Carnegie Hall’s Ivy Terrace Concert Series presents Long Point String Band Thursday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by City National Bank, the concerts take place outside on Carnegie Hall’s Ivy Terrace as attendees watch from the expansive lawn in front of New River Community and Technical College. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and pack a picnic to enjoy live music. All Ivy Terrace concerts are free, open to the public, and alcohol free.
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 and Lars Swanson. We occasionally welcome the guest support of Phillip Perry, Barbara Rosner and Robert “Doc” Davis. 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: 4-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 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 a thousand shows and 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 Planetary Boardwalk, Greenhouse, and now, 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 currently studies Jazz Double Bass at Marshall 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.
Long Point String Band has enjoyed her virtuosity, taste, and smile on our first recording and at several venues, which we are fortunate enough to make music with her. The Long Point String Band released their debut, self-titled album in 2016. A collection of old-time, Appalachian tunes and band / festival favorites. Guest musicians that appeared on their debut album include Barbara Rosner (upright bass), Cat Deck (bass guitar) and Jason Lockart (percussion). Their album release has been met with success and positive feedback from top musicians of the genre. Get your copy today on CDBaby, or by contacting the band directly.
The 2022 Carnegie Hall Ivy Terrace Concert Series is a “must do” for visitors and locals alike. Concerts may be canceled due to inclement weather, so Follow and Like Carnegie Hall’s Facebook page for updates. For more information, please visit www.carnegiehallwv.org or call (304) 645-7917.
Carnegie Hall WV is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala. The Hall is located at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.