About Hudson and the HooDoo Cats

Led by Austin, Texas native Hudson Harkins along with feature guitarist John Logan and bassist Fred Shaughnessy is a band increasingly sought after for it's versatility, excellent musicianship, originality and good-time humor.

Through an impressive number of Harkins' originals and diverse covers, the band upholds the best of Texas traditions and embraces several musical styles, including rockabilly, jump swing, roots rock and blues. Harkins calls it Texas Toadhouse Music. Since 1989, Harkins has led his band through over 1200 gigs, and can adapt his band from a rocking club show to a lighter cocktail version. The band offers a visual difference with Harkins often standing and singing while playing his unusual "less is more" drum kit up front.

Harkins was heavily influenced by the Austin music scene dating back to the early Sixties. He frequented, and often sang in, some of Austin's most established clubs, including the Skyline Ballroom, where he sat in with local country swing bands before the age of ten. In the Seventies and Eighties, Harkins was influenced by the progressive country music scene and the blues boom that swept the Austin area. The two styles combined to form what was then known as the Austin sound. Harkins co-hosted a blues jam, which brought him an abundance of pickup work, playing drums and singing with as many as six bands. In 1989, Harkins collaborated with others in a venture that would eventually become his own band. The current rendition of the band features on guitar, John Logan from Austin, Texas. John is an exciting guitar player capable of bringing audiences to their feet, playing mostly a 1952 Silvertone jumbo jazz guitar with a masterful quality on the Fender Strat as well. John led his own band in Austin for many years and regularly opened for many national acts that played the famous Antone's nightclub. John also hosted a live remote on Austin's z-102 every Saturday night at Antone's for years. The newest member of Hudson's Hoo Doos is Fred Shaughnessy on the bass. Fred is rock solid and has been a mainstay in the St.Louis blues community for over 25 years. His experience is vast, from playing with Billy Peek and backing Chuck Berry many times, to recording with Kenny Rogers. Fred is an excellent addition to the Cats.

Over the past 3 years, Hudson and his band have logged over 200,000 miles, playing from Texas to Minnesota and everywhere in between. His debut album (UP TO NOW) on Heavy Set Records, released in March of 97. Over the past 2 years, book back rate has been exceptional. Great musicianship, entertainment, dependability and one classy act: Hudson and the Hoo Doo Cats.