Ghetto Surf recording artist Billy Hector has twice received the Best Guitarist Award from music critic Bob Makin of the East Coast Rocker who states, "Billy plays with guts and displays some of the best chops you'll see anywhere". At the 2003 Red Bank Blues Festival, The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation honored Billy with The Lifetime Achievement Award during the festival he also headlined at. He was asked to headline again at the 2004 festival. Billy and his roots rockin' band shared billing with Bonnie Raitt at The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's "Tribute to Muddy Waters". Raitt afterwards said the beauty of Hector's sound brought tears to her eyes. It was the second appearance at the Hall of Fame for Hector. Earlier, he performed at A Tribute to Robert Johnson, backing Sonny Landreth in a performance that was featured in the Robert Johnson documentary film, "Hellhounds on My Trail". Recognized as a "Living Legend" at the Asbury Park Music Awards, BILLY HECTOR continues to draw upon the history of the blues, while contributing more of his own. He was invited to participate in a historic studio session with Hubert Sumlin and Billy Boy Arnold to record "Juke" for fabled director Martin Scorsese's seven-part series "The Blues". In June 2004, Billy performed at The Chicago Blues Festival with Hubert Sumlin in The Howlin' Wolf Tribute Band and also performed with Hubert at The Cape May blues festival. For 25 years, Hector has done things his way and gained success and worldwide recognition without the benefit of fad or fashion, nor the deep pockets of a major label. His music reflects the true soul of the blues; passionate, moving and dedicated to making an audience dance and sweat. Hector is one of the best songwriters and performers on the scene, recognized by critics and fans as a modern performer expressing the vibe of classic blues. His CD, "Hard to Please", contains 13 original songs that bear testament to his skill and most importantly, the music. Billy began playing guitar almost forty years ago at age nine. His influences include Freddie King, T-Bone Walker, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and many years of listening to a broad band of musical styles. A 1974 Stratocaster is this fret master's main guitar powered by "an old Bassman". For slide work he uses a Telecaster and a Gibson Firebird. "It is clear that Hector's musicianship and intimate relationship with his instrument elevate his playing to a higher level. You get the feeling he could step out and play like Segovia if he wanted to." Asbury Park Press, 6/5/03