| Hank Hankshaw, born
June 21st, 1957, in Ft. Worth Texas, grew up in a musical family, learning folk and pop
favorites at his daddy's knee. His first instrument was a baritone Ukulele which
accompanied him on a coast to coast hitchhiking trip entertaining (?) truckers and hippies
in vans along the way. He began his professional career with a used Fender Mustang guitar in the late 70's in Ft. Worth where he co-founded and wrote songs for an original rock outfit called "Malcolm and the Dropouts." Malcolm Christian supplied instruction, encouragement and Hank's first real gig at "The Showdown."Another really good friend George Foster sold Hank his "Pride and Joy", a 1938 Gibson Flat Top guitar which he still proudly owns and plays on special occasions. Hank and George played a country-folk duo at a Ft. Worth beer joint for drinks and tips to finally being put "on the payroll", out in the beer garden. Just ask any old Westsider about E.T.'s and they will have a story. The " Big Time" came in 1980 when Hank was asked to move to Austin, TX and join guitarist James Hinkle's group "Housewives Choice." Hank and James would go on to become lifelong friends and musical soul brothers. After the extremely fun, exciting, informative even though not so profitable days in Austin both musicians gravitated back to hometown Ft. Worth. They still occasionally play together while pursuing their own separate careers. Back in Ft. Worth: in 1985 Hank was attending jam nights, meeting scores of musicians. He bought a used Peavey PA Head and began booking gigs of his own. He played the Su-Su Lounge, High Hat Lounge, The Hop and The Chateau. He threw bands together, hosted jam nights at The Wedgwood, J & J's Blues Bar and t he Keys Lounge.During these years Hank developed relationships with all kinds of players. He also was building a reputation as a bandleader/frontman/entertainer. When saxophonist friend Johnny Reno ( www.johnnyreno.com) offered Hank a gig as road manager, doorman, T-shirt salesman and collector of left over band beer, Hank jumped at the chance for a break from the local bar scene. The road gave Hank a taste of how the big boys do it and they influenced and encouraged Hank to get serious. The real road manager, Pat Savage, became a friend and was part of Hank's transformation.Returning to Ft. Worth, Hank put together "The Hank Hankshaw Show" in 1989, including guitarist Arvel Jr. Stricklin ( www.arvel.com), bassist Jon Kruse, harmonica player John Anglim, and drummer Ned Pieksen. The band enjoyed a good run playing showcase venues such as The Caravan of Dreams, J & J's Blues Bar, Main Street Arts Festival. Over the years the show evolved, digressed, flourished, floundered, recorded, broke up, reformed and played 1000's of gigs.Somewhere around 1990 Hank got a call from Bobby Counts ( www.bobbycounts.com) and was asked to fill in and put a band together for blues legend Robert Ealey for one weekend. That turned into about five years of the Robert Ealey School of Blues. Robert liked to make up new songs on the spot and encouraged and challenged Hank and the band to come up with new tunes and arrangements nightly. Hank says "Playing with Robert was priceless, and he showed me what the blues was all about".At age 38 Hank was a confirmed bachelor, so it was a wonderful surprise when he met, fell in love with and married Jill Castleberry. Hank and his "Bad Habits was the band at the time. Bad Habits included Chance Thomlin, Rockin' Rich Kasler and Jack Bullet Harris Jr. That time frame also involves playing at the Sundown, Ivy's Pub, and Euless Yacht Club. This also includes a cool place on Eagle Mountain Lake, Augie's Sunset Cafe, where Hank and Jill exchanged wedding vows. Night Club manager Pam Pride asked Hank to put together a musical act for her new place on 7th street, "Pam's Place", and that became Jill's debut in the percussion section. The Hank & Jill show was fortunate enough to enlist the legendary Jazz/Blues, musicologist Sumter Bruton to do a lounge trio. Possum Lodge was the next stop. Eric Horne, longtime friend and substitute "Bad Habit" bass player filled out the lineup for band gigs. Add Harmonica Wizard Gary Grammar to the mix and virtually anything was possible. That brings us to the present and Hank is still out there. "Spreading the Word:" in various ways and forms. Whether it is Country, Blues, Rock & Roll or any combination thereof. Hank is always crossing over. An eclectic blend so diverse yet cohesive it defies gravity. Hank plays a wide variety of music with a selection of excellent musicians, all longtime friends to the point of feeling like family. Some ongoing accounts and combinations of players include: Hank & Jill...Dos Gringos, Shrimper's (Now Bubba Bahama's) Hank with Gary Grammer -Harmonica --Tuesday @The Wreck Room , also, Sam Burkett -Mandolin- Tuesday's @The Wreck RoomHank & Jill with Sumter Bruton - Lead guitar - Pop's; Ridglea Country Club Hank and Jill with Arvel Stricklin; Lead guitar: Hank & Jill with Rockin' Rich Kasler - Bass guitar, Steve Meek - Drums and Tone Sommer on lead guitar at Risky's Camp Bowie The songs come and go. The faces may change. Everyone brings his or her own style to the stage. The Ebb and Flow is what keeps The Hankshaw experience fresh and interesting. |
 |