Renowned blues rock guitar virtuoso Billy Hector, known for his versatile style, joins forces with lifelong partner and collaborator Suzan Lastovica to unveil their highly anticipated album, Now and Then. This 11 track album invites listeners on a captivating journey through the history of Billy and Suzan’s remarkable career, showcasing their deep-rooted passion for the music that has shaped their lives. The album perfectly encapsulates the raw energy and soulful essence that has made Asbury Park a renowned musical haven for generations. Billy Hector, a multi award winning performer and revered figure in the New Jersey music scene, has enthralled audiences with his exceptional guitar skills and dynamic performances for decades. His multi-faceted style traverses the realms of funky rockin’ blues and beyond, captivating listeners with every note. Paired with Suzan Lastovica's mesmerizing vocals, their harmonious blend and undeniable chemistry are on full display.

One of the highlights of Now and Then is Suzan's soul-stirring rendition of Bruce Springsteen's classic anthem, Savin' Up which she performed with Mr. Springsteen on stage at The Deck House in Asbury Park in 1987 with The Fairlanes, Hector’s previous original rockin’ blues outfit.

From the provocative original Change Your Mind to the re-imagined classic You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover, Now and Then features a rich tapestry of talent the threads of which are the litany of world class musicians that have accompanied Billy Hector throughout his musical journey.

With Rock Night in Jersey, Billy Hector utilizes his full five 5 decades of experience in mind melting fashion. Through the intricate horn arrangements, masterful songwriting, and undeniable guitar chops, Mr. Hector's skillset is on full display. Backed by a band of world-class musicians and co-written/produced with his creative cohort Suzan Lastovica, Mr. Hector has fashioned a truly noteworthy collection of songs. This is rock and roll like you just don't hear anymore. Ladies and Gentlemen, report to the dance floor for your dose of Fender Therapy; It's a Rock Night in Jersey.

New CD

  -Nothing but love songs- Track Listing: 1. Wizard of Babylon 2. Someday Baby 3. Butt Naked and Funk 4. Hit the Road 5. Busy Man 6. Moonlight in Her Eyes 7. Bareback 8. Jolene 9. Alabama Bound  10. On your Bond 11. Whiskey 12. Creeper 13. Road to Happiness  Reviews: Rocking Magpie DonandSherylsbluesblog BarnOwlBlues Bluesmagazine Making a Scene Bmanbluesreport Jazzweekly Soundguardian

CD - 11 TRACKS OF LOVE

   “Old School Thang”,  "Billy Hector is one of those iconic players that has been an inspiration to others. His versatility and overall chops are incredible, and “Old School Thang” owes as much to his future as it does his past!" …Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society. "The latest album, Old School Thang from Billy Hector is slathered in blues and quite the listen. Hector dishes out his songs in a variety of formats, ranging from traditional and swampy, to trans-blues. Every song on Old School Thang is a winner. This album comes highly recommended." Philly Cheeze Blues "Over the years Hector has written and composed many tunes with 14 albums released primarily on the independent Ghetto Surf label, with his latest titled Old School Thang. His live performances have been labeled as "one of the best shows you'll ever see." Old School Thang opens, in my opinion, with one of hottest songs on the album. An all-star horn section with Tommy Labella on sax, Steve Jankowski on trumpet and trombone, David Nunez on organ, and the superb rhythm section with Tim Tindall on bass and Sim Cain on drums, blended with Billy's tantalizing, red hot guitar riffs and vocals make "She's Gone" explosive! Hector tears it up with the Don Nix classic "Goin' Down," with the keys and horn and rhythm sections arranged to perfection, yet not overpowering Billy's fiery guitar solos. The title track "Old School Thang" screams with funk and rock 'n' roll guitar solos, fused with tight basslines from Wilson Roye and thundering drum solos by Sim Cain. Micky Melchiondo and Hector jam together on guitar for some creative Southern swamp blues on the original tune "Fake ID." Billy slides up and down the fretboard with ease on this tune and the next. Along with a powerful horn arrangement setting the pace on "Vitamin Big Daddy," Billy pumps in stirring slide guitar solos as he rides the wah petal like a NASCAR ace on the accelerator. "Come On Home" combines Delta slide guitar with Zydeco and harp solos provided by Ken Sorensen. Billy's gritty vocals are perfect match for his roadhouse style guitar on "Evil, Slick 'N Sly," an original tune as frightening as Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You." You can almost hear Albert Collins on guitar as you listen to the funky song "Hammer" written by Hector. "Rita," is haunting, spirited ballad about a vamp who is "three steps from nowhere, just a step from me," with backing vocals from Suzan Lastovica and Joshua Mark. "Short and Sweet Blues," is a straight, down home blues instrumental, that will remind you of the guitar style of the late great guitar slinger SRV. To complete this sensational album, funky guitar once again sets the stage on "People Of The World," bringing in the alto sax of Mel Taylor to complement this extraordinarily tight band. After listening to this album, you will be compelled to attend a live Billy Hector concert just to experience a jazz, blues, and funk band with the level of excellence like The Billy Hector Band." Rick Davis, Crossroads Blues Society TRACK LIST:   “She’s Gone” is a story of heartbreak, sugar coated by a sumptuous layering of fierce blues guitar and horns on a bedrock Latin groove. “Goin’ Down” is Billy Hector’s tribute to Freddie King’s interpretation of the   Don Nix iconic  tune with horns and piano.“Old School Thang” , a funktified fan favorite, showcases the expertise and high level of musianship the Billy Hector power trio delivers every night it performs.  “Fake I.D” is a sly and humorous ode to taking life as it comes and letting the chips fall where they may. This track also features Billy’s signature killer slide guitar work with a sparkling assist from Mickey Melchiondo on guitar. “Vitamin Big Daddy” is a healthy dose of bawdy horn driven blues that meets or exceeds the recommended daily intake of musical nutrients.  Just what the doctor ordered. “Come On Home” is an infectious slide driven groove accented with the harp stylings of Ken Sorensen."Evil, Slick ‘n Sly”, is a slow grinder with a sexy groove that conjures up the pitfalls of amorous relationships.“Hammer” grabs you in with it’s funky foot tapping intro. If your love needs fixing,  Hector’s Albert Collins-esque guitar work gets the job done. “Rita” is a rowdy old time barroom blues in the tradition of St. James Infirmary that tells the tragic tale of a fading barfly.  “Short and Sweet Blues” is just that. Two and three quarter’s minutes of slow blues bliss. “People of the World” is a funk-drenched plea for peace on earth featuring a soulful sax solo by Stax recording artist Mel Taylor. Reviews:    

DVD  With the release of his 2005 DVD, Live and Kickin’, Billy Hector continues his tradition of excellence and  gives viewers a first-hand personal look into his skill, showmanship and music. Filmed at a variety of  venues, the footage from Live and Kickin’ nicely covers the extensive range of Billy Hector’s musical  moods and intentions. Filmed by George McMorrow from Cinecall Soundtracks in Red Bank, NJ and  recorded by Troy Topinka, the overall running time of the DVD is 75 minutes and includes the power of a Billy Hector concert show as well as several more intimate club  performances.

1. Hammer (Hector/Lastovica)  2. Howlin' For My Baby (Burnett)3. Big Legs, Tight Skirt (Hooker)4. Old School Thang (Hector/Lastovica)5. I Can Tell (McDaniel)6. Hey Joe (Roberts)7. Butt Naked (Hector)8. Fairlane Train (Hector)9. Tore Up (Turner)10. Buckets of Rain (Dylan)11. Radio of Fear (Hector/Lastovica)  12. Honey Do (Hector/Lastovica)

4 song EP CD    

New Jersey Blues Legend BILLY HECTOR releases “The Fire Within” ,  featuring three new Hector original singles .  "In the realm of local guitar heroes, there are few players who can touch the Fender-scorched majesty of Billy Hector. And Hector's latest release, "The Fire Within," may be only four songs long, but he makes every incendiary note count. Hector is in top form here. The hard-rocking single "Fake I.D." features both fine slide work from Hector and guest guitar duties from Mickey Melchiondo, also known as Dean Ween. And how Jersey is Hector, you ask? This track gives a shout-out to pork roll and cheese, as well as some other less savory vices. The baroque rocker "Broken Down" shimmers with wounded light, "Step it Up" is a party rocker through and through, and the disc-closing cover of the Rolling Stones' "Memory Motel" has a bittersweet, closing time feel that ends the record on just the right note. Throughout, Hector is joined by plenty of ace players: along with Melchiondo, there's Bon Jovi guitarist Bobby Bandiera on "Step it Up," singer Suzan Lastovica on backing vocals and Ween and Rollins Band drummer Sim Cain." (Alex Biese, Asbury Park Press) BILLY HECTOR: GUITARS, VOCALS   Fake I.D  Sim Cain, Drums; Tim Tindall Bass, Mickey Melchiondo, guitar, Suzan Lastovica, Backing Vocal     Broken Down  Sim Cain, Drums; Tim Tindall, Bass; Suzan Lastovica, Backing Vocal; Dave Rimelis, violin; Arne Wendt, Harpsichord   Step It Up   Sim Cain, Drums; Tim Tindall, Bass; Bob Bandiera, Guitar, Steve Jankowski, Trumpet, Trombone; Tom LaBella, Saxophone; Glenn McClelland.   Memory Motel  Sim Cain, Drums; Tony Tino, Bass; Suzan Lastovica, Backing Vocals; Glenn McClelland, Piano.

CD Hard Rockin’ Blues, is a live recording featuring four Hector/Lastovica penned tunes and eight of Hector’s favorite blues covers reflecting the blues tradition that marks Hector’s spirit and influence. Billy Hector on guitar and vocals; Tim Tindall on bass guitar; Sim Cain on drums with the exception of Track 2 which features Fred Saunders on bass and Rich Monica on drums. Suzan L. on Track 12 vocal. 

1. Take Your Hands Out of My Pocket (Spann)  2. Back it Up (Hector/Lastovica)3. Evil, Slick ‘n’ Sly (Hector/Lastovica)  4. Come On Home (Hector/Lastovica)5. Santa’s Blues (Hector)  6. Diamonds at Her Feet (Morganfield)7. I Can’t Hold Out (James)  8. Stealin’ (Traditional)  9. That’s Alright (Taylor)10. Goin’ Away Baby (Rogers)  11. Just to Be With You (Roth)                12. That’s Alright (Rogers) 

In this tradition of excellence and true to its title, Traveler, Billy Hector takes the listener for a welcome trip across a varied range of the opulent roots/rock landscape, driven by Hector’s signature style of solid songwriting and guitar brilliance.

“Polly Anne”, the driving and straight ahead guitar-forward opener about a nomadic girl’s search for order in her life warms you up for the title cut of this release. Hector fans will remember the original “Traveler” from Undertow, his ninth release in 2002. Though nicely paced, this version adds an eerie and more melancholy tone to an already somber song as Hector’s vocals intersperse with reverb-filled and richly woven guitar lines.

Next up, the twang in “Never Let You Down” engages you before diving into the rhythm surf guitar back-note of “Candy” and then Hector “speaks his mind” in “Last Train”. Was that a little nod to T-Rex in there? You be the judge.

Want some clean tasty slide work in the front seat with you? “Midnight Buddha” delivers it in spades before Hector wheels you into the Santo and Johnny-like guitar prettiness of “Wild Heart” featuring the sultry vocals of Suzan Lastovica.

Then it’s on to the sheer foot tapping hookiness of “Overloaded” before passing through “Midnight in Her Eyes” which starts out with a Clapton-like guitar structure before Hector brings it to a close with a mesmerizing and dreamy piece of guitar work.

And finally, in the “Bonus Round” of the album, Hector brings you to a satisfying finish far from where you started with the wonderfully weighty and deliciously sexy backbeat of “Play So Rough”. Except at this point, you realize that you’re NOT satisfied…Traveler may have finished but you’re fully drawn in and you want more!

All thirteen tracks on the CD were recorded by Troy Topinka at Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts and mixed by Suzan Lastovica at Bustahump Acres. All songs were written by Billy Hector and Suzan Lastovica.

1. PollyAnne  2. Traveler3. Never Let You Down  4. Candy5. Last Train Home  6. Midnight Buddha7. Wild Heart  8. Wasted9. Overloaded  10. Blacklight11. Moonlight in her Eyes  12. From our Sponsor13. Treat Your Daddy Right  14. Play So RoughBilly Hector - All guitars, lead vocals   Suzan Lastovica - Lead and backing vocalsWinston Roye, Fred Saunders, Tim Tindall - BassSim Cain, Dan Hickey, Rich Monica - Drums Jack Casual - keys, bass   Ken Sorensen - HarmonicaTom LaBella - Saxophone   Pete Maurer- Trombone