Gateway

Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: People

Hadley Heavin, a professor at UNO, rehearses with Tablao for their show last Saturday. The group consists of Tracy Ortgies on Bass, John Rosseter on drums, Ernesto Lopez on congas and percussion, Bill Sedat (guitar and keyboard), Bob Moore (drums), Jurguita Vonk (vocals, keyboard) and Hadley Heavin's daughter Katie Heavin (vocals). (photo by Bill Wendl) [Click to enlarge]

It was a hectic, bustling evening in New York as Hadley Heavin prepared himself for the life-defining moment that would make or break his identity in the music industry.
He peered through the curtain, watching people find their way to the 150 chairs that were set around the stage in semi-circle. The place was packed.
To some, it may have been a simple fundraising event, but to Heavin it was his moment to show the world what he was made of.
"It was my first concert with the Maestro, my teacher," said Heavin, who is now a UNO professor. "I was really nervous. He looked at me, he had a great sense of humor, and asked, 'Hadley are you nervous?' I said 'Yes, very.' He then told me 'Only five guitarists have died on stage.' I started laughing and we played very well."
Along with teaching music at UNO, Heavin currently plays in a band called Tablao.
"The experiences that I have had are amazing," Heavin said about his band. "We are all like family. I've been a soloist my whole life, but now it's a group thing and it's kind of fun having a bunch of people around. The guitar player is like my brother."
But it's been a long road to this point for Heavin, who grew up enjoying rock and bluegrass music. His father was a jazz guitarist, and by the age of seven Heavin was on the road watching him perform.
"My dad was one of the greats," Heavin said. "I began playing the drums at that time. But, by the time I was 13 I was burnt out from music and started rodeoing."

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