The Fries
"The Fries" have been entertaining people in the Dayton area for the past
eight years with their unique treatment of popular and obscure cover songs,
in addition to a diverse assortment of their own originals. They blend
complex harmonies with acoustic guitars to create distinctive musical arrangements,
and with the addition of keyboards and congas/percussion, they are now
opened up to a much fuller sound instrumentally.
They prefer performing in smoke-free and outdoor settings, but also enjoy
many area restaurants and clubs, too. They have treated audiences to their
inspirational rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" at the Nutter Center,
Hara Arena, U.D. Arena, Cincinnati Reds games, area festivals, and political
functions.
In 1999, "The Fries" were voted "best acoustic band" in the Dayton area
in The Dayton Voice magazine. In 1997, "The Fries" won the WHIO radio station
National Anthem contest, and in 1992 and 1994, "The Fries" won runner-up
for Best Band in the Miami Valley area according to the Dayton Monthly
Magazine survey. During the Christmas of 1993, "The Fries" produced their
first Christmas cassette and donated all proceeds to "The Other Place",
Dayton’s only daytime shelter for the homeless. The success of this project
encouraged the band to again enter the studio, and they have now completed
their first original CD recording titled, "Do You Want Us with That?"
They have opened up for many national acts, such as: Foghat, Kansas, The
Guess Who, Gladys Knight, Mick Fleetwood, Henry Lee Summer, The Dixie Dreggs,
Martina McBride, 1964 as the Beatles, and many more.
The members are: Gary Knight, a Centerville middle school science teacher;
Peter Price, owner of Stillwater Builders; Jimmy Thompson, an engineering
supervisor for Delphi Chassis Systems; Don Corbet, a technology specialist,
trainer, and freelance writer; and Sal Salaz, a Senior Computer Scientist
with Computer Sciences Corporation.
Together, the Fries compliment each other musically and professionally.