Wil Huckabay

Wilbur Huckabay was born in 1957 in Midland, TX and is a native Texan. Wil started playing the banjo when he was 16. He and his family, along with some church friends started the gospel bluegrass group, the Country Parish. They gained popularity around the state and played with other well known names such as Wendy Bagwell & the Sonlighters, the Lewis Family, Buck White & the Down Home Folks, and Ricky Skaggs.

By the time Wil was 20, he was teaching banjo full time along with playing studio music. He landed a job with the Houston Symphony Orchestra playing the banjo for several concert singers and various musicals. Later, he and his family created the bluegrass group, Crosswind. They performed for a couple of years at various bluegrass festivals around the state, in Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

Wil has been a member of Four Wheel Drive, Trinity Ridge, and Huck’s Acoustic Revue, and Midland Express. He is also a songwriter. His song "South Park Trainyard" won Bluegrass Song of the Year at Winfield, Kansas in 2004.

Wil’s playing has been influenced over the years by such artists as John Hickman, Ben Eldridge, and Ron Rebstock. He fulfilled a life long dream in 2003 by producing his first CD with his family and friends, along with good friend and former student Kerry Jones, of Classical Grass. The CD was made in the studio of Kerry Jones and is called “Made in the USA”. It is a collection of their favorite bluegrass instrumentals.

Wil’s instruments are: a unique, custom made 5-string created with prewar Gibson Granada hardware he calls “Ole Blackie”, and a 1997 Doc Watson model Gallagher guitar.

Wil resides in Hardin, Texas with his wife Kasie, daughter Molly.

Wil teaches banjo lessons in Dayton, Tx. (45 miles east of Houston) at "The Pickin' Place" For more info about lessons click here.
Wil & "Ole Blackie"
Customer Testimonials:

Hello Wil, I recently purchased your Banjo Building Blocks Cut n Paste book and I just LOVE it. I have been playing nearly 2 years and your book has come along at exactly the time and point that I need it. You better hurry up and get the new book ready, cause I'm gonna be ready for it before too long. Indeed, you have put together a very good learning tool. Thanks a lot and keep writing more stuff. Ross Fox, Ringgold, GA

Dear Mr. Huckabay, I received your CnP course two days ago. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am. This appears to be exactly what I need at this point in my learning experence. This may be the greatest book ever for this type of lesson. Thank you. Dick Chesser

Wil - I purchased your book and am finding it lots of fun. I see the merits of learning to use the licks (or any of my favorite licks) in a structured manner. It kind of 'implies' the melody and works fine for where I'm at. I like the songs you picked and I'm able to play along with your slow versions without too much trouble. The full speed tempos will take a while!!!! I think it is good the way you actually sing and perform the song in the same manner as one would find encounter them in a real jam session or performance. Well done.

I have listed licks from books before, but never took it far enough to be able to actually use them in the manner you do. Your 'Cut 'n Paste' puts it all together nicely. It's fun and I am enjoying 'playing' with it by experimenting with different licks. I am already looking forward to your Volume 2..Dave H.