Band Member Biographies
Dr. Brad Bangstad, keyboard: 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). 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. Brad is married to Laurel, and they have two teenage daughters, Kelsey and Kristen.
Doctor Brad
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 Workshop Blues Summit in
Bill
Professor Steve Bingham, tenor and alto saxophones, flute,bass guitar, trumpet: Steve
("Bing") holds a PhD in music from the University of Florida. His full
time "gig" is as the jazz band director and music professor at Santa Fe
Community
College. As such he can read music, but it hasn't seemed to hurt him
none in playing the blues. Bing plays several instruments, including a
mean blues sax and melodic flute. Dr. Bing also instructs the
youth and tours with the Sonlight
Youth Choir and Band at the Trinity United Methodist Church in
Gainesville.
Doctor Bing
Heidi Biorn, vocals and
harmonica: Heidi is a
Mezzo Soprano. She recently relocated to
Heidi
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
Steve
Michael Raftice,
bass guitar, string bass and vocals: Michael, a
transplanted
Michael
Tobin Wagstaff,
drums: Tobin is the "engine room" of
Tobin