Billy Price Band, Miss Freddye's Blues Band in concert at Peoples Natural Gas Park

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A bluesy evening of music awaits in downtown Johnstown.

Billy Price Band with special guest Miss Freddye's Blues Band will perform as part of the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Free Concert Series Saturday in the Polacek Pavilion at Peoples Natural Gas Park, 90 Johns St.

Gates will open at 6 p.m., with Miss Freddye's Blues Band performing at 7 p.m., followed by Billy Price Band taking the stage at 8:30 p.m.

“Billy Price has been entertaining in Johnstown since the '70s, including many shows at the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival, and is a huge favorite here,” said Shelley Johansson, director of communications for the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, which presents the series. “Miss Freddye’s Blues Band is new to our stage, but well-known to area music lovers – she is Pittsburgh’s Lady of the Blues. The two work well together, and I think it's going to be a perfect evening."

Price first attracted national attention during his three-year association with guitarist Roy Buchanan.

Since then, with the Keystone Rhythm Band, the Billy Price Band and solo projects, Price has recorded and released 20 albums, CDs and DVDs.

The Billy Price Band, based in Price’s hometown of Pittsburgh, consists of Dave Dodd on drums; Tom Valentine on bass; Lenny Smith on guitar; Jim Britton on keyboards; Eric Spaulding on sax; and Joe Herndon on trumpet.

The band won the Pittsburgh City Paper Reader’s Poll in 2021 and 2022 as the top blues band in the city, and played the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival in 2021, 2016, 2012, 2010 and 2006.

"I'm always so impressed when I watch him, he's a master frontman," Johansson said. "The way he gets the audience going is a pleasure to watch and it's such an entertaining show."

Price's latest recording, "Person of Interest," was released earlier in the summer.

"It's exciting to be presenting him on the Saturday of a holiday weekend, and we think a lot of people will be looking for something fun to do and this really fits the bill, and is something the entire family can come down and enjoy," Johansson said. "Billy Price is that rare performer who appeals to everyone, so if you like music, you're going to have a great time at Billy's show."

Miss Freddye keeps the blues alive in her hometown.

Influenced by church and her mother’s love of the blues, Miss Freddye ventured into the world of blues music in 1996.

In 2002, she formed her own band, Blue Faze, and several years later, she became Miss Freddye’s Blues Band and Miss Freddye’s Homecookin’ Band.

"I'm excited about having her. We've known for years that this is someone we wanted to present," Johansson said. "I think she's going to be a fantastic opening act for this really fantastic evening."

The Phoenix Tavern, Main Street Pizzeria and Good Times Ice Cream Bus will be the food vendors.

There will also be a bar, and those purchasing alcohol must show identification.

The series will conclude Aug. 16 with regional bands Habatat and FlowerChild.

The concert is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.jaha.org.