Russ Scalzo is a Christian novelist and musician. In the 1960s and '70s, Russ was the frontman for The Hallmarks, a band popular along the Jersey Shore. At age 17, he wrote Soul Shakin' Psychedelic Sally and signed a record contract with MercuryRecords. The song was debuted on Dick Clark's American Bandstand on October 7, 1967. Russ and the band's future were suddenly and dramatically changed when mentor, friend, and record producer Tommy Falcone tragically passed away in February 1970.

Russ wrote 12 songs for a new album that unfortunately never saw the light of day. After a dramatic life-changing experience with Jesus Christ, Russ went from performing in bars and clubs in the early '70s to ministering in churches and touring the U.S. and Canada with his Christian band, Saved By Grace. He has written too many songs to count, including music for six original musicals. In a fantastic twist of events, nearly 50 years later, the band was signed by The Numero Group. The albumPaper Sky was released on August 17, 2018.

Russ is the co-founder and president of a non-profit Christian theater company based in New Jersey, Lighthouse Stage Productions. An elder in his church has served as a worship leader, bible teacher, and counselor for over forty years. His new series Hidden Thrones is inspired by many of his personal experiences in the ministry. Russ believes understanding the spiritual world around us is vital to our success as followers of Christ.

In 1994 Russ and Stevie Mamchak united their expertise and talents to write a Series on the 'end times,' hitting at the essence of our lives now and during the time that may soon be upon us. Russ is a frequent lecturer in Biblical Prophecy and brings a lifetime of technical expertise to a story he believes may well be the substance of tomorrow's headlines. His podcast "Chronicles of the End Times" can be heard weekly on iTunes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and many other podcast channels.

Russ currently resides with his wife, Gail, of fifty years. He has three beautiful daughters and is a grandfather of five.