Tom’s Kitchen Table

From the heartland of Ohio, the land of small towns with big personalities and big dreams, Tom’s Kitchen Table (Michael Kruman, Chad Lemon, Drew Plank, and Ben Smith) is rooted in the spirit of friends making music around the kitchen table, music made just for the sake of making music together – as it was meant to be.

Featuring rich harmonies and spiced with folk instrumentation, TKT performs a range of country, rock, and classics, along with several original works.

Tom’s Kitchen Table has opened for Billboard-topping and IBMA-winning artists, such as Sawyer Brown, John Michael Montgomery, and Michael Cleveland, and collaborated with Grammy-award winning conductor Michael Repper.

Listen

The band

Michael Kruman, vocals and acoustic guitar

Michael was born Cleveland, OH and raised 20 miles west he has played in various Country music bands throughout Northern Ohio for over 22 years. Throughout that time, he has played and networked with multiple musicians including some that have moved to Nashville to pursue their musical dreams. in 2006, he moved to Ashland and soon after met the guys who would eventually form TKT.

Having had some fun times and cool experiences he is looking forward to what the future of TKT holds. Accomplishments include opening up for John Michael Montgomery, Sawyer Brown, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, being backed by the Ashland Symphony Orchestra with Grammy Award winning conductor Michael Repper, to name a few. He is most proud of the collaboration the band has made on the original music he has written that TKT has recorded.

Married with four kids, he also enjoys family time, summers next to the pool or on a beach, and traveling any chance he can. Favorite foods include anything German, Italian, and Mexican . His musical taste and influence is all over the place such as 90’s Country, Jimmy Buffet, and Metallica to name a few.

Chad Lemon, vocals, bass, and ukulele

Raised in West Virginia and transplanted to Ohio, Chad was a school band kid who came to stringed instruments well into adulthood. Kenny Rogers, Ronny Milsap, and Alabama are the musical giants of his childhood, and he was buying Reba McEntire albums when everyone else was getting Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet on cassette. Today, his heavy rotations include folk-indie artists like Watchhouse, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Mipso. Chad’s non-musical hobbies include photography, kayaking, and running.

Ben Smith – vocals, guitar, and banjo

Ben was born and raised in the heart of Ohio. He picked up a guitar at around 10 years old after his piano teacher mother tried for years to give him piano lessons. He can still play Chopsticks.
The Banjo came much later, at the inception of TKT.

Ben’s largest musical influences have been Classic Rock and 90s Grunge. But, Classic Country, Bluegrass, Big Band, Blues, Jazz, Classical and even Reggae and Funk have always found a home on Ben’s radio. Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters are on a regular playlist today.

When Ben actually gets some down time away from the family farm, he loves anywhere with a beach and lots of sunshine with his wife.

Fun fact: Ben is a pretty fantastic sushi chef and cocktail bartender.

Drew Plank, Drums

A drummer to his very core, if Drew isn’t swinging a drum stick, he’s swinging a hammer on the job site. Drew is the steady tempo for the band on and off the stage – and the architect of the best-organized gear trailer of any band on the road.

Drew is an lifelong Ohio native, where he resides with his family. Among his hobbies are working out with the guys of F3, coaching soccer, and enjoying a coffee at Goldberry.

Despite significant cash offers and the promise of coneys for life, Drew refuses to bring his smooth vocals to the stage…yet.

Some kind words from our friends

I have been listening to TKT for many years now, not only live and in person, but via their excellent live-streaming performances during the pandemic. They sure kept the music scene alive and ripe for their audience to get back out to see them in the many venues, large and small, that they have frequented. Because of their versatility, instrumentally and stylistically, everyone in attendance is always treated to songs and genres that satisfy their own musical tastes. Also, you won’t find four nicer humans sharing their talents both on and off the stage.
Dean Kastran, “The Ohio Express,” “The Cyrkle,” and “EKG”

Having had the opportunity to share the stage with them, we can confidently say the Tom’s Kitchen Table guys are an exceptional group of musicians and people.

From the moment they stepped on stage, their energy was infectious, drawing in the audience with tight harmonies, dynamic arrangements, and an authentic connection to their music. Their sound is a perfect blend of folk, rock, and soul, creating a vibe that is both engaging and heartfelt.

Beyond their undeniable talent, Tom’s Kitchen Table proved to be a joy to work with—gracious, professional, and genuinely supportive of fellow artists. They made every aspect of the show feel seamless, from setup to soundcheck to the final encore. It’s rare to find a band that not only delivers musically but also fosters a collaborative and welcoming atmosphere backstage.

Whether on stage or off, Tom’s Kitchen Table brings passion, professionalism, and an undeniable love for music. We highly recommend them for any festival, venue, or event looking for a band that can captivate a crowd and create an unforgettable experience.
Brandon Wells and the Low E Band

I have been playing music for 26 years, in my 26 year career you come across a lot of musicians. I can tell you that these musicians are some of the best. Their professionalism, talent and dedication are unmatched. I truly enjoyed sharing a stage with them and will always welcome any chance to do so again. Never miss this talent! May God continue to bless you all and may you share his gifts with the world!
Jessica Hannan, The Jessica Hanna Band

The Vault Wine Bar loves Tom’s Kitchen Table! We have them perform several times in the summer when we do live music on our patio and they always draw a great crowd! TKT plays music that everyone loves and can sing along to!
Cindy, The Vault, Shelby, Ohio