Ken Hildebrand

About Me

Grew up in Canfield, Ohio... started playing harmonica in 1978 while exploring the nightlife in Youngstown, Ohio (graduated from Youngstown State University in 1976 (B.S. in Math & Computer Science)).

I'm a Mainframe computer guy... been at it since I was in college. Don't get me started on technology and computers! Mainframes rule, but I could never get an MP3 file to play on one!

My grandfather played harmonica. I remember sitting on his lap when I was just a few years old and he played the harmonica for me. I think he planted the harmonica seed deep into my soul.

I became intrigued by the harmonica after watching Norton Buffalo on Austin City Limits. I was amazed, and soon after bought my first harmonica from a local Oasis Records store. It was a 12-hole Hohner 260 (or whatever... I mix these numbers up with old IBM mainframe models, like VM-360) chromatic in the key of G. Obviously, I had no idea where to even start, and neither did the dude working at Oasis Records.

But from that point on, I never stopped learning, and I'm still learning. Hey, its a hobby... sure couldn't make a living at it! I met many local musicians and bands who played in the Youngstown area. I became good friends with many of them, especially Pix-E, Mylo "Mudflap" W., Terry S., Antonio P., the bands Lands End, One Horse Town, The Doopa Brothers (WTF? These guys were the nuttiest, most funnest bunch of sick bastards you would ever want to meet).

Had a ball with my old friend Mike S. (who plays the chord harmonica) checking out all the local bands and the Park Inn and Gabriel's (great open-mics). Pix-E was a true inspiration back when I started playing. He was a great help... I look back and wish I would've spent more time learning from him when life was so much simpler back then. Pix-E introduced me to the Steel Valley Harmonica club (met George M. who is quite the musician and plays all kinds of harmonicas, played with Jerry Murad's Harmonicats, and plays a mean tuba too) and SPAH (Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica).

I've been a SPAH member since 1978, and enjoyed going to several SPAH conventions when they were held in the Detroit area. I've enjoyed going to the Columbus Buckeye Harmonica Festivals the past several years. Harmonica conventions are so much fun, meeting and mingling with great players! I've always strived to become a better player. I can't imagine my life without playing harmonicas. Just can't even imagine it!

Keep on Harpin' !!!

"Life is One Hole After Another"

Interests

Playing harmonicas and all kinds of music. Love the outdoors, hiking, fishing, hunting, archery, shooting sports, and especially spring-piston airguns and backyard Field Target and plinking.

Enjoy tweaking my harmonicas, and working on my airguns.

Going antiquing with my wife, looking for treasures like harmonicas, microphones, amplifiers, airguns, pocket knives, sambar stag hunting knives, old navigational compasses, cool tools.