Hyde Street Band: Biographies

Rod Prince - Harmonica/Vocals

Hi Y'all. I was born in Raleigh, NC, but was moved and rasied in the rural farmlands of eastern North Carolina. I've played some sort of music most of my life, starting with classical piano from the age of 8 up through high school. I was also a band geek in HS, playing some trumpet and drums and was involved in some local redneck bands in college at NC State University. I was in my 20's when I finally found the blues (or rather the blues found me). I remember watching a documentary on PBS about Howlin' Wolf and thinking 'hmmm, I could do that harmonica thing..', and thus I began my 2nd life as a blues and country musician.

When I moved to San Francisco, my first gigging role was as part of an acoustic duo with Dennis Johnson. I was fortunate to be the featured harmonica soloist on his CD 'Doney Blues'. I was the frontman for a year for local Peninsula group, the CrossEyed Kats. Recently, I had the opportunity to play several gigs around San Francisco as a member of the Norcal version of Carlos Guitarlos' band. In 2009, I was playing around the city with Rose Eger in a duo/trio doing roots blues. Currently, I am putting together a new group to play some outlaw blues.

I have had some amazing teachers during my musical awakening. I studied the theories and practical side of playing harmonica with Sam Barry in San Francisco. I also took some instruction from Mark Hummel in Castro Valley. The amazing Tracy Cortopassi gave me a year of vocal instruction and the courage to sing in front of live people! The topper - in 2009 I had to opportunity to study harmonica with Norton Buffalo. It was an amazing opportunity and I feel his loss in this world.

Joe Barros - Bass

Native San Franciscan. Played in bands up and down the peninsula. Most notably, Unidentified Rocking Objects, Love Cats and Ball Lightning. Under advice of counsel more information cannot be divulged at this time. How's that? Need more?

Neal Winslow - Lead Guitar

Neal grew up on the Peninsula and was lead singer for several bands during high school and college. Neal expressed interest in learning to play guitar and took a few lessons from Jerry Garcia when he was teaching at Guitars Unlimited in Menlo Park, this is rumored to be the reason that Jerry left teaching to form the Warlocks (predecessors to the Grateful Dead). Neal was lucky enough to be around just as the San Francisco music scene blossomed and was exposed to an incredible variety of great music at places like the Poppycock in Palo Alto, and the Fillmore and Winterland ballrooms in SF. After getting a real job he took a 30 year hiatus from music and only returned to it a few years ago when he decided (once again) to learn to play guitar.