Bob Schroeder Bio:

Bob is married to Ria (17+ years) with three (FourJ) children:  Sydney (16), Cory (14), Lauren (4) and their poodle Mocha.  Bob has worked at Lima Pathology Laboratories in Lima, Ohio for 21+ years and is the Regional Manager.  On occasion, Bob’s daughter Sydney will sit in with the band for a few songs to show off her beautiful voice.  Lauren will someday sit in, because she loves to sing too.  Ria and Bob for the past 14 years have fought to keep their son Cory alive who is diagnosed with Leigh’s disease.  Most patients die by the age of 6 with this disease, but Cory is proving them all wrong!!!  In 2007 Cory spent 51 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Toledo St. Vincent’s Hospital.

Bob’s musical career started in 1980 at the age of 16, when he along with fellow Exploiter Ed Burwell created the band The Blanchard Valley Bluegrass Boys.  Their first album “Cabin in the Woods” was released in 1982 featuring Bob, Ed, Rudy (Mark) Okuly, and Lynn Fox.  In 1983 they won the title “Best New Bluegrass Band in America” sponsored by KFC in Louisville, KY.  One of the judges was John Cowan of the Newgrass Revival.  They won $3,000.00, a trophy, and a recording deal in Nashville which was produced by Sam Bush of the Newgrass Revival.  Their second album “Southbound Express” was released in 1984.  Both albums contained mostly original music written by Ed and Bob.  The BVBB toured all over the country and opened for many big name acts.  That band ended its six-year run on August 3, 1986 at the Square Fair in Lima, Ohio.

On August 13, 1986 “The Buck Tanner Band” started with Bob, Ed, Gary Stennett, Mike Crisp, and Dan “Spanky” Corwin.  A year later fellow Exploiter Frank “Elwood” Harnishfeger joined BTB and filled out a truly talented band that got to open for Waylon Jennings, The Danger Brothers, and performed many big festivals in Ohio.  In 1989-1990 fellow Exploiter Mark “Slappa’ Utz joined the BTB.

In September of 1990 Bob, Slappa, Mike Crisp, Andy Flores, and John Mobley created the first version of “Exploit.”  In 1993 they released their first album (CD) “Pretty Girls on the Dance Floor.”  The title cut, which was written by John’s brother Wendel Mobley, received heavy airplay on many radio stations and is still the most requested song at Exploit’s performances.  Exploit had several changes in their line up through out the years with Mike Mobley (who wrote Neil McCoy’s song “Billy’s got his Beer Goggles On”), Ed Burwell joined in 1996, and Travis Williams, Travis Parsons, Rick Eddy, James Goar and Don Gray also were members.  In 1998, Exploit released its second CD called “Summer of 98.”  Exploit has opened for The Romantics, 38 Special, The Little River Band, Joe Diffie, Marty Stewart, Wade Hayes, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Staler Brothers and many more.  Exploit has performed at the Country Concert in the Hills in Fort Loramie, OH, Maria Stein’s Country Fest, St Gerard’s Festival in Lima, OH, The October Fest In Columbus, The Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland where they opened for Pat Daley who has appeared on the Bob and Tom Show, Exploit was the first band to play at “The Rib Off” in Lima, OH which has blossomed into one of the largest Festival’s around and many, many more!!!

Bob formed the band “Flyer” along with Don Gray, Kevin Maiberger, and fellow Exploiter Mark “Slappa” Utz.  This band started 2003 and played many local festivals and clubs.  Flyer also got to open for David Lee Murphy “Dust on the Bottle” in Ada, Ohio.  Flyer also was joined by fellow Exploiter Frank “Elwood” Harnishfeger.  Flyer played at Maria Stein’s Country Fest, The Ohio State Fair, The Square Fair in Lima, White Oak’s Jamboree, The Auglaize County Fair, was the official back-up band for T-102’s Country Star Playoffs, and many, many more.   

Bob’s other musical “notes” include being accepted at Bowling Green State University’s Music Department as a Percussion Major in 1981 and studying under Wendel Jones.  Bob also received the Reed Scholarship from Ohio State University for Vocal Performance.  Bob performed in several operas during his career at Ohio State University.  Bob also received a Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio State University in Business Administration with specialization in Accounting in 1992.  Performed with the Lima Symphony Orchestra and also directed the Praise and Worship Choir at the Immaculate Conception parish in Celina, Ohio. 

Bob also is part owner of The Sharpest Sounds DJ Service along with Cody Sharp.  Please see attached web site for more details.

Bob’s main job in Exploit is to Sing and play Bass.  He also plays the Acoustic Guitar on some songs and plays the drums when Slappa comes out front.