Ernie Halter is a soul-infused pop singer/songwriter, a guy who's been influenced as much by the Lennon/McCartney as he has by Otis Redding...but don't wrack your brain trying to categorize him. Just listen to his music.  Halter's new album, Congress Hotel, is in stores now and this one is in no way lo-fi. Produced by Barrie Maguire and David Kalish, who manned the boards for kindred spirit Amos Lee, the album was a dream collaboration for Halter.  Indeed, Maguire and Kalish have successfully brought their magic touch to Halter's material, with the help of guest performances from Lee Thornburg of Tower of Power, Pete Thomas (from Elvis Costello's Attractions), Reggie McBride (Stevie Wonder, Keb Mo), David Leach (Donavon Frankenreiter), Greg Leisz (Ben Harper), and Chris Joyner (Sheryl Crow, the Wallflowers).

© Krista Mettler & Will Harris