About Us
Hoodwink'd is comprised of veteran players who possess decades of performance experience.
Jim Hood - Guitar and Vocals
With over 35 years of live performance experience, Jim Hood is a guitarist, vocalist, and performer driven by a passion for classic rock and timeless pop. He spent 25 years as a member of the Dancing Noodles Band, a well-known favorite throughout Chicago’s south suburbs, helping build a loyal following and a reputation for energetic live shows.
Influenced by the sounds of the ’70s and ’80s, Jim brings a mix of soulful playing, strong vocals, and a natural connection with the crowd. Now performing with Hoodwink’d, he continues to deliver polished, high-energy performances that keep audiences coming back.
Paul Townsend - Drums
Paul Townsend is a professional drummer with 39 years of experience performing around the Chicago area. He thanks his parents for ensuring that music played a crucial role in his upbringing and is a proud graduate of Berklee College of Music.
Paul has had the privilege of playing at notable venues like the Chicago Theatre, the Jazz Showcase, Milwaukee's Riverside Theater, and smaller local theaters and bars.
After 14 years with the band Five Guys Named Moe, he is thrilled to be part of Hoodwink’d where Paul continues to share his passion for music with audiences far and wide.
Mike Baltazar - Guitar, Keys, and Vocals
Michael Baltazar was born in Chicago and began playing piano and guitar at age 14. He attended College of Dupage in 1982, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree. He was then accepted to Roosevelt University in Chicago in 1985, where he received a Bachelor's degree in music composition, and a minor in jazz studies for guitar. He has performed solo and with ensembles and solo around Chicagoland for over 40 years. Mike has written/co-written six albums of vocal and instrumental music. He also teaches piano and guitar to over 35 students and has since 1987.
Bill Benjamin - Bass and Vocals
Bill Benjamin brings over 25 years of bass and vocal experience to Hoodwink’d. He enjoys playing a wide variety of music from classic rock to jazz to soul and reggae and is passionate about his craft. His dynamic bass grooves and soaring rock tenor vocals are known to get people up up on their feet and dancing all night long.
Pat "Candyman" Mooney - Keys and Vocals
A mild-mannered church music director by day and the anchor of the Hoodwink'd sound by night, they call Pat Mooney the Candyman because his sweet vocals and righteous keyboard riffs make the world taste good.