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Erie Music History Podcast
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Erie Music History Podcast

Author: Chip Schell

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The Erie Music History (EMH) podcast focuses on interviews with local musicians who actively played out in venues in and around Erie, PA in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Its purpose is to highlight some of the vast musical talent that Erie had to offer during this time and to allow the musicians to share their stories of playing back then. Hosted by local musician Chip Schell, the author of “9 Years Of Rock: The Story Of The Concerts At The Erie County Fieldhouse,” the EMH podcast does not cover the current Erie music scene. The choice of guest also does not imply some type of ranking of who was better or more important during this period; Chip simply chooses guests based on who he wants to interview. His goal is to include musicians who played covers and originals in a variety of styles (e.g., rock, punk, country). 

81 Episodes
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079: Danny Smith

079: Danny Smith

2024-09-2201:05:04

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...
078: Dave VanAmburg

078: Dave VanAmburg

2024-07-0701:02:02

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 sponsori...
077: Bill Miller

077: Bill Miller

2024-06-0250:44

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...
076: Dale Meyer

076: Dale Meyer

2024-04-2152:27

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 ...
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 to...
074: Pat Ross

074: Pat Ross

2024-03-3155:11

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...
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 wo...
072: Chuck Leone

072: Chuck Leone

2024-02-2501:08:41

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 provi...
071: Rick Krasinski

071: Rick Krasinski

2024-02-1855:12

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 Founda...
070: Denny Fabrizi

070: Denny Fabrizi

2024-02-1137:46

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 Found...
069: Harry Parker

069: Harry Parker

2024-02-0457:07

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 so...
066: Dave McMillin

066: Dave McMillin

2023-10-2244:47

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 sc...
065: Joe Dorris

065: Joe Dorris

2023-10-1548:33

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 ...
064: Jim Buman

064: Jim Buman

2023-10-0856:49

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 pro...
063: Boyd Baker

063: Boyd Baker

2023-10-0141:41

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 o...
062: Dave Richards

062: Dave Richards

2023-09-2401:26:46

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...
061: Scott Kuhn

061: Scott Kuhn

2023-09-1739:50

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 c...
060: Mark Gorczycki

060: Mark Gorczycki

2023-09-1001:00:22

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 founda...
059: Dave Kane

059: Dave Kane

2023-09-0356:03

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 chil...
058: Scott Campbell

058: Scott Campbell

2023-06-2501:24:25

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 fo...
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