Music:
Member Since: 11/18/2005
Band Website: thevergevegas.com
Band Members:
Lead Vocals/Guitar
Kelly Christian has had a passion for music since an early age. He started in the industry as a kid doing a bit of musical theater, singing madrigals in the school choir, and playing the saxophone in the jazz band. Living in the Midwest, Kelly decided to move to L.A. to write songs where he also worked on movie sets all the while continuing to hone his craft. His ultimate dream was to become a pop-rock singer. Kelly’s unique vocal style and talent has brought him to the Whisky in Hollywood to the Regis and Katie Lee Show in New York and back many times. His talent has taken him to Las Vegas where he now is the lead vocalist for the area’s premier cover band: The Verge. Kelly is influenced by a variety of artists including: The Doors, Stevie Wonder, U2, Journey, Elvis, and The Beatles. Kelly released his first all original solo album Eleven/21 in 2005 to some success. During his free time Kelly enjoys catching up on much needed sleep, and watching King of the Hill or South Park on TV. He also takes pleasure in listening to or reading political commentaries. Kelly has developed a strong connection with the Verge and enjoys a good night out drinking with his fellow band mates or watching the stars if, on occasion the bright lights of Las Vegas don’t overshadow the sky. Kelly continues to work on solo material and still daydreams about his continued success as an entertainer.
Lead Guitar/Vocals
Jim McKenzie has earned a bachelors degree in music and is also considered “the Bachelor of Musicâ€. Jim is truly a talent at his craft and one of the best guitar players Las Vegas has ever seen. Jim has toured western Canada professionally for many years and has even taught at the Conservatory of Music at Brandon University in Manitoba Canada. Jim hails from Minnedosa, Manitoba where he spent much of his youth learning to play guitar. On stage he emulates some of the greats that have ever touched the instrument, Jimmi Hendrix (watch for him to play with his teeth), and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Jim is highly influenced by the Blues and a variety of other styles. Jim McKenzie’s on stage presence makes him quite a showman and a consummate professional; watching his fingers dance across the fret board is entertaining enough. Jim has been playing in Las Vegas with his brother and drummer, Troy, since 2002. As the Verge’s popularity and demand has increased Jim has found a home in Las Vegas, many miles away from the moose and snow of Manitoba.
Drums
Troy McKenzie has been playing drums since he was about 12 years old. His early start prompted him to keep up with his older brother’s skills on the guitar. Troy comes from Minnedosa, Manitoba Canada where he’s played in many of the opening slots for national touring acts. Troy’s drumming talent has taken him on a tour of Canada and eventually to the bright lights and glamour of Las Vegas. Troy believes that the drums are such an integral part of bringing a band together he is nothing short of a perfectionist on the skins. Troy likes to write and play his own music, on a variety of different instruments all of which he is self-taught. Troy enjoys fishing (where he has never been lost at sea) and drinking beer with his friends and band mates. Troy’s impeccable timing and soul for the trap kit has kept him busy in Las Vegas, playing professionally and steadily since 2002. He, like his brother Jim, has come a long way from the moose and snow of Manitoba, but has found a home in the Mojave where he continues to keep the rhythm section of the Verge rockin’.
Keyboards
Brent Stapleton was born and raised in Brandon, Manitoba Canada where he started music lessons at the early age of 9. Brent’s first band did a professional tour for Kawai organs and pianos. Brent has played in many local Manitoba bands such as C.P. Express and Renegade as well as the Winnipeg based band, Angel Heart, all of which introduced him to the joys of road life during the late 80s and 90s. Brent has also played the organ during the Brandon University hockey games where he learned two national anthems. Brent left the ice of the hockey arena to join up and tour the ice of Canada with a local Bud Country talent search winner, where he first started playing with the two other fellow Canadians and the Verge band members, brothers Jim and Troy McKenzie. After being fired from the Bud Country tour, Brent (and the brothers McKenzie) continued to tour western Canada for many years after that, when they eventually evolved into the group Tineta and Electric Avenue, which shortly relocated to Las Vegas and eventually transformed into the Verge. Brent is now happy to call Sin City home with his wife Tobie and daughter (up and coming rocker) Jade.
Influences: Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Journey, INXS, Duran Duran, The FIXX, The Doors, The Beatles, Frank Zappa, Neil Diamond, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, U2, The Gin Blossoms, Elvis, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Leadbelly, The Band, Weezer, Van Morrison, AC/DC, Santana.
Sounds Like: The Verge is a cover band, request a song and they should be able to play it.
Type of Label: None
