Bev "BC" Conklin - Vocals | Wayne Smith - Guitar, Percussion, Vocals | Nick Franclik - Bass, Vocals
"It's all about having fun..." The BC Combo is a highly respected group of singer-songwriters who bring their wealth of experience and passion to Blues, Folk, R&B, Soul and more. The list of who's who continues from their stage performances with Ray Charles, Koko Taylor, Shemekia Copeland, Son Seals, Lonnie Brooks, Rhonnie Baker Brooks, Saffire, the Holmes Brothers, Carl Weathersby, Eddie King and so many more. The rewards are in the awards as Bev Conklin swept all the female vocal categories in addition to others she received during the Lehigh Valley Music Awards. The BC Combo is among the Lehigh Valley’s top performing groups. Their combined diversified talents span over 20 years. Their signature style is recognized by audiences across the region and abroad. Bev Conklin (BC) has an extraordinary compassion and grace that compliments her amazing diversity in voice. Nick Franclik makes it look so easy with his laid back vocals and rhythmic bass. Wayne Smith has the gift to conduct the band, while delivering his soulful vocals, guitar and foot-powered drums. Dave Smith, original sax player for Zen for Primates, joins this trio during special events, with his passionate jazziness on multiple wind instruments. Their motto…”It’s all about having fun!” Videos and CDs:
What people are saying...
"what a beautiful and outstanding performance - it just bristled with feeling." "Your new originals are powerful and they capture each of you as individuals - extraordinary." "Infectious grooves. Great playing and singing." "Loved Irma. Great vocals. The drums were tight. ...Loved it!" "BC, no one has topped your delivery on Hip Shakin Mama yet!" "Great vocals, great harmonies. Obvious seasoned veterans. Perfect fit for one another. Great job!" "You and your mates are the best combo I have ever heard. Thank you so much for making this day one of the most memorable I've ever had." ABOUT US All were former members of the highly awarded BC & The Blues Crew that retired in 2008. They all have been a significant influence in the Lehigh Valley and beyond for over two decades. Nick Franclik was an original member of The Electric Farm, a regional sellout of folk, blues and rock originals in the 1990’s. Nick continues to perform with Rock Roots, led by Godfrey Daniels founder, Dave Frye, as well as playing bass for the powerful Dina Hall, an Angel from Montgomery herself. Don’t be surprised either to find him working behind the sound of Three Tower Audio at Mayfair and Musikfest, in addition to doing sound with Bruce Siekmann at the Kutztown Fair. So it’s no surprise who provides The BC Combo with their sound! And finally, Wayne Smith, courtesy of his label Minstrel Records, toured with Jay & The Techniques for over 10 years. He has toured internationally and continues as a mentor, advisor and instructor on guitar, bass and drums at Hawk Music in the Westgate Mall along with his brother, Dave Smith, who teaches sax, clarinet, flute and guitar. Dave is the recipient of a Lehigh Valley Music Award for Best Wind Instrument. BC has a resume that includes being a finalist at the International Blues Competition with her former band, BC & The Blues Crew, she was also in Memphis with Wayne Smith to represent the Lehigh Valley Blues Network in 2009 as a duo and again in 2010, recording with Friar’s Point at the renowned Sun Studios for their new release celebrated Father’s Day Weekend at the 2011, 6th annual Lehigh River Blues Jam. After a stint at Zoellner last year, Bev was invited to guest vocal with The Craig Thatcher Band at their debut concert at the new Steel Stacks Café. Singing with The Girls at Musikfest August 10, 2011 was a momentous occasion as Lori and Jeff said their wedding vows that day as the Mayor of Bethlehem officiated. The BC Combo performed at the Steel Stacks Blast Furnace Blues Festival in Bethlehem, PA September 17th. Most recently BC performed with The Girls during Sarah Ayer's concert December 17. The Musikfest Cafe presented Bev Conklin & Friends to a full house on Valentine's Day 2012, over 27 musicians on stage, all whom she's worked with over the past 20 years. Both BC & Wayne are regulars at Molten Lounge at The Sands Casino with Tower Suite & Friends. This 7 piece group released a live CD in 2010 that was recorded and produced by Easton State Theater’s soundman and grammy award nominee, Dave Hinson. Some of the Festivals and Events over the years • Musikfest, Das Awkscht Fescht, and The Lehigh River Blues Jam • Steel Stacks Musikfest Cafe • Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts • Central Pennsylvania Jazz Fest / Berk's Jazz Fest • Kutztown Fair and Allentown Fair • Kempton Music Festival and Bethlehem's Harvest Fest • Mayfair • Pocono Blues Festival Weekend – Big Boulder Corp. Sponsored Club Act • Briggs Farm Blues Festival • Mosconetcong Blues Festival / Knowlton Blues Fest • Memphis in May Festival • Baltimore Blues Festival • Billtown Blues Society Blues Festival • Lehigh Valley (Cementon) Blues Fest | Blues 2000 & Beyond • Split Rock Wine Fest | NJ State Wine Growers Assoc Wine Fest | Penns Peak Wine Fest • Bernie J. Crum Stadium July 4th Celebration • 2nd Harvest Food Bank Gala • Illicks Mill Galas • United Way Galas • Lehigh Valley Health Network Galas • Annapolis Yacht Club Luekemia Lymphoma Fundraiser | MDA Galas • The Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge • State Theater, Allentown Symphony Hall, Sellersville Theater, Roxy Theater, Civic Theater More of what people and venues are sayin... "Ditto Bev, one of the top 3 shows in the Cafe so far. Great job Bev!" February 2012, Musikfest Cafe - Jeffrey Parks - ArtsQuest President "Bev, Unbelievable show! It was among my top favorites at the Café so far! Next year - a dance floor for sloooooow dancing." February 2012, Musikfest Cafe - Robin Zaremski - Performing Arts - Business Development "Bev, What a beautiful and outstanding performance you and the Combo put on at the Lehigh Valley Christmas Concert this evening - it just bristled with feeling! What a great idea turning Fly Like an Eagle into Fly like a Reindeer to make it fit the bill as a Christmas song while still allowing you to contribute a really soulful and jazzy blues performance - it was the highlight of an excellent evening for both Charleyne & I. And it was great that Dave Smith was with you - his performance on alto was phenomenal. We don't get to hear him often enough in recent years!" November 28, 2010, Allentown Symphony Hall - Bill Dautremont-Smith, Executive Director WDIY Radio "Bev, I really enjoyed the arrangement on "Fly Like An Eagle" and was amazed at how the trio sounded like a 5 piece band. Wayne's musicality on guitar and drums at the same time is something special to experience and watch. I really loved your set overall and was really impressed with your sound." October 17, 2009, Sellersville Theater - Bruce Ranes "...featured Bev Conklin on vocals, accompanied by bassist Nick Franclik and Wayne Smith, who handled not only the guitar but a bass drum pedal. Conklin belted out originals and covers and reminded us why some locals refer to her as Queen of the Blues. Jodi Duckett, The Morning Call, posted May 25, 2009 - Mayfair "I have been following Bev around the Lehigh Valley for over a decade. Bev is the most verstatile and talented entertainer in a hundred mile radius. I have to stop at 100 miles because BB King has a place in NYC and Patty LaBelle has a place Philly. But I need to add, Bev is as good as both of them... " Fran Abuisi, March 2009
"... featuring Bev Conklin (known by her blues friends as BC), filled extra time with aplomb. BC has a strong fan base in the Lehigh Valley, and on Tuesday (@ The Ice House with Duke Robilliard), she showed why... " Daryl Nerl, The Morning Call - Musikfest Blognotes, August 2006 Photo: All web page header photos taken by Jeffrey Heller, our official band photographer |
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