Erie Music History Podcast

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 1...

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 S...

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 goa...

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...

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 Kla...

He's been a Dog, a Bluesbeater, and he was even part of the living dead for awhile. Whether you know him by Jack Bernard, Dean Gleason, or any of his other pseudonyms, you know he's played in plenty of Erie bands — both as a bassist and drummer — and he's got plenty of stories to share.  Thanks to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foun...

Marlene Flick shares some of her most memorable stories  about having worked in rock clubs like The Alternative, Sherlocks, and others over the years.  She's been a long-time supporter of live music in Erie, and she currently helps manage the music at Philly On The Rocks. She's joined by Kent Williams, current drummer of AC/DC tribute band Hellz Bellz who talks about some of the crazy ex...

After playing in Erie bands like Crossroads, The Younger Brothers, and others  in the 1970s, Dan McNamara decided to move to LA and try life as a professional musician. After playing in multiple bands — one of which was huge in Bavaria! —he eventually got a "real job" teaching music in the school system. He never stopped playing, though, and today he lives in Nashville. As Dickie Buckel...

Due to a last-minute interview cancellation, I thought I'd add a short episode that gives you an update on how the podcast has been going and what's next. 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-age children as well as annual giving to local organizations and char...

John Farr wanted to tell his story of how the Stabilizers got their record contract, because he was part of that experience. But before that, he was running lights for popular Erie bands such as Pistol Whip, The New Younger Brothers, and The Pulse. In this episode he shares anecdotes from his work with all of those bands as well as how he went on to work with acts such as The Iron City Houserocker...

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 F...

Bob Tome was the guitarist in The Commodores! No, not that Commodores — the band of middle schoolers from Erie that was formed in 1967! He may not have played with Lionel Richie, but he did once play with Al Green. But before that, he was one busy guitarist in Erie in the 1970's playing for bands such as Group Therapy, Ma Brown, Chaser, Clockwise, Wave, and ATV. Thanks again to the JPT Founda...

Kevin Bensink  — AKA: Antoine Jack — has been a bass player in The Bluesbeaters and multiple other bands for decades -- and he's barely stopped playing live since the 1970s. But did you know that he started out as a keyboard player? And you'll never guess who he had to rent his first PA from. And then there was that time when some guys pulled guns at the end of a gig. Obviously, you don&...

A lot of folks in Erie know Ron Rudler's name because he was a long-time high school teacher and football coach. But Rudler's "other career" as a musician has kept him just as busy for the past 50+ years playing in the Rudler Brothers Band (which is still together) as well as with others such as The Bob Casey Band, Tulsa, and possibly "Albion's first rock band" T...

He's played in The Wiggling Judies, Rub The Buddah, Blood Pudding, Magoon, and plenty of other original and cover bands over the years. Jimmy Cuneo is a keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, and just all-around good dude ... and he's still playing today. Thanks again to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide...

Angelo & Pete Natalie each played in the early version of the Ruby Port band that played at the Calabrese Club in the early 1970s, and Pete stills plays with Ruby Port whenever they regroup. Angelo went on to join the Cows, and the two brothers would later get heavily involved with the budding Christian music ("Jesus Rock") scene with Angelo playing in Jonah/Clockwise. Of course, as...

Mike Lotz has played piano and keyboard since he was very young, and he would go on to play in various Erie bands over the years, including the popular "Endless Summer" during the 1980s. For many years he also has been a booking agent, and today he still plays nearly 100 gigs a year.  Thanks again to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the fo...

In 1962, at the age of 17, Carl "Skip" Niebauer joined with Bill Arnold and John Nicotra to form what would eventually be called the Arkay IV. The band would continue up until 1971 with various personnel changes, but throughout those nine years the Arkay IV became one of the most popular bands in the region. Just two years after forming, their single "Little Girl" was being pla...

As the host of the popular "2 Man Happy Hour" podcast, Jack lists what bands/artists are playing each week and where in Erie and the surrounding area. As such, he has created an essential tool for the region's live music lovers. But of course, Jack is also an accomplished musician, having played bass and guitar in various bands since the early 1980s. We cover his early band "Th...

At 82, Dave is still playing about 70 gigs a year with his band The Jays. But his story goes back to the 1950s when he started singing with The Four Jays in high school, and by graduation was playing the summer in The Poconos after having traveled all over during school.  Dave has lived a full life, and he shares some of his musical highlights in this episode. Thanks again to the JPT Foundation fo...

Most people know of Tim Theisen from his time playing in the popular band Wave with his brothers and sister. But prior to Wave getting started in 1975, Tim had been actively working as a musician in the Erie area and even a bit in his hometown state of Wisconsin. He talks about what life was like being a full-time musician and traveling the East Coast with his siblings and friends up until the 199...

Phil and Tim Papotnick got bit by the music bug early in life. In fact, Tim started playing in older brother Phil's band, The Ravens, when he was just 12 years old. They talk about traveling around playing in the Ravens during the 1960s and '70s and even give the backstory on that surprise gig opening for KISS at the Erie County Fieldhouse. They cover al the bands they played for up unti...

He's got a last name that's well known in the Erie music community. Bassist/drummer Tony Krasinski is our guest, and he talks about starting out playing in bands like Live Wire and The Visitors before joining with his brother Dave in the Bedrocks, a (mostly) original group that was the house band at his father's bar, Norb's, throughout most of the 1980s. Check out some classic...

Bob Seaman and Bob Walkow have known each other for 50+ years and have played in Erie Beatles tribute band, Abbey Road, since the 1990s. Both of them started playing music in the 1960s, and we cover how each of them got started and what bands they played in over the years. Thanks again to the JPT Foundation for sponsoring the the Erie Music History podcast. The goal of the foundation is to provide...

They were just a bunch of high school kids, but in the mid to late 1960s in Erie, The Calientes were one of the most popular bands around. The band's bassist, Tim Gehrlein, tells how the band got started and played everywhere from North Warren hospital to tons of high school dances and even frat parties. Then, in 1969, they broke up and didn't reunite until 45 years later! Thanks again t...