Long Point String Band is an Old-Time Acoustic “Neo-Traditional” outfit from southern W.V. We blend the authenticity of Old-Time Mountain Music, with the flare of bluegrass, regularly playing musical selections from West Virginia old-time and bluegrass pioneers. The group consists of the virtuosic stylings of Hunter Walker, Brian C. Bell, Lewis Prichard, Lars Swanson and Tessa Dillon. Most recently, the LPSB was honored to take home the 1st place blue ribbon in the Old-Time Band category, at the 2017 Tazewell Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddler’s Convention.
Hunter Walker is a multi-instrumentalist, champion mountain dulcimer & clawhammer banjo player. Hunter is a native Appalachian who became enamored with old-time music at an early age. His love and perseverance of the music has garnered him some prestigious awards, including: 5-time WV state mountain dulcimer champion, 3-time Galax Old-Fiddlers Convention mountain dulcimer champion, Mid-Eastern regional mountain dulcimer champion, and numerous others. He is also a decorated clawhammer banjo player having won numerous awards and recently taking the 1st place blue ribbon in the old-time banjo category at the 2017 Tazewell Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention.
Brian C. Bell is also a native Appalachian, who has cut his teeth on the bluegrass circuits over the last several years. He performed as a cornerstone member of prominent regional bluegrass bands for over 10 years, having played well over 1500 shows and has produced and played on numerous recordings. Brian is a first-call veteran guitar player whose rhythmic capabilities are sought after by respected figures in the Bluegrass, and now, Old-Time music genres.
Lewis Prichard started playing guitar at age 8, and mandolin at 15. He grew up in a musical family, and is originally from Charleston, West Virginia. Lewis played in Old-Time and Bluegrass bands while in college, and later played in the Virginia bands Mando Mafia and Wildgrass. Lewis learned to play the fiddle when he was in his twenties, a time when he also traveled extensively in Colorado and Norway playing acoustic music. Today Lewis lives in Beckley, W.V. and offers his virtuosity on fiddle and mandolin in the bands Greenhouse and the Long Point String Band.
Lars Swanson is an upright bassist from Beckley, WV. He is a favored session and performing musician in various bands in southern West Virginia and the tri-state area. He recently graduated from the Jazz Bass Performance program at Marshall University, where he focused on Double Bass Jazz Performance. Currently, he is continuing his Jazz Bass studies in the Masters Program at West Virginia University. Lars has played recitals with many prevalent Jazz pedagogues, and frequently performs with the Marshall University Jazz faculty group, as well as the Huntington Symphony.
Tessa Dillon is a fiddler from Saint Albans, WV. Starting out with classical lessons at 5 years old, she got into old-time fiddling at 12 with lessons from well-known fiddler Jake Krack. She has a driving, intricate style which has earned her acclaim, with her winning contests around the Appalachian region, such as: the Vandalia Gathering, Ed Haley Memorial Contest, Surry County Fiddlers Convention, and Elmer Rich Memorial contest, as well as most recently placing 3rd in the 2018 Appalachian Stringband Festival fiddle competition and the Grand Master Fiddler Championship in Nashville, TN. In addition to fiddling with Long Point String Band, Tessa is finishing a degree in Computer Science, fiddling with the Big Possum Stringband, and has recently recorded a solo album, which was released in late Summer 2018.
The Long Point String Band released their debut, self-titled album in July, 2016. A collection of old-time, Appalachian tunes and band / festival favorites. Their debut album release has been met with success and positive feedback from top musicians of the genre. Most recently, the Long Point String Band was been back in the studio working on their 2nd full length album “Piney Woods”, which was released in August, 2018. Get your copy today on iTunes, CDBaby, at a live show or by contacting the band directly.
CDBaby album link: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/longpointstringband2
Cost: $7 in advance / $10 at the door / 17 and under free
Come early for a Backup Guitar Workshop with Brian Bell held at The Cat and The Fiddle! More info at www.thecatandthefiddlewv.com
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