About Us

  - coming soon - 

Formerly an Assistant Promotions Director with 105.9 QWiK ROCK, Darlene has used her love for live music and photography to network bands, venues, and others together--for more than twenty-five years.  She is the owner of Facebook pages "Central PA Bands," "Bands Music & Everything In-Between," and "Darlene Hassinger Band Photography."  Darlene is also a booking agent for a local venue and for two annual benefit shows.

 With over 30 years of experience, Fred is the lead recording and mix engineer for Munck Music, Inc.  When not on the road with Munck, he's a local musician, a freelance live/studio audio mixer, and a stagehand for Hershey Music and Theater.  Fred also is the lead sound engineer at The Englewood.  Fred attended Berklee College of Music as a Guitar Performance major and the University of Miami for Audio Engineering.  Fred was also a 2020 Grammy Nominee for the Regional Roots Music Category, and Grammy Winner in 2023!

Glenn Hamilton is a 40-year plus radio veteran--as well as a voiceover artist and singer/songwriter.  He has been on the air at The River 97.3, since the station's debut in 1992.  Glenn is the Program Director and host of The Morning Show.  He has always been a fan of the incredibly talented Central PA music community.  Glenn is also a co-host of The Local Show, which shines the spotlight on local music!

 Ann Marie Knorr-Fischer is an Entertainment Talent Buyer with B.R.P. Entertainment.  She helps clients book all forms of local and national entertainment, as well as keynote speakers.  She began her career in the entertainment industry as the Assistant House Manager at the Whitaker Center for Science and Arts in Harrisburg, PA. There, she provided support for a variety of shows—ranging from local resident companies to touring national acts.  Ann Marie’s newest endeavor is that of a fantasy author.  With the help of her co-author, Rachel Fischer, Ann Marie recently published her first book titled Raven Naelo and The Artifact of the Stolen Souls. The novel is part one of a three-part series—with part two expected to be released in winter of 2021.

  William B. “Bill” Trousdale is a name that’s synonymous with radio. Bill has been a radio host, announcer, voiceover specialist, production director, music director, and is currently the President of the Pennsylvania Museum of Music and Broadcast History.  He is also an active member of the Keystone Record Collectors.

  Terry’s first gigs in the music business were managing recording studios and promoting records in NYC.  He came back to PA when some friends from college (Mansfield University, where he received a Music Business degree) asked him to manage their band, the Badlees.  He released several Badlees albums on his own label before they signed with Polydor/A&M.  Since then, he has worked with a number of other local artists, including The Jellybricks and Small Town Titans.  He has now moved into education and is the Executive Director of the Keystone Musical Arts Center in Camp Hill.

 Graduate of Red Land High School and Temple University’s Tyler School of Arts, Jen Shade is - and has always been - a music advocate.  Music has been a part of her life, all of her life. It started in the family living room with a massive console record player. Later, chorus, musicals and band turned into a career in the music and entertainment business.  Currently, Jen is enjoying an unprecedented thirty-year+ career in music and commercial radio. Past and current titles include: Morning Show Co-Host, Air Personality, News Director, Nightclub Executive Entertainment Director, Talent Buyer, Music Director, Assistant Program Director, Event Coordinator, Emcee, and Club DJ.  Jen is a Harrisburg Magazine Simply the Best Winner for Best Radio Personality and a Children's Miracle Network Personality of the Year.  Additionally, Jen won the 2016 Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Award for Best Morning Show.  Even after all of these years, music and the arts (all types) are the center of her universe. To her, it is communication. Communion. Talent. Skill. Expression. Passion. Jen is a firm believer that music brings people together and serves as the soundtrack of our lives.

Krystle Hauck-Shearer's lifelong passion for music has led her to both manage bands and perform in her own.  She is the president of NumbaNyne Entertainment, as well as the founder, organizer, and lead promoter for Peace of Mind Fest (a Central Pennsylvania-based event which has featured artists ranging from her local music scene to cast members of the Trailer Park Boys film/TV franchise).  Krystle is also the owner of Peace of Mind Cafe in Millersburg, which features monthly live music performances by some of the region's most talented musicians.

 Derek has been involved in various aspects of broadcast communications from the 1970’s through the 1990’s (at WLFC, WFIN, WNUF, WPNM, WCPA, WAEB, WKRZ, WEJL, and WSBA).  He operates a sideline DJ entertainment business; he is a freelance writer for numerous publications; and, he serves as the Key-Notes Editor/Communications for the Keystone Record Collectors--host of the monthly Pennsylvania Music Expo.

Michael Anthony Smith has spent over 30 years on the radio in Central Pennsylvania. For nearly that entire time, his passion has been showcasing local music on radio stations like 93.5 WTPA, Starview 92.7, and The River 97.3.  When he is not on the air, he also performs and records with bands all over South Central Pennsylvania.

 After graduating from Pennsylvania State University in 2004, Sarah Staub's lifelong love for music led her to a career in the music industry.   With more than 15 years experience, Sarah is the talent buyer for The Abbey Bar at Appalachian Brewing Company in Harrisburg and the owner of Greenbelt Events LLC (a music promotion/event production company).  From music festivals, to club shows, Sarah loves bringing people together and producing high-quality show experiences for her community to enjoy.   

 A graduate of Wyoming Seminary, Franklin and Marshall College, and Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Dr. Philip J. Schwartz has been a private practice optometrist (in Lancaster, PA)-- since 1979.  In addition, Dr. Schwartz is the
co-founder of Keystone Record Collectors, Inc., owner of both X-Bat records and Truth-In-Time music publishing, and a member of BMI.  He's also held the titles of record producer, researcher, author, and radio personality (with WSBA, WATS, WELM, WHEX, WDDL, WFNM (1968-96)).

  During his 25-year tenure at Lebanon Valley College, Professor Jeff Snyder created and directed the Music Business Concentration, served as the Music Department Chair, and led students in creating the award-winning VALE Music Group.  In 2019 he was awarded the first annual “Educator of Note” award by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame. In the summer of 2023, Professor Snyder retired from Academia and was awarded Professor Emeritus status. He currently is a member of various organizations--including the Audio Engineering Society, The Recording Academy, College Music Society, and Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association. 

  A journeyman artist, John Merx currently performs across the Mid-Atlantic region. When he’s not on stage as a harmonicist and vocalist, you may find him creating in the studio.  On top of his experience in supply chain management and mechanical engineering, John has also consulted with local music industry education programs on thinking outside of the box. 

    Sherri Mullen is an award-winning singer/songwriter, the owner of RDSD Publishing, and a voting member of NARAS (Grammy Awards).  She also works with individuals, companies, and colleges as a Music Business Consultant--helping them to understand the complexities of music rights management. Sherri taught in the Music Business Program at Lebanon Valley College for over 13 years and continues to serve as an advisor to the college’s student-run Vale Records label. Her passion is to support, empower, and educate music creators and others who manage intellectual property, so that they can protect their copyrights and maximize their royalty streams. 

 Dan Brenner is the Director of Modern Music at Spring Grove Area High School, where he has taught for 23 years. He leads classes in Modern Band, Songwriting, and directs the Select Modern Band, Jazz Ensembles, and Pep Band. A quarter-finalist for the Grammy Educator Award and recognized as an Outstanding Teacher by Shippensburg University, Dan is also an in-demand PMEA guest conductor and clinician for modern bands across the region. Dan holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Jazz/ Percussion from Lebanon Valley College, plus master’s degrees in Classroom Technology and Music Education. He also earned a Modern Band certificate from Lebanon Valley College. Beyond education, Dan is an accomplished performer, both as a solo artist and with Mark DeRose and the Dreadnoughts, with seven albums to his name. He has shared stages with Grammy winners like Blues Traveler and Michelle Branch, as well as artists such as Clark Terry, The Gin Blossoms, and Edwin McCain. His latest release, Carry On, is available on all major streaming platforms.

 Rod Goelz, a regional musician, has "gone international" with his teaching methods. As a published author of over ten books, The Associated Press has called him a "six-string surgeon." Rod is a Grammy nominated music educator (2013) and has been mentoring musicians and making music for more than 33 years. His most recent accolade includes Central Pennsylvania’s Music Awards “Best Music Lessons” for 2022. A York, PA native, Rod spent time at Berklee College of Music and earned a BA in Music Industry Studies from Millersville University. Rod has taught guitar, bass, drums, piano, mandolin and ukulele to musicians of all ages. He has expanded his reach to include Music and Wellness classes that provide individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to create. He is credited for his ability to creatively mix diverse areas of music and he believes that all styles offer something unique and valuable for every musician. He believes the best way to learn is by doing alongside others. Application brings understanding and motivation. Rod is a firm believer in the unifying power of music. 

 For 28 years, Scott has owned Players Exchange, a well-known used/vintage guitar shop in Lemoyne, PA.  A bass player for over 55 years, Scott has been active in the Central PA music scene since the 1970's.  No stranger to the stage, Scott played bass guitar with numerous top musicians and bands including New Found Freedom, the Middleton Brothers, Shea Quinn, Bob Barry, Subject 2 (with Jimmy DePalma), and many other over the decades.  In 2000, he was instrumental in launching the career of Elizabeth Hale of Halestorm, by recording her single, "Rose in December," for which he wrote and played the cello parts. Scott is passionate about helping and mentoring young talent.  Scott's current project is The Band Who Sold the World, a celebration of David Bowie, which he co-founded with Shea Quinn.

For more than three decades, Jim Price has celebrated the local and regional PA music 

scene. Since 1987, Jim has written about and photographed the west-central PA music scene in 

Pennsylvania Musician Magazine. A radio veteran of nearly 40 years in the Altoona and State 

College markets, Jim has hosted the “Homegrown Rocker” local music program since 1998; the 

program currently airs on Q94 Classic Rock (94.3 FM) in Altoona. Jim is also the percussionist 

and backing singer for acoustic trio The Backyard Rockers. In addition to his music endeavors, 

Jim by day is an adjunct instructor in Communications at Penn State Altoona. Additionally, he regularly hosts nightly trivia game events, and he’s an avid artist, gardener and outdoorsman. If you see him out and about on the music scene, you might even see Jim creating pen-sketch artwork of the musicians he’s covering!

 A life-long avid fan of many genres of music, Chris combined his love for music and photography into a hobby that has since become much more.  Covering shows of almost any type of music, from solo acoustic shows in bars/breweries/wineries, to national and international acts on large stages, he strives to capture that “one split second in time where the image matches the emotion of the moment.”  An active writer and photographer for Pennsylvania Musician Magazine, his monthly article focuses not only on the music, but also the venues that support our incredible live music scene. 

 A man born with the gift of gab, Alan was born and raised in Central PA. With over a decade of experience as a vocalist in multiple bands, music has always been Alan’s true passion. His journey took an unexpected - but incredible - turn in 2020 when asked to co-host the Darker with Daniel podcast with his good friend, primary host, and creator Daniel Keim. This opportunity

ultimately paved the way to bring his experience to the Central Pennsylvania Music Podcast as co-host. Alongside Daniel, Alan shares in the goal to celebrate and highlight the rich, unique, and truly special local music scene of Central Pennsylvania.

 A man of many passions, from computers and electronics, to cars and motorcycles. Hunter was born and raised in Central PA and has had a love for music his entire life. In 2020, Hunter joined his childhood friend Daniel Keim on the Darker With Daniel podcast as Co-producer.  Now, Hunter is the Director of the Central Pennsylvania Music Podcast.

 Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, Daniel discovered a passion for music at 11 years old and began playing live music when he was 14. Although Daniel had taken a prolonged hiatus from preforming, he realized with his outgoing personality and social skills, he should try starting a podcast. That podcast would become Darker With Daniel. Now partnered with good friends Chris, Alan, and Hunter, the podcast quickly began gaining a clientele of local musicians and supporters from central Pennsylvania. After a few years, they caught the attention of of the CPMHOF and started on a new endeavor that is now known as The Central Pennsylvania Music Podcast!

 Producer and editor for The Central Pennsylvania Music Podcast, Chris has been a part of the local music scene for 17 years. He’s been a drummer for past bands such as Imperialist, In Search of Words, and for The Perilous as well as various other projects. In addition to being a local business owner, he still continues to share an interest in audio and video production, as well as the local music scene. 

 Gloria Horn-Tice is a retired music teacher from Lebanon, PA.  Gloria is a member of the Lebanon County Educators Honor Society and the Harmonia Music Association. She was inducted into the Lebanon County Musicians Hall of Fame in 2014. Additionally, Gloria received the CPMHOF's "Educator of Note" Award in 2024. She has served as vocalist with the Dave Stahl Sacred Orchestra and various area cover bands. Currently, Gloria works part-time at the WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital as a Patient Safety Aide. 

 Leah Barnes, the Owner of Perfection Bridal and Perfect Stems Floral and Gift Shop, is a Wedding Planner and Floral Designer, with over 8 years in the wedding and event industry. With over 350 events completed, Leah specialises in event design, and overall event logistics, among other talents and interests. A 2019 graduate of York College of Pennsylvania, Leah Barnes has a Degree in Marketing, with studies in Entrepreneurship, Theater, Opera and Music Business. She has invested her life and businesses into the York community, and she is excited to bring her gifts and talents to the Central PA Music Awards.