheelchair.
Genesis Hersha, Aspire Program graduate
“I was 22-23 years old, and I was a single mother who went from a fully capable human being to not being able to do very much on my own. I couldn’t work,” Hersha said. “I already felt guilty for putting myself in the position that I did with my motorcycle accident. I couldn’t just sit in a wheelchair, so I decided to get myself into school.”
Aspire supervisor Jessica Arbuckle explained that the program is there for adults like Hersha, who was ready to get back into school to earn her GED. “A central focus of our program is students who are going back to earn their high school equivalency.”
“However, we service students who do have their high school diploma but maybe need to come back to move on to post-secondary. So, they could be low in their math skills and want to get into a trades program or continue on to college.”
The super power for Aspire are the course instructors who help in nurturing personal development for their students through any way possible. Jo-Anne Chrysochoos is one such instructor.
Chrysochoos was teaching a GED class at the Reynolds Corner Library in Toledo on Jan. 15 when Hersha stopped by the classroom to the share her success story with the Free Press.
Their special relationship was on full display as Hersha entered the classroom and hugged Chrysochoos, who had been mentoring her for several years.
Hersha said she joined Aspire partially due to Chrysochoos being an Aspire instructor.
Aspire instructor Jo-Anne Chrysochoos helps a student with fractions. (TFP Photo/Chas McNeil)
“It’s been great. Students are very appreciative and they’re adult learners,” Chrysochoos explained. “Even the young ones that come in, we treat them as adults, and they have to be independent and do what they need to do.”
“I’ve always been let down by all of my elders,” said Hersha. “I have maybe three teachers in my mind right now that actually tried to help me, in seeing that I wasn’t just a bad kid, and that’s why I thank Jo [Chrysochoos] because Jo has gone above and beyond. If it wasn’t for Jo, I probably would have never even stayed in this program.”
Registration for the program is free and can be done through Penta’s website. There is a mandatory orientation, which is the only requirement to begin the program.
Aspire even has its own graduation program, allowing friends and family to celebrate how the students have change their lives, and to show off their achievements.
“I had a student at Sylvania Family Center who graduated a few years ago, and regrettably did not attend her graduation ceremony,” Chrysochoos recounted.
“Her husband came to my class the next year at the Reynolds library to attain his GED! After successfully passing all of his tests, he convinced his wife to attend his graduation ceremony with him to show their children that with hard work anything is possible!” she said.
Penta Career Center's Aspire program offers both on-site and online options. Classes are held two days a week for three hours each day, and the virtual option is held in Google Classroom.
For more information, contact the Aspire office at 419.491.8433
Letter to the Editorby Kathleen Baldoni – Perrysburg resident
I can’t stay quiet about Kash Patel’s nomination. Donald Trump has nominated individuals to his cabinet whose only qualification is unwavering loyalty to him. One is reminded of Hitler, who required his administration to swear an oath of loyalty to him, with the German constitution being changed within two months.
Trump’s most dangerous choice is Patel, who has no experience in law enforcement or administration and has vowed to “weaponize” the FBI to avenge the notion that Trump has been unfairly targeted. This isn’t just a political game—it’s a threat to government accountability. That’s why we must urge our senators to say ‘no’ to this dangerous nomination before it’s too late.
Patel’s drive is to rid all who criticize Trump. As FBI director, Patel could hold immense authority to weaponize the FBI, targeting those Trump or Patel perceive as political enemies—especially those who fight for civil and equal rights. This isn’t just theoretical; Patel has openly stated he’d use federal law enforcement to go after media figures and political adversaries. This could lead to investigations of minority groups in local communities whom he deems dangerous only because they would oppose Trump’s agenda.
Patel’s nomination recalls the troubling history of leaders who leveraged their authority to serve personal or partisan agendas. One such figure is J. Edgar Hoover, the long-serving FBI director who weaponized the Bureau against perceived enemies, including civil rights leaders, journalists and activists, under the guise of national security. Hoover’s unchecked power stifled dissent and undermined public trust in law enforcement, with his actions later condemned as abuses of power.
Kash Patel’s intent to “weaponize” the FBI for Trump’s personal vendettas mirrors Hoover’s misuse of authority, threatening to erode the democratic principles of accountability and impartiality. History has shown the danger of granting such power to individuals driven by loyalty to a single leader, rather than allegiance to the Constitution.
These unnecessary investigations could also divert the FBI’s focus from real issues in our communities—like immigration reform, tax reform, economic development, combating human trafficking and addressing the opioid crisis—in favor of advancing Trump’s personal vendettas. Thus, we cannot allow someone as extreme and unqualified as Patel to lead one of the most critical institutions in our democracy.
When leaders like him are given power, they don’t just affect policies—they affect real lives, like mine and my neighbors. As FBI director, he could have the unchecked power to direct resources away from keeping us safe and toward advancing a partisan agenda.
Senator Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, please do not vote to confirm Kash Patel as FBI director. As a resident of Perrysburg, Ohio, I am concerned about how Patel’s leadership could undermine trust in law enforcement and put my community (all communities who disagree with Trump) at risk of being overlooked in favor of political vendettas.
We cannot normalize extremists like Patel. We can not legitimize cabinet picks who are afraid to challenge Trump. The attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and the subsequent pardoning of over 1,500 participants in that insurrection prove Donald Trump’s vindictiveness, and Kash Patel would undoubtedly become another tool for his revenge.
Patel lacks the judgment and temperament to lead an agency as critical as the FBI, with its 35,000 employees and vast domestic and international responsibilities. For the sake of our democracy, we cannot afford to entrust such power to someone so unfit for the role.
A customer shops at Tank's Meats in Elmore, Ohio. The company has been family owned and operated since 1907.
ELMORE – I first stumbled upon Tank’s Meats in a freezer case at a roadside gas station convenience store called Ozzie’s General Market, located on the outskirts of Sylvania, where Central Ave. becomes State Route 120.
Who knew this frosted curiosity would lead me to northwest Ohio’s finest purveyor of all things butchered? Dare I say, Meat Mecca?
Founded in 1907 by F.J. Tank, Tank’s Meats in Elmore has been family owned and operated for 118 years. Fred Tank started out harvesting and processing local beef, pork, poultry, turkeys and geese while selling retail from a downtown storefront. He made fresh deliveries via horse-drawn wagon and sleds.
Fred was joined by his son, Walter and Elfreda Tank in 1937. Through subsequent generations of family ownership, the business has been aggregated under one roof, just off the Ohio turnpike at Exit 81.
Kurt and Eric’s father, Alois Amstutz, immigrated to the United States in 1964 after answering an ad in a Swiss newspaper for a sausage-making apprenticeship. He married into the Tank family in 1976, with nuptials to Marcia Amstutz, the daughter of Walter and Elfreda Tank. Al’s expertise in specialty Swiss and German products expanded the range of offerings.
The smoker area at Tank’s Meats. (TFP Photo/Kevin Tiell)
Tank’s Meats is currently led by 4th-generation brothers Kurt and Eric Amstutz, who manage operations, processing and distribution of high-quality meats to independent grocers, restaurants and food banks within a 180-mile radius of their Elmore headquarters. The brothers grew up at Tank’s Meats, working alongside their father who taught them the craft of butchering and preparing cuts for market.
From the early age of 14, Eric and Kurt worked after school and on weekends, instilling a strong work ethic and familiarity within the industry. They would make deliveries via moped and participated in raising sheep, goats and chickens on their five-acre property.
Eric oversees sausage making and smoked meats, coming up with new recipes and managing relationships with suppliers, while Kurt manages USDA compliance and permitting, sales and distribution. Continuing the family’s multi-generational tradition in the meat processing business provides a sense of pride, and working day-to-day with family yields its own rewards.
Kurt and Eric have developed a strong working partnership by focusing on shared goals, learning to communicate and compromise, and putting in the effort to understand each other over many years of working side-by-side. This flexibility and commitment to the business, and to each other, is a big part of their success.
The Amstutz family (from left): Eric, Jake, Kurt, Brody, Julie and Samantha. (TFP Photo/Kevin Tiell)
The business has gone through many changes as consumer tastes and preferences have shifted, along with changes in regulation and compliance standards. The growth of commercial farming and ranching practices have outpaced smaller family-run independent farms, and led to producer aggregation and specialization.
Tank’s no longer slaughters live animals, preferring the consistency and availability offered by specialty partners. Consumer’s bulk purchase of beef and pork are less frequent due to a variety of factors, like decreased average family size, lower homeownership percentages, and less time for food preparation. Deep freezers and home-cooking are being replaced by more accessible fast-casual options and food delivery apps. Food technologists and vegetarian alternatives continue to innovate plant based alternatives too.
Sourcing high-quality, consistent ingredients from trusted suppliers is critical to maintaining their reputation and growing market share. They’ve stayed relevant by investing in technology and automated equipment for tasks, like portion cutting and patty forming, mixing and sausage stuffing, and smoking meats while relying on a core group of experienced butchers.
Tanks’ works with restaurateurs to devise custom cuts that satisfy their needs for size and presentation. Tank’s can also create custom bacon and sausage formulations.
Sausages made at Tank’s Meats. (TFP Photo/Kevin Tiell)
A computer-controlled cutter. (TFP Photo/Kevin Tiell)
In addition to producing their own products, Tank’s works with local suppliers to bring a broad selection to their retail clients. From Amish pastrami to all-natural pet treats, soup bones to stock, Tank’s has it all.
They make cured meats, deli meat (garlic bologna, yum!) and smoked meats, like landjaggers and dried sausages. They process venison for hunters and can mix ground beef and pork to exact specifications. One of their specialties is crafting jalapeño cheddar summer sausage chubs! Weekly specials are available on their Facebook page.
With over a century of business development and improvement, Tank’s Meats is a resource for culinary connoisseurs in northwest Ohio. Kurt and Eric’s kids are currently on-site learning the business and working to extend their family’s legacy.
In addition to their Elmore retail store, Tank's Meats is available at Churchills (Maumee & Perrysburg), Zavotski, Kilgus and Ozzies General Market.
Tank's Meats is open Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. - noon.
Leadfoot Granny performs at The Valentine in Toledo on Saturday night.
Story and photos by Kyle Brown
TOLEDO– Speak to anyone who has lived in Toledo about the music scene, and most will say it wilted away drastically in the early 2000s. Bands that once traveled the country making stops in this city now detour around it and move into cities like Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus and Pittsburgh. Sure, the Huntington Center brings in big acts from time to time, but it is a shadow of what it used to be.
Leadfoot Granny, one of Toledo’s youngest and hottest rock bands, is on a mission to change that.
The band, whose members include Hope Smith (vocals), Luke Ermie (lead guitar/vocals), Owen Krupp (bass guitar/vocals) and Odin Woodbury (drums), are all from different musical backgrounds. Hand-picked from Toledo legend Mark Mikel, Leadfoot Granny seamlessly brings the feeling of rock ‘n’ roll back from the dead.
From left to right: Luke Ermie, Odin Woodbury, Mark Mikel, Hope Smith and Owen Krupp pose for an after-show photo with the crowd at The Valentine Theater Saturday night.
Formed only a year ago, the band has made sizable shockwaves around the community. They were featured in a local newspaper after their first show. From there, they caught the attention of many during a music festival in Fostoria, Ohio, while also blowing everyone’s minds during Toledo’s Pride Fest.
The band earned a spot as Toledo’s most-likely-to-succeed category, and were on the final ballot for Best of Toledo 2024. These are only a small selection of accomplishments, not including TV interviews, radio show appearances and gigs outside of Ohio.
A signed poster of the band lays on he table after the VIP meet and greet.
The biggest accomplishment came this past Saturday though, as Leadfoot Granny celebrated their first self-titled album on Jan. 19. To celebrate, Leadfoot Granny hosted their album release party and show at Toledo’s Valentine Theatre.
When the doors opened at 6 p.m. for their VIP ticket members, fans were treated to a mini meet-and-greet an 90 minutes before the show. They were able to grab a few drinks and popcorn, and sit at tables to mingle with other fans after lining up to get signatures on merch or a poster made for the event. The 45-minute meet-and-greet allowed fans to interact with all four members of the band, who sat near a huge neon sign featuring their logo.
At 7:30 p.m., the crowd, who nearly packed The Valentine, began chanting “LFG, LFG, LFG,” which is the abbreviated band name. Then the curtain lifted and the band that many call “the future of Toledo’s music scene” went on to give the crowd exactly what was expected of them.
This band doesn’t sound like any other band out there. They take their influences from many genres, and mix it all into one masterpiece after another. Eight songs on their album are originals. Two are covers, including a rock take on Britney Spears’ Toxic.
Luke Ermie, left, and Hope Smith have fun on stage during a guitar solo in one of their songs.
Odin Woodbury on drums during the Leadfoot Granny album release show in Toledo.
They also take the job seriously, and dress the part. Think suits with a jacket under it, nice dress shirts, dresses that flow and colors that pop. The band won’t be in a t-shirt and jeans come show time, and it has become part of the band’s identity. It is easy to see that they want to be taken seriously, and dressing for success is important to them.
After a powerful opening few songs, Leadfoot Granny took it down a few notches and came closer to the front of the stage for an acoustic set. This set was able to showcase the softer side of their music abilities, and show they don’t just play one instrument.
Smith was able to show her harmonica skills with Woodbury on guitar and bongos, and Krupp played the mandolin (and keyboard at the end of the concert).
The last part of the show didn’t let up on the energy, as strategically placed smoke added to the elements for the band; they conquered any pre-show jitters and gave attendees an unforgettable show.
Leadfoot Granny, the band’s self-titled album, was produced by Mikel, who described it as “the best album Toledo has ever made.”
Luke Ermie smiles at the crowd while on guitar.
Terry Brown, known for producing albums for bands like Rush and Klatuu, mixed this album. On a Facebook post, he stated when speaking of Leadfoot Granny, “Odin Woodbury owns the drums; Luke Ermie’s accomplished guitar chops cover a wide spectrum; and Owen Krupp locks onto what Odin with his wicked bass sound.
“In the meantime, Hope Smith is on fire, delivering emotional performances that will get your heart pounding! Leadfoot Granny is on the countdown!” he exclaimed
Rob Fraboni, who has worked with bands and artists like Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and The Beach Boys, mastered the album. On Facebook, he would write, “I was asked by a dear friend, Terry Brown, to master Leadfoot Granny’s debut album. I was really taken by the music, firstly. The songs, musicianship, all of it. Hope Smith is the real thing. I feel they have a bright future, if they have what it takes to follow it down the road! A brilliant start!”
When all is said and done, this Toledo-based band has produced an album that notable people in the industry find to be brilliant. Leadfoot Granny has found a way to bring Toledo out of the darkness and bring great music back into it. Their album is listed on all streaming platforms.
