Judith Barnett

Bass / Vocals

As an anesthesiologist, Judith spends her days putting people to sleep, but rocking their faces off on bass when the sun goes down.

Phil Curtis

Drums / Vocals / Man in Blue

Phil Curtis originally from Hurley, NY has been playing the drums since 1991. He learned to play his instrument by playing to the songs of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Metallica. Additionally, Phil played in the Marching Band, Jazz Band and even the US Air Force Drum & Bugle Corp. 

 

Past Bands: Phil played shows and recorded with the Albany, NY based bands “BackSeat Mary” & “Anhedonia”. He additionally played with the South Jersey rock band Plus 9. Phil is also an accomplished singer & song writer with his solo project “Phil Curtis The Man in Blue”. 

 

Phil serves the community as a Registered Nurse which is how he met Dr. David Palange and Dr. Judith Barnett at Christiana Hospital to initially form the band that would become the Delaware Based Band “The Keepers”. 

Dave Palange

Guitar / Hurricane

Dave supplies all the raw stage energy needed and then some, from shredding solos to equipment destruction!

Joe Sharpe

Lead Vocals / Audience Participation Coordinator

Joe Sharpe's voice is a force of nature, a blend of raw power and heartfelt storytelling that's been shaped by a lifetime of musical influences and personal connections. Born with a melody in his heart, Joe's earliest memory of singing dates back to age four, belting out Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" in the back of his parents' car. Those car rides, filled with the sounds of The Traveling Wilburys, Led Zeppelin, Doc Watson, and The Animals, laid the foundations for his love of classic rock, bluegrass, and the art of weaving stories through song. His parents' eclectic tastes instilled in him a deep appreciation for music's ability to connect and inspire.

 

As a teenager, Joe's musical horizons expanded through his older brother, Jimbo, whose passion for heavier sounds like STP, Rob Zombie, Clutch, and Tool introduced Joe to a grittier edge. The early 2000s nu-metal scene - Korn, Disturbed, Linkin Park - pulsed through his veins as he and his friends tore up the skatepark, their anthems fueling late-night sessions. It was his friend Sam Carter who opened the door to power metal, introducing Joe to the soaring vocals of Iced Earth's Mathew Barlow. From there, Joe dove headfirst into the epic realms of Blind Guradian and Iron Maiden, while also finding new appreciation for the dynamic range of Metallica and Faith No More. These influences honed his vocal style, blending clean, powerful metal vocals with emotional depth.

 

Joe's journey took a surreal turn when he had the chance to meet and open for two of his vocal heroes, Tim "Ripper" Owens and Matthew Barlow, moments that cemented his drive to push his craft further. His connection to the progressive metal scene deepened through online exchanges with Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon, a notd to Joe's growing presence in the metal community.

 

Today, Joe Sharpe is a relentless creative force, constantly writing, recording, and collaborating with other artists. His live performances are electric, driven by a passion for sharing energy with the audience and raising spirits through music. A true believer in the power of community, Joe is forever grateful to those who've supported him along the way and is committed to paying it forward by helping others find their voice. For Joe, music isn't just an art form - it's a shared experience, a way to lift each other up and forge connections that resonate long after the final note fades.

Steve Toth

Guitar / Keyboard / Vocals

Steve sought piano lessons on his own at the tender age of 10, but moved primarily to learning to play the guitar he received on his 11th birthday. By 13 his hair was down his back, his jeans were ripped, and his leather jacket was never far. While his roots remain in the hair metal of the 80's, he has grown with the times and finds something to love in most music, even going so far as to marry a fan of country!

 

Steve joined The Keepers after helping clear the creek between his house and the neighbor's while wearing a t-shirt with a guitar on it. The neighbor, Dave Palange, asked if he played....the rest is history still in the making.