The Eremita Exchange

Episode 37 - Ross Bellenoit

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 entire guitar part from Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" at his elementary school talent show, his future skies would be limitless.  And they are.  One of Philly's most in-demand musicians, both live and in the studio, Ross Bellenoit has done it all.  And yet, his future musical to-do list is vast.  Join us for a trip from the past, present and future with "Little Rolling Thunder."  It's quite the journey.

Episode 36 - Glenn Barratt

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.  Join us for Part One of his fascinating musical journey.

Episode 35 - Joe Mass

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 accomplished musician who has made his mark and continues to make his mark on the music scene, but through it all, manages to maintain his humbleness and likability.

Episode 34 - E.J. Simpson

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 still finds the time to write and record his own albums of originals.  "December" is the soon to be released follow-up to "Fabulous Fantasy."  Which is aptly named based on his life, which can at times seem like a fabulous fantasy.  Is E.J. Simpson versatile?  Why yes.  Yes he is.

Episode 33 - Rodney Whittenberg

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 history. Multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, singer-songwriter, filmmaker, performer and owner/operator of Melodyvision Studios, Rodney Whittenberg took the dream of that six-year old boy who accompanied his dad that day and turned the dream into his real-life story. And what an amazing story it is.