Billy Price is especially excited about "East End Avenue," his first studio recording since the late 1990s.

	Billy Price says he was glad to be able to showcase his band on his latest recording, "East End Avenue." Click photo for larger image. Billy Price Band Where: Rhythm House, Bridgeville. When: 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets: $10; 412-221-5010. Listen In: Click to hear excerpts from three songs by Billy Price: "Keep It to Yourself" "She Left Me With These Blues" "The Hard Hours"

The recording features 13 original songs, five of which were co-writtten by Price and John Tiven, this year's Blues Music Award winner.

"Over the years, I've covered obscure soul and rhythm 'n' blues songs, and because people weren't familiar with the originals, I've become identified with them," says Price. "But on this recording I wanted to write some material of my own."

Price says he and Tiven, who lives in Nashville, didn't meet before or after collaborating on the recording.

"John and I and his wife just traded files over the Internet," says Price. "We've never met face-to-face, but it has worked out very well."

Price says Tiven has produced a number of recordings over the years. Price was mentioned to Tiven by Denny Bruce, former producer of the Fabulous Thunderbirds.

"Denny was really taken by my performance in Belgium, and John asked Denny if he knew of any new artists, and Denny mentioned my name, and John contacted me."

Price also enlisted the help of local songwriter Mike Sweeney, who penned "Soul Sailin'," "East End Avenue," "Only Two Lovers," "Funky Like Dyke, Part 2" and "The Hard Hours."

Price says the recording more than anything else was his opportunity to showcase his regular working band.

"This is probably the best combination of musicians I've ever had," says Price. "I wanted to work with them in the studio."

The recording was co-produced by Jeff Ingersoll, owner of Mojo Boneyard and Bonedog Records in McKeesport. The label features American roots music, including jazz, blues, gospel and rhythm 'n' blues.

Next month, Bonedog will be releasing new albums by jazz bassist Dwayne Dolphin and blues pioneer Piney Brown.

"I've followed Billy since he came to town in the 1970s with the Rhythm Kings," says Ingersoll. "He had probably the best rhythm 'n' blues band in Pittsburgh. I used to see them four and five times a week. They all lived in the same house. So I've been a fan. He really knew the music, and he was a student of the music, and that really attracted me to him. Working on the project with him was something I really wanted to do and finally got to it."

Ingersoll says the entire recording session was filled with professionalism and positive vibes.

"The band was well-rehearsed, and a lot of stuff went down on first take," he says. "Billy is just a pleasure to work with."

Price has been a mainstay on the local scene since the late 1970s.

His original band was Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm. After that group disbanded, he formed the Billy Price Band. In 2002, he released "Sworn Testimony: The Billy Price Band Live," a two-disc set that captured the R&B singer live at the Ram's Head Tavern in Annapolis, Md.

In 2003, he released "Funky ... Funky Soul," a DVD of a live performance in Peer, Belgium, during the Belgium Rhythm & Blues Festival.

"It was the first time I'd ever performed in Europe," says Price. "The reaction to people was, like, 'Why haven't you been here before?' It was amazing. People treated us great. They took me and my wife around. It was amazing how much they knew about me and other Pittsburgh musicians."

Price also has his legion of fans in the Pittsburgh area. His performances are always strong and fueled with enthusiasm.

And so is "East End Avenue."

"We are looking forward to touring a little," says Price. "I think this recording is probably the most impressive thing that I have done."