In 1966, the Seagrams, a rock-n-roll band made up of four teenage girls from Academy High School, was playing local Erie venues. But in the summer of 1967, the band got an agent in New York City who changed their name to The Female Monkees and sent them on tour of the East Coast and Canada. This episode chronicles what must have been a memorable few years for the young members of the Seagrams/Female Monkees. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of ...
Jan 05, 2025•13 min•Season 9Ep. 82
Before he became the bass player for Donnie Iris and Cruisers in 1992, Paul Goll played in Erie bands like The Web of Sound, Anacrusis, and Real To Reel in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1970s he left Erie for Florida and toured up and down the East Coast with his band Powerglide for over a decade before returning to Erie to Play in Mr. Gone. Throughout those years, he has played with some of Erie’s finest rock-and-roll musicians, and he still gets to play with his long-time friend Marty Lee in Don...
Dec 24, 2024•58 min•Season 8Ep. 80
A lot of Erieites know Tony Stefanelli only for the great chocolate he makes at Romolo Chocolates. What they don't realize is that he's been involved in the local music scene since the late 1960s, first as a guitarist and guitar teacher, and then as one of the area's premier jazz bassists. In this episode, he talks about everything from playing guitar in some rough bars back when he was a teenager to joining the popular band Wave and finally meeting up with his long-time jazz bandmates Frank Sin...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min
I call him by his pseudonym, Danny White, but he refers to himself in this episode simply as GOD. From the late 1970s through the 1980s, Danny Smith played in some of the most original and unique bands in Erie (e.g., X-Whites, Generic Beat, Wiggling Judies, Rub The Buddah). His antics onstage were legendary, and occasionally would end up with him wearing little or nothing by the end of a show. In this frenetic interview, I try to tame the wild man long enough for him to coherently tell me his st...
Sep 22, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 8Ep. 79
After learning to play guitar at age 17 in the mid 1960s, Dave Van Amburg would spend the next 11 years playing solo and in bands such as Back Country Jam and Calico. Then he took a 40-year break from music. In 2013, he began playing again in bands such as 2Blue, Bootlegger Bible Club, Matty B & the Dirty Pickles, House of Rhythm, The V Band, and others, and he hasn't let up. Listen to Dave's fascinating and inspiring musical journey in episode 78. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring...
Jul 07, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 8Ep. 78
As the bass player for The Snowmen back in the 70s, Bill Miller experienced the rise of that band's popularity in Erie and their subsequent move to California where they played famous venues like the Whisky a Go Go and recorded their music video . When he returned to Erie, he continued to play in top bands like Wave and Rhythm Method, and today he still plays in Gypsy Heart . Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide educ...
Jun 02, 2024•51 min•Season 8Ep. 77
Since graduating from Academy in 1976, Dale Meyer has almost continually been drumming locally, mostly in country bands for the likes of Tulsa, The Rudler Brothers, Southwind, and Nighthawk. He even once played a Kenny Rogers at the request of ... Kenny Rogers himself! In recent years, you can find him playing cajon with The Acoustic Jukebox and hosting his own "Driveway Jams" with various musicians he's played with and come to know over the years. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the...
Apr 21, 2024•52 min•Season 8Ep. 76
In his day job, Ron Seggi interviews some of the biggest stars in showbiz on his syndicated radio show . But since the early 1970s when he was "Ronnie Gee" on Erie radio, he was also singing in the evening in his bands that played many of the local lounges. In fact, in 1972, one of his songs was among the 141 country songs nominated for a GRAMMY (he got to attend the show!). Living in Florida now, Ron talks in this episode about how he got involved in performing, what he's doing today, and he ev...
Apr 14, 2024•59 min•Season 8Ep. 75
If you’re a drummer in Erie, it’s likely you’ve encountered Pat Ross. He’s the owner of Let There Be Drums, and he’s been actively playing in bands since the 1970s, including Endless Summer, Briton, Lake Effect, Encore, and many more. He talks about all of it in this episode. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide education scholarships to grade school-age children as well as annual giving to local organizations and ch...
Mar 31, 2024•55 min•Season 8Ep. 74
Vocalist Paula Holmes talks about her early bands while still in school and then joining the Ruby Port Band in 1971 right after graduating from Strong Vincent. Ruby Port became the house band at the Calabrese Club in Little Italy. Later she covers her time playing in Christian rock band Clockwise and meeting her husband, who was a touring musician at the time. Paula would continue to sing in bands throughout the years and reconnect with some of her former bandmates whenever she would return to E...
Mar 03, 2024•48 min•Season 8Ep. 73
Not only did Chuck Leone play keyboards in many local bands like Anacrusis, Silverlight, Wave, The Cows, and Mr. Gone, he also traveled up and down the East Coast in a Tampa, FL-based band called Powerglide. In this episode, he talks about playing in Erie during the 1970s and '80s, his time on the road, and opening for artists/bands like Johnny Rivers, Foreigner, and Steppenwolf. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide ...
Feb 25, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 8Ep. 72
Rick Krasinski has played in many bands, some of which include the Monarchs, Aura, Pluto, Tite Endz, The Breeze, Nightshift, The Return, Heartless, and the Lone Rider Band. At 69, he continues to play steady gigs as the drummer and one of the singers in Twisted Lid. In this interview, we go back into his time machine (which is actually another of his band names) to relive some of his favorite music moments, including a gig at the 1978 Moon Meadows Rock-N-Roll Festival. Thanks to the JPT Foundati...
Feb 18, 2024•55 min•Season 8Ep. 71
After he was an Avenger, Denny Fabrizi was ... a Cow? Yes, the long-time Erie accordion player and keyboardist once played in a band called the Avengers in 1966, and then in 1974 he joined the popular Erie band The Cows. He played in various other bands throughout the years — including a long stint in Lake Effect — and in recent years has been a part of the reformed Ruby Port. At 75, he's also joined a new band called Rewind that will debut in the Spring of 2024. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for...
Feb 11, 2024•38 min•Season 8Ep. 70
He's nearly 72, and there has hardly been a time since he was a teenager when Harry Parker wasn't in a band. Today, he plays in three bands: Acoustic Ear Candy, Jack Stevenson's Buried Treasure Band, and a duo with his wife Donna called Parker HD. Throughout the years, Harry's played in multiple country and rock bands, and his enthusiasm for music — and life! — is not only contagious, it's inspiring. He's gone from a little kid on his bike trying to sing with the older guys singing doo-wop songs...
Feb 04, 2024•57 min•Season 8Ep. 69
He was a part-time journalist, he ran his own recording studio, he’s a filmmaker, and of course, Tom Weber was a guitarist in one of Erie’s most popular and iconic bands from the 1980s, The Dogs. Tom shares how he got started in music and film and how he unexpectedly was asked to join The Dogs. Links related to Tom and The Dogs: The Dogs live at We Love Erie Days, Aug 1992 The Dogs – “Frank Sutton ” — Erie Cablevision The Dogs – 1988 Electric Banana, Pittsburgh Tom Weber Films Facebook page Tom ...
Dec 31, 2023•1 hr 10 min
This episode originally went live on July 1, 2022. When Barry King moved to Erie in the early 1970s, he almost immediately starting playing in bands like Sky’s The Limit and any others he could get involved with. He loves the Blues, but he’s played plenty of R&B and classic rock over the years, sometimes playing 52 weeks a year. Thanks again to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide education scholarships to grade school...
Dec 17, 2023•49 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Dave McMillin is not from Erie originally, he’s from Pittsburgh, and he now lives in Meadville. But he played plenty of gigs in Erie and all over the country in the 1970s and 80s with his band McMillin & Life, which is a spoof of the name of the old TV series "McMillan and Wife." He still plays today, and he has no plans of retiring. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide education scholarships to grade school-age ...
Oct 22, 2023•45 min•Season 7Ep. 66
Joe Dorris played in Erie in the early 1970s in bands like Zeus and Antia. He would later play in the Dorris Brothers band for many years, spend some time playing in Boston (including a very funny gig at a bar ON a bar), and eventually would go onto play with Frank Singer in various jazz bands to this day. He's a drummer, a singer, a harmonica player, and an interview you don't want to miss! Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is...
Oct 15, 2023•49 min•Season 7Ep. 65
A lot of Erie music fans remember Jim Buman as the guitarist in the 70s rock band "Guardian" when he even used to wear a cape! But after injuring his arm in a skiing accident, it took him years to get back to playing again. But once he got better, he never stopped, and in recent years he's been in bands like Taylor Maid, Joe Rockhead, Hiway Starr, and his current band, Cherry Bomb. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provid...
Oct 08, 2023•57 min•Season 7Ep. 64
Before he was a "Dock Boy" or a full-time musician living in Florida playing almost every day of the week at some of the nicest resorts, Boyd Baker was a rocker! He's still a rocker at heart, and he talks about his high school band Polaris and other bands like playing in Dirty Looks in the early years! He just a happy, nice guy to interview with some great stories about growing up in Erie and playing music. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of t...
Oct 01, 2023•42 min•Season 7Ep. 63
Dave Richards may not be a musician, but he did have a transformative effect on the Erie music scene for about 31 years. Of course, that effect came primarily through the words he wrote in the Erie newspaper about Erie musicians, but also it came from his unwavering support of the live music scene as his alter ego Dr. Rock. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide education scholarships to grade school-age children as we...
Sep 24, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Season 7Ep. 62
In recent years, Scott Kuhn has played in bands such as Gypsy Heart, Guru, Lake Effect, Stilleto, Blonde Faith, and Division Street machine. But he started playing in bands like Crossroads and Mercy Sakes in the early 1970s, and his name has been mentioned by multiple previous guests as one of the best keyboard players in town. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide education scholarships to grade school-age children a...
Sep 17, 2023•40 min•Season 7Ep. 61
A lot of Erie folks remember Mark Gorczycki as the teenage guitar player in the popular southern rock band "Easy" from 1978-1981. But he played in plenty of other successful bands over the years, including "Rhythm Method," which was one of the bands that played that final night at the Peninsula Inn (PI). Mark shares that story and many more in this fun interview that you won't want to miss! Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is ...
Sep 10, 2023•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 60
Dave Kane played in Erie from 1965-1975. He is a professional pianist and composer of both jazz and classical music and has performed with many famous jazz artists as well as with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, and the Twentieth Century Consort. In addition, he has composed hundreds of film and TV scores. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide education scholarships to grade school-age childre...
Sep 03, 2023•56 min•Season 7Ep. 59
He's been mentioned in so many previous episodes, and for good reason: Scott Campbell is a great guitarist who has played in many popular Erie cover bands in the 1970s and 1980s — bands such as Red White, & Blueberry; Stillwater; Quill Eller; Clockwise; Briton; and Major League. Scott covers a lot of ground in this episode, sharing some of those fun and difficult (e.g., a trip to LA to "make if big") experiences from his 60+ years of being a musician. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsor...
Jun 25, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 6Ep. 58
Art Phillips has two Emmy awards for work he did in the 1980s on the TV show Santa Barbara , and he has scored over 1,500 hours of original music for broadcast TV series, films, and documentaries. In the mid 1970s, he moved to LA and became a top session guitarist working with artists such as Barry Manilow, Minnie Riperton, Teena Marie, and the group that drew him away from Erie when he was just 19 — The Lettermen. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The g...
Jun 11, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 57
Up until he was a teenager, Paul Sontheimer excelled at piano, which was no surprise considering his mother was one of the best piano teachers in town. Still, when he got to high school, he decided to switch instruments and picked up the cello and eventually bass. After playing in local prog rock band Astaroth for a few years, he leaves Erie in 1979 and moves to Dallas where he lands a job with Showco and eventually travels the world as a roadie and then sound engineer for rock tours with artist...
May 28, 2023•47 min•Season 6Ep. 56
Bob Nelson has frequently been described as a laid-back, easygoing dude, who, despite not being a musician, had a huge impact on the Erie music scene as the owner of the Docksider from 1983-2006. Here he tells the origin of the bar and recounts some of its most famous nights and many of the bands that played there. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide education scholarships to grade school-age children as well as ann...
May 21, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 6Ep. 55
In 1977, Joe Scutella was playing percussion in the Chuck Ventrello Concourse, one of Erie's first jazz ensembles. He would eventually transition to guitar and ended up traveling with the Frederick Martin Band and playing around town in other projects such as Jabberwocky and Kid Id & The Egos while also playing plenty of solo gigs. A songwriter at heart, Joe eventually moved to Nashville with a publishing deal and went on to write music for a living while also starting his own publishing com...
May 14, 2023•46 min•Season 6Ep. 54
Those who know him, simply refer to him as "Tune," a nickname he earned when he was very young playing drums in the late 1960s. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s he was always playing, sometimes in cover bands (e.g., Victory, Moonlighters) and sometimes in bands playing more originals (e.g., The Pulse, Pistol Whip). And when an established band needed a reliable drummer to fill in, Jeff Klahr was frequently the guy who got the call. Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History...
May 07, 2023•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 53
