Hugh Read (guitar/vocals) Hugh has played in a number of Edmonton area bands including the Younger Generation, Crazy Jane, Rye County, Backslyder, Matrix, Cactus, Celebration, Heartwood, and Cruiseline. He also performed as a single for a while in the 70s and worked on some projects with Victoria singer songwriter Craig Elder, including a 1987 CKRA radio show spotlighting Craig’s tunes and a 2006 CD entitled “Dog Songs.” Alongside the music business, Hugh had a 35-year career as a teacher with Edmonton Public Schools (1978-85) and later as an NAIT instructor (1985-2011). Between gigs with the BDBB, he remains involved in educational publishing and corporate training.
 

Michael Sabourin (drums/vocals): Mike comes from a family of artists and musicians. He started playing drums when in high school and still considers the Beatles one of his biggest influences. He had orchestral aspirations in his youth and studied music at Grant MacEwan College in the 70s. Early bands included Prairie, Savanna, Topper, Backslyder, Matrix, Cactus, and Celebration. More recently, Mike played with This Just In, fronted by newsman Gord Steinke. Over a couple years, the band opened for Trooper, Jefferson Starship, and The Tubes and put out a CD. Mike also recorded on a Brad Bucknell EP at Mo Marshall’s studio in the 80s and for project with artist Scott Goodfellow at Smooth Rock Studios in Calgary, produced and engineered by Mark Goodman. In addition to playing in folk, rock and jazz bands, Mike has played for many musical theatre productions at Festival Place in Sherwood Park and in other area venues.
 
Bruce Goebel (bass/vocals): Bruce started at age 12 on four-string banjo and then electric rhythm guitar in an instrumental dance band. He played fill-in bass in several country rock bands and spent many years playing R & B and Classic Rock with various bands in the Edmonton area, including local blues artist Dwayne Cannon. Bruce first played with Howard McKay in 1971 and with Mike Sabourin shortly thereafter. He has done recording sessions with a pop band in the 70s at the Tommy Banks studio and with Savanna at the Machine Shop. In 1981, he recorded two originals on vinyl with Dean Charles. He subsequently moved on to Beta Studios with Gary Koliger, Homestead Recorders with Barry Allen, Goede Creative with Colin Lay and the George Blondheim Studio, also with Colin Lay. With the Blind Dog Blues Band, he recorded at DanLyn studios with producer Jerry Woolsey. A carpenter by trade, Bruce also does luthier work. He built the five-string bass that he plays at gigs, as well as the custom Tele that Howard uses, both of which can be heard on the “Burnin’ for You” CD.
 
Howard McKay (guitar/vocals/harmonica): Howard started his musical education at Edmonton’s Clarence Ploof’s Guitar Center in the late sixties. Further studies at the U of A included Orff Schulwerk Levels I, II, III and Master Class. He also took one year of study at Grant MacEwan during the first year the guitar program was offered. Interspersed with and around the formal education were years spent in Edmonton and on the road in a variety of bands. Career wise, Howard spent 36 years teaching K-6 music, the last 35 in Drayton Valley. He retired in 2013 and is now teaching privately and playing in the Blind Dog Blues Band.