Betsy Franck and the Bare Knuckle Band formed in the spring of 2002. The duo of Franck and Friesland joined with members of the Athens based band Grand Fury, forming a uniquely powerful and original sound.

The group spent some time with Chris Bishop at Radium Recording Studio in in the fall of 2002. Bare Knuckle bands first effort produced a five song compilation entitled ' Sweeping up the Porch ' and boasts slow acoustic melodies with a down home, front porch flavor. Right hand man, Bric Friesland and members of Grand Fury make a solid example of the lighter side of the B.K.B.

In October of 2003 Betsy and the boys enterd John Keane studios in Athens, and produced a seven song journey of tunes ranging from' front porch soul to back porch bluegrass and blues '. Bric Frieslands meticulous mandolin picking paired with raging solos from guitarist Thomas Kay and fiddler David Blackmon, gives you a taste of what the band is capable of in the electric world. Betsy Franck is a firey soul the world should be ready for.

The core of the Bare Knuckle Band consists of Betsy Franck, guitar and lead vocals; Bric Friesland, mandolin, guitar, vocals, electric bag pipe; Josh Gibbs, bass, guitar, lap steel, electric can opener.