Father John Skirtich, Founder of the Soul Searchers, is Pastor at St. Maurice Parish in Forest Hills, PA.  He started playing guitar right after he learned to preach. First things first!

His faith in God is an inspiration to many, including the band. Fr. John can play a mean rhythm guitar but is one of the nicest guys around. He is a great man – a 'cool dude' – and a person everyone's happy to have met at each and every gig the band plays.

From area church galas to fundraisers for The Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center to the Irish Partnership and Pittsburgh Irish Festival's Shamrockin' Pittsburgh, Fr. John's grateful that the band is celebrating its tenth anniversary and continues to get people to come out and have fun.

The Soul Searchers attribute much of their success and tremendous following in and around the Pittsburgh area to the wonderful "Spirit" found in Fr. John.

Growing up in the Forest Hills area of Pittsburgh, Scott Berry was always surrounded by music and was born to rock – and with a wicked set of sticks.

He started drum lessons at just 10-years old. And at 13 (under adult supervision), Scott found himself playing the club circuit in and around Pittsburgh as drummer for the Mollinary Family Band. And Scott has rocked with the best of them having studied for nine years under the great Paul Bigos, Lauri Yedneck and Terri Zolner.

Throughout the 80's, Scott played with the awesome power trio, Millennium. And with the 90’s came the Soul Searchers, With Scott on drums, the band has produced over 25 originals, including “Tomin Town” Steelers fight song and their newest tribute song, “Shamrockin’ Pittsburgh”.

Having more fun these days than ever before, Scott loves being a part of the Soul Searchers.

Gary Hill, a.k.a “G” hails from New York City, having relocated to Pittsburgh with his wife and 'Burgh native, Peg, and their son Jimmy. He began his study of guitar at the age of 15 on his first of many Fender guitars and has played to audiences throughout the Greater New York and Pittsburgh area ever since.

He studied with Wayne Avers (Touring guitarist, and Nashville session player, and Steve Silverman (jazz artist, author "Johnny Smith Solos", and teacher). Gary's musical experience includes playing in clubs, festivals, and concerts including Studio 54, Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Felt Forum, Peterson Musical Arts Center, Heinz Field, PNC Park & Pittsburgh's I.C. Light Amphitheater, Cayuga Race Track in Ontario Canada, Gary has made television appearances and also played guitar and bass at numerous sessions on various artists’ recordings, including studio work for PBS.

Before joining the Soul Searchers as a crazy good bass player, Eric Demeri also played with the Famed Voodoo Babies, Brass Fly, and Something Agnus. Plus opening acts for The Dave Matthews Band, The Blues Travelers, Seven Mary Three, Cool and the Gang and Wild Cherry. He keeps good company.

He’s also played at Star Lake Amphitheatre, the late, great Civic Arena and the IC Light Amphitheatre. At age 34, Eric is the youngest of the Soul Searchers.

Joe Navarro is the lead singer for the Soul Searchers coming on board summer, 2010. He’s also a Pittsburgh native and has extensive experience in front of crowds, mostly as an actor and singer in over 100 theatrical productions.

He has written, directed, and produced most of those shows and also worked as a director and producer for television news and other programming.

Joe’s has been singing since high school days, but the Soul Searchers is his first "rock band". He brings an exciting new sound to the Soul Searchers and knows how to motivate its audiences.

Joe lives in Wilkins Twp. with his wife and 5 children.

He is very happy to be a part of a group as talented as the Soul Searchers. Says Joe, “These guys can do anything!"

Ernie Dipko, the band’s keyboard player and newest member, with one BIG voice grew up in nearby Johnstown, PA. That’s where he first started playing as a church organist – as a tweener – he was just 12-years old.

And like fellow band members, by 16 he was playing the local clubs. Ernie played his keys all around western and central PA and Ohio in several rock bands including Hot Property, Big City, Over the Edge, and Vice. He now lives in the Pittsburgh area with his wife Peggy and sons Ben and Noah.

Music is most sacred to Ernie – in addition to his Soul searchers gigs, he can be found at the Hebron Presbyterian Church keyboards playing its contemporary service each and every Sunday morning.