THE LEGEND OF HICKEY TWANG
Some time ago, on clear and sunny day, the members of a Dixieland band were in route to a gig somewhere in upstate New York. They were traveling in a van that was hired especially for the occasion. The typical musicians were present. The trombonist (who was also the band leader) was up front with the driver. The drummer and tuba player were in the second seat, and the banjo, trumpet and clarinet players were assigned to the back. All of the musicians were looking forward to a great performance.The trombonist and the driver were talking about a mutual acquaintance. The trombonist remarked, "You know, he talks funny . . . he has that hickey twang." For some reason, this statement tickled the funny bone of the banjo player, and he immediately succumbed to an uncontrollable fit of laughter. When he finally recovered enough composure to speak, the banjo player exclaimed, "That’s it . . . from now on, whenever I play a country gig, I’m going to use the name HICKEY TWANG." All agreed that Hickey Twang seemed a fitting moniker for a country guitar slinger. Thus began the legend of HICKEY TWANG.
Hickey Twang blew in from southeastern Pennsylvania many years ago. He was invited to join BLUESTONE a while back. Hickey is a multi-instrumentalist who plays many fretboard, woodwind and keyboard instruments. He has written compositions in all genres, and some of his compositions have been performed by several titans of the jazz world. Hickey enjoys playing all sorts of music. Regarding country music, Hickey comments, "Who couldn’t like it?"
Hickey is left-handed, and he plays an American Standard Fender Stratocaster. He replaced the single coil pickups with Lace Sensors. The tremolo is a Wilkenson, and the tuners are Sperzel locking. "the axe never goes out of tune" says Hickey. He uses a Digitech RP-1 pedal board and a Peavey KB 100 amp. Hickey strives to play the technical aspects of country music. Steel guitar imitations and "chickin’ pickin’" are his favorite styles. Hickey and "Slow" go way back, and occasionally when the band’s mood turns funky, Hickey has been known to play a flanged and phase-shifted solo or two. Hickey looks for the uncommon when suggesting tunes for the band to play. "Why do the tunes that every other band plays? I am interested in playing music that stimulates the imagination."
