RAP SHEETS

   With Hal Reed as front man, Bad Luck had a double-fisted influence of Mississippi and Chicago style blues pumping through its heart. Born just a few miles about the Mississippi delta, Hal was raised with the right combination: his grandfather, Lucious Smith, was a legendary bluesman, his grandmother was a devout member of the Pentecostal Church , and his father, James T. Reed, passed on his bluesy voice. Also influential was his uncle, the great Lester "Big Daddy" Kinsey. Since his Uncle's passing, Hal has taken advantage of several opportunities to hit the road with his cousins as front man of The Kinsey Report. Hal may also be remembered from his previous run with The Everlovin' Blues Band and the band, Hal Reed & Bad Luck.

   Jimi Van Hyfte, drummer of 27 years, brings to the table a diverse knowledge of the blues having shared the stage with the likes of Little Ed & The Blues Imperials, Cory Stevens, Walter Trout, The Platters, E. C. Scott, Buddy Guy.

   Will first cut his teeth with Iowa Blues Hall of Fame inductee Harmonica Slim. Since being a finalist in the 2000 Iowa Blues Challenge, he has traveled the world with several U. S. O, bands and has performed with Jimmy Thackery, The Platters and E. C. Scott.

   An extraordinarily talented musician, proficient in bass, guitar, keyboards, violin and French horn, Claire has been accepted at the Berklee School of Music in Boston where she will major in bass performance and music production and engineering. Though only 18 she has already shared the stage with numerous prominent bands and has performed on the Berklee stage in Boston and the Bix Fest.

   Ezra Sidran began playing piano at the age of five and turned professional at fourteen in his hometown of Chicago. He has played in the bars of the East End of London, roadhouses in the Midwest and recording studios in Los Angeles. He has appeared as a studio musician on numerous records and has worked with such legends as Luther Allison and Clyde Stubblefield. He performed at the very first Mississippi Valley Blues Festival and has returned to play many subsequent fests, sometimes working with more than one band in a day.