Bill Barnard, guitar:
Bill is a dyed-in-the-wool blues fan. He serves as the president of the
North Central Florida Blues Society. He has played guitar since the
Beatles and the "British Invasion", and quickly found a love for the
blues. He played through college; then put the guitar away until 1999,
when he resumed playing. In 2002, Bill attended the National
Guitar Worshop Blues Summit in Connecticut. Master classes were taught
by noted blues guitarists Ronnie Earl and Robben Ford. Bill was a
founding member of Gainesville's The Unusual Suspects Blues Band . The Suspects opened for national headliners Mem Shannon, Nick Curran and Debbie Davies
Heidi Biorn, vocals:
Michael Raftice, bass guitar, string bass and vocals: Michael, a transplanted Florida "native" since 1976, has a wide and varied background. His interest in music was kindled at age 14. Some friends formed a band for a talent contest; it was pronounced that "if he wanted to join the band he HAD to play bass." He doesn't recall if they won, but this gentle nudge from his buddies resulted in a career in music. Michael holds a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Florida. He was a student of the string bass under Kevin Cassidy of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Michael peformed with the University of Florida and the Gainesville Chamber Orchestras, and the University's Jazz Band. Before joining 6th Street he played with the Mark Spede Jazz Quintet, the Richard Dickson Dinner Theater, Gainesville's Hippodrome productions, Boogie Chillin' , the Jay Willey Blues Band, and the popular jazz group Unsafe Sax. He is multi-talented. In addition to string and electric bass, he plays guitar, cello and mandolin. Michael regularly leads worship and the praise band at his Church, Open Arms Community Church of Melrose FL.
Tobin Wagstaff, drums: Tobin is the "engine room" of 6th Street. He is the founder and President of Studio Percussion, Inc., a Gainesville-based non-profit organization devoted to encouraging children to develop their interest in music. He has worked in many diverse environments as a student, performer, and educator. Tobin has received awards and recognition for his leadership and musicianship through various organizations and ensembles including: solo performance, orchestras, percussion ensembles, steel drum bands, rock and pop bands, symphonic bands, marching bands, jazz bands, church music, and Christian music. Tobin holds a Bachelor of Music, and a minor in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, from the University of Florida.
Heidi Biorn, vocals:
Steve Hart, tenor, alto and baritone saxophones, trombone: Steve played his first gig at age 13 and worked professionally through college. His band, Bill and the Bachelors, played 3 summer-long stints at Chicago area resorts, clubs, and special events.The Bachelors was the house band at Porky's in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Two players in the Bachelors, Curley Cooke and Tim Davis, co-founded the Steve Miller Band. Steve
took a long sabbatical from music to attend law school ( U.of Florida),
practice law, and raise a family. In 1998, through a project
at the Old Town School of Folk Music ( Chicago), a horn-driven
blues band , Code Blues, was formed; Steve became a member in 1999. Code Blues
played at well-known Chicago area clubs ( Cubby Bear, Chord-On-Blues,
Flatlanders), corporate events ( Abbott Labs, Crate and Barrel ),
North Shore civic and charitable events, and festivals. The band also
played at the United Center for the Chicago Bulls. After moving to
Florida in 2005 Steve joined The Unusual Suspects Blues Band.
Michael Raftice, bass guitar, string bass and vocals: Michael, a transplanted Florida "native" since 1976, has a wide and varied background. His interest in music was kindled at age 14. Some friends formed a band for a talent contest; it was pronounced that "if he wanted to join the band he HAD to play bass." He doesn't recall if they won, but this gentle nudge from his buddies resulted in a career in music. Michael holds a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Florida. He was a student of the string bass under Kevin Cassidy of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Michael peformed with the University of Florida and the Gainesville Chamber Orchestras, and the University's Jazz Band. Before joining 6th Street he played with the Mark Spede Jazz Quintet, the Richard Dickson Dinner Theater, Gainesville's Hippodrome productions, Boogie Chillin' , the Jay Willey Blues Band, and the popular jazz group Unsafe Sax. He is multi-talented. In addition to string and electric bass, he plays guitar, cello and mandolin. Michael regularly leads worship and the praise band at his Church, Open Arms Community Church of Melrose FL.
Tobin Wagstaff, drums: Tobin is the "engine room" of 6th Street. He is the founder and President of Studio Percussion, Inc., a Gainesville-based non-profit organization devoted to encouraging children to develop their interest in music. He has worked in many diverse environments as a student, performer, and educator. Tobin has received awards and recognition for his leadership and musicianship through various organizations and ensembles including: solo performance, orchestras, percussion ensembles, steel drum bands, rock and pop bands, symphonic bands, marching bands, jazz bands, church music, and Christian music. Tobin holds a Bachelor of Music, and a minor in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, from the University of Florida.