Bernie learned to play the guitar in 1957, practising for four hours a day. After a few months of playing, he helped to form a skiffle group called the Black Jacks. The Black Jacks along with the Aces, where the two leading bands on the local club scene and gigged regularly up until 1958 when Bernie then went on to pass an audition with the Variety Artistes Association (VAA). He auditioned along with Wally Coleman and they then formed a duo called The Starlight’s. They started to gig regularly and due to having no transport of their own, Travelled to gigs on public transport with their guitars and amps in tow, getting paid £1.00p per night.
In 1959, Bernie then teamed up with Eric Beharrell and bought a garage on Wyke Street, Hull repairing cars. When there were no cars to repair, Bernie and Eric would often make guitars, which they would finish off with mother of pearl. Eric went on to emigrate to Canada, which in 1960 led Bernie to work with Bob Lamb as a stand in for Phil Ralph whose occupation made it difficult for him to gig.
In 1961 Bernie moved on again, this time taking residency at the Barham Public House along with Bernard Knight, Jack Medins and Frankie Brown. They worked well together has each had their own individuality. At this point, they were being paid £1.25p per night.
They continued to work at the Barham; however in 1962 the line up changed and a new band was formed consisting of Bernie (Bass/guitar/ vocals) Bernard Knight (Drums/vocals), Bob Lamb (guitar/vocals) and Helen Woodhead (lead vocals). They were collectively known as Helen and the Executives.
In 1965 Bernie then went to The Adelaide Club on Hessle Road as the bass player for a jazz group. The jazz group were made up of compare Ken Norris, Trevor Hickson, Sid Brown, Bob Pendom, Harry Peacock and Bernie.
This was around the same time that Bernie started singing country music (mainly Jim Reeves).
Due to redevelopments in the Hessle Road area, the Adelaide club was demolished to make way for what is now known as the Clive Sullivan Way, and the band (with the exception of Ken Norris, who was replaced by Ted Flint) moved to the Phoenix Club, where they were fortunate enough to back top line artistes such as Selina Jones, Jimmy Young, Bob Monkhouse etc..
In 1968, Bernie parted company with the Jazz band and formed a duo with Dave Christian. They worked together performing all over Yorkshire in the clubs for £12.00p a night. It could take up to three hours to get to some of these gigs has there was no such things as motorways.
In 1969, Bernie joined up with Ken Wright (who is still a good friend) and formed a duo known as the Country Gents.
Bernie went further a field with Ken, performing everywhere from Teesside to Wales.
Bernie and Ken where responsible for the first Country music club to open in Hull. It was held at the Waltham Club in Hull, and was compared by Tex Milne.
Bernie had a break from the scene from 1979 until 1981, when he was asked to join a trio with Graham Bradshaw and Eric Day. They were known as breaker-one-nine, and Bernie was the lead singer.
In 1988, after over 30 years of working in bands, Bernie decided to go solo (a decision he does not regret).
Bernie is still performing on the British club scene, and has won various awards during his time as a solo singer.
As well as gigging, Bernie also teaches line dancing and runs a successful line dancing club once a month, as well as running an acoustic night once a week.
Anyone who enjoys live country music at its best should ensure that if they see any act then it should be Bernie Wood.
