Born and raised in the Upper Perkiomen Valley, musician Phil Stahl has been

Upper Perkiomen Valley musician Phil Stahl has been work- ing professionally in the music industry since the age of 23 and will be reaching his 40th anniversary this October.  Phil has also been running a TV show since 1985 and hosts a radio show on WPFS since 1989.

working professionally in the music industry since the age of 23 and will be reaching his 40^th anniversary this October.

            "I remember the first time I started playing in front of people, I was in the third grade; it was at the Pennsburg Elementary School and I played piano at the Mother's Day Tea," stated Phil Stahl, local musician.

            Stahl is most popularly known in the area for his acoustic renditions of songs from the 60's and 70's, along with his own compositions, calling his style contemporary vintage folk rock.

            "I have my own twist to these songs, but I mainly play with just my guitar and sing," stated Stahl.

            Before making music his full-time career, Stahl worked at the Red Hill Grinding Wheel right out of high school at 18-years-old.

            "Back in the day, I did a lot of photography and music, but only part-time; the

Phil sits at the soundboard making adjustments as perfor- mer Nathan Hertzog sings during a recen Open Mic sess- ion.  Phil hosts several open mic nights each month at  different locatoins.

older guys I worked with at the Grinding Wheel kept telling me that I have a talent and that I should pursue it before I was stuck at the factory for the rest of my life," stated Stahl.

            Stahl eventually gave his two weeks' notice at the age of 23 in pursuit of his musical dreams.

            "I had responsibilities at 23 so it worried me, but it's been a really good time," stated Stahl.

             Stahl's original success of promoting his talent came from driving around to different bars in search of securing a gig, a challenge that would have been easier with the use of today's technology he noted.

            One of Stahl's most well-known weekly gig is his "Open Mic" nights at several establishments across the area, such as The Wing Man in East Greenville and The Bally Hotel.

            "All my friends play music too, so I would book a gig, they would show up to watch and want to sit in to play too; so that is basically how open mic nights were born," stated Stahl.

            Stahl has also been running a TV show since 1985 that airs twice a week in the Lehigh Valley and Delaware County, as well as hosts a radio show on WPFS since 1989.

            "With the open mic nights, radio show, and TV show I feel like I get to give back which is really important in this world," stated Stahl.

            From the 80's to the 90's, Stahl performed at Musikfest, an American music festival held in Bethlehem.

            "I like to have my regular gigs like Faraco's Pizza in Quakertown, but I'll go anywhere," stated Stahl.

            Besides local venues, Stahl has performed upstate Pennsylvania, beach side in New Jersey, and as far out West as Arizona.

            "There's so many good memories, it's hard to choose just one," stated Stahl.

            Stahl will be opening for The Little River Band at the Quakertown Ampitheater in September.

            "It's a neat way to spend your life; you don't get rich, but you are able to do some really cool things and I still paid the bills," stated Stahl.

            For more information on Stahl and his work, visit www.philstahl.org.

            "I'm open to anything, I love doing what I do and I'll keep doing it until I can't anymore," stated Stahl.