Willie Webber, Bill and Laurie Shreve, Dino Albaugh, Paul deLay, William Clarke, Norton Buffalo, Paul Butterfield, Curtis Salgado, Carlos del Junco, Ray Becerra, Michael Tracey, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Ray Charles, Gary Primich, Darmon Meader, Joey DeFrancesco, Louis Pain, Mark duFresne, Ray Norcia, Louis Armstrong, Delbert McClinton, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Doug 'Dr. Music' Riley, Jimmy Smith, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Little Walter, John Nemeth, Willie Dixon, Bill Barrett, Gus Russell, Muddy Waters
My interest in music started when I was 8 yrs old. My parents, Bill and Laurie Shreve, have been making music together since their days of junior-high school. So music was all around me. Their drummer, Willie Webber (played for The Coasters, Jr. Walker), was one of my biggest musical influences apart from my parents. He was the one who turned me on to most of my influences. I became fascinated with music because of him.
When I was a kid, my parents rehearsed a few times a week. I would always love to listen to them. At one particular rehearsal, my dad's old childhood buddy, Dino Allbaugh, came over to play some harmonica. He was the first harmonica player I had ever heard at that point. I was immediately taken by the harmonica. There was something different about it, way different than any other instrument. I grew more intrigued each time I watched Dino play. And when Dino gave me a few of his old harps to practice on, I was hooked.
I played everyday from there on. I didn't take lessons, there were no harmonica teachers around, and harmonica wasn't really a concert-band friendly instrument, so the only way I could learn was by listening. When I got into Elementary school, I had to choose between concert band or choir, I didn't want to sing at the time, so I took up mallet percussion, then shortly after I switched over to drum-set. In Junior High, I took up guitar and piano. Out of all the instruments I've tinkered with (and continue to tinker with); The Harmonica, the Voice, the Hammond Organ and the Drums will always be my personal favorites.
I started performing with the family band when I was 11. We've had the grand pleasure of opening and/or playing with people like Merle Haggard, Norton Buffalo, The North Mississippi All-Stars, The Cherry Poppin' Daddies, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Honeyboy Edwards, The Paul deLay Band, WC Clark, to name some.
These days, you can always find me performing with The Ty Curtis Band (www.tycurtisband.com). We're "Blues-Based", we like to mix it up with funk, rock and soulful reggae flavors. We have just finished a new CD entitled, "Down On My Luck." We've been fortunate to have opened and/or played with acts like Coco Montoya, Sugar Pie Desanto, Joe Bonamassa, The Doobie Brothers to list a few. We recently won the 'Journey To Memphis' competition! Which means we were chosen by the Cascade Blues Association to represent the Northwest Blues Scene in the 'International Blues Challenge' in Memphis, Tennessee! If you'd like to help us make our journey a possibility, you can check out our website for info. The Ty Curtis Band just recently won the Muddy Award for "Best New Act"!!
You also catch me every Wednesday night along with Steve Arriola, Michael Tracey, Bill Shreve, and Theo Halpert out at Diablo's Dowtown Lounge in Eugene (959 Pearl St). This is a free open blues jam. Bring your axe and your friends!
Okay, I know the bio totally sucks, I'm working on it!
Hey Hank, Been missin' ya brother. Your harp sounds bigger and bigger everytime I hear you. I hope all is well. I'm finishing up a new project. More blues, less finesse. First myspace installment is "Screamin'". I've been opening shows with it the last couple of years. Figured it was time to record it. I'd appreciate your thoughts. All the best, Kev
Hey Hank, Long time no see it's looking like you're kicking some ass as usual! hopefully I can make it out to Diablo's this week for some jam hope all is well in Shreveland, take care, Ben
Hi Hank, hey mate, love "Real Kinda Thang". It is awesome! Got some new stuff on my profile if you or any freinds are interested. Peace, happiness and good music, Chris.
great job .... I was sure you guys would get #1 after seeing last years winners Trampled Under Foot... but #2 is amazing .... can't wait to see you guys live again...thanks, fat danny
Dear Hank, what a glorious life experience. Taylor and I wish nothing but the best for you. Woohoo young man, now go kick it wild. Good luck. Sincerely, Mama C Christine and Tman Taylor Hutchinson -Embrace Of Warmth - org. -helping our homeless...a position that we are now in due to illegal foreclosure.
MEMPHIS, brace yourself, because our local Hank is going to shake your socks off and raise the roof.
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