The Eremita Exchange

Andrea Carlson is a true heart and soul performer.  And when it comes to the arts and especially music, she is fearless.  She has no problem venturing into, and navigating uncharted musical waters.  Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.  And for her, no lifejacket is required.  She has lived all over the country, and each of those experiences has guided her to a new way to express and share her wo...

Keith Giosa is one of Philadelphia's most versatile musicians.  With over 30 years in the music business as a composer, songwriter, producer, arranger, engineer, teacher and singer, he is also more than capable of covering a myriad of instruments, but is called on most frequently for keyboards, bass, guitar and vocals.  All of which he is equally adept. Both live and in the studio he has establish...

Versatility is drummer Abe Speller's calling card. Regardless of the style or genre, Abe will adapt his playing to suit the song. Always.  And although Jazz is his preferred form of musical expression, he has both the willingness and the chops to play and enjoy any opportunities that come his way.  Some of the well-know artists he's played with include Pat Benatar, Steve Forbert, Phoebe Snow and m...

Multi-instrumentalist Phil Miller describes himself as a musical "Swiss Army knife." Adept at so many instruments and able to play in so many styles and genres, he brings plenty of tools and blades to the table.  Whatever the job calls for.  He cut his teeth in the gospel world from a very young age, but branched out and has played with the likes of The Judds, Evelyn "Champagne" King and many othe...

Liz Miller is a musical force to be reckoned with.  And a songwriting machine.  After three decades as a successful songwriter, she has now ventured out into performing her music live and is making her mark on the Philly music scene.  And having spent a good portion of her life working as a cardiology nurse, it's no surprise that she brings plenty of heart to her music, both onstage and in the stu...

Michele and Chris Peraino are the driving force behind Swing that Cat, the dynamic retro-meets-modern band that blends jump, blues, swing, cabaret and New Orleans jazz into an upbeat style that they describe as a "sonic cocktail of jump blues swizzled in horny swing, with dash of cabaret, and a splash of Bourbon Street.  Simple as that.  As lead singer and band leader, Michele and her husband/guit...

Harry Barlo's story is a classic American story.  A kid who grew up singing doo-wop on the streets of Philadelphia and ultimately achieved his dream of performing in Las Vegas.  With plenty of ups and downs along the way.  As a singer, he has shared the stage with the likes of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Patti LaBelle, Tony Bennett and so many others.  And as a boxer, a US Marine and a Philly cop, he...

John Faye is a true Renaissance man.  As a celebrated author, performer, singer-songwriter and producer, he has made his mark on the Philly arts scene in multiple disciplines.  As the lead singer and songwriter of the band The Caulfields, he had a taste of national touring and dealing with the ups and downs of being on a major record label.  But no matter what obstacles life throws in his way, Joh...

Jesse Lundy has been a pivotal player in the Philly music scene for multiple decades.  As a senior talent buyer for Rising Sun Presents, he's seen, and been directly involved in the many changes in the business over the years, especially the redevelopment post-pandemic.  And it can be a battle. Constantly learning how to roll with the changes, and roll with the punches.  As a writer and musician,...

Part Two of the conversation with Larry Ahearn from Episode 31. From seeing Jimmy Page play on the stage of Philadelphia's Main Point; to flying on Elton John's plane; to being a part of the Amnesty International Tour; and everything in between. And in the process, rubbing elbows with more famous artists than you can shake a drumstick at.  And the stories that go with those encounters. 

Rarely do you find someone in the music industry who has made a living solely from their craft from the very beginning.  Anthony Newett is that guy.  Producer, multi-instrumentalist, teacher and live performer, Anthony became a working musician in his teens and has never looked back. Just as his father did, he has made his living from music and only music from the beginning.  His one and only job....

Violinist Hope Linton has been balancing the dynamics of being a musician for most of her life.  While growing up, she was a member of a classically-trained ensemble of her and her six siblings, and learned how to negotiate being a part of a musical group where the personal relationships are as complex as the music itself.  But despite this musical high-wire act, she has built a very successful ca...

Songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and so much more, Ross Bellenoit draws from a lot of musical wells.  Jazz, rock, pop, classical and just about every other genre out there.  Ross does a casual backstroke through the musical waters that would drown so many others.  I guess when you take a kid, who at age 12, both conducted an orchestral piece for a regional symphony and also played the e...

Glenn Barratt knew at a very young age what his life's calling was going to be.  And he also knew that he possessed the drive and determination to make it happen.  Come hell or high water.  So now, the award-winning engineer, producer, musician and owner of Morningstar Studios has maintained that drive and determination for nearly five decades and has left his indelible mark on the music industry....

Joe Mass makes it look easy.  Multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer, songwriter, studio-musician and the voice of Neil Young in "Broken Arrow," the tribute to the music of Neil Young, he can definitely do it all.  But make no mistake about it, he's put in the time and effort to achieve that level of musicianship despite its effortless appearance.  Join us on this remarkable journey of an accompl...

E.J. Simpson is all about versatility.  He plays multiple instruments, fronts his all original band, You Purple Virgin; does his own interpretation of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar; as well as performing with well-known bands, Beru Revue, Boris Garcia and others.  And if that weren't enough, he also teaches multiple instruments to students, as he says "from ages 6 to 96."  And somehow he stil...

At a very young age, Rodney Whittenberg had already decided what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. While accompanying his father on a visit to a local musician's house; a man who was going to transcribe a song his father had written; Rodney saw the vast array of instruments on the wall, the reel-to-reel recorder and accompanying equipment, and he was hooked.  And of course, the rest is his...

Some people talk the talk and some people walk the walk.  John Flynn definitely walks the walk.  Singer/songwriter and activist, both his life and his music originate from a point of truth and compassion.  He speaks for the voiceless and his message, whether musical or in life, comes from the. heart.  A social justice troubadour whose words speak loudly and clearly. And when he's not singing, he c...

Larry Ahearn spent eleven years working at the Main Point, Philadelphia's legendary music venue that hosted some of the top names in popular music from 1964 to 1981. With artists like Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot and so many others, playing the small coffeehouse before they had hit the big time. Join host Glenn Barratt with Larry as they shares th...

Ben Arnold has been a constant force in the Philadelphia music scene since the early 90's.    His standard of excellence as a singer-songwriter and a live performer has remained consistent, even as the industry has changed around him. He's established himself as a solo artist, band member, multi-instrumentalist, producer and educator. In this conversation, we talk about his newly-released album; h...

Singer-Songwriter Kenn Kweder has been a fixture of the Philly music scene for going on six decades.  And being from Philadelphia, it's no surprise that independence is one of the guiding forces behind his career path, his songwriting, his performing and his lifestyle.  He is fiercely independent.  His experience working with The Ramones, Patti Smith and Cheap Trick shows the level of his talent,...

John Byrne's songs invariably tell a story. Which is no surprise considering the compelling tale of the path that led the Dublin, Ireland native to become one of Philadelphia's most prominent performers. And his musical reach extends far beyond the East Coast.  Leader and frontman of The John Byrne Band, Byrne's music is a combination of Celtic and American Folk, and speaks from the heart. Tales o...

Although he is, without question, one of the finest drummers around, to call Erik Johnson simply a drummer is doing him a major disservice.  He is also a vocalist, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, teacher, composer and arranger/producer. As well as being in demand as a studio and live musician.  In short the man does it all. Current member of the band The Fractals, which is made up of Erik and two...

When you start playing keyboards at age seven and by the age of twelve you're playing professional gigs, your career path has pretty much been decided.  That's Dave Posmontier in a nutshell.  Lifetime musician, jazz pianist fixture in the Philly music scene and always in demand as a studio player and a live performer, Dave Posmontier is recognized as one of Philly's finest.  And whether composing,...

With over three decades in the Music/Entertainment industry as a respected producer, musician and engineer, Rich Waller knows the ins and outs of the business.  And the ups and downs.  And how it all fits together.  Having worked with artists like John Legend, Grover Washington Jr., Michael Brecker, The Roots and so many others, Rich climbed his way up the ladder by paying attention and by being c...