Friar's Point With Bev Conklin

Friar's Point with Bev Conklin - Live At Sun Studio - 2011 - Bar-Tone Records

Really good original contemporary blues rock, expertly played by Friar's Point, with Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania's great Bev Conklin on vocals. Friar's Point are a Kutztown, Pa. based soul/blues/R&B band, but take their name from the famous Mississippi river town where Conway Twitty and Robert Nighthawk were born. Hirschberg's Drug Store, where many great bluesmen would once barrel house is also located in the town. "Live At Sun Studio" was recorded "Live In Studio" on February 2nd, 2011 at the Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. All the original tracks are first takes except "Night Out" which is compiled from two takes. Artists like Friar's Point and Bev Conklin are the real unsung heroes of modern day blues and deserve more credit and exposure for their efforts in keeping the blues alive. Buy the band's great "To the Point" album, and/or Bev Conklin's "BC & The Blues Crew Live at Godfrey Daniels 2008" album, and support real music. Check out Friar's Point's merchandise @ http://www.friarspointband.com/FPBStore.html

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 Turn The Other Way - Chris London & Mary Dunbar
2 You Must Think I'm Blind - Bev Conklin & Wayne Smith
3 I Got A Feeling Called The Blues - Chris London
4 Art For Money - Chris London
5 To The Point - Chris London
6 Dirty Money - Chris London
7 Be Your Man - Pat Powers
8 Night Out (Bonus Track) - Chris London

BAND

Chris London - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Pat Powers - Guitar, Harmonica
Jim Baldwin - Bass
Karl Frick - Keyboards
Brian Berlanda - Drums
Bev Conklin - Vocals

ABOUT FRIAR'S POINT

Friars Point - "Pennsylvania's Hottest Contemporary Blues Band": Introducing Friars Point... a rising force on the tri-state music scene. This Pennsylvania based band explores the blues genre from classic to contemporary artists as well as their root influences of Blues, Southern Rock, Classic Rock, Soul and R&B in their own Original Blues Music. Friars Point has evolved from their early days when they were known as the Long Rider Blues Band in July of 2006, to a highly talented group of musicians with a wealth of live performance experience, focused on the Summer Festival Scene throughout the Northeast United States as well as the local club scene. Friars Point has consistently been nominated in several categories for Lehigh Valley Music Awards (Best Blues Band, Best Original Band and Most Entertaining Band) over the past several years... In 2009 the band won the Lehigh Valley Blues Network's IBC Challenge Band Competition which enabled them to perform at the 25th International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, representing Eastern Pennsylvania. Friar's Point played 2 nights at the New Daisy Theater on Beale Street in downtown Memphis, where they were semi-finalists in the competition. Friar’s Point released their debut CD “To The Point” in September of 2009, which was selected by the Lehigh Valley Blues Network as the “Best Self-Produced” CD of 2009 and was entered in the 26th International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee in January of 2010. The CD also finished in the semi-finals of the competition with very positive reviews. Friar's Point Band has performed major gigs at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, Pa. (2009 & 2010), Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pa. (2009 & 2010), The Unicity Festival in Salisbury, Md. (2009), Harvest Festival in Bethlehem, Pa. (2008, 2009 & 2010), Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in State College, Pa. (2009 & 2010) and Penn's Peak Music Hall in Jim Thorpe, Pa. (2009 & 2010). The band takes its name from a town in Mississippi that is home to Hirsberg's Drugstore, where many classic blues artists would play to passers-by from its porch. It is said that it was here, Muddy Waters heard Robert Johnson playing and was so intimidated by his talent, that he left town. It is this lore which has inspired the band to adopt the name of this legendary town. Friars Point is gaining momentum and their performances perpetuate a strong following of loyal fans. Friars Point band members have live performance experience which is unparalleled… Their individual resumes include performing on the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland and Nashville Tennessee circuits and dates back as far as 1975. Friars Point features their rock solid rhythm section featuring Pat Powers (harmonica, guitar & vocals), Chris London (lead guitar & vocals), Jim Baldwin (bass guitar), Karl Frick (Hammond organ & piano) and Brian Berlanda (drums, percussion & vocals). Friar's Point Band also hosts special guest appearances by some of the Regions best blues vocalists... Check on their current schedule by joining the band's mailing list to see who will be joining them next... Friars Point currently has available dates for booking with their calendar filling fast. Visit our websites often at www.friarspointband.com or www.myspace.com/friarspointband to see the latest schedule, master song list, news & links... (continuous updates). [from & © Facebook 2011 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friars-Point-Band/83000170613#!/pages/Friars-Point-Band/83000170613?sk=info]

MORE

Contemporary blues rockers, Friar's Point, originally formed in 2006, with singer Mary Dunbar, drummer Brian Berlanda, and bassist Jim Baldwin, joining forces to pursue their passion contemporary blues. Longtime Pocono guitarist Chris London joined the band in late 2007 rounding out the current lineup, including Pat Powers, harp, and Karl Frick, keyboards. Inspired by the music of Susan Tedeschi, The Allman Brothers, Muddy Waters, Freddie King and others, the band took the name Friar's Point, from the legendary blues town celebrated in song and lore; aptly fitting their style and range of classic to contemporary blues. Since it's inception, the band has shared the stage with Robin Trower, Trent Tomlinson, and Jackyl, as well as performing as featured artists at Musikfest 2009 in Bethlehem, Pa., Central Pennsylvania Festival Of The Arts Festival in State College, Pa., The Unicity Festival 2009 in Salisbury, Md., Lehigh River Blues Jam in Catasauqua, Pa. 2007, 2008 & 2009, the Mahoning River Blues Festival in Youngstown, Ohio 2007, the Endless Mountains Blues Festival in Elmhurst, Pa. 2008, Main Street Summer Concert Series in Phoenixville, Pa. 2008, Harvest Festival in Bethlehem, Pa. 2008 & 2009, Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, Pa., and many other gigs; paying their dues and honing their craft. In 2009 Friar's Point won the honor of representing The Lehigh Valley at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee. During the trip, the band visited Friar's Point establishing a relationship with their 'sister city'. Band merchandise is a featured item at the legendary Hirschberg's Drug Store (where Muddy Waters saw Robert Johnson play and then left town so intimidated!) Friar's Point current release "To The Point" is receiving rave reviews and has received 'Best Self-Produced CD' from The Lehigh Valley Blues Network, and is nominated in the same category by The International Blues Foundation. Please checkout www.friarspointband.com for the latest band information. © http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/FriarsPoint

ABOUT BEV CONKLIN

Bev 'BC' Conklin is the most established, highly-awarded female Blues vocalist in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania since her 1991 debut as a performer. Her musical career began at age 31 and the band became an area favorite with the ability to travel a circuit in 5 Northeast states. Her resume reads like a Blues Bible with performances that included Ray Charles, Lonnie Brooks & Ronnie (Baker) Brooks, Kenny Neal, Koko Taylor, Shemekia Copeland, Saffire, The Holmes Brothers, Eddie King, Pinetop Perkins, Eddie C. Campbell, Carl Weathersby, Sandra Hall, E.C. Scott, Sista Monica Parker, Jimmy Dawkins and many more. Beverly (Hardin) Conklin's Creole and musical demeanor and personality begins in the 9th Ward, Louisiana where her Grandfather, Dr. Joseph Hardin was key in the establishment of the area's NAACP. Dr. Hardin was integral in bringing concerts to Negro audiences with artists like Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong. He established stronger educational opportunities for Negro children with the Hardin Elementary School and the Hardin playground, which were destroyed by Katrina along with the Hardin museum that was built in his honor. Bev's father joined the Army following medical school. Having lived in Europe and coast to coast in the United States has broadened her appreciation for all kinds of music, especially Classical, Jazz and Blues. The political and philanthropic momentum was instilled at an early age and then when starting this musical career, it grew with a desire to learn more about the Blues industry. So she began her knowledge base with her involvement with the area's DJ's, other established musicans in the area, Blues Festivals and Blues societies. BC served 7 years on the local Blues society in multiple Board roles including President, Newsletter Editor, Concert Chair and Secretary. As a contributing writer for Tri-State Blues Newspaper and the Delta Snake she was able to network with women in the Blues throughout the Northeast. BC has volunteered a multitude of hours helping new clubs and Blues festivals get their start such as Blues 2000 & Beyond in New York and the Cementon Blues Festival in PA. Having one of the first websites in the early 90's, she managed and promoted her band, BC & The Blues Crew to successful heights as they received global airplay and rave reviews for their Unfinished Business CD and performances in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and PA. Winning the Billtown Blues Society's Competition lead them to the opportunity to become a finalist in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in the late 90's. Beverly and her band mates have won nearly every Lehigh Valley Music Award (LVMA) available for group and individual achievements. In addition to keeping a full-time day job, Bev worked nearly a decade on the Hack's Annual Blues Fest committee, raising funds for those in need among their peers. Today, Bev contributes back to the LVMA's as a sponsor of these awards through her newly founded Women's Blues Alliance. Beverly is also the Promoter of the Lehigh River Blues Jam, a continuation of her philanthropic work in the community she lives, in partnership with the Catasauqua Borough. Bev earned her BS and master's degree from Penn State University. She is the only non full-time musician of Bluzin and remains the original vocalist and band manager for BC & The Blues Crew, now The BC Combo. Beverly has earned her place on the marquis as the Blues voice of the Lehigh Valley. A most memorable occasion was at Mayfair for a Ladies Sings the Blues event featuring BC, the late Tonya Brown (Queen Bee) and Koko Taylor. The best was bringing Koko Taylor and her band to Hack's the next morning. Hack's, a stand in line to wait for a Blues breakfast eatery, was a favorite hangout among the local artists and is the original song on Unfinished Business written by the late great Al G. Another great memory was with Lonnie Brooks at a Mayfair event when he invited 'Miss BC' to sing with him on stage to perform as a duo during a portion of his set. The icing on the cake was later that night when a good friend dropped by with Rhonnie Baker Brooks and their bass player, Biscuit, to jam til the sun came up. Biscuit's mail was always addressed to "The Girl with the Golden Voice." Can't blame the guys for trying, but the girl was already spoken for... BC credits Jim Mertz (WMUH and WLVR DJ, Emcee for the Pocono Blues Festival and former LVBN VP) for these opportunities at Mayfair and more. Managed by Simron Productions, the group was preparing to go to Greece in the late 90's, but lost momentum when BC was hurt in a head-on car accident in 2000 and underwent neuro-surgery in 2003. Sarah Ayers was looking to get a foothold in the Blues scene and start her own band and accepted the difficult challenge of keeping this band working a full year's schedule until BC's recovery. A bond between Sarah and BC that is rare and a miracle to both given where they both are today. This mama has been through heaven and hell and she ain't done cookin' yet. © www.BevConklin.com, & © Bluescrew Records 2008 http://www.bcandthebluescrew.com/bc.htm