Mo' better blues: Billy Price Band to perform at Mohawk Valley Blues Society Blues Picnic

It seems like it would be difficult to make a name for yourself when your original claim to fame is a stint with someone whose reputation is “the greatest guitar player no one has ever heard of.”

But somehow Billy Price is managing.

The guitar player in question is a gentleman named Roy Buchanan, who, while he never had a hit, is still considered a legend 14 years after his untimely demise. Price was the featured vocalist on two of the Telecaster master’s albums, “That’s What I'm Here For” and “Live Stock.”

But Billy Price is much more than a sidenote in a Wikipedia entry. With the Keystone Rhythm Band, the Billy Price Band, and solo projects, Billy Price has recorded and released a total of 17 albums, CDs, and DVDs, garnering numerous accolades along the way.

See for yourself what the buzz is all about on July 17, when the Billy Price Band highlights this year’s Mohawk Valley Blues Society Blues Picnic at the Sylvan Beach Village Waterfront Park, just to the west of the village parking lot, from 2-7 p.m.

Billy Price’s album “This Time for Real” received a 2016 Blues Music Award in the category of Best Soul Blues Album, while his 2018 album “Reckoning” was nominated for a 2019 Blues Music Award in the category of Best Soul Blues Album.

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His latest album, “Dog Eat Dog,” produced by Kid Andersen, was released on Gulf Coast Records in August 2019 and was nominated for a 2020 BMA for Best Soul Blues Album of 2019. Billy was also individually nominated for a 2020 Blues Music Award for Best Male Soul Blues Artist.

The event will feature three top blues acts. Opening the show will be CNY’s own Uncle Charlie and the Meatballs, who have transitioned from a once-a-year pick-up band to one of the most popular and hardest-working blues/rock acts in Central New York.

Next up will be a smoking set by the Nate Gross Band, featuring award-winning blues guitarist and singer/songwriter, Nate Gross, who has shared the stage with legends such as Levon Helm, Tommy Castro, Dickey Betts, G.E Smith, Jim Weider, Arlo Guthrie, JD Simo, Commander Cody, Walter Trout, Willie Nelson, Shemikia Copeland, and JJ Grey.

There will be grills available at the park and beverages of all sorts – adult and otherwise – are allowed. People are encouraged to bring extra food and drink to share to make it a true community event.

While there is no admission fee – the MVBS is picking up the tab for the entertainment – donations to help cover the costs would be gratefully accepted. This event could not happen without the generous support of sponsors Bank of Utica, Sunrise Building Supply, Big Apple Music, Ellis Family chiropractic, Utica Harley-Davison and Joe Tahan’s Furniture and Mattresses.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Billy Price Band will jam at Mohawk Valley Blues Society Blues Picnic