Band Member Biographies

Dr. Brad "Oly" Bangstad, keyboard, music arranger: Brad was born and raised in Buffalo Minnesota, not far from "the Cities".  He started playing piano, organ and trumpet at an early age, performing in his hometown Lutheran Church ( complete with church basement potluck "hotdish", lutefisk and lefse... oofda!). At an impressionable age, he toured full time with the Johnny Holm band.  Brad graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead Minnesota, majoring in music and biology.  After his undergraduate work, Brad received his degree in optometry from Ohio State University. While in Columbus, he was the featured organist at two churches. Brad moved to Gainesville in 1986, and practices optometry. He continues his music ministry by arranging music for the Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, and performing organ music at the Church, including presenting the dedication concert for the Church's new organ in 2000. 

Doctor Brad               

Bill Barnard, guitar:   Bill is a dyed-in-the-wool blues fan. He was a co-founder, and served as the first 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 Workshop 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. His knowledge of blues history, current blues artists, and the Gainesville music scene is unmatched. Bill's style of guitar playing is melodic, like the early Chicago R&B and blues greats, playing the notes and the spaces with texture and finesse'. Bill  has authored original material for the band, including "Just Like A Man", that was featured at the 2010 IBC in Memphis. He continues to compose songs for the Band, including  "Impact Zone" and Nickl'd And Dimed" to be featured at the 2011 IBC.

Bill                    

Professor Steve "Bing" Bingham, tenor and alto saxophones, flute,bass guitar, trumpet: Dr. Bing holds a doctorate in music from the University of Florida. He is jazz band director, and music professor, at Santa Fe College. He has the unique distinction of being Bingo Bingham's older brother. Bing can read and arrange music, but that hasn't hurt him none in playing the blues. He plays a mean alto and tenor sax, a lyrical flute, and a driving bass guitar. Bing owns a subtle ( think "Animal House" , "Monty Python" and Caddyshack") sense of humor, and has a stage presence somewhere between Doctor John and Doctor Phil. He instructs and tours with the Sonlight Youth Choir and band at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville. 

Doctor Bing      

Deby Starr Barth, vocals and percussion:

 Deby is a perfect fit for 6^th Street with her attention- getting combination of a sultry voice and striking stage presence…a blond Marcia Ball. She is a native of Ohio ( but that’s OK because she has promised to wear Orange and Blue and not get all misty eyed when the tuba player dots the eye for Ohio State). Her early musical influences were Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, The Motels, Led Zeppelin and The Pretenders, but she has developed her own musical style that will remind you of Julie London and Janice Joplin. In addition to being a dynamite blues singer, she is able to transition between, and has mastered, material in other musical genres, including jazz, soul, R&B, rock and country. She is recognized by her musical peers as one of the most gifted female singers in Florida. Her resume’ includes performing with “Class X” where she followed Charlie Hargett ( who went on tour with “Blackfoot”). Other North Florida bands where she honed her “chops” were RedEye, The Fabulous Comatones, and Crisis.

Deby           

Steve Hart, tenor, alto, baritone and soprano saxophones, trombone: Steve, a native of the Chicago area, played his first gig at age 13. His bands, Bill and the Bachelors, and the Good Times Quintet played 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 earned his law degree from the University of Florida, and practiced law in Wisconsin and Illinois. In 1998, through a project at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, a  6-piece horn-driven blues band , Code Blues, was formed; Steve joined Code Blues in 1999. Code Blues played at well-known Chicago area clubs ( Cubby Bear, Chord-On-Blues, Flatlanders), corporate events ( Abbott Labs, Crate and Barrel ), high profile North Shore society civic and charitable events, and festivals. Code Blues was featured at the United Center, playing for the Chicago Bulls.   Steve joined the Unusual Suspects Blues Band in Gainesville before co-founding 6th Street with Bill Barnard.    

Steve    

Tony Gray, bass guitar, string bass and vocals:

Tony Gray is a native of Mobile, Alabama, but has been in Gainesville for the last 20 years. He was raised on gospel music but found an escape to diverse musical styles from New Orleans and Memphis thanks to his trusty 9volt transistor radio. His musical life was changed forever the first time he heard Led Zepplin II.  He was also asked not to play in Church any more after the unfortunate lightning incident.

Fast forward many years later when he was playing guitar in a weekend warrior band in some sleezy dive...as they are wont to do, the unreliable bass player didn’t show up. Tony figured: how hard could it be? And he has learned, having played bass with several North Florida bands, including MidLife Crisis. Tony regularly travels north to Mecca ( also known as Nashville) to gig with his disreputable hoodlum buddies. Recently, he was standing outside Lillian's Music Store with a sign: "will play bass for food".                   

"6th Street" made him an offer he couldn't refuse ( but maybe should have).We are happy to have him on board, and he has successfully achieved tenure, but wish he would shower more! The next time he gives us a dose of "Roll Tide", his buttocks goes back to Lillian's.

Tony endorses Fender Basses, Mesa Boogie Amplification, Ernie Ball Strings. Oddly enough, none of those companies have ever heard of Tony.     

Go figure.

              Tony ( at Lillian's )                                         Tony ( today)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

John Eric "Bingo" Bingham, drums: Bingo has been with 6th Street since early 2009. We are fortunate to have him. He keeps time like a Rolex and has a pocket deeper than a kangaroo. Dr. Steve Binghams's little brother, Bingo too is a Gainesville native. He graduated from Gainesville High School, where he performed with GHS's drumline and jazz band. After school, he really "went to school" with Glass Hammer, which became Silent Image....they were under contract to RCA Records and toured nationally for two years. Later, he co-founded Black Molly with Charlie Hargrett ( Blackfoot) and Banner Thomas ( Molly Hatchet), and again was a road warrior for two years. His education still expanding, and being tired of greezy road food and living out of a suitcase, Bingo matriculated to Memphis where he was a "first call" studio drummer. Since returning to Gainesville, Bingo has played with the Hollow Body Hellraisers ( folks, I am not making that up), several local groups ( he's like "Cheers"...everybody knows his name) and continues to be in demand for recording sessions.

     Bingo, as he sees himself.... and as we see him:              

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