Band profiles: Friar's Point

#1 Friar's Point photo by Rob Valine

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 formed in July of 2006 originally as the Long Rider Blues Band. In only a few short months after forming, the Long Riders had "National Act" exposure opening for "Trent Tomlinson", "Jackyl", and closing for "Robin Trower." Since their inception, the band had also been selected as a performing act for the Lehigh River Blues Jam in Catasauqua, Pa. 2007 & 2008, 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, and in late 2008 Friars Point was nominated for several Lehigh Valley Music Awards (Best Blues Band, Best Original Band, Most Entertaining Band and Mary Dunbar nominated for Best Female Singer)... and finished as a finalist for Most Entertaining Band in 2008 amongst a field of over 30 nominees. In 2009 the band made it to the semi-finals of the 25th International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, representing Eastern Pennsylvania and has been booked to major gigs at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, Pa. and Musikfest 2009 in Bethlehem, Pa.

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 Mary Dunbar on lead vocals and 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).
 

#2 Friar's Point photo by Rob Valine

I first heard about Friar's Point through MySpace. From the first time I heard this band I made it a point to one day photograph them performing live. Being one of the official photographers at Musikfest, I was fortunate to be able to photograph Friar's Point performing this year. http://robvalineimages.com/-/robvalineimages/gallery.asp?cat=123947

Friar's Point is from Kutztown, Pennsylvania.

#3 Friar's Point photo by Rob Valine