Friar's Point Band

Friar’s Point Band, aka Friar’s Point, was formed in 2006 and quickly became one of The Northeast Region’s top Blues-Rock acts. Known for its musicianship and originality, Friar’s Point has represented The Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee, three times. The band has released four well-received recordings of original material. The second, a collaboration with Lehigh Valley Blues legend Bev Conklin, was recorded in Memphis, at the legendary Sun Studios. Friar’s Point Band regularly appears throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regional festival and theater circuit, and have opened for Ray Manzarek, Roy Rogers, Steve Miller, Joe Louis Walker, Nick Moss, Clarence Spady, Robin Trower, Deanna Bogart, Ricky Scarlett, and others.

Friar’s Point took their name from the Susan Tedeschi song about the blues evolving up the Mississippi from the town of Friar’s Point to Chicago.  The band has traveled to their namesake several times, and struck up a relationship with the river community. The images and vernacular of the age of Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, wind throughout many of the bands originals, and mixed with a modern edge, Friar’s Point Band continues the evolution of the blues.

Chris London is the lead guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of Friar’s Point Band. Chris is considered an expert guitarist, and is one of the finest lead and slide guitarists in the region. His songwriting and vision has earned the respect of his peers, and Friar's Point the title of "the most original blues bands in the region."  Brian Berlanda is a Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association Award winning drummer, and the founding force behind Friar’s Point. Brian has steadily shepherded his band forward, while inspiring the collaborative atmosphere that defines Friar’s Point’s original edge. Lead Singer/Rhythm Guitarist & Harmonica Extraordinaire, Pat Powers, with his style in all three disciplines, helps define the band’s “uniqueness” …as described by WDIY Radio “Friar’s Point is THE Most Original Blues Bands In The Northeast.”  Keyboardist Phil Balmoos is a legendary veteran of the PA/NJ circuit for nearly forty years. Phil’s musicianship and vocal experience have solidified the band’s rhythm section as one of the finest in the Region. Doug Brown on bass rounds out the sound. Doug’s style of playing has made him an established, and in demand, veteran of many of the region’s top acts.

The musicianship and originality of Friar’s Point has earned the group a loyal following, and a reputation as one the Northeast Region’s top Blues-Rock acts. Chris London, Brian Berlanda, Pat Powers, Phil Balmoos and Doug Brown, as Friar’s Point Band, continue to ‘Point’ the Blues in different directions; Past, Present, and Future.