Celebrate Life Through Music
Who are the Saints?
Mike Nelson, Keyboard and Backup Vocals, and co-creator of the StreetSide Saints. Mike has a degree in Theater Arts and a minor in Music. He has been playing piano/keyboards since he was 6 years old. He has played in bands, pit orchestras and churches for over 30 years. He is a founder and past president of the Beaver County community theater, R-ACT Productions and is currently on the Board for the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. He is an actor and director having worked in numerous theaters and film projects in the Pittsburgh Region. He has been an advocate for the Performing Arts since he moved to Pittsburgh in 1985.
“All I want to do is get to a point where I can just wake up, go anywhere and play music. I am a performer at heart and nothing is better than putting smiles on people’s faces as I play”. Mike looks forward to the time StreetSide Saints starts touring and he can retire to just play music.
Dave (DJ) Joseph, Lead Vocals/Harmonica/Washboard
"I consider myself more of an entertainer than a musician, I blow into a harp, and scream into a mic...if it sounds remotely like music, I consider that a bonus. I am extremely Blessed to be surrounded by talented brothers who are able to work with me, take my ideas, and help mold them into something audiences like to hear".
DJ spent most of his adult life performing as an actor on both stage and screen, but has recently reached a point that he doesn't care to sacrifice and commit to the long rehearsal schedules that usually come with such projects. "At this point, the music and the Saints seem to have a more flexible commitment level."
Growing up, Dave listened to all forms of music; however, his "go-to", comfort zone, and happy place has always been in the Blues and Classic Rock. His influences are Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Joe Cocker, Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Moody Blues, and the Beatles among many others.
His hope is that the audiences that come to see the StreetSide Saints have as much fun as the band is having. "Food, Wine, and Song!!! Every time we get together to make music for folks, I consider it a celebration of life!!!"
Eric Joseph, Lead Guitarist and Vocals, has been playing with the StreetSide Saints and most of the members in various bands for over 20 years. His guitar style is a mix of blues, jazz, rock and roll and many other genres, but he considers himself and the band as a Blues-Based Band. Eric Joseph studied Classical Guitar at the University of Akron and Duquesne University in the late 80s. He says of his approach, “I don’t copy leads note for note, but I do like to keep true to the styles of music while adding some of my style to make it my own”. When he is not playing, he teaches Audio/Video Production at Pittsburgh Technical College, where he has been employed since 2003. He would like to find himself doing small tours, mostly beachside venues, “I don’t need to make it big. I just want to play and travel”.
Dave Stultz, bassist, joined the StreetSide Saints in January 2022, after being introduced to Eric by a mutual friend. Dave has been playing bass since 1982, and studied jazz and classical music at West Virginia University.
Music has always been a deeply passionate hobby with Dave. “I love to spend time not necessarily learning songs, but more so exploring styles. I love to practice genres that I’m not comfortable with. I truly believe that adding that kind of versatility helps make you a better performer who's able to adjust to different situations more fluidly. The ‘Saints is a great landing spot for me, as they really do like to go all over the board with the types of songs they are performing, and that keeps me on my toes. It’s not a rigidly structured environment. Situations like that create the best learning opportunities.”
Denium Knight, drummer and auxiliary percussionist, has been playing with Dave Joseph, Eric Joseph, and Mike Nelson since he was 17. He came to love music from an early age of 5 when his mom would let him beat on pots and pans in the kitchen. From there he went on to playing music in the 5th grade, became captain of the drum line in 8th grade, and continued playing throughout high school in various concert bands, jazz bands, and musicals.
Denium Knight received a Bachelors of music education from Geneva college where he was a member of the drum line. During his time at Geneva he started the percussion ensemble which still performs for the College today. Denium first found inspiration for music from his grandpa who was always willing to share the fun and beauty of music. He also finds inspiration from legends such as Buddy Rich, Phil Collins, and Dennis Chambers. Currently Denium is a drummer for a band known as the Smokin’ Hobos, but you can always find him ready, suitcase in hand, to rock out with the Streetside Saints.
