Hector Ward & The Big Time is an original American Octet saturated in Rock, Blues, Funk/Ska, and Afro-Cuban Roots. The Big Time commands many genres and Ward uniquely infuses his Cuban Heritage into the band's sound. Based in Austin, Texas members include Ward on Guitar and Vocals, Mike McGurk on Drums/Vocals, Scott “Beardmo” Beardsley on Bass and Shane Keenan on Guitar. The horn line, known for enthusiastically leaving the stage and taking the music into the audience, includes Ethan Brown on trumpet, Houston Rawls on Tenor Saxophone and Ben Taylor on Trombone. 

Ward is proud to have worked with Legendary Producer and Friend, Bob Johnston. 
 
The band has shared the stage with:  Eric Burdon & The Animals, The Zombies, Christopher Cross, Gary Clark Jr., Black Joe Lewis and The Honey Bears, Ruthie Foster, Brownout, Del Castillo, Bob Schneider, W.C.Clark, Ian McLagan, Carolyn Wonderland, George Porter Jr., Dennis Quaid, Malford Milligan, Ben Kweller, Red Young, Stanton Moore Trio, Ozomatli, Eric Tessmer, Shiny Ribs, Papa Mali, Tommy Taylor, Van Wilks, Tommy Shannon, Uncle Lucius and Bill Carter.

REVIEWS:  “Equally Surprising was the night’s opener, Hector Ward.  At first blush he’s another soul shouter in the vein of Nakia and T Bird, but Ward and his Big Time horns delved into ska, surf, Latin, funk and country with startling command.  Now I need to see them again to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating.  A band this good won’t continue under the radar much longer” Jim Caligiuri
 
Of Hector Ward and the Big Time's 2011 South by Southwest showcase, the Austin Chronicle wrote, "Being wheelchair-bound doesn't hinder Hector Ward from leading one of the most dynamic new bands in Austin's musical universe. With his huge growl and a nine-piece horn-fueled ensemble, the Big Time utterly attacks an assortment of styles, from Southern soul to Latin pop."
Jim Caligiuri, Austin Chronicle
 
“Hector Ward & the Big Time sounds like LLB singer/bassist JoJo Garza fronting Tule or Grupo on Freightline Funk, nine pieces busting out raunchy horn-rimmed roots 'n' ska as in the hopped-up "Azucar." Does Willie Nelson know his single malt whiskey flows south of the border on Ward's "Gypsy River"?”  
–Raul Hernandez, Austin Chronicle Senior Music Editor