Voted Best Blues Band in Tulsa by the Blues Society of Tulsa
The Hydramatics is a Tulsa Oklahoma based band. Blues enthusiasts enjoy our well rounded Chicago, Texas, Delta and West Coast Jump Blues styles played with intense authenticity. Formed in 1990 and over the last 3 decades we have performed and shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the blues music genre. All members of The Hydramatics have been inducted and are members of the prestigious Oklahoma Blues Hall Of Fame.
THE BAND
''BBQ Bob'' Wallace
// bass, vocals
From: Modesto, California
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Bassist Bob Wallace is a veteran of the Oklahoma and California blues scene with over 40 years experience. Inducted into the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame in 2023.
The only music available growing up as a child in the Central California town of Atwater was a Top 40 local AM station KYOS in Merced, until he discovered Rhythm & Blues on a high powered late night Mexican radio station XERB which featured Wolfman Jack. 50 years later the music he heard as a child still is a driving force. After attending a B B King and Elvin Bishop concert in Fresno,CA around 1971 listening and playing the blues has been a life long quest. He studied guitar and bass under Big Band multi-instrumentalist Tommy Galindo.
Wallace has worked in many areas of the music business, including bassist/vocalist, band leader, soundman, graphic artist, stage security, retail music sales and owner of Wallace Sound a successful guitar and amp repair business. Over the last 4 decades he has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in blues music.
Steve ''Actor'' Kilman
// guitar, vocals
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From: San Bernardino CA.
Recordings: Johnny Dyer & the L.A. Jukes, William Clarke’s Tip of the Top, Rod Piazza’s So Glad to have the Blues
Accomplishments: Inducted to Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame 2022. Recorded on three L.P.’s Nominated for Best Album of the year W.C. Handy Awards, Tip of the Top Won Best Album of the Year W.C. Handy Award, Tip of the Top also had a single (Must Be Jelly) that was nominated for Best Single of the year in the Blues Category Grammy Awards.
Write Ups: Guitar Player Magazine, Living Blues Magazine, Los Angeles Times and many others nationally and internationally.
Preformed with such Blues greats as: Big Joe Turner, Willie Mae (Big Mama Thornton), Willie Dixon, Lowell Fulsom, Paul Butterfield, Rod Piazza, William Clarke, Charles Musselwhite, James Harmen, Pee Wee Crayton, Eddy (Cleanhead) Vencent, Jr. Watson, Hollywood Fats, Ronnie Earl, Anson Funderburgh, Shakey Jake, Smokey Wilson, David (Kid) Ramos, and many more.
Festivals: Los Angeles Blues Festival 3 times, San Diego Blues Festival Twice, Orange County Blues Festival Twice, Long Beach Blues Festival 3 times, San Fransisco Blues Festival Twice, Riverside West Coast Blues Festival 3 times, Tulsa Blues Festival 3 times, Bixby Blues & B.B.Q. twice, Dusk till Dawn Blues Festival 4 times.
David ''Bernesto'' Berntson
//harmonica, vocals
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From: Galesburg, IL
David has presented blues harmonica to diverse groups for over 20 years. Whether you are looking to set up a series of classes for a school after-care group, adult education classes, a corporate team-building events, staff training workshops, a fun interlude at a formal dinner, group or individual advanced harmonica lessons David provides personally tailored interactive learning opportunities in a professional and relaxed setting with an emphasis on blues music, history and culture.
Berntson has presented programs at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival (formerly the King Biscuit Blues Festival) in Helena, Arkansas, the Bishopstock Blues Festival in Exeter, England, the Nothin’ But the Blues Festival in Bloomington, Illinois and at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, Iowa. In April, 2005, Berntson was the Artist-in-Residence for the Mississippi Valley Blues Society, funded, in part, by the Iowa Arts Council and corporate contributions. Member of the Oklahoma Blues hall of Fame.
Dave is a master of Chicago, Mississippi Delta style and jump blues.
As an endorsee for Hohner harmonicas, Berntson is able to provide harmonicas for his programs.
"Smiling Paul" Huskins
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// drums
From: Houston, Texas
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Paul began playing drums at the age of 11. By the time he was 14 he was playing professionally across the Dallas/Fort Worth area and later in the Houston area. In his formative years, Paul studied Jazz, Rock, County, and of course the Blues. The Texas blues influence is obvious in his playing style.
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Paul has had the opportunity to play, write and record with several successful bands over the course of his 40 years of drumming. A few include:
Mesquite Opry Band
Texas Opry Band
Mineral Wells Opry Band
Lisa Cole & Buffalo Speedway
Dale Nowak
Derringer
Nine Point Mesa
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After countless gigs, corporate events, festivals, TV appearances and opening for national acts, Paul has landed in Tulsa as the newest member of The Hydramatics. Paul says "To have the opportunity to play in THE premier
blues band in the area is a dream come true!' Inducted into the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame in 2023.
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