Brad Wilson: Harmonica and Vocals
Brad first realized his love for singing at a very young age of 5 and would memorize and mimic classic children's songs on 78 LP's. He still recalls the distinct pseudo alligator skin that covered his record player.
He was first inspired to study the blues by Kim Wilson, of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, who just so happens to be Brad's older brother. Brad would begin to mimic the classic blues vocalists and harp players beginning around 1970 of the likes of Otis Rush, Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, George "Harmonica" Smith, Willie Dixon, and others and spun those records obsessively that his brother introduced to him studying their vocal styles and harp techniques.
The success of the older Wilson is well documented, but the younger Wilson, Brad, took a different route. Brad got his Masters in Art and Design at Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles in 1983 and pursued his artistic side before coming back to re-visit his love and natural talent for the Blues. His first experience in a band was the opportunity to sing and play harmonica, for several years, with the popular coastal Sonoma County band The Ridge Band from around 1992 - 2003
In 2004 Brad founded the blues band called The Rhythm Drivers with guitarist Ron Corral Jr.
The Rhythm Drivers still continue to play in local venues with Brad's leadership at lead vocals and harp while his back-up band features Johnny "Tsunami", Paul Dowling and Steve DuBois. They have most notably have played regularly at Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco.
Danny Hukill: Guitar & Vocals
Danny began playing drums in bands as soon as he got his, now vintage, set of Slingerland drums back in 1962. Spending many years in the Blues Clubs of his hometown of Ft. Worth, Texas. It was here that Danny perfected the Texas Shuffle. Danny became the drummer for Robert Ealey and The Five Careless Lovers, in the early 70's, where they were regulars of the infamous New Blurbird Nite Club. Danny has often said he got his Blues Degree at the University of Bluebird.
In the mid 70's Danny moved to Sonoma County to finish his formal music education at Sonoma Sate University. After graduating Danny decided to get back out and play 'The Blues' again. Only this time, he decided he was ready to step up to the front of the stage and began playing guitar and singing in a string of popular Sonoma Co. bands.
In the late 70's Danny fronted the 8 piece R&B horn band Touche. Then in the mid 80's Danny was part of the original incarnation of The Sonoma County Blues Society Band. The SCBSB experienced a small degree of success opening for every major blues act that came through the ever popular Cotati Cabaret. The SCBSB eventually released a self produced Live From the Cotati Cabaret cassette, featuring a 4 piece horn section, which sold several thousand copies. In 1988 Danny teamed up with the very popular harmonica player, Dave Chavoya, to form The Dynamites. The Dynamites practically owned the town of Sonoma playing for every function that town put together, as well as many other Bya Area locatons. It was at this time, too, that Danny slipped back behind the drums when he, Dave Chavoya and Phil Ajioka put together. The Hellhounds. Both The Dynamites and The Hellhounds became a strong presence in the Sonoma County blues scene.
At the turn of the century, Danny became as available as possible by being involved with several music projects like: The Smokin' Jaze, The VooDoo Cats and The Shuffle Brothers and The BBB's. Now partnering with Brad Wilson in the Wilson - Hukill Blues Duo. Danny is also the drummer for the very popular Sonny Lowe and The 100 Proof Band.
David French : Bass
David began as a trumpet player at mere age of 11 years old. From 1964 through '68 he played in various local jazz bands doubling on vibes and trumpet. In 1968 he became the bass player for The Gilded Splinters, a blues band out of Newport Rhode Island. David majored in Music theory and composition at the University Of Pennsylvania. At the University he also studied North Indian Classical music as a tabla player with J. P. Gosh one of India's premier Tabla players. He left the University to become a working musician. During the next 4 years he played bass in Good Wood and In Smack both local Philly bands doing original compositions ranging from blues to avant guard jazz.
In the mid 70s David quit the music business and moved to California and entered a Buddhist Monastery where he played no music until 1989 when he joined The Ridge Band, a local West Sonoma County rock band as their drummer. He is still the drummer for the Ridge Band. Hearing Brad and Danny play at a local venue, David offered his services as a bass player and thus joined Danny, Brad, and Carl as the Wilson-Hukill Blues Revue.
Carl Assmus: Drums
Carl started playing drums around 1960, had a band called The Upsetters.
Carl then moved to Seattle, lived on food stamps and played Rn'B and originals through the area. His travels then led to Aspen where he played with the sax player from Baby Huey and the Babysitters. The travels continued to Taos, New Mexico, where Carl lived there through the 70's and played New Orleans shuffles and some Rock, Rn'B and Reggae in various bands. Carl eventually relocated to the Bay area in '81 where he played in an 8 piece ska band called Undercover SKA for twelve years. Moving to Mill Valley, then Fairfax in the mid 90's, Carl rediscovered his true musical calling: "The Blues".
Focusing on the blues eventually hooked him up with Danny and Brad to form The Wilson-Hukill Blues Revue.
Carl
