Slim's Blog - Tales From the Road
Send your questions and comments to Watermelon Slim about anything on your mind. Such as music, live shows, influences, politics, whatever. Slim will read all your questions and comments. You will probably find his responses in his next blog entry. Please put in the subject line "Slim's Blog."
March 7, 2010
Slim, Thanks for the great show at Gip's 3-6-10.Hope to see you again soon.Good blues played from the heart.
Sonny
Bessemer, AL
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February 14, 2010
*Dear Blues fans,*
** *Blogs were made for analysis (or even, all too often, pontification). This will be one such. I was just interviewed by a representative of the Boston Blues Society, an institution I helped to initiate 20 years ago or so, and as I told him, there's a whole world of trouble in this world that gives me the blues. The blues is not just a matter of "ooo-oooh, my baby left me this morning, but I got a half a pint of whiskey in my pocket and I feel all right!" The "Big Picture" doesn't usually get covered any more deeply by blues-writers than to say "It's the same all over." But I have this pesky habit of thinking things all the way through, and so if you really don't like politics or economics or any of that crap, well, go download my music, or buy a CD or teeshirt, or something, while you're here at my website. Me and The Workers will be most grateful! For the rest, who can bear to sit through a bit more seriously written and intended analysis, read on.*
** ************************************************
_*/REFLECTIONS ON THE NATIONAL DEBT/*_
*//* *Let's be very clear about one thing: no matter how many, or how few, trillions the national debt is, nobody, neither borrower nor lender, nor observers from any nation, even the Chinese, who own the greatest portion of it (who the hell started the practice of "buying debt"?), expect that the figure will ever be repaid. The national debt is like a system of chits, or, maybe, of marks on the wall of a prison cell. Oh, I figure (without doing some hellified collation and figuring) that if a law were passed requiring that every person in the United States with one million dollars or more of assets of any kind divest themselves of one half of all their assets, that would raise some number of trillions of dollars (remember, a trillion is one thousand billion), and the rest of the world, stunned by such an example of personal, individual fiscal responsibility on the part of our plutocrats, would gratefully forgive the rest of the debt, or at least tell us that we have (without saying the word) an indefinite period to "repay" the rest.
But we all know that business as usual, with Uncle Sam-- us-- down at the bank "borrowing" money to start and conduct more and more wars and military actions, can not possibly BEGIN to pay even the "official" part of the debt limit that GWB doubled-plus, much less the ludicrous $120 trillion figure the Right Wing tosses around to scare and outrage people. And we cannot "spend ourselves out of debt" by buying more and more non-durable consumer items and using them faster and faster. That's one of the biggest pieces of unbelievable bull droppings anyone ever peddled, and Obama is as guilty of falling for that canard as Bush was. The "national debt"-- as though you and I, every American man woman and child, had gone down to the bank and borrowed each of us his and her own share-- can never be paid off under a consumer capitalist system. No wonder the big banks pay their executives insane bonuses, those executives do a good job at one thing, misleading the American people that such a payoff is ever going to happen, no matter how far into the remote future.
However, perhaps it is not too long ago for people to remember the term "peace dividend." Bring our troops home from wars, don't start others ("No entangling alliances"-- George Washington), let the United States military sit here and wait for an attack on the continent of North America which, as I have said over and over, is logistically impossible, due to the sheer size of the oceans which any serious attackers would have to traverse. Every day we are not fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would save us, very crudely, by today's fiscal standards, about 1/3 of a billion dollars!
How much money do we save by becoming isolationist rather than adventurist, interventionist, and imperialist, and over what period of time? Well, without doing a study for which would require to be paid, I will remind you that the figure of $100 million was bandied about by the Obama Administration in the immediate wake of the recent Haitian earthquake. At the time it was estimated that the mere deployment of an aircraft carrier (I do not know why an aircraft carrier is or should be necessary for disaster relief; designate two Holland-America or Carnival Cruise ships like the 80,600 ton one I was on a couple of weeks ago-- Carnival's got a couple even bigger than that-- for use as supply ships to bring all necessary goods and facilities to the stricken island nation, and they're in the neighborhood anyway, only as far away as Fort Lauderdale) to the region will cost up to one-third of the entire hundred million.
Any diehard capitalism-monger (to say nothing of any diehard actual plutocrat) should be able to do that most rudimentary piece of math and see that the inefficiency of that transaction is disastrous, ludicrous to consider. And if the logistical cost of moving ALL of our planes and ships and men around the world runs at that kind of percentage of appropriations-- or even a quarter, or 20%-- even a cave man could see that the results are not worth the expenditure. *
*
Those corporations which loan money to the US government WANT debt to spiral out of control! The executives who authorize those loans know that they will never, personally and individually, be liable for any of the total, not even their few tens of thousands of dollars that represents their every-man-woman-and-child share. They calculate, correctly, that if there ever is anything like root-and-branch reform of the global capitalist economy (don't hold yer breath, folks), they will long ago have taken their golden parachutes and jumped clear of the malfunctioning airship of state. The national debt will not be THEIR problem, now or in the foreseeable future.
Over beers in Old Taylor's Tavern in Eugene, Oregon, an AP bureau chief, whose name was Hugh van Swearingen, told me precisely that, in the course of our discussion about reform of the institution of the press, back in 1986. He said that he would be gone by that time, no matter when it occurred, and it would not be his problem, any more than the continuing necessary guarding and maintenance of nuclear waste disposal sites (isotopic half-lives are a bitch) centuries after the disposition of the waste would be his problem. I see no indication that that mindset, among the senior (i.e. richest, as well as most aged) movers and shapers of the US and world economy, is any different now than it was 23 1/2 years ago; in fact, the disease has progressed, rather than abated. It's all just a gigantic game of 3-card monte, in which the mark is told, on good authority, by the sharper, that he has an unlimited tab of money to bet that he can pick the ace when the sharper performs his sleight of hand.
So, blame Obama all you want, but what is at fault is not the president; the president is at the three-card monte table like all the rest of us. You may be sure that people like Blankfein, whatever his first name is, have conveyed through channels to that president, or any other politicians in doubt, that there will be NO-- none, zip, bupkis, nada, zero, rien du tout, zilch-- systemic changes in the capitalist system, that the way this nation does business is set in stone for all eternity, no matter what happens in the world.
Watermelon Slim
Clarksdale, Mississippi*
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February 9, 2010
howdy slim!
just finished reading your blog about the blues cruise..and looking forward to seeing you again when you come up to the OK state for a week.
will you also be at the OK Music Hall of Fame CD release party on 2/14? check out their facebook page for details.....otherwise i will just have to catch up with you on the 17th :))
fershure.....i'm down.
mj in rentiesville
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February 1, 2010
Well, Blues Fans,*
You've probably wondered if I would ever get around to writing
again. I've been working on getting my house in order in
Clarksdale, Mississippi, playing at Red's on the odd weekend, and
I'm about to spend a week in OKC in February to be part of the
Oklahoma Gridiron Roast, which has nothing to do with football,
but instead is a night of musical political satire that has been
going on in Oklahoma for 70-odd years. Great fun!
I'm writing this from my stateroom in the MS Eurodam, on the last
evening of the Blues Cruise me and my friend Ann Bailey have been
on for the last week. I have been one of the "surprise special
guests" on this Cruise, and before anyone asks, the answer is
yes, I am expecting that Watermelon Slim and the Workers will be
playing next year's. Contrary to any rumors or unintentionally
misleading literature you may have heard or read-- and in a week
on this boat I have spoken with hundreds of you all from the
States, Canada and other countries, and I am amazed at how many
people thought I was going out of the music business!--
Watermelon Slim and the Workers is a working band. I have had to
somewhat scale back my touring schedule because of health
concerns-- I get no insurance.
Michael Newberry left the band at the end of 2008, and my
long-time compadre from Boston, Chris Stovall Brown, played last
year's touring season as a Worker. We will be seeing you all in
the near future, starting on March 17 at the Oklahoma City
Limits, on Eastern Avenue, OKC.
I am having to exert great discipline not to gain weight on this
boat. I mean, you are not being assaulted with biscuits and gravy
everywhere, the food is fresh and first-rate. Elite food, really.
But there's so MUCH of it. I don't see how people eat three meals
a day.
Lessee: as a special guest, I have played with my new neighbor
Super Chikan, Billy Gibson (who gave me two beautiful harps that
I am continuing to get the most out of), Guy Davis (a genius), Magic
Slim, my old friend Little Annie Raines (and taught with Raines
and Gibson), the unearthly talent of Jason Ricci and his band
(these are freaking unbelievable musicians!), Joe Louis Walker and
Johnny Winter, made four pro jams and three amateur jamaramas. I'm
as common as a 1961-D penny, but better looking! Ann and I are
spending two extra days in Fort Lauderdale before her returning
to Chicago, and then me to Mississippi.
When we got off the Eurodam (that's the name of the ship), Jason
was playing a gig in Fort Lauderdale, so we had the unexpected
pleasure of catching him again, and taking one of my friends from my
political discussion board, www.debatebothsides.com
, along with us!
I want to thank everyone who's been writing to the blog, and say,
please, don't give up writing here! indeed, remember what I said
about wanting to communicate with real "friends" through there
instead of Facebook. I do, of course, check my Facebook occasionally.
A note to the Shed-Heds in Ocean Springs: I don't know what's
happening, but I sure hope to get down and see y'all again!
A note to Adam Enevoldsen-- sure hope we'll see you this summer!
Same goes for all y'all in Canada, gotta run, internet on this boat
isn't cheap,
God bless us all every one,
*Slim*
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January 14, 2010
Slim,
Oh...I've heard mere rumblings that you may be a surprise guest on the LRBC. If that dream of mine comes true, then this WILL be the best cruise yet! If not, then I look forward to catching you sometime, somewhere in 2010!
*Jenipher Sutherland
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December 31, 2009
Hey Slim..just opened my new issue of Blues Revue..Best of The Decade...and there you are at #19...congrats and Happy New Year
Van (the coffee man) Wilkin
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December 10, 2009
I caught Slim at Rentiesville too this year. I saw him in 2007 at the Riverfront Blues Fest in Ft Smith. I wish I'd known he was at R.Landrys, that is one of the coolest places to go, especially if you like Cajun food and beer. LOL.
I shot a video of Slim and it is on YouTube. Look for the one from smokindablues. I was working the musicians gate and met Slim when he drove up in his "honeywagon". I never laughed so hard in my life. A bonafide blues legend and he drives a beatup van with portable outhouse services advertized on the back windows. Hence the "honey wagon ."
Slim put on a great show Friday night, but Sunday night he reappeared.
Seems he went to Dallas on Saturday for a show and left his harps in Rentiesville. So he came back Sunday, caught a nap and hung out the rest of the night. His voice was shot but that didn't slow down his harp playing at all. The man was awesome. I got him to sign my harp case also. The man is the real deal. He didn't know me from Adam but we talked like he'd known me for years.
Darcy Hicks
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December 2, 2009
My last Slim show was the Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival in Rentiesville, Oklahoma. And what a show it was! My husband and I went there to see Slim and we were not disappointed. Our first listen of Slim came about 2 years ago at R. Landry's Cafe in downtown Fort Smith Arkansas. I read in the local entertainment guide that he was coming, solo, I had never heard of Slim before, but it sounded interesting after I googled him. We were stunned. We bought the Wheel Man that night and Slim graciously autographed the cd for us. We listened almost daily but never caught another show. So when I read that Slim was headlining Rentiesville, we had to go, another first. WOW! We had the best time ever! My husband got his picture taken with Slim and we spoke, unfortunately, I was reduced to schoolgirl fodder, maybe next time I will be a little calmer. I can't believe that everyone doesnt know who Slim is already. We now own Escape From The Chicken Coop and No Paid Holidays, and they are already worn out. I can so relate to this music that it is scary. I live in Oklahoma, my dad is a 3rd generation truck driver, and I am a blues lover. Thanks so much Slim for the tunes, they mean very much to me in many ways. I can't wait for the next show, the next photo is mine and I'm bringing you a new arrowhead.
Nena Garrett
Sallisaw, Oklahoma
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November 25, 2009
Hello Mr. Homans ( or is it Slim? ). I just wanted to write you this letter telling you how glad i am to have "discovered" your music, i was searching youtube last night and found your Smokestack lightning video. Man! i dont think i have been this blown away since i discovered an album by John Lee Hooker ( my introduction to blues music ) in my mother`s record collection a few years back. simply stunning! it`s always inspiring to see "the real deal" i`ve been sick of guitar lately, close to giving up on my beloved/hated instrument. but finding music like this is what keeps me going. I live in Norway ( which i just found out you visited, nowhere near where i lived but anyway, DOH! bands/artists rearly come to Norway so i try to get my live fix through youtube, hehe. ) and we dont have much of a music scene here, and kids my age, im 16, only play death metal. I wonder how on earth i`m going to survive as a blues and jazz fan/musician. And at times its tempting to "sell out" but finding real artists like you inspire me to keep on the right track. i guess i just wanted to share this with you. i don't even know if you are going to read it, but its worth a try! Oh, speaking of reading, as i said, im only 16 and english is my second language so i know its far from perfect, but i think its readable.
I wish you the best for your future and your career!
PS: i was wondering what i was going to put on my christmas wishlist but now i know! all your Records=)
Regards
Torbjørn R. Jenssen
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November 17, 2009
I know, blues fans,
I owe you a blog for our last Scandinavian tour, my recording session in Nashville, my swing through Florida with Mark Hummel, and my gig in Monmouth, Illinois, cortesy of Paul Schuytema and crew.
But until I write that (and I have plenty of time to do it now), here's something a little different. You folks in Oregon especially will appreciate this:
A Sporting Reminiscence, from a loyal Oregon Fighting Duck
When I was a Duck, Oregon football teams customarily finished about 6-5 or 5-6, playing the toughest schedule in the PAC-10. Now they perennially go to Rose Bowls, beat the Sooners, and do all sorts of poll-ranked stuff. BCS hasn't taken them seriously, even a couple-three years ago when they were 10-1. But their teams have been only occasionally disappointing this century.
I was captain of the U Oregon bowling team 1984-86. An obscure college bowling career, perhaps, but heck, just to play college sports at 35 years old would be a memorable experience for anyone. We did win the ACSU Westerm Regionals in 1986.
And by beating Oregon State at that, we gained some closure after the unsportsmanlike conduct of the OSU coach and team back in 1984. We had a dual meet with OSU at their lanes. All was fine until the end of practice balls, but then (I've never seen the like at any match I ever bowled!), the coach turned off all the lights in the bowling alley except for those over the lanes, which were quite dim.
Well, obviously, this coach has had his team practiing with this ruse, and I told him (I was 35, around his age, not the college kids') that this was unsportsmanlike. He answered (I couldn't make this up, folks), "You don't like it, put your ball in your bag and go home." So, Beavers, you are on your bucktoothed freakin OWN! May the Ducks clobber you with that tree you're gnawing on at every opportunity. Nyaaaahh!!
GO DUCKS!!!
William P. (Bill) Homans
aka Watermelon Slim
B.A. Journalism and History,
University of Oregon, 1986
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November 9, 2009
Hi Slim,
Just thought I'd say hi and let you know what a great show you put on in Calgary last summer, both shows - the one on the main stage and then again on the beer garden stage later on. Those performances made the day, and the crowd really got into the tunes. It was really nice of you to get out among the crowd and sign some CD's and chat a while. What are the chances that you may re-release your DVD "Ripe for the Picking"? I'd love to get a copy of that DVD.
/regards,/
*Larry*
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October 30, 2009
Hey compadre' .... what's kickin'? Hope you're doing well ... I noticed that there's another dog ..who likes your music .. besides Old Dan !!
I like what I am hearing and seeing at this site as well .....,.so that makes three !... dogs that is !
Please give a holler sometime .. when you get a chance ...I hope the time In Nashville was a roaring success !..If you manage to get up this way you are always welcome ...so don't be a stranger ....it's nice to see that video .. I wish Mickey had been there in person ... but he was there in spirit ..I like the pace !
..All the best ,,from, a tubthumper !
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October 18, 2009
HI SLIM...WE LOVE YOUR MUSIC BUT OUR DOG MUGSEY LOVES YOU MORE!!!
WE JUST FOUND YOU A FEW MONTHS AGO, HE STOPS WHATEVER HE IS DOING WHEN HE HEARS THE SLIM ON!
HE NOW EVEN KNOWS YOUR NAME...IF HE IS GETTIN INTO MISCHIEF WE SAY..."WATERMELON SLIM" AND HE GOES TO THE IPOD JUST WAITING FOR YOU TO SING, NOW OUR SUGARBABY HONEYBEE,(OTHER DOG} ALSO SINGS BUT SHE ONLY SINGS TO A FEW.MUGSEY HOWEVER LOVES EVERY SONG, HE STANDS RIGHT AT THE IPOD STARING AT IT THE WHOLE TIME, I DO WOOD CARVINGS AND HE WAS SCARED OF THE VISE WHEN IT MADE A NOISE LAST WEEK, SO I STARTED CALLING THE WOOD SPIRITS WATERMELON SLIM AND HE COMES BY ME NOW WHEN I AM CARVING,ANY ROOM HE IS IN NO MATTER WHAT HE IS DOING ....YOU RULE!!!!!
HE WILL RUN FROM ANOTHER ROOM WHEN HE HEARS YOU, OR IF WE SAY YOUR NAME. SO KNOW....YOU HAVE ONE DEVOTED "DOGGONED FAN".......OH US TOO OF COURSE!!!!
SUE
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October 11, 2009
hi slim. this is alan from the fredericton harvest jazz & blues fest.
ivan is still telling everyone what a good show & great time we had at fredericton. thank you so much for the autographs & talking to us. i couldn't believe you remembered me from two years ago. ivan works with me at the moncton hospital, & i turned him onto your music after i met you two years ago. he really wanted to see your show & possibly meet you, but the tickets were sold out. imagine our surprise & delight when i spotted you at the free show.after talking to you & then seeing you play with moreland & arbuckle was truely awesome. you guys were rockin'
& then the harmonica duel, wow! the fact that you were going to help us get tickets was very nice. we were able to get reserve at thew door as it turned out, but just the fact you were going to help really made it special. again thank you very much.
also slim, you mentioned a dvd coming up & i can't wait to add it to my collection. i would love any news on the dvd, & also if you ever get the chance to go to george's roadhouse in sackville, new brunswick, we will see you there.
all the best slim, & keep your wheels betwwen the lines, & the smokies of your tail.
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October 11, 2009
Well, it's been awhile, Blues fans,
But I know you all haven't forgotten me completely since August.
And what a jaunt it's been. I want to first thank everyone up in New Brunswick, and tell you that the highlights are too many to properly list. Lessee: I played with Keith Hallett-- twice, tore them places
UP!!-- Morgan Davis-- awesome, like playing with Robert Junior
Lockwood!-- Matt Andersen-- monstrous, music as big as he is!-- Steve Mariner and the Monkeyjunk guys-- felt like Chicago in that tent-- as well as my own lil gigs, including with the esimable veteran bluesmen Eric Bibb and Matt Minglewood, as well as (don't ever let 'em call you an "apprentice" again, buddy, lol) Newfoundland's Chris Kirby, and then closed the entire festival-- last song, last band, put the cap on it all, with Terrence Simien and HIS monster zydeco band. Terrence, we didn't have time to get you up here for this CD, but I am looking forward to recording with you, and you with me!
En addition, je m'ai amuse beaucoup en train de avarder en francais avec tous les francophones Acadiens, de Fredericton et de n'importe ou, partout en Canada. Je voudrais remercier especialement, avant de tous, lui qui m'a accompagne avec une telle degre de professionalisme et amitie, M. Andre Theriault! Plusieurs autres qui ont deserve de la gratitude especiale: M. Yannick Theriault qui m'a rendu une entrevue excellente pour la presse Canadienne francophone . C'etait hilarieux et mille fois interessante quand les deux Theriaults se sont rencontres! Je les ai confondus pendant plusieurs journees... Ils sont relations, mais il y a (pour l'information de vous tous) deux lignes de la famille Theriault, et ceux s'avait ete distinguees il y a deux cent cinquante annees!
(Besides all these, I sure did enjoy chatting in French with all the French-speaking folks from Fredericton and all over Canada who came to the Festival. I must especially, and above all, thank Monsieur Andre Theriault, who was my tour guide and accompanied me with such professionalism and friendship. Others who deserve mention are Monsieur YANNICK Theriault, who did a great interview with me for the Canadian French-speaking press. It was both hilarious and extremely interesting when Andre and Yannick finally met each other. They are related, but-- for everyone's information-- the two branches of Theriaults have been separated, to the north and south, for about 250 years. I had completely confused them throughout several phone and email conversations with each!)
And my dear friend, now, Father Gerry, of the Episcopal Church, in Fredericton. I went to Holy Communion in my church (yes, I am a baptised and confirmed Episcopalian) for the first time in a couple of years, and the traditional-service church I went to was filled with a proper sense of awe and holiness. Besides that, Gerry is a great blues fan. A priest and a fan, how can it get any better than that!? It was magnificent to chat about theology, and catch up on the latest within the Episcopalian Church. With thy spirit, Gerry!
Also, the folks at the Fredericton Museum of Art. How inspiring to stand before a 15-foot-high Salvador Dali work (I have told y'all before that he is my greatest influence in painting) and contemplate the universe through his eyes, plus two other smaller works, portraits of one of his many benefactors. Plus a bunch of other great art by, among many others, Monet, Gauguin, Pissaro and Canadian aboriginal artist Shirley Bear. I really did NOT want to go home! The only reason I was willing to leave Fredericton at all is because I knew I was headed for Scandinavia to meet the band for our last international tour of the year together.
I see a number of you have written to me about this magic several days in New Brunswick. A deep "thank you" to everyone who took the time to share moments and insights with me both in Fredericton and on this blog, and to all the wonderful volunteers and staff that make this festival one that me and my band always want to return to, year after year 9even though we are regretfully aware that EVERYBODY ELSE wants to come back every year too. We could start a whole social movement, take over the province maybe, if we got everybody up to Fredericton and just stayed there.
Now, I've gone through this festival first, but that means I have not yet dealt with the 4-fer of great appearances me and the Workers put in when we got back from the Italian-Swiss-English tour, and from losing my passport, lol (groan...) BTW the government got a new one to me within, can you believe it, the week I applied for it!) The first two were solo gigs for me, at Friday's in Wichita, and another of my continuing series of hoetown gigs at Greg Johnson's Blue Door, in Oklahoma City. Thank you Don Bean of Bad Bean Productions in Wicita! This was a full house, and I must say that Wichita is a place me and the Workers have always loved to
play-- indeed, I was playing in Wicita, at the Road House, before there was anything called The Workers, even before Fried Okra Jones!-- so we are looking forward to getting back up there next year. I don't need to say anything about the Blue Door-- I've covered it extensively in past
blogs-- except that it is the number-one venue for discriminating listeners of roots music in Oklahoma City. If you haven't been there, you better get your butt in there and catch some shows!
Next, The Workers headed east and played the best blues FESTIVAL in Oklahoma, the Dusk to Dawn Fesival in Rentiesville. This is the first year since D.C. Minner left us, and although we are not going to unduly mourn the passing of this legendary bluesman, because we would rather fight like hell for the living (and so would Selby Minner, I know), I must acknowledge that there will always remain a sense of loss as we revisit Rentiesville year after year. I've missed, lessee, 2 Dusk to Dawns, booked or unbooked, since 1998, when Honour Havoc and I showed up, and never actually made it into the Festival because we got stopped at the barbecue pit outside the gate and played for 4 1/2 hours straight, got fed, all the beer we wanted, even got paid! To all my dear friends there, Tiki, Harry and Debbie, LaMonica, Bronco, all the other staffers, vendors, and especially the fans (damn I'm getting dementia, at least Half-heimers, can't remember half the names I used to, even though I hang out with all of you nearly every year), many many thanks, it is so good to know you all! Oh-- there is mourning to do, of course.
Ray (damn, can't remember the last name), who helped found the festival with DC and Selby 19 years ago, and has played keyboards and headed the security detail since then, has died. THAT was an unexpected loss. R.I.P.
Finally, whoosh, it was off to Dallas, where The Workers played our very favorite Texas venue, The Pearl, which has become our Texas home. When we left Rentiesville I brought along one of the fine local Oklahoma watermelons we got there. For the second year in a row, the fellas there turned that prime melon into the very best martinis I have ever drank.
I'm not much for gin, and really don't like martinis, ordinarily, but watermelon juice is the very best thing that ever happened to gin! No vermouth needed whatsoever. Try it, y'all!
Texas Ray Isom, our long-time musical colleague going back to Fried Okar Jones days, was there to meet us, and I can tell you (whatever he says; don't aw-shucks me, Ray, you know better) he was in superb form, and played the whole second half of the night with us. Now, I must admit that I had forgotten my harmonica bag when I left Rentiesville the night before. I got down to the Pearl and suddenly discovered I didn't have enough harps to play the show!
I want to express my undying gratitude for the two harp-playing fans-- I don't, as usual, remember names, but one of them had on a teeshirt saying, "I play Little Walter's Mistakes"-- you two know who you are-- who supplied me with, respectively, C, D, and F, and Bb and Eb, Oscar harmonicas. And then left the club before I could return them and say thank you! I''ve played those harps in five countries since, fellas, and I hope to see you next year-- that's not a friendly gesture you did, that's a game-saver! I dropped Stovall off at the Dallas Airport, DFW, and headed back to Rentiesville to pick up my harps and boogie all night long with my friends there, and FINALLY, the next afternoon, headed back to OKC, to rest from all that traveling.
God bless you all, every one,
Slim
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September 26, 2009
Hello,
I just wanted to send a little note to say THANK YOU to Mr. Watermelon Slim for his fantastic performances last week at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick. It was a great honor to meet Slim backstage (I was a volunteer at the Mojo Tent) and have an opportunity to chat about his work and travels. He is such a gracious gentleman, and his support and affection for Canada is very much appreciated. Thanks again and happy trails, Slim!
Cheers,
Milou
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September 21, 2009
slim thank you very much for the great shows.ivan was very impressed meeting you, as was i, but the fact you remembered me from 2 years ago was awesome.your shows were the highlight of a great festival.i was late for your solo slim show, but caught over half. i was at the monkey junk show & caught you there also.all the best slim, hopefully we can see you at sackville.ivan still hasn't stopped talking about meeting you.
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September 15, 2009
"Slim's vocals Âgrittier than a country dirt road, tender when they need to be  are framed by excellent Nashville studio musicians." - /MOJO /
"There is no doubt this is a country album, complete with fiddles and steel guitar...But it is also unmistakably a Watermelon Slim album with his intense, world weary voice that sounds like it has covered a
lifetime of hard miles..." - /Blurt/
"A Nashville-waxed country album dominated by trucker songs. This detour works, in part because Homans worked long years as a truck driver and knows the hard-drinking, hard-driving ethos cold." - /Boston Herald///
"He's won a bunch of blues awards and accolades, but forges his music out of personal experience and tears up labels for his music like the big trucks he loves and once drove tear up the blacktop." -/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/
"Whether he’s blues or country or whatever, he’s still raw and real, working with a well honed knife that cuts right to the bone as well as right to the chase." /Midwest Record Recap/
"A blues hero goes country on a trucker's ode to the road. (This album) finds the singer and slide guitarist revisiting the country of the Seventies, before the homogenization of the Garth Ages. The sound owes as much to Lynyrd Skynyrd as to Merle, Hank and Waylon." - /Blues Revue/
"Watermelon Slim is one of the most unique artists I have ever worked with. Blues and roots music is all about feel and he has loads of it, there will never be another like him, that's why he's special." Gary Nicholson
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September 15, 2009
Slimbo and the gang,
It was great seeing ya'll down here in Big-D last weekend. My family and friends certainly had a blast that night! I had a wonderful time as well setting in with the band, making some great music and catching up with my old friends. Slim, Stovall, Cliff, and Ronnie Mac.......You guys are awesome! Glad to see the man, Chris Hardwick, could make it out too.
Anyway, I'm very thankful we could all get on stage together and I hope we can do it again sometime soon.
Be careful on the road fellas and take good care.
Texas Ray
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September 3, 2009
hey slim and the workers,
sorry i took so long to get back with you all about the chicago gig and madison ind gig. we had the time of our lives. tracy and i were in pain not being able to dance at chicago but the dance floor was being used for a make out pit and we decllined. it was a wonderful show both places. you all made our month. got the new cd at chicago but could not listen until home, 96 jeep, no cd player. we have listened to it over and over agian. slim it makes us weep and other songs makes us laugh. thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this intuitive collection of words and music. this is why we break our a---"s to travel where ever you are to see you. i am so glad we met your friends the shananaquets they are so very nice, would love to meet your friends the lavictoires we are obviously people of impeccable taste. it was so much fun to run into you at the rest park. all four of you are our ideal in music and personality. the very best to you all and your families. god bless you all and may god hold you all safe in the palm of his hand until we meet again, your friends and fans ed, patti, tracy and jason dohm, ps to be mentioned on the cd as people who support you and the music and the hard work that goes into it was such an honor thankyou so very much, it has been our pleasure.
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August 31, 2009
Hello Mr. Slim!
After listening to "Escape From The Chicken Coop" a few times I should have known there was an Opry star lurking behind the Blues. As with all the albums, I enjoy every cut. My only question is where and when I'll get this new release signed. I'm the guy that keeps trying to get you back to Cajun's in LR and bringing your discs to you to sign. The most recent being at the last BMA awards in Memphis. They always save the best for last... Please try to come back to Little Rock soon.
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August 31, 2009
Well, blues fans,
You're probably wondering when I'm going to get around to blogging again. The time is now.
Suzzara, Cazorla, Spain, Brescia, Trasimeno, Corciano, Losone, Switzerland, Cambridge, our last tour ended. I don't think that's the right order, but I know we played all these places. 13th century castle courtyards (with Ana Popovic!), historic bullrings-- NOBODY gets to play places like this!
N.B. The mayor of Trasimeno is the best-looking politician that ever got a vote. Sarah Palin, hide your stupid face! Nadia has you whupped! We the Wprkers are forever grateful for her hospitality, and for that of all the European staff, volunteers, hoteliers, restaurateurs, and particularly the rabid fans from all the countries we've visited. We're just blessed people to get around to as many enchanting places as we have. Thank you all /des fonds de nos coeurs!/
Sometimes, things just don't work like you want them to. Another familiar way to put it: "one 'aw shit!' wipes out a thousand 'attaboys'". After a magnificent time on the hills of southern England picking blackberries and /agaricus campestris/ mushrooms (what beauties!), and one last great European gig on this swing, back we went to the airport. What misfortune should occur at Heathrow but that I could not find my passport! I had to do the conservative thing, which was to miss my plane to the US, and go to the US Embassy where they fixed me up with a temporary passport so that I could leave England.
That done, with the greatest humiliation, I reclaimed my baggage, which I had had to leave with a photo shop near the embassy (you can't bring large pieces of baggage into the embassy, for obvious post-9/11 reasons). How frustrating, after tearing my luggage apart several more times, to find my now-dead passport in a hole in the luggage I had already checked several times! I now have my new, regular passport, and it probably helped that I hadn't actually LOST my passport, just misplaced it. Cost me a total of $270 to get it, but that's chickenfeed next to the importance of the passport to me. Now, though, I'm ready to see y'all in New Brunswick and to Scandinavia for the final visit of 2009, next month (or this month by the time you read this...).
I slept (kind of) all night in Heathrow, woke up and luckily found a plane with one seat left on it to take me to Washington, but when I got to Oklahoma City, United/USAir had still sent my luggage to Chicago! That is 3 United flights in a row my luggage has not arrived with me in Oklahoma City. The pilots and flight attendants are fine, but I wish I could do as slipshod a job at my music as the baggage people do at their jobs. After we got back from Europe, it was almost immediately time to run off to the west coast, with a stop at one of the Workers' favorite cities to play of all, Calgary, Alberta. On arrival, we could not avoid seeing how we had been expected by Calgary in the local newspaper. Repeatedly we ran across ecstatic fans who said they had come to the festival specifically to hear us! We love you, Alberta, and we'll be coming back till you get heartily tired of us, lol! Hoogie and family, we're surprised you didn't drive up, see ya next time. Jim from High Lonesome, glad we got a chance to tag up, maybe we'll get to play Winnipeg next year!
From Calgary, it was on to Sonora, California, which is kind of near Modesto, but not really near anything at all, just like Cazorla, Spain isn't really close to Cordoba! There, I met my old running buddy Joe Reno (not his real name, he changed it years ago, to, like me, help terminate some past shady connections), whose number I now need again (Joe, hope yer reading this!) because I lost my cellphone 2 weeks ago! Gimme a holler, Joe!! I got a chance to stop in at the trailer and say hi to Johnny Winter, who was the headliner, and his band. He tells me he's going to do his best to make sure we get to record together-- you can look forward to THAT, blues fans!
Finally, the next night, we came back to Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco, where the Workers had not played since Ike Lamb was still the guitarist. It was a night of seeing old friends and not seeing others. Louis S. Davis, the number one bartender in all of San Fran (head keeper at the Union Country Club) regrettably could not attend because of a bad case of gout. However, my political-debate-board comrade Neuroburger brought his dad with him, and they had a ball! There is new ownership at B+B since we were last there, and the food has only improved, along with the hospitality we had come to enjoy, and that includes the nice old hotel we got to rest in.
I want to mention to all fans and staff that folks should buy their CDs directly from myself or my band members, rather than going to the CD stores that seem to be more numerous these days at festivals. Next year, hopefully, we will have a new arrangement with venues where we will at least be the wholesaler who sells to these people.
I have been telling people about the DVD the Workers recorded in Clarksdale in May '07 for a couple of years. I hope to tell you that it will soon be out. Everybody's got money-flow problems. I hope y'all like the new record, /Escape From the Chicken Coop/. I'll be recording the followup in October. And there are other recording surprises coming, some of which I have been promising for quite a while. My wife Honour Havoc will be coming to Nashville in October to help me record two great songs that some of y'all may have heard over the years, /Please Take This Cup From Me/, and /Good Ol' Boys Never Change/. That record, no name yet, will be out next year.
There is so much more I could probably say, if I could focus on it. You Dohms are irrepressible. Dohms and Shananaquets came out in force for my gigs at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago (the collard greens are as good as ever, viva el jefe!) and the Ribberfest, in Madison, Indiana (not Wisconsin, they'll have you know).
To all my latest correspondents-- Doug and Carl from Calgary, Terry from NC, Chris from Chicago, Jim from Cal., Ana et Yanick, J-P et Mylene du Quebec, Brent and family from Madison, Angela y Juan de Valencia, Steve from Missouri, any I've forgotten-- thank you so much for stopping by and saying hi! And thank you in advance for letting your friends know to write here, to the blog, and not to those silly Face/Space things.
Till I see you in Fredericton, or Dallas, or Lillestrom, or Florida, or wherever, God bless you all,
Watermelon Slim
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August 29, 2009
Hi Slim
Thanks for the pleasure of playing with you on guitar during our impromptu jam at our condo in Mont Tremblant during its blues festival. I’ll never forget it. Hope to see you soon.
Silvano Lapenna
july 2009
montreal, quebec
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August 25, 2009
Hi Slim,
I had the great fortune to work the on the stage crew for you and the boys in Calgary†a true pleasure to meet you and hear both your performances. Just got back from the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Fest in Salmon Arm, BC where Cedric Burnside and Lightning Malcolm played the stage I was working†great show†the folks at the Dusk ‘til Dawn in Rentiesville are in for a treat with you, CB and LM, AND Zac Harmon!
(By the way‚Ä must have played ‚ÄúWheel Man‚ Äù about 5 times complete on the trip‚Ä)
Take care and good luck on the road!
Cheers!
Carl – Calgary, Alberta
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August 22, 2009
really enjoyed slim's show in chicago last nite at buddy guy's. you are one awesome blues harp and slide guitarist!!! came to chicago from ohio and when i found out you were playing.... i was there! thanks so much for an enjoyable, kick-ass nite!!!!
lola and tim from ohio, chris from chicago
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August 22, 2009
Mr. Watermelon Slim,
What an honor to have shaken your hand at the Sonora Blues Festival August 8, 2009 after your workshop. You are such a delight and so personal, it is if we have known one another a lifetime. My friends and I are huge fans and I have such a new found appreciation for your stories having been able to get a glimpse in your life. My wife had not heard your music and now is a fan – but the story telling and matter of fact sincerity is what she and the rest of your fans love about you. I have a brother who is your age and is a Vietnam Veteran as you are - the similarities and paths that you both have endured and crossed in life are amazing. He too is a blues man and musician, I am so proud to have met you in person and be able to share my story of listening to you with my brother. I thank you for your service to your country, your god given talent, and your truly humbling stories of life.
Jim in California
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August 21, 2009
Dear Slim,
I am a poet from North Carolina who has written a poem about you and your music that is in my new collection, /Telling Tales of Dusk/, (available at www.Press53.com or www.Amazon.com).
I was sitting in my car in a parking lot in Lewisville, North Carolina, when an announcer came on the radio talking about this guy named, "Watermelon Slim," a name that fired up my imagination immediately! Then he played some of your music and I went out the next day and bought your CD, /Watermelon Slim and the Workers/. My favorites on this CD are /Devil's Cadillac/ and /Eau de Boue. /I was so inspired by your wonderful music and truly fantastic name…that I wrote a poem called, "Watermelon Slim," and thought I’d share it with you. Like I said, it’s in my new book, /Telling Tales of Dusk/, which I guess you could say, sort of showcases my lifelong "love affair" with the American South. Some of the titles of poems in the book are, "Papa Fell off the Porch," "Fisherman," "A Mother Laments Her Daughter's Tattoo," and "The Belle of Bourbon Street."
Anyway, below is my tribute to you and your music. Thank you for giving me such great inspiration!
With very kind regards,
Terri Kirby Erickson
www.Press53.com
Watermelon Slim
© 2009, by Terri Kirby Erickson
(Excerpt from /Telling Tales of Dusk/)
Somewhere out there, Watermelon Slim
is working a juke joint, easy as a slide. Smoke
swirls around the room like mist off
a swamp—in dimly-lit corners where sugar daddies
chomp on cigars, women pale as napkins
draped over their laps;
above the heads of cowboys tapping
their steel-toed boots,
young girls swaying on the dance floor—
eyes closed—hip bones close to punching holes
in their skin-tight jeans,
middle-aged mamas bumping and grinding
their booze-addled husbands,
and blue-collar workers sitting so still at their
scarred-up tables, cigarettes burn to ash
between their fingertips.
They’re all listening hard to this craggy-faced,
truck driving melon picker, his riffs moving
through their heads like slow-roving sidewinders—
hungry for the next spoon-full of ain’t got
nobody, baby done left me blues.
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August 18, 2009
Hey, Them Dohm's are on the lose again.
We will see you guys at Legends on Friday and Then In Madison on Saturday. Ok, I KNOW we are a little obsessive compulsive when it come to y'all. But we just can not help it. 6 states, and 12 shows later. Oh Yeah.
You guys are probably sick of seeing us!! I can't wait to purchase the NEW CD. I have been wanting to order it as soon as it came out, but I like to get in person so you can sign it!! I am Thinking of making me a new slim shirt to wear. Yippee. We guys, Keep her between the lines and we will see you Friday.
Tracy Dohm
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August 17, 2009
Dear Slim,
Was fortunate indeed to be able to catch your show at the Calgary International Blues Festival. This was the first time hearing you and truly loved your show. Thanks so much for the great time, it was one of the highlights of the festival for me.
Cheers from Canada,
Doug
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August 12, 2009
Wow!
This new album could be best described as a metamorphosis of a man, who's had a second chance at life, that is now in fourth gear and cruising on the highway of life!
His Joie de Vivre is contagious!
Ana & Yanick Theriault
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August 9, 2009
Greetings from Madison Indiana.... Slim, my family and i can't wait to see you @ this years Madison Ribberfest! You are going to love our little town by the river there is much to do and see, i hope you will have time to experience Madison...Wishing you nothing but the best and safe travels until then!
Brent Thacker and Family
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August 9, 2009
Dear Mr Holmans,
Just a short note to say thank you very much for your wonderful show at the Cambridge Folk Festival on Sunday. To my shame whilst I'd heard your name (well your stage name, obviously) I'd never picked up on anything you had actually produced. I'm embarassed to say that I did not catch the names of all the tunes you played, but one I did - Blackwater - is playing now (streaming from your web-site - cheers Sir!): excellent and moving.
Can I also say that it is refreshing (and I say this as bit of leftie who has never had to face the prospect of military service) to find some someone with a strong people supporting attitude who also recognises and honours our brave service men and women (in both our countries "lions lead by donkeys").
Very best wishes,
Tony Downham | Moortown | Leeds
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August 7, 2009
Dear Slim;
My wife and I enjoyed inmensely your show in Cazorla and we are also very pleased to read that you liked AndalucÃa (even in summer is too hot!).
En español: sólo querÃamos saludarte y darte las gracias por tu música y por tu simpatÃa. Esperamos volver a verte pronto por aquÃ. Recuerda, la próxima vez vienes a Valencia.
Un abrazo.
Juan y Angela.
Valencia. Spain.
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August 2, 2009
Good grief, ESCAPE FROM THE CHICKEN COOP has to be your best CD to date. I own all of your CDs and have had the pleasure of seeing you live. This one takes the cake. It don't get no better.
Steve Schmitt
Springfield, MO
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July 25, 2009
Blues fans,
We have been immersed in Latin culture here in Spain, and I find my Spanish is not so bad, though I have not had much real opportunity to speak and listen to the language since last summer. However, I am now learning Italian too, and I have already conducted a full-length interview in that language. /Potro dicare a tutti miei amici Italiani, noi amiamo tu paese e tutti gli aficionati che encontrati in la Italia! E una lingua piu facile che el Spagnolo, e che i frances! Voglianno essere ritornati li prossimo anno! Fontinia, Atri, Milano, Narcao (all'isola Sardegna)-- que bellezza! /We also got to touch base with our good friend Ana Popovic, and got to schmooze with her truly international band-- members from France, Holland and Italy (she's from Croatia, of course...)
And here in Spain now, I am sitting in a lovely hotel, 10 minutes from the venue at Cazorla, in the middle of miles and miles of olive trees. Olive trees as far as one can see. The guys have gone back to Cazorla to hang out with Bily Branch, Lurie Bell and their guys. We played in a bullring, a plaza de toros, in which perhaps the greatest matador of the 20th century, El Cordobes, used to perform. However, I must say (as confirmed by two Portuguese journalists with whom I conducted an hour-and-a-half interview MOSTLY in Spanish today) that the stars of that show are the bulls, not the matadors. At tapas today I drank a toast /a los toros bravos/.
We are so blessed to be able to see and do all we do as The Workers (Las Obreros). We must say /muchas gracias, molto grazie, per il tuo benvenuto/su bienvenida!! Quattor piu spettacoli italiani/, then one in England (looking forward to that!) and then home for a couple of days before we head to Calgary and California.
I've had some physical problems. I will report more on that later. Doesn't hurt my singing and playing in the least.
I am going to write much more about Winnipeg and Montreal (/mes amis Quebecois m'ont offert beaucoup d'amitie!/) But this batery on Cliff's computer is dying, so I must promise you all more tales of the road later-- /dopo-- mas tarde-- bientot./
God bless everybody, see you soon,
Slim
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July 19, 2009
thank you for the great show in mt tremblant.i bout your record watermelon slim and the workers.it s a masterpiece.you took a picture with my 5 kids.they are crazy about the blues and very happy to have a chance to meet the artist that plays it.thats a big motivation to continue their music lesson.i think they very lucky...
merci
j-p ,mylene and family
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July 10, 2009
To Watermelon Slim,
Hey Slim when you heading back down to NZ for some real serious fishing let me know bro, Keep in touch.
Craig (from the Darcy Perry Band)
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July 6, 2009
Hi, blues fans,
I just got off the planes (four of them, US Air and United combined to lose my baggage...) from Norway. Takk, takk, all of our great friends in that happy land! What great gigs we had, first in Lillestrom, and then at Skanevik. Can't believe we couldn't stay longer. I understand we will be returning in September! Can't wait.
Not to forget, we had two more great gigs in Illinois a couple weeks ago! We can do it at The Fox (LOL)! Nice also to run across our old friend Sugar Blue playing there! Sound for both these shows was about as good as sound can possibly be. And finally, after all these years, backline folks are getting the idea that Watermelon Slim and the Workers must not be offered Fender Twins and Twin Reverbs to play through.
BTW speaking of amps, in Lillestrom I played guitar through the first Vox amp I ever liked. It worked as good as my favorite, the Blues Junior, or my manager's 1970 Music Man! Very nice, thank you Paul-Erik!
Christian, if you read this, I owe you 400 kroner, and you shall at least have it in September. Sorry we didn't meet up after I came back down from Eva Bentsen's studio.
And for anyone that wants to know, the Blues Blowtorch Society, which sponsored our gig at the Bloomington IL Treehouse, is a blues society that really WORKS. As an unelected board member of the Oklahoma Blues Society, I offer them my sincere congratulations for a job monstrously well done!
I want to share my reflections upon this piece of political news:
******************
*BREAKING | Gov. Sarah Palin Announces Resignation *http://www.truthout.org/070309Z?n
http://messenger.truthout.org/ss/link.php?M=237663&N=74&C=b3cb8656cc24077e21ef3a0e5ac48883&L=528
Jonathan Martin, Politico: "Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she was resigning her office later this month, a stunning decision that could free her to run for president more easily but also raises questions about her political standing at home."
******************
/After all the ethical questions dogging Sarah Palin, and her Peyton Place of a family, none of which will ever go away, we are left with a woman who had never received a U.S. passport until the year before she was the Republican vice presidential candidate. She has accumulated no more experience potentially valuable to a presidential candidate, or to a statesman, since she and John McCain went down to defeat.
What kind of crash course can she possibly hope to embark upon now, in order to be prepared to seriously contend for her party's nomination for the leadership of the most powerful, for good or bad, nation on the planet?
Surely responsible Republicans-- and I personally know a number, even though I am a lifelong leftist-- will not allow a candidate this weak in every other constituency besides hard-Right fundamentalist Christians. I liked this comment made by an earlier responder to the news of Palin's decision:/
/******************
*I wish her all the success.* Fri, 07/03/2009 - 23:25 — Americonned (not
verified)
/I wish her all the success. The GOP needs another trip to the wood shed. These people are too dumb to know they are the minority, still think they run things. Well, at least she is running! Like a wolf under a helicopter. //
/**********************/
/
What a great image. However, I must qualify Americonned's opinion (I think his name is great): the real-money Repubs are not so dumb. And they are in the helicopter that will do for her, although she's already being pursued by a whole fleet of tabloid whirlybirds.
I mean, she's entitled as an American to run, and apparently she must have recently gotten some significant contributions, or at least pledges of contributions, to her political war chest. That is, if her decision to quit her governorship is not just part and parcel of, as the DNC man said, "a pattern of bizarre behavior."
Sarah Palin has become the very nexus of comedy and deadly serious politics. But if somehow she is calculating that the undeniably universal name recognition that she has through a multitude of lowest-common-denominator sources is going to work positively for her in 2012, she is terminally mistaken.
Her best political strategy is to wait for 2016, her age and health being so much on her side. If she hopes to be taken seriously by anyone but the Rapture crowd, she must educate herself, and become a credible stateswoman.
She could do that in five or six years, if she used this post-gubernatorial time in one or more positions of diplomatic import.
Not an ambassadorship, mind you! But some position in which she could gain some education in dealing with people totally foreign to her past experience might give her at least a shred of the credibility she utterly lacks.
I don't think the Republican Party, having seriously wounded itself in 2008, wants to outright blow its elephantine head off. But if large amounts of crucial Republican donations are diverted to the campaign of Sarah Palin, the Party will be squeezing the trigger. If Republicans actually NOMINATE her: ka-BOOM!
Naaahh. Impossible. Wolf under a helicopter. The Repubs'll dirty-trick her if the ethical stuff doesn't do her in./
/ /
/******************/
/ /
/Winnipeg, Montreal, Italy, Spain, England, Calgary, and California in the next month. Yee-hah! Lordy, so many more chances for the airlines to lose Workers' stuff! I'm glad that at least the pilots know what they're doing./
/ /
/God Bless Y'all,/
/ /
/Watermelon Slim/
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July 2, 2009
Hey Slim and The Workers,
It has a couple of weeks since I have written on the blog. I just can't THANK Y'ALL enough for a GREAT weekend in Illinois. The sound in Aurora was GREAT. We video taped it and I can't get enough of it. I am patiently waiting for Chicago and Madison. I am still trying figure out how to do. Both venues? I will get in both shows. No doubt about!! Hopefully there is a dance floor, dancing on a chair is dangerous, lucky for me the guy to me left was paying attention and did not let me hit the floor. (I was out of control, I fell). I can wait to get the new CD!! Hopefullu the DVD will be done soon!!
Hope you guys have a safe trip, and see you in August. Happy 4th of July
God Bless
Sunflower Studio Photography
Tracy Dohm
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June 30, 2009
Hello there
It's Marco here, do you remember last year's Ameno Blues Festival in Italy?
Just known this year you'll play 3 dates in Italy, I'll be there to party with You and your band and I'll bring You back Your shirt You left me ah ah ah
See Ya!
Ciao
Marco
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June 22, 2009
Dear Watermelon,
I caught your show at Blues on the Fox. Your one hell of a jammin redneck, compliments to your band - tight and unique. A lot of the Blues sound the same; you guys mix it up well. Thanks for coming to Illinois – I’ll see you at Buddy Guy’s in August, and for anybody who has never been to Legends…well your missing a true Chicago treasure. Southside Blues, many of the greats have been there. Like Watermelon Slim on August 21, 2009…don’t miss it. Peace!!!!
Dave Mutert
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June 21, 2009
Hey Gang,
We are driving home after an amazing weekend! I could not wait to write on the. Blog, so I am typing on a very tiny keyboard on my Blackberry. After this weekend we have seen Slim and the workers in 6 states!!!! Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, and Iowa. After all the traveling, I personally am not able to give you my favorite show. I LOVE everyshow!! I am mesmorized by every
performance. You see to amaze us everytime!! You sound was amazing in Aurora, we were a little disappointed that we could not dance. We can not just sit in a chair, but we were force to? My goodness it was hard not to climb on the stage and dance. I just want to say to Slim, Patti and I will never wash our lips, We are honored to be Kissed by "The Watersmellonn Slim".(OMG that was classic) I will write more when I get back to my desk and actually look at a screen bigger than 2 inches square.
Take care and we miss you all ready!!
The Dohm's
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June 20, 2009
Hi Slim
We caught you first time Swindon 12 Bar Swindon UK, and then followed you November 08 to Omaha Nebraska Murphys Lounge. We notice you mention a new drummer we are behind with any news so why has your line up changed with respect to your drummer. Looking forward to the Chicken Coup album.
Martin and Loraine Swindon UK
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June 18, 2009
Hey Slim,
I see you're going to be at the Calgary Festival this August.
They have a great festival there. Am planning to be over there for Friday & Saturday of the festival so will be seeing your set.
Are they putting you up at the Ramada downtown? That's usually where they have the bands stay and that's where I'm staying.
Can't wait to get the chance to listen and talk to you guys again. If I can catch up to Dale I'll get some pictures of your time in Regina.
See 'ya in August,
Dan Silljer
Regina Delta Blues Association
Regina Sk
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June 15, 2009
I just had to write you again. For the last two weeks or so my wife and I have been consumed with you from your music to everything about you. In the mornings when we get in the car (we carpool) the first thing we do is start playing Slim. When I get to work I have to listen more on the computer. And on the way home, yes, more Slim. You have opened a whole new world of music for both of us. We've both liked the Blues but nothing like this! Thank you!
When we have a free moment while at lunch or on a break, we look for more nuggets of you online. We feel almost like we're stalking you. :-)
Tonight we were listening to you while doing some work in the house. I had the media center PC so loud the bass was rattling the gutters and I could hear you almost half way down the driveway. I have a few favorite songs. Of course there is "They Call Me Watermelon Slim" and "Scalemaster Blues" but there is just something about "Truck Holler #1".
I can just sit back and close my eyes and imaging riding in a big Freightliner parting the fog of the swamp on a hot steamy windy road deep in the Mississippi Delta.
We can't wait to see you when you’re closer to us. See you then...
Mike & Sue Sheffer
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June 14, 2009
Well, I did promise some more blog hyeah direckly. I am in the final leg of a trifecta of weekend wimpouts. I said I'd be someplace each of these days, Friday through Sunday, and didn't get out to any of them. So, Candye Kane, Mike Hardwick, Miss Blues, and the LaVictoires-- geez, I'm sorry. I must learn to get off my mushroom butt.
In fact, though (if not in amelioration), part of why I don't get out as much is because I've become painfully aware of my own contribution to the energy net problem. Heck, I love to drive. I'm the Wheel Man. I'll drive any piece of equipment anywhere it can be reasonably driven.
But I'm getting uneasy about my net petroleum addition to the world's depletion and pollution, and that includes, of course, flying, which I do quite a lot of as a touring musician. Now, the argument is ready, "well, even if you waren't on that plane, a bunch
of others are, so you're really not responsible for it." No, I respond, if I've got a ticket, and I'm sitting on that plane, over the Atlantic or wherever, I'm responsible. And it is beginning to weigh on me. Just saying...
I'm going to do something I might have been doing from the beginning, but I think I got into the expository rather than the interactive style (mostly), and I have probably not answered individual blog-answerers enough over these several years. So, starting with
Old friend and trucking buddy Michael Murdock-- I wanna hear it! Thanks, pardner...
The Dohms-- see you in Illinois (the rest of you can make a bet on it)...
Mike-- TYVM for buying those CDs! But dunno when back in N. VA. area. ;-(
Lyn and Gerard-- always great to see y'all
Susie-- well, Indiana, anyway...
Boomer!! Dunno how I'll make it back to Crystola, tell othah brothah Darryl Maggs hi--
James Mather: August 2, Cambridge! One day only!
Tammy-- uhoh, which kinda fine whixkey are we talkin' about?? LOL
Alain-- I am touched by your letter, and if anything I may have sung was helpful, well, God bless us, every one.
/Mes Ouvriers et Moi,/
// /Nous nous avons vachement amuse de toutes nos experiences dans la Belge, la France, la Luxembourg et les Pays-Bas. Tous les gens que nous avons recontre nous ont trait comme le petit royeaute./
Oh, Alain, it's a Regal dobro, a cheap (but good-working) Chinese knockoff of a once reputable American brand. The amp there was a Blues Junior, I think. That's the combination I like best, anyway, though I've been using a 1970 Music Man in American gigs for a while now.
Euga-- Dank je!
Bobby Jelts-- brrrr-rrr! Well, maybe-- I was hoping to go play in Spitzbergen this fall, so stranger things have happened...
Texas Ray-- we had fun at the awards, dint we?
Punkin and all Shananaquets-- aho, and hope you can get over to Chicago at least, later on,
Jack, Roger Percival, Colin downunder, Jenny, Susan and Ian, all TYVM for being in touch with kind words, always hoping to get in your areas, ESP. Australia/NZ (and that goes for ALL y'all...)!
D.Edward Williams, write me and I will tell you about some research *-).
Rusty and Kendall-- just wore your teeshirt a couple weeks ago!
Peter Germain-- wow, glad ya like 'em! You grok what I'm doing, awrite...
Well, that get's me back to the beginning of this year, and if I'm missing anybody-- well, write to my blog!
Thank you all, blues fans, Americans, Europeans (including my gracious hosts recently, the Turks), Down-Unders, wherever you may be. I believe it has all been worth it. I can assure you that you will see me again. Sometime. I'm realistically going to be working
less gigs for the next several years, but if I haven't said it, I am NOT retiring. I'm just having to work slower now.
Well, lessee-- the PowWow was the usual high point of the gigging spring. Mark and Big John have got a fine new room where the Workers played three "on" nights. Business in Casinos, I understand, is off nationwide, whether you're Donald Trump or an independent
tribal operator. But if you're going to play your now-squeezed disctretionary funds in a gambling-hell, the Paragon Casino, in Marksville, Louisiana is the place to make a pilgrimage to. The service you will receive really IS what it appears to be, and happily
rendered; the food narrowly, but definitely, outshines the Ameristar or Isle of Capri. You don't have to be in Nawlins to get the best. I will make no warranty as to the looseness of the slots, but there's no brake in the roulette wheels, anyway, lol.
Here's you a taste, more later. God bless everybody,
Slim
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June 13, 2009
Hey gang,
The Dohm's here we will be drive to Illinois to Next weekend to catch both of your shows. We are so EXCITED to see all of you and meet the new drummer. Save a seat up front for us and some talk time. Slim can't wait to scratch you back!!
Tracy Dohm
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June 8, 2009
Hey slim it's michael murdock with a hello from up in Burlington Vermont I got to send you a cd of my band the heckhounds. We makin' a new one and getting the tunes down. I know you'll love it. Say hi to cris for me from mike, "the travelin' salesman" as silas used to say. I play a bit around Vt but the market is tough up here for blues and we be playing country blues originals and covers with a drummer you'll dig it. I am inspired by you so I keep playing. I'm making a solo record in a few weeks so gotta do it while we alive. Keeping the blues alive and all yer bud
Michael murdock
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June 7, 2009
Hey Slim,
I heard "Hard Times" on Sirius about a month ago and knew I needed to find out more about you and The Workers. I checked out your website and immediately bought all of your albums from Amazon. My wife and I love your music. In looking at your scheduled performances, I didn't see any close to us. When are you going to be on the East coast again? Any chance of being in the Northern Virginia area?
Thanks,
Mike
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June 1, 2009
Hello there, y'all,
I thought I would share this with you. The new CD has been put to bed, fussed over by all, me included, but it's remarkable how close we really all started in our idea of making, essentially, country-and-western records for NorthernBlues Music. Fred Litwin, Chris Hardwick, and producer Miles Wilkinson, a friend of Fred's, all had to keep up a steady drumbeat of how I ought to make this record. I reminded them, dutifully I think, that I'd be releasing a country record on a blues label, who the world's gonna buy that!? But they all cajoled me into it, and now I'm damned glad they did, and proud of 'em for their persistence.
Now, I don't think I have ever kept it a secret that I love country music. I grew up in Asheville, North Carolina in the 50s-early 60s, Grand Ole Opry Central! Watched Flatt and Scruggs in their prime,
Monroe-- watched Jimmy Dean sing "Big John" live!
Southern? Tell me about these Dale Jr.-come-lately merchandise racks they call race fans today. I watched Junior's GRANDFATHER, Ralph, race in the 1950s, on a quarter-mile dirt track, against BANJO MATHEWS--MR.
X, he marked his car!-- the cleanest and hardest driving-- and, well, that makes him the best-- of any driver I ever saw. I watched Richard Petty racing against his father at the half-mile high-banked asphalt tracks that have gone now because stock car racing is no longer just a (mostly) Southern sport, but a mega-billion dollar enterprise.
There was a very lightly grassed hill to the northwest side of the track. It was as good a place as any to stand, or put yer chair down. At one Asheville-Weaverville 500, this grassy hill caught fire. It never really did much, just enough grass on the hill to pass the sparks along.
But we didn't care, anyway. As the high wind rapidly pushed what little smoldering fire there was toward us, we all just stepped over onto the burnt side, out of the smoke! We were stock car racing fans, and weren't going to let a little thing like a grass fire get in the was of enjoying this race, no Sir!
Country? I should smile.
I just heard the blues first. But what I want to share is that I was just listening to one of the tracks that's NOT going to be released YET.
I've got just the rough version of the session; sometimes that's more instructive than listening to the finished and mastered one. I've got a great producer in Nashville, Miles Wilkinson (who makes three great producers I have worked with now, Chris Hardwick and Chris Stovall Brown being the two before). I know I'm going to agree with virtually any engineering or backup decision he makes, because whether I'm getting paid like an A-List player (and I'm not, honest), I'm working with the A-List of industry producers of super-quality music.
I can't go wrong. I have people like Gary Nicholson flowing with my songwriting. He's a terror of a songwriter, watch out, he'll have the whole thing mapped out practically before you sit down to co-write! I have the rythm section from Delbert McClinton's band encouraging me that, yes, I am a competent guitar player. Indeed, I gotta say it, certain parts of making this new record were particular triumphs, and none was more (I think it is probably best that I engage in any self-congratulation on my own blog, :-)) ) than the way I played guitar at this session!
Like I said, I'm listening to this one cut, which is in one way a surprise, which I won't share with you, lol, and in another way will be no surprise to many. I just never had recorded "Dark Genius" yet, but many have heard it over the 20 years since I wrote it. The song just broke out kind of after the recording day was officially over, just as something I improvised over a jam, and we all liked it so much that we took 10 minutes and learned the song (these Nashville Cats are quick studies, whoooiiee, they don't want to hang around the studio /too/ long, they got other paid work to do!) decided how we should handle the segue and ending, and let 'er rip! That'll be me, after being reassured by Miles and all, "don't worry, Slim, you can hit a clean copy of this guitar track!" you hear hitting the whole 8:39 of the "long version"
with flair and no falters. I'm on dobro or slide guitar on every cut.
I'm a guitarist, I think, finally, or at least I think I'm starting to think like one. It's been my longest-maturing axe, no doubt.
And I want to publicly say thank you so much to all these great musicians, thanks also Delbert who was nice enough to let 'em play with me. There is always a real sweet taste from being taken seriously.
I'm procrastinating at the moment. I was supposed to be driving in to Mississippi by today, after a memorable fishing trip in east Tennessee.
Unfortunately, I had one of the orthopedic problems that have become more frequent over the last couple of years, over Memorial Day weekend, and couldn't see a chiropractor, as it turned out, till Wednesday. But my neck was so jammed that I couldn't turn it far enough to see the rear view mirrors, so I had to cancel the trip. Major bummer.
Earlier this year I played three out of four gigs in Australia after my right hip "popped out" on the morning of the second show. If you have heard me talk about semi-retirement from the touring life, this is a big part of why. But I have met that new chiropractor that I was needing. He stretched me and snapped me like a rubber band, such that today I am fully prepared to take that 550 mile trip down to Clarksdale. I will fish a bit there!
Okay, more later. I owe you more, but I hope you'll at least get started with that,
Kirk Out
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May 21, 2009
Tell slim that casey from okc that we miss him and i will make him some more gumbo when he comes back and will see him at the blues saloon, keep growin your hair out love casey.
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May 19, 2009
Here's what I've been doing lately; this blog entry is most especially for my brothers and sisters in VVAW and IVAW. I will write in more detail about the last southern tour, the BMAs, the Pow-Wow, etc. real soon. But here's at least a lick and a promise.
My old musical colleague Chris Stovall Brown has ably stepped in after Workers founding member Michael Newberry opted to try other musical projects. We all wish Michael the best in what he's doing. I know many of you out there miss Mike a lot. Helluva drummer, who also did a fine job as road manager over the last 4 1/2 years with the Workers.
I'm off tour for almost a month now, gonna do some fishing and painting; California journalist Michael Kinsman has begun working through the archives I supplied him, and we have begun work on my biography. Mike and the other Mike-- our publicist Michael McClune-- went to Como, Mississippi with me for the unveiling of the Blues Trail Marker for Mississippi Fred McDowell, and afterwards, we went to Fred's grave, in a tiny cemetery in Como, where I stood on the grave and sang Fred "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning," a song I learned from him decades ago. I've been waiting to make that pilgrimage for almost 37 years, since Fred died, in 1972. I was a little saddened to see that of all the several hundred people at the unveiling, only me and my two friends went to the cemetery to pay our respects.
Hey Stigs, send me an email address, or a phone number, Hokay?
There ya go, Blues fans, veterans, et cetera, we'll get back to y'all soon,
God Bless You All,
Watermelon Slim
*************************************************
*Right on, Billy X! *
** *I just got back from the Tunica-Biloxi Pow-Wow down in Marksville, Louisiana, the last stop of a tour through Tennessee (did not win any BMAs, Buddy Guy won most of my four nominated categories) Mississippi (Pinetop Perkins, Muddy Waters' 95-year-old former piano player, jammed with us at Ground Zero in Clarksdale) and Louisiana, where I danced the Gourd Dance with many Vietnam and other-era (mostly Vietnam) N. A, brothers. At the gig (we played 3 nights) I blew "Taps" for our fallen brother (Major) Steven Hutchinson, who as y'all may know met his fate in an IED blast, at 60 years old in Iraq while there training Iraqis. He went back in the Army 38 years after 2 combat tours (68-69) in Nam after his wife passed. We all make our life decisions. Our Indian brothers send their greetings to us in VVAW. Aho!*
** *Before that, I was in Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Holland (turned the Big Six-Oh in France April 25, nobody's getting any younger, siigghh, /je m'ai amuse' bien en parler beaucoup de francais partout la-bas/), and was proud to represent VVAW in these places that, unlike our own country, know war personally. Ditto in Australia, where I was playing back in the first part of April.*
** *I might have an adjunct professorship at U.-Central Oklahoma next winter in their new School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, plus maybe an English and a History course. I'm trying to semi-retire from touring so I can paint and write more, but I'm just having too much fun playing, and it's hard to slow down, though my health is slowing me down a little whether I want to or not. If I get the job, I will do my best to sneak a little counter-recruiting into my curriculum, wink, lol! Educators teaching educators to oppose war-- good karma, that. If I haven't mentioned it here, I have a new CD coming out in August or so, titled /Escape From the Chicken Coop/. Truckdriving music; Country-and-Western on a blues label (!?!) Watch for it! The world is my oyster. I am a blessed fellow through all the years, good and bad.*
** *I look forward to seeing you all at Kent State next May 4, I'm setting the date aside. And hopefully on Vet's Day somewhere. Annie Bailey and I will be working on that. Gawd I love that girl... I'd like to make the NSCM this year, but don't know if I will be in the US on that date, mighr be in Svalbard (900 miles from the North Pole! look it up, Brrr...).*
** *Well, I thought I'd keep y'all up to date on my globe-trotting. God bless all of you that are doing such great work,*
** *Solidarity,*
** *Bill Homans*
*Lifetime Member and*
*Oklahoma contact, VVAW*
** *P.S.: Almost immediately after writing the below letter, a knock came on my door, and when I answered it, I saw the UPS truck driving away. On my porch I found my new issues of the latest The Veteran. Just gets better and better. Right on to Joe Miller and all the Collective! I see we are more and more active nationwide in counter-recruiting, demonstrations, and all, and the reminiscences from Paul Wisovaty, Rick Thorngate, Chris Arendt, and Iraq medic Duane Linton, among so many others, touch the soul, and show once again how we are all connected in our mission. The mission is for life, y'all. Drive On!*
** *Solidarity,*
** *Bill Homans*
*VVAW/OK*
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May 16, 2009
It was great to see you and the Workers at Ground Zero in Memphis last week, then closing out the BMA Thursday night! You were well worth waiting for! I remember the first time we saw you at Brackins in Maryville, you are such a treasure. Take good care of yourself, we will look forward to seeing you next time you are in Tennessee, either Maryville or Memphis. Though we did have fun traveling up to see you in Cincinnati last August! That was another great show, thanks!
Your friends,
Lynn and Gerard
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May 11, 2009
*Hey! William! *
** *Miss you and the boys here in Colorado. Dennis and I need to let loose, so quit sharing yourself*
*with the world and come back to Colorado. Need I mention that I turned the big 60 in*
*January? Ha! Ha! I'm older than you are! BIG BELATED BIRTHDAY HUGS, BABY BOY!!! *
** *Laurel *
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May 2, 2009
Hey Slim- ole buddy Stigs here. We would sure love to see you back here in the Ozarks. The Blues Society has a big event going on in June still needing a headliner. You do perfect. Know this, ANYTIME you're as much as just passing thru we can always hook you and the gang up with some lodging and good ole Southern chow. Call me anytime at 480-***-****.
And Happy Birthday, Big Boy. Hope to see you soon
*Blessed Be *
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May 1, 2009
Hey:
Happy Birthday
Can't wait to see you at the Ribberfest in Madison Indiana, I'll bring you some of that fine whiskey you love.
Your friend,
Tammy Reams
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April 29, 2009
We look forward to seeing Watermelon Slim back in UK sometime!
Good wishes,
James Mather
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April 29, 2009
Hi !
I just got back home after the Brussels concert. I really can't thank you enough for the good time i spent there listening and watching the show. I don't really want to tell my life here but i'm having some bad bad life mishappenings for the moment so I dont quite see the reason for still being there tomorrow. i won t go to the point Slim and the workers saved a man's life tonight but they certainly gave me a reason to go on and fight back. I am a blues musician myself and Slim reminded me of the healing process of that music. and by next time I will play these guys will be on my mind so I can try to honour them in the way they honoured the blues and the "classical" blues musicians tonight.
I just digged every number but the rendering of "Mannish boy" sure would have made both willie Dixon and Muddy Waters proud of this version :
never in my life have I heard such a powerful and truthful version (except of the guys themselves !)
Many many thanks again guys !
Alain Van Brussel
ps : a technical question : what is the marque of Slim's guitar ? what kind of amp do'es he use to get that immense sound ?
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April 28, 2009
Can't wait to see you play May 8th. I saw you play on the porch at Ground Zero in 07 while filming your DVD.
Dawn
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April 27, 2009
Blog Entry April 27
I have been to Scandinavia, Australia and the European continent in the last two months. All of you in the eight countries me and the Workers have visited-- Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and The Netherlands, in that order-- we want to let you know that we will never forget the grace and love we have felt at each and every appearance, from all the promoters, drivers-- Birgit and Jorn in particular-- staff, volunteers, backline and sound people, club workers, Blues Society officers, fellow artists, and above all, you, the fans, the stars of the show. It's been a great spring, and we have four more gigs here in Europe before we come back to Memphis, Mississippi and Louisiana. We're cel!ebrating at the Blues Awards next month, hope to see y'all around there!
I'm writing from Antwerp, Belgium. It's a mostly brisk but envigorating spring here in northwestern Europe, and the food and wine have been nothing short of spectacular. I believe I'm up 3 or 4 pounds on this trip. Oh, BTW: The Byron Bay Festival's food was spectacular all five days we were there, and I shall not say that it was surpassed by that of France and the Netherlands, although everyone knows how I love French-style. The Basel Festival, in Switzerland, as you might have expected, provided a lovely extra touch: they made a run of exquisite chocolates as a promotional aid for the Festival, which I sent a number of to my daughter!
Today we pulled in to the hotel in Antwerp, and after checking in we started to take a little reconnoiter. We went by this one place that said "Theisen Music" over the door, and thought we'd found a music store to putter around in, but then I noticed that although the place was open, there were no instruments for sale that I could see, only a man sitting at a desk with a computer, and a couple of other office people. Suddenly it hit me: this fellow is a BOOKING AGENT! And so Cliff and I went in, I asked him, and sure enough, that is just what he was! He knows Rick Booth at Intrepid, they have worked on gigs together. We may have one of his festivals next year. Funny how things line up!
I appreciate everyone who has taken my advice to write to me at my email address, and here, on my blog, is even better.
A few big shoutouts:
A. To Jason Ricci, for the song "Holler from Craig Lawler" on his new record /Done With The Devil/.
B. To Betsie Brown, for the work she's done, paid and unpaid, as a supporter and friend of the Workers.
C. To Rob Newberry and all others who are beginning to play our music.
We've met you from New Zealand to Canada to Europe and back to Australia. Y'all have fun with those songs now!
D. Fred Litwin.
E. Howard Zinn.
F. Barbara Dane, and her son Jessie Cahn.
G.G is for Golly, I could go on forever.
I will continue this when I get back from this tour, if I don't boorow a puter from my band again over here. They're such puter geeks!
Thank you. Denk je weel. Merci mille fois. In any language, the most important words in the universe!
God Bless You, Blues fans,
Watermelon Slim
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April 27, 2009
Bill,
We wish you a happy birthday. We hope you’ve had a wonderful day yesterday and that the Dutch public was also very enthusiastic. We’ve enjoyed your concert in Hasselt last Thursday. Especially your last song was very emotional, also for yourself. Take care of yourself!
Eugène en Rosette Swaab-Noelanders
B-3720 Kortessem
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April 25, 2009
Slim,
Happy Birthday from Eagle River, Alaska! I enjoy your music. Y'all come see us and play in the 49th state!
Bobby Jefts
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April 25, 2009
Bill,
I remember your 50th birthday at Stonewall in Stillwater, OK. My how things have changed! You've come a long way buddy...... Here's to you enjoying another glorious decade of that infamously quirky life that you lead. We'll have to get together and jam again before you turn 70, OK? See you and the guys in Memphis in a couple of weeks. Keep on doin' what you do best. God bless and take good care.
Your friend always,
Texas Ray
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April 25, 2009
wishing you a very happy birthday today slim. don't let anybody jab you about being sixty. the years and the experiences they have brought teach us patience, tolerance, good judgement, thrift, make us able to laugh at our selves, and roll with every punch. by our age we are a true wealth of every thing a person needs most in life.how many times have your heard it said " wish i knew then what i know now"? enjoy your day and may god bless you .
patti dohm
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April 24, 2009
Happy birthday you Old Dog ! All the best from an old tubthumper ....looking forward to seeing you guys at some point ...!....Until then ,Be well..and take care ,,,
we'll leave a light on for ya !
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April 24, 2009
Hallo Watermelon Slim,
I wish you a Happy Birthday and many happy returns and many years of wonderful blues music! Thank you sooo much for the wonderful concert last night in Hasselt!! I saw you in Peer too Last Summer.
Take care,
Dominica
Hasselt, Belgium!
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April 24, 2009
Boozhoo Watermelon,
We just wanted to send a birthday wish for a good day and as they say in the South “I’m just fine as long as I’m still casting a shadow. Happy Birthday from the Shananaquets in Michigan – The Great Lakes State.
Punkin & Dave
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April 24, 2009
Yo Slim... Happy Birthday! As they say, "You've come a long way, Baby!"
Oh, and just to continue with another clichéd phrase...but one that is also rather fitting, "Keep on Truckin'!"
Best,
"Hardluck" Jim
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April 23, 2009
Slim,
It is my great honor to wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
I can't wait to see you and the workers. The rest of the Dohm's and myself are dying to see you guys. Can't for you to hit the states and the midwest.
Tracy Dohm
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April 20, 2009
*Hello Slim,
Hoping you're having a good spring and enjoying your gigs across the pond in the UK and other places you've been playing for quite a few months. I do have to say tho I'm having some awful bad Watermelon withdrawals at the moment. I seen you "live" last September for the first time in Iowa, and I'm really really hoping you'll be coming back thru the midwest this summer or fall to play again?? I keep hopping onto your play dates and checking them out on your website and so far have seen nothing posted about a swing thru the midwest? I live in Western Wisconsin along the mississippi river, but would drive a bit to see you if it was in the roundabout area. I have a few people I want to bring along for the Watermelon experience as well. So do you think you'll be along this way again Slim, before the snow flies again? Anxiously awaiting the release of your latest album as well.
Take care and keep on makin us smile Slim.
Love from Wisconsin,
Jenny*
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April 9, 2009
Best wishes for your tour downunder and please come back to do a tour down here in Sydney. Also congrats on the award and hope to hear of good news come May.
Cheers
Colin
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April 5, 2009
I just heard you for the first time, you were featured on one of the Lefty Blogs doing "Smokestack Lightening". Do you ever come back to Boston/Middlebury? I was in the Marines in Nam 66-67 and came back to tramp the streets with the VVAW.
You have an outstanding sound.
Good Luck in Australia.
Jack Kelley
Gilman,VT
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March 29, 2009
Dear Roger,
Yes, I knew he had passed. I met him only once, and he was both charming and feisty. Woulda liked to have known more. My condolences to the blues lovers in Canada, a special place for me. I don't know what Rick the agent has plabbed as far as Canada this year. I am probably going to play in Ontario at some point, and probably do more than one gig (no, definitely, lol), but I don't know if the appearances will be band or solo. Right now, the only Canadian gig I have booked is in Winnipeg, but I'm sure there will be others. We just finished an all-too-short tour in Denmark and Norway, what a lovefest. I would emigrate to either in a heartbeat. It gets really cold in Norway though, of course. Maybe I'd start with Denmark, sometimes known as the happiest country in the world. In fact, I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Denmark and Norway for their amazing warm and gracious hospitality. On behalf of the Workers, a big velige takk! We'll see y'all in Skanavic in July, and hope to return again to both lands in the fall.
Hey blues fans, did you watch the Russian President Dmitri Medvedev interviewed tonight on BBC? One might readily make the comparison between the relationships of Dick Cheney to George Bush, and Vladimir Putin to Medvedev, considering all the talk about how the Russian Parliament recent extendion of the term of the President to six years looks like preparation for the return of Putin to the presidency.
I, however, find him to be liable to be a much better informed, and probably (given that there was an interpreter, and the answers appeared to have been scripted, at least partly, for the translator, which leads to the conclusion that this was not a fully live interview), a more principled fellow than George Bush, whose abiding principle was political expediency. Medvedev is a lawyer and businessman by background before entering government, where he has spent the past nine years. If something were to happen to Putin, I have the idea that Medvedev would command more respect than Goerge W. Bush would have if Dick Cheney had died or become incapacitated.
However, I also notice that the man is someone who suppresses his humor. His laugh, at the few times he allowed himself to evince humor, was quickly restrained, choked off. Combined with the swaggering body language he displayed on the occasion of his first speech to the Russian Parliament after his election, I feel a certain personal insecurity about the man. If it is indeed Putin running Medvedev (though Medvedev denied that that was so in what I found to be a very direct, even blunt, set of questions by the BBC interviewer; the fact that a Russian head of state will even sit and publicly answer questions like these must be seen by Westerners as a hopeful sign of progress in human relations!), it would certainly not be inappropriate for him to feel insecure.
We're off to play in Basel, Switzerland day after tomorrow (our second time in Switzerland, having played Bellinzona in '07), then home to do laundry before hooking it for Australia. God bless Mel, and God bless us all, every one. It's great to share with y'all,
Watermelon Slim
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March 29, 2009
I'm hoping that you and The Workers are coming back to the Toronto area of Canada real soon!!
You probably already know this but I'm writting with a heavy heart. We lost a blues legend this past week Mel Brown, an old golfing buddy passed on March 23/09.
I hope all is well with you and the band!!!
Roger L. Percival
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March 27, 2009
"Gidday" Slim,
Please excuse the Aussie slang, Ian and Susan would like to wish you all the best at the Byron Bay blues Festival at Easter. We hope that the Aussie audience truly appreciates your performance. Regrettably we cannot make it this year...we are certainly looking forward to our first concert some time in the near future ! , wherever that may be. Just "knock their socks off" mate !!
Avid "oldie" fans Noosa AUS. Susan & Ian.
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March 1, 2009
Hey Slim-
Congrats on the nominations - it's your time, brother.
Albert Hofmann sends his best...
Daniel
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March 1, 2009
My nane is susie,I meet you in parkersburg at halloween,I was with stuart.Would love to see you come back around ohio way! Have a great day!
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February 20, 2009
Well, Blues Fans,
The historic gig I was going to do next month with Pinetop Perkins and company has been cancelled by the promoter, no explanation given. Am I pissed and disappointed? Youbetcha! I was sure looking forward to getting back to England, and now I don't know when that will happen. What a freakin DRAG... Long live Pinetop, Willie Big Eyes, Bob Margolin and Bob Stroger. I hope I get the chance to hook up with them again sometime (siiiiggh...) I'm looking forward to seeing all our fans in Denmark, Switzerland, Australia and other places this spring. I don't have much news for you right now. Like most of you, I am observing the economic and political process going on during the beginning days of the Obama administration. Can he save Main Street AND save capitalism? I guess we're gonna see. I don't think any of us would bitch for a moment about the Obama Stimulus if we hadn't already had to watch the Paulson Bailout during the previous (GW Bush) administration!
Thank you once again to everybody that has supported what me and the Workers have been doing for the last going on 5 years,
Watermelon Slim
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January 23, 2009
hello slim...you are missed up here in frigid canada...we all enjoyed your new cd and i have reflected on your newiest blog re bush's last day in office etc..we also hope for the best with the new president.....and we hope for the best for you to bill....i trust you will continue to play , view the sunny side of life ,make a better effort to take care of your health and never lose sight of the fact you bring joy and insight to those that appreciate your gift...
bill morkin
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January 23, 2009
*/Chatting about the inauguration, I came to understand that Yo-yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and somebody I can't remember-- these are A-list musicians-- recorded their piece beforehand, because it was impossible to keep the A-listers' extremely expensive, sensitive instruments in tune at the temperature. Helluva feat./*
*//*
*/Coldest outdoor gig I ever did was in Providence, R.I. for the Veterans' Day parade, 1990 or so. It was in the mid 20s with a 15-20 MPH wind. Windchill was down in the teens.
Luckily, we didn't have any instruments of the sensitivity of Yo-yo Ma's cello. This was the Cambridge Harmonica Orchestra, a long-running loose confederation of harmonica players of all descriptions, from Harmonicats to Big Walter and beyond, plus melodicas, sometimes an accordion, usually a washtub bass and a little trap set. Imagine 40 absolutely freezing individuals standing huddled on a 32-foot flatbed being towed for a full hour through the streets of Providence, doing our best to play various happy harp standards. The crowd turnout was not exactly sparse, but you could see gaps between watchers that would not have been there if the temp had just been, say, 40. My fingers were, indeed, numb. I was only glad that one does not have to fret a harmonica!
Second place goes to Telluride, Colorado in 2006. It was in the 40s on September 13 the day we played the fest. We also had two club dates in town, and by the time we headed for the sky-high mountain passes between Telluride and New Mexico, the temperature was 24 the morning of the 16th, and it was snowing! Brrr...
As I have always told fans and students, "there's one word I have for you: practice, practice, practice, practice, practice!" Had I been a more focused MUSICIAN when I was very much younger, I might not be turning 60 this year after a B-list (I know what the A-list is-- Dr. John. Robert Cray. B.B. King. Koko Taylor-- and I refuse to flatter myself. I'm in like, Triple-A ball)career of 5 years or so. But I too am amazed that these great musicians could synchronize their movements so precisely to the music at 30 with wind. THAT's practice.
I am a thin-blooded Southern Man, never mind my Yankee forebears. Bleep a bunch of cold weather! I tolerate it, but that is absolutely all.
Watermelon Slim,
reminiscing in Oklahoma City/*
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January 20, 2009
I have heard several people, both before the election and during Barack Obama's time as president-elect, including one only yesterday-- -George W. Bush's LAST FULL DAY ON THE JOB-- YAAAAAAYYY!!!-- hope that Obama would not get assassinated. I thought I would remind us of one of the festering real threats to a partially black president.
It is a time of death and rebirth for me. Yesterday I officiated at the funeral of my oldest friend in Oklahoma, down in Pushmataha County. 28 years ago, I put to sleep and buried James R. Farrell's aged German Shepherd. 12 years later I officiated at Jimmy's mother Lucille's funeral. Yesterday I buried Jimmy, the youngest of whose three kids was not yet born when I moved to Oklahoma.
Specialist 4th Class Jimmy Farrell was a counterintelligence specialist with the First Cavalry Division in Viet Nam in 1971. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, and Army Commendation Medal. He was a backwoods fellow who loved his country, and his family. However, he was also a stone dissenter in the tradition of the Oklahoma hill country, who didn't trust his government as far as he could throw a pickup truck. When I lived in back-country Oklahoma, Jimmy and I were part of an informal group of families we vets, and our wives, called "Clear Sky Lightning". We all pledged to each other that in the event of the fascism we agreed was a possibility in this country, we would band together and fight for our families, and for America.
The local cemetery would not permit a funeral with full military honors. But I was honored to play Taps as part of a 9-member color guard, once the funeral party had returned to the tiny piece of farmland the Farrells own in Snow, Oklahoma, eight miles north of Finley, where Jimmy was laid to rest.
The commander gave Present Arms, and the seven member firing squad shot four rounds as I played the strains. Then, Matthias Farrell, a big, angry boy when last I had seen him, and a man now, sure enough, 10 years later, fired one last round for his father. All the squad used weapons from Jimmy Farrell's gun rack. After Order Arms, most of us fired at least a round or two from Jimmy's guns-- mojo, you know. He was well-loved by most, and well-respected by all.
And now, after the loss of my friend, I am blessed to see what MUST be a day of rebirth-- or at least a chance at it-- in this country. It is too bad Jimmy didn't get to see it. I thought it a good and appropriate time to remind everybody that this country remains full of-- or at least contains a residue of-- two-legged snakes, and one nest of them is right down here in Oklahoma.
On this his Inauguration day, may God keep Barack Obama, and all of us, safe from the twisted plans of racist ideologues and other stains upon the American social fabric. Amen.
**********************************************************************
FIRST POSTED IN 2006
In Adair County, Oklahoma, very close to the Arkansas line, there is a white-supremacist compound called Elohim City. The inhabitants have a trucking company that supports them. They are armed to the teeth with heavy weapons and explosives. Andreas Strassmeir, their head of security at the time of the Murrah bombing, was (or is) their link to the international neo-Nazi movement. The inhabitants of Elohim City also included (at the time of the terrorist attack on Oklahoma City) Dennis Mahon, former Grand Dragon of the KKK in Oklahoma and an operative of White Aryan Resistance (WAR).
These neo-Nazis, still running free, have sworn violent opposition to the government of the United States. They helped Tim McVeigh plan, if not execute, the bombing. Judge Matsch suppressed the evidence given by BATF/FBI informer Carol Howe at the trial of Timothy McVeigh. The judge in Bernie Nichols's trial did the same.
This nation is immune to threats from the Left. We the People have been conditioned by the history of the 20th century to summarily reject all Leftist calls for revolution. It is the Right that will make any effective wholesale change in the American way of government, and they will not stop at violence to do it.
My masters' thesis (Oklahoma State, History, 2000) culminates with an analysis of suppressed and unfollowed leads in the case of the Murrah Building bombing. I was able to obtain unclassified internal memos from the FBI and BATF which show that in March of 1995, a frontal assault against Elohim City was planned, but then scrubbed just in time for the bombing. Had the agencies gone ahead with that assault, they would undoubtedly have sustained significant casualties. However, each and every dead or wounded agent would be permanently enshrined in the pantheon of American heroes, and 168 more people would be alive today, and there would not be a festering neo-Nazi sore sitting in Oklahoma waiting to erupt. Instead, the agencies acted with cowardice, and the bomb went off.
William P. Homans, M.A.
A second-generation
Nazi-fighter, and
Unterrorized American,
VVAW contact, Oklahoma
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.
- Thomas Jefferson
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January 18, 2009
Dear Blues Fans,
It is very gratifying to be playing for people who THINK. Blues fans (y'all) THINK. This is the substance of what I have posted about the excesses of Pee Diddy, David Lee Roth, and other musical icons' conspicuous consumption and tossing of money around. Happy New Year, y'all, I know I will see many of you on the gig trail this year. God bless us all, every one, every day!
Thanks and a big shout out to everyone who came to the GREAT shows in Stillwater, Oklahoma City and Norman. And a special howdy to Cedric Burnside and Lightning Malcolm, who tore up VZD's last Sunday night. Everyone there had a real monstrous treat These two guys are on top of their game, everyone needs to catch 'em wherever they show up!!
And another special congratulations to Intrepid Artists, Northernblues Music, Chris Wick, Michael McClune, Jesse Wells (our webmaster) and Miles Wilkinson and everyone who helped on the CD named above, that y'all haven't heard yet, down in Nashville! Thanks also to Roger Nabors and all his staff on the Legendary Blues Cruises! I'm looking forward one day to go on another monstrous big boat!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank you all!
Release of the new CD, /Escape From The Chicken Coop/, will be delayed until this summer, as will the DVD from Ground Zero. Sorry about that, folks, everybody's got liquidity problems in this economic downturn. But good things DO, and WILL, come to them that wait.
Love And Peace,
Slim
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87. bill h - Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:50pm PST
I am Watermelon Slim, and me and my band the Workers won the Awards for Best Band and Best Album at the 2008 Blues Music Awards in Tunica, Mississippi. I was nominated for 6 awards for 2008, 6 for 2007, and 1 for 2006. For 2009 I am nominated for 4 more, making a total of 17 nominations in 4 years. And that's just the top American awards. I was BB King International Entertainer at the Maple Awards in Toronto last year, and I have won the award for best blues album from Mojo Magazine, England's leading blues publication, for the past 2 years. Nobody in my genre has ever had anything approaching that number, not BB King, not John Lee Hooker, not Robert Cray, not ANYBODY. I think all that makes me a celebrity, whether you've ever heard of me before or not.
But I drive a 2000 Ford E-250 van with 299,000 miles on it. It runs perfect, why spend five figures for a new one? I shall never buy a plane, or rent one, though last year I flew over 40,000 miles to gigs around the world.
I own no gold anythings (I have a few nice pieces of silver and turquoise, Apache and Navajo). My house rent is $450 a month plus utilities, and I am warm and comfy tonight despite temperature in the teens here in Oklahoma City.
I eat anything I want to, and sometimes cook (Southern home cooking) for others, but I never spend as much as $25 on a meal out. I am smoking a Cuban cigar as I write, but I get them for less than $3 per stick in Canada. I buy four or five fifths of top-shelf cognac or single-malt per year. I drink less and enjoy it a helluva lot more. I have a moonshiner, but I very rarely indulge in his product.
I have one girlfriend; my philosophy on women is, the more women, the more baggage. I smoke BC bud or comparable when it's available, but good Mex or homegrown does me fine.
I deplore conspicuous consumption. Michael Jackson, Puff Daddy (or Pee Diddy or whatever he calls himself), MickandKeith etc., all of 'em, they can kiss my heinie.
Patricia, and others,
What truly off-the-charts consumption does is distort the entire economy. Of course, the root of the problem is that everybody charges what they think the market will bear. Music is by no means the only entertainment in which the performers receive more money than they could spend in two lifetimes. Pro sports is far worse. Tiger Woods is closing in on being a BILLIONNAIRE, when all his endorsements etc. are figured in. There are .250 hitters, and pitchers with .500 career records, or worse, making 3, 5, 7 million a year. Basketball players averaging less than 10 points a game making the same. And the reason these mediocre professional athletes get so much is because the people who pay them are soaking the public for ever greater admissions and concessions prices, and playing off city versus city for the privelege of having a pro team. The fans-- whether they be music fans, or pro sports fans-- caught up in the adulation of their idols, don't count the cost of entertainment inflation to society as a whole. They don't give a [profane] what a stadium-- or a front-row seat at the gig-- costs, as long as they've got it in their city, and the rival city, in the next state, doesn't. Even the economic downturn doesn't slow the inflation.
I'm just a recording artist, not a professor. But everybody ought to start thinking a little more, thinking past the mere grooviness of their icons, and think more about the big picture. What we pay for what we DIG, what we WANT, inflates the price of all those things we actually NEED.
1087. bill h - 16 minutes ago
Thank you, bev, for thinking.
You know, one poster made a very good point: Americans are obsessive about celebrities. That's plain to see, when you go to your local newsstand and you see the National Enquirer/World Weekly/Star/People Mag/Us Mag/etc. And (for those who have never traveled internationally) England, France, Australia, Turkey, Russia, and other places I have been show the same phenomenon (adjusting, of course, for language). Especially England, hose publications I can read best, lol (I speak French and Spanish too).
I suppose much of it is just jealousy. Many, many of the posts on this queue begin with, or include, "well, if I had all that money, I would..." and so many of those posters conclude that they would totally blow it in ways A., B., C., and etc. To their credit, some people don't think that way. One poster, for instance, suggests that all the entertainment excess ought to be given to veterans and their families (I would clarify: their survivors). I'm a Vietnam veteran, and I think that is an excellent idea.
How? Well, Pee Diddly and whoever will have to take that initiative. Or, I suppose, pro sports, Hollywood, Arena-rock, etc. could set a salary cap above which these outrageous bunches of money could be placed in a fund to be directly used for, say, treatment of PTSD in those returning from our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Or for the rehabilitation of the Gulf Coast, which is still f\/( Ked up!
Will Mr. Obama preside over a reform of how American taxes are used to help AMERICANS? Nous verrons d'apres trois journees (3 days to go before he becomes the "one president at a time" YAY!). Till then, I suppose most of us (talkin bout the posters here) will continue to stew in their jealousy of some talented but very self-centered people.
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January 7, 2009
HI Slim, Michael, Cliff, Ronnie, and the GANG, From Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. Happy New Year!! 09
Miss ya's. Rusty Kendall, Alissa.CHEERS!!!
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January 2, 2009
Hi Watermelon
I caught you in the summer of 2008 at the Cincinnati Blues Festival. I'd never heard of you before and the open-air environment made it a bit difficult to go with the music, but I got up close to the stage and realized something unusual was going on. I bought two of your CDs - Watermelon Slim and the Workers and No Paid Holidays - and just let them run in the background while I was concentrating on other things. And then one day it hit me: Frisco Line - I was overwhelmed. I've probably played it a hundred times since then - no, the ITunes app says only 61, that's about once every two days, which isn't bad. That brought me to focus on your other songs - Dumpster Blues, Check Writing Woman, Mack Truck, Folding Money Blues, Call My Job - I'd better stop before i name almost all the pieces on the two CDs. Whenever anyone visits me I play Frisco Line for them and just let things run on. Since I live in Germany (Berlin) I have to explain to my German friends what a dumpster is, what lies behind the names in Folding Money Blues, what "riding shotgun" and "with a monkey on my back" mean and how you're the only blues singer I know of who can sing about an ashtray and the clock on the wall. But as you say "when you've got the spirit you don't have to worry about the words." I've made several fans for you here and I'm only sad that I'm in the US for a few weeks every year and can't see you live. I love your work songs and your integration of work, blues and sexuality (Mack Truck is great). I wanted to buy The Wheel Man and went to the largest CD store I know of here - it has a very large jazz collection and a special blues section - but they'd never heard of you. I hope you'll get out into the world and that you'll be around for a long time.
Peter Germain
petergermain@mac.com
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December 23, 2008
www.wshafm.org Fri 8 to midnight & Sun 4 to 8pm. Tune in. Slim is one of the first artist that I remember including on my regular play list. Hard Times was the first W.S. tunes I played. I just wanted you to know that I love his music. When I met him at the Bull Durham blues fest here in Durham, I told him that I played his music all the time...He grabbed me and gave me a hug! That was so funny & so cool. I just can't get Archtypal Blues out of my head! It's one of those tunes that I just keep playing over & over in my head! Keep it coming! (we have Blue Freight Liner & the Latest, no Holidays? The Wheel Man & the Watermelon Slim & the Workers CD got lifted)
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December 23, 2008
hi workers i have wished slim a merry christmas but not the three of you yet and i would like to do this now. we wish for you and your familys the merriest christmas and a happy health new year. thanks for all the wonderful music, you have given us your best and we wish the best for you. see you very soon again your faithful fans and friends the dohms merry christmas !
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December 20, 2008
Howdy, Blues Fans,
Y'all have been writing to the blog and connecting with me in other ways ever since I got back from Turkey, and I thought I would just give you a lick and a promise, pass on a short dialogue me and my brother from Vietnam Ed Owen were having. Ed definitively corrected my claim that I was the only Vietnam vet to have recorded a full-length LP album while the war was going on. In fact, there were at least two other albums recorded by Nam vets during wartime:
the first is undoubtedly familiar to some readers (and I would have acknowledged it, except that I thought "The Ballad of the Green Beret" was only a single). Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler's Ballad of the Green Beret was an LP from which the once-off hit was taken. However, much more interesting was Ed's information that Archie Bell, of Archie Bell and the Drells, had fought and received the Purple Heart in Vietnam. Ed was unsure whether the Drells' big hits, "The Tighten Up" and "I Just Can't Stop Dancing", and the LP they appeared on, were released prior to or after Archie Bell's meritorious service.
So there's still less than a handful, but I am not, as I had thought for decades, the only one who released an LP after his service but during wartime. Vietnam vets have been relatively silent, though, in general. I remember the atmosphere of the "Freedom Bird", the jet I came home on. Cigarette smoke and silence. It appears to have been a metaphor for the years after, and for the lives and hopes of all too many Vietnam vets over those many years.
So here's one fan's input, and I will try to write a lot more during my relaxing time. I have no excuse not to git AFTER it, ya know?? Thank you everybody that has come out and supported our shows from here to Australia and back, and Merry Christmas/Happy Hannukah to all!
Yup, Ed,
Back safe and sound and relaxing in deep reduction gear, lol! There were no terrorist incidents while I was there, but soon after I returned there was a story on Turkish police repression in Kurdish land in the east. I know my analysis was correct, that there is a low-intensity war going on there, but I did enjoy the company of the people I was working with/for, and I got a new hobby-- carving meerschaum! I have been back in the US for a week now, and have played my last three gigs for the year-- thank you, Johnny Chan, in Woonsocket, the Bodle's Opera House crowd and staff in Chester, NY, and my oldest adult friend, Michael Moran, at Amazing Things Art Centre in Framingham, for three great gigs, two of them with Stovall Brown (about whom you may hear a lot more here very soon), and in Framingham, with my long-time musical partner and the mother of our child, Honour Havoc! I will not play another gig until March 13, in London.
BB King is an institution. Almost anybody who has played music in America since 1950 has incorporated his music. Am I a big fan? Well, I never buy records, but How can you not love a guy whose career spans more than 60 years-- BB first recorded 2 years before I was born-- and is still gigging harder than I intend to from here on? That said, in general I prefer bluesmen/women for whom the instrumental and vocal parts are integral. BB (and as I now understand, Albert) King has always sung then played, sung then played. It's an antiphonal thing. It is so seamless that I never even noticed it till my band guitarist Ronnie Mac, a man 24 years my junior, pointed it out to me.
Me and Kilborn Alley have hung out, youbetcha, down in Memphis and Mississippi. Good players, right attitude.
Snowing like hell here in midwestern Massachusetts, where I'm writing you from. 5-6 inches on the ground starting last night, a foot predicted, dunno if it will make that, but it's good looking semi-dry snow that will probably have to sit for a day before becoming good snowman material.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Ed,
Bill Homans
VVAW Musician-in-residence, lol
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December 13, 2008
Hey "boozhoo" Watermelon Slim – This is Punkin from Michigan and just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you and the Workers this holiday season.
I am assuming you are now stateside and not running around the Earth Ball as much as you have these past few months. I truly hope your trip/music tour was a success and that you have many new fans in Turkey and Russia. I was planning on sending on a CD to your personal address, just a nice little cd from a local bluegrass band “Who Hit John? A little Christmas package from the FANS in the Great Lakes, soooo if you can send that it would be great and if I don't hear from you I'll forward to your contact address on your website.
I read your blog dated November 16, 2008 and what a surprise to see the Shananaquets mentioned from you personally, wow what an honor to be a part of your blues family; we feel the same about you all, your music and your right on messages about the state of the world. Well just hope your making the gas money you need, food is in the belly and the personal joys of friends, music and like mindedness of the season is in your hearts.
Let me know when the C & W album is out, can't wait to catch your new tunes...Happy Solstice and let everyone know you are in our hearts as we celebrate another year of life. I'll keep watching the calendar to see when you are in our area...remember the Blizzard of 08 at Billy's in Grand Rapids last February, awesome show and wonderful memories. Catch up with you guy's soon and hope it's not later.
Punkin Shananaquet
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December 12, 2008
Hi Slim!!
It was great to see you tonight at Chan's! The show was wonderful - raw - down to earth - from the heart! Also, thanks again for giving me the pick. I appreciate the fact you gave away one of your good ones and also that you signed it for me! Very sweet of you.
Hope to see you again soon. Happy and safe travels to you and happy holidays!!!
Sandie
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November 16, 2008
Meerhaba (hello), Blues Fans,
Here I am in Turkey, working at one of two computers that work out of five, which are arranged in a pentagon. I have always maintained that computers are the work of the devil, and the positioning of these puters seems to bear me out!
I didn't want to come here in the first place. I hadn't given it much thought when the tour was first mentioned to me more than 8 months ago. But after returning from the West Coast Legendary Blues Cruise, thank you Roger Nabors and all the staff that made this one of the most truly memorable tour stops of my whole musical career, I read the paper and found that there had been civil unrest in Turkey in the week that my dear Ann Bailey had been relaxing on the MS Ryndam, in places where I was supposed to be appearing. A Kurdish female suicide bomber had been caught in Istanbul before blowing herself up-- she was going to divide her 20 ponds of explosives into 3rds, detonate the first two by remote control, and then finish the job with her own death. The week before, there were two dozen dead and wounded in Diyarbakir, one of the hotbeds of Kurdish unrest down in the southeast part of Turkey, where we were also scheduled to play.
Diyarbakir is a very poor city; the neighborhood where our hotel was reminded me of Saigon, or at least the south Bronx. The Kurds are the largest ethnic group in the world-- over 24 million, scattered throughout four primary nations-- Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria-- who have no nation. I have predicted trouble behind that, and I do not at this time see any reason to modify that crude general analysis. But so far, the only unrest on this long (six weeks, 27 gigs) tour has been in MOSCOW, where I definitely didn't want to go at all, when it was slipped into the schedule months after I had first absent-mindedly allowed myself to be booked for this tour.
All that said, however, the people I have been working with in the 19th annual Efes Pilsen Blues Festival tour, which has featured many, many of the very top names in the blues since 1990, have been very
nice-- even, fun-- to work with. And the crowds have been very responsive, by and large. I do have to say that it is not quite as satisfying for me, a solo artist, and a poet/lyricist, the full appreciation of whose work depends on an understanding of his words, to sing for folks whose English is labored at best, and completely nonexistent for the majority. We are in Ankara at the moment, where (with Istanbul) more people speak English than anywhere else. That doesn,t comprise anything like 50 percent.
And I do not like the drivers here. I have some credentials to speak about this, of course. Here in Turkey, the pedestrian does not have the right-of-way on the streets and in the busy downtown intersections; the automobiles and trucks do. Our primary bus driver, Recep, is a pro (he doesn't speak 10 words of English, but we have clicked as fellow pro drivers), but the rest of the drivers in Turkey must have gotten their licenses at whatever the Turkish equivalent of Walmart's is. It's bad, y'all, watch yer step, I'm telling you!
I have another 19 days here, I am past the halfway hump, and there are no more gigs in the troubled southeast part of the country, down where Turkey is fighting the separatist Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), bombing and shelling in northern Iraq, with the permission of the US government.
Nobody in my current business combine seems to think that last part is particularly important. But I do! At any time, the Kurds in Iraq could be full up to here with the double game the US is playing with them-- on the one hand, regarding Kurdish Iraq as an asset, because it is not Sunni or Shiite, but on the other hand, allowing our NATO ally, Turkey, to bomb and shell other Kurds who are not conveniently under the ''protection'' of the US-- and decide in desperation to send more suicide bombers, and to other places.
I want to end my commentary on Turkey in a positive way. As the tour bus was pulling in to Pammulkale, a relatively poor town way far out in the central highlands, I saw a hill capped with a white rock material. My heart leapt; I knew, without being told, that I was looking at a major deposit of meerschaum, from which the best and most expensive pipes in the world are carved. There are deposits in Germany too, but Turkey has always been one of the major sources of this unique mineral.
I was honored ro meet Birol Özsak, one of the greatest meerschaum craftsmen in the world. I sat in his shop with him, a simple, somewhat dusty little workshop in a town that (except for the fact that the signs were all in Tuekish) a person could take for Shawnee, Antlers, Wewoka, Ada, Atoka, or any other eastern Oklahoma place. For the first time in my life I actually carved block meerschaum: in the time it took Birol to carve a little masterwork (he asked me what my favorite animal was, and I told him it was cats), I carved my own rough cat, and Birol congratulated me on a good first try!
He gave me six or seven pounds of raw meerschaum to take back to the US and work on. Then he took my picture, from various angles. When I get back, I will have an exquisite masterpiece, a pipe carved in my own likeness from the highest quality meerschaum, waiting for me! I will look back on this as the greatest cultural exchange I had on this tour.
I was in Alberta just before coming out on this Turkish tour, in two venues, one near Edmonton and one south of Calgary. I want to say a big, big thank you to all the people in Alberta who make me feel so blessed and happy every time I visit up there (and everywhere in Canada that I go. (He', mon dieu, j'aime le Canada toute entier, je l'ai dit mille fois!! ) I will be back in Calgary for my last Canadian appearance of the year December 5, the day after/ /I return from Turkey/, /I hope to see you there!
Also, a big shout out to the *Dohms*, the *Lavictoires, (who I would have called, but I can't use my phone in any other country but Canada), and the Shananaquets, as well as all the other families who have so steadfastly supported me and the Workers. You are ALL my big ol' family, and that goes for each and every one who isn't actually part of a blood family, and more. Also, lest I ferget, to Larry and Bert and Hawk and all my other Native American brothers from other mothers (including Punkin Shananaquet et al)! To all my brothers and sisters, veterans of our wars from every country through which I have travelled (19, by last count, including Turkey, Russia and Cyprus on this tour). And especially to Roy and Ann.*
**
*I recorded 23 songs in Nashville during the last two weeks of September, and I want y'all to know that this C+W session, or at least a song or two off it, is/are going GOLD!*
**
*Well, I'm getting tired now, but I keep y'all in my heart while I am finishing up here in Turkey (the food here, at least, is outstanding, if you are staying at a four-five star hotel, anyway). Let us pray for the new president, and that he will be able to make things happen with the not deeply changed conservative center-right Congress!*
**
*Happy Thanksgiving, Y,all,*
**
*Watermelon Slim*
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November 16, 2008
Hi Bill I hope all is well in your world. I got this email from a friend in Florida and thought you would appreciate it. I emailed him back and told him about you and your patriotic stance against the wars.
Van (the coffee man) Wilkin
Wisconsin
*This is an article about Veterans for Peace (VFP) in strong protest _today_ of letting Bush and Cheney off the hook for what they have done to destroy peace in our world during their rein. I joined VFP in 2004, a year into the Iraq War. The local chapter plants the crosses on the beach several times a year. It's an outcropping of the 1960's Veterans Against the War group. *
**
*I joined Veterans Against the War in 1968 as soon as I got off of US Marine Corps active duty (was still in the active reserves). We marched in protest of the Vietnam War. The movie "Born on the Forth of July" was a tribute to the founder of the movement, Ron Kovic played by Tom Cruise. I got to know him a little and I did a couple of protest march's with John Kerry (he was there but I didn't know him). We Marines marched with the tunic-top of our dress blue uniform, cut-off jeans and sandals.
We took no crap from anyone, as we represented those who served the United States with pride.*
**
*Protesting your government by taking to the streets (some times in civil disobedience) is very patriotic in my book. Citizens who care about their country need to take a stand when it's policies head in the wrong direction. My mind always goes back to the first days of the Iraq War during our initial attacks which were called 'Shock & Awe'. Our country send many HI (high explosive) Cruise Missiles into a very urban area of downtown Baghdad slamming them into power plants, headquarter buildings, etc. Those missiles also hit a few housing projects and restaurants, instantly vaporizing common citizens and families -- some at their dinner table or just kicked back at home enjoying their family for the evening. These were the actions of Bush & Cheney, men who have no regard for the common citizens of Iraq or the United States, for that matter. They should be jailed. * *Please see the article below and take a few minutes to visit our web site at *www.veteransforpeace.org*
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October 21, 2008
Hey Slim,
Just saying howdy. Long time no et cetera.
Read a great review of No Paid Holidays that pretty much sums up the way I feel, too. The guy talked right pretty, only he took way longer to say it (i.e., you The Man, man!):
www.jazzreview.com/cd/review-19942.html
Hurry up and come ahead back on with it! We kept your room just the way you left it, aslt (www.thetripledoor.net/calendar.aspx
Yer Buddy Yer Pal,
Merciful Lee Dickens
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October 21, 2008
hello slim, i pray you have a safe journey to turkey and russia, i know the people will love your music. your music tansends languages and cultures. everyone loves good music and music filled with heart. they are in for a treat. we can not wait to see you on this side on the ocean though, missing you very much. i want to inpart an irish charm for your travels: may the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your shoulders, may the rain fall softly upon your fields and until we meet again may god hold you in the hollow of his hand. be well your loving friends and fan the dohms
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October 19, 2008
My wife and I saw your solo gig in Turner Valley, Alberta and were, like everyone there, blown away. Amazed and delighted as we were by your harp blowing, and Dobro picking, we left the hall in tears after hearing your stunning encore acapella rendition of "Northwest Passage". My wife never had much use for Stan Rogers, or that tune until she heard you do it.
Doug
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October 19, 2008
Hey Slim
We really enjoyed your show at Turner Valley, Alberta, Canada last nite. You are one hard-workin' musician! Your a capella version of Northwest Passage was a jaw-dropper. Thanks for some incredible music. Enjoyed the blues as well as your new country.
ann & phil
Longview, Ab.
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October 17, 2008
It was great to meet and learn about Watermelon Slim on the Oct '08 Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. You've got two new fans in Huntington, NY! Thanks for the great shows.
*Laurie Hollister*
Associate Director - Office of Career Services
New York Institute of Technology
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October 14, 2008
Hey Slim, it's great to see you're coming back to Edmonton this Friday Oct 17 - we're all really looking forward to catching your show again. Last time I saw you was at the Edmonton Blues Festival in August 2007, where I also had the incredibly good fortune to jam a couple of songs with you at the Chateau Louis Hotel afterwards (I'm a piano player).
I was reading your recent blogs and I'm saddened to hear of the loss of your friend Craig Lawler. I read your entry with many mixed feelings. Some of those feelings arise since I too am a student who has benefited from playing music with you and other blues men who are so willing to spend some time with those of us who are learning. Some of those feelings are since I have also experience the loss of a loved one through cancer not too long ago. But perhaps most of all, it is to feel or know of the loss of someone so young who was able to give so much strength and love during their battle with this disease which you describe so well as "inexorable."
Maybe that's part of what the blues are...being close to someone and feeling deeply in our hearts what it is while we see them express such strength, dignity and beauty. And maybe it's our chance to try to share those feelings with others through our music and our words.
Sincerely,
Andy Nikiforuk
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October 7, 2008
Mr. Slim!
I remember meeting you in Stillwater at Mike's College Bar back in fall 2003, at one of your shows. I was a senior at OSU at the time workin on a history degree, and Professor Petrin told our class that his friend would be playing blues that night. I am a huge blues fan, so I walked down to Washington Street and watched--I was amazed. I was really impressed by your slide guitar, especially your Vietnam song with the "Moby Dick" theme--what is the name of that one? After the show, I bought your "Big Shoes To Fill" CD, and got to meet you and talked briefly at the bar. I offered to buy you a beer but you split! Then after listening to the album I found out what happened to you in Clarksdale--sorry about that. After that night, I started playing blues with my friend Kevin--we recorded a couple tapes full of covers and original stuff. Thanks for being such an inspiration, and for keeping the blues tradition strong and real. Would love to hear from you!
Robert
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October 3, 2008
I've been hitting a lot of midwestern blues clubs, but was crushed that I couldn't make your Louisville or Grafton shows, so I started feeling sorry for myself and started a month-long Slim & the Workers blues fest of my own! I decided to fill the gaping hole in my collection and finally ordered Wheel Man (awesome, btw!) and lo and behold there I was on the inside jacket. I'm just tickled to death, Bill! Hope you're having a great time...I miss your wise words at DBS! Stop in sometime, ok?
Dewey
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September 29, 2008
Hello to Slim and the Workers....my name is Jenny, I was fortunate to be able to take a nite off from work and take in a show of yours in Dubuque IA, on September 19th. I came from a couple of hours away in Wisconsin, and it was well worth the journey to be able to take in a
show of yours! I'm a new fan of yours, I was given my first cd,
Watermelon Slim and the Workers, for my birthday this summer, I now
have 4 of them, just can't get enough. I'm so thankful to my bro for
introducing me to your band, and so happy to have been able to see you live.
I just have not been able to get that show out of my mind yet, you are a superb performer, your whole band is, and very friendly and
courteous to your fans. So much of a connection with the audience,
down right HOT blues, the way you cut loose on that dobro and harp,
you ARE the best blues show I've been lucky enough to part take in.
Thanks for the awesome show and for signing my cd that nite Slim. I
really wish I could see you up north of Dubuque on the Mississippi River
sometime in the future in my town....which is La Crosse Wisconsin. We
pack in quite the crowds in our town for live music, have quite a few
blues bars in the whole mix up. It's a nice old river town with a lot
of personality, just like you Slim :)
Congrats on all the blues awards, you are so deserving. And thanks so
much for writing songs for all of us people out in the world who do "Hard Labor", that is how I connected with your music so strongly, I love what you have to say and how you say it, thanks for bringing blues
to us REAL people in the USA. Love ya!
Sincerely,
Jenny Baer
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September 27, 2008
hi slim and the workers, i am sure you must know we had another fantastic time seeing you in debuque. its so obvious how we feel about you and you music. my mojo goes with me everywhere i am a big believer in the charms that special objects possess. i wanted to say how very moved we all are to your tribute to the soldiers and the beautiful taps you play on the harmonica, that is one of my favorites of you shows. it is obvious that it is so very heartfelt by you. i believe the we were meant to find you and get to know you, our lives have been enriched by the experience. like hearts are drawn to like hearts. hope you are enjoying the time off before the cruise. would love to see you in ok city on the third. don,t be surprised if we show up. if we do not get there we wish you a safe and happy time in turkey and russia , may god bless you and be with you every step of the way. your loving fans and friend
the Dohms
ps we missed your before we even got out of the building in dubuque
pps we are nameing our next kitten Mouse Master
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September 27, 2008
Dear Blues Fans,
It is with the greatest sadness that I must report to you the death of
Craig Lawler, my dear friend from Stillwater, Oklahoma. Craig passed
at 5:30 PM yesterday, after a courageous battle with inoperable kidney
cancer. He was 33.
Craig was my greatest harp student ever. I met Craig in 1999, when I
was still a graduate student at Oklahoma State University, and gave
him five hour-plus lessons in playing the harmonica, sitting on my
front porch in Stillwater. Craig took the rudimentary lessons I
imparted and took the harp far beyond anything I have ever been able
to accomplish with the instrument. A few years later, Craig made a
point of meeting me at one of the Workers' appearances in Colorado,
where he had become an attorney. He showed me a few tricks that Jason
Ricci had recently shown him, and I couldn't even make a note with the
harp. I threw my hat in frustration!
This year, I have dedicated all my appearances, solo and with the
Workers, as well as Watermelon Slim and the Workers' current release
on NorthernBlues, /No Paid Holidays/, to this incredibly brave young
man, who had lived his entire life with haemophilia, before he ever
contracted the cancer that eventually took his life.
Craig was valedictorian of the graduating class of Oklahoma State in
1999. This was a truly brilliant fellow, who ripped through law school
in two years, and practiced law in Denver, CO. He was the gentlest of
human creatures one ever could hope to encounter. Some people will
probably wonder how it is that a lawyer could have the blues. I give
you Craig Lawler, whose mother also died of cancer during Craig's
final battle with the inexorable disease. He helped care for her until
he himself could no longer rise above his own condition.
Craig never even got recorded, to my knowledge. He could play all
seven positions on a diatonic harmonica fluidly. I don't personally
know any other harp player who ever achieved that, though such men and
women may exist. I certainly do not approach that degree of
accomplishment in my "first" axe, and never will.
The funeral will take place in Colorado, and there will be a memorial
service in Stillwater the week of September 29-October 6. I never
cried for my mother or father, because both of them lived their lives
absolutely to the max. They would never have tolerated such a fuss
being made over them. But I can not help but mourn my buddy Craig, who
offered so DAMN much to the world, and to the music we love, and was
taken by God the Father before his incredible musical talent was fully
recognized and acknowledged. Your prayers for Craig, and for the
Lawler family of Oklahoma, are appreciated. Requiescat in Pace per
Domino, Craig Lawler.
Slim
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September 25, 2008
Greetings, Slim - just a note to say I finally got the chance to see you live at Famous Dave's in Minneapolis recently. I discovered your music on the XM
Radio Bluesville channel and have been spreading the good word about you and the Workers ever since. You guys put on a great show and it was great to see
the band live. I especially like Michael Newberry, as he looks and dresses the part to a "T". It's great to see a dedicated group of musicians living the
lifestyle and bringing your wonderful brand of the blues to the people. Wishing you much success in the future and hoping you'll come back to Minneapolis again soon.
Clay Hagen
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September 25, 2008
Rusty,Yvonne & Kendall, From Harrison Hot Springs,B.C. Miss ya's BIG TIME...will catch up to ya soon...Hi Michael,Cliff and Macker!! from Kendall!! KEEP IT REAL SLIM!!!
Rusty...
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September 24, 2008
Well Slim and the delightful workers!!
2 great performances in a month!! Ed, Patti and I have had the time of our lives at both of the locations (louisville and dubuque). Attending your shows is like a week at a spa. Not only is it a mental relief from life, but a spiritual one at well. I ususally need a chiropractor that next day after the show, because my body hurts from dancing!! As I have told you All before I never listen to blues before Watermelon Slim and the Workers came into my life. It was ALL Kenney Chesney baby. Somehow, kenny is by the wayside, and it is ALL YOU.
Never in a Million Years would you have told me, Tracy you will embarque on a journey of fine musicians ( and award winning ones as well ) and become friends with them. (you all may not think of us Dohm's as friends) When I and my family have attended your shows, you guys make us feel like family.(especial in louisville) I can NOT help but to act crazy and dance like a fool to your music!! When we came to Dubuque to see your show that was MY first day off for 19 days straight!! For you ALL that is nothing!! But for me with my business and running my 3 boys to 5 days a week practice. (guitar, football and cross coutry) that is alot of runnning around. Not to mention that my husband works evenings. I hardly ever take a day for myself with being a mom and all. So, Kudos for a GREAT time!! I LOVED IT!!
I can't not wait to see you guys again. But,Your schedule shows slim away to turkey... Do they know the blues in Turkey?? and the rest of you to see your families. Cliff, Mike and Ronnie have a great time off, and to your Slim have a VERY safe journey abroad and be careful. Your friends and dear fans need you back in the states. SOON!!
God Bless, untill next time we meet
Tracy Dohm
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September 18, 2008
Hi there
My name is Geoff and I have recently became a big fan of yours ever since I accidentally Clicked on a track 'Hard Times' while browsing for Blues on the net. Wow! The next thing was to get as much of your stuff as I could and I was not disappointed either.
I am a roadi for a Blues band here in North Devon England and when I got the band to listen to 'Hard Times' They too were knocked off their feet. The band 'The Spoonful' are trying awfully hard to play 'Hard Times' in their set but I guess they ain't got what it takes
What I would like to know is, When are you lot going to visit us here in England and if you are could you fix up a gig down here in Devon you have a lot fans round here now and like me they can't wait to see you lot live.
Keep on knocking them out.
Geoff
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September 13, 2008
slim...thank you very a great evening of blues and fun...we can hardly wait for your return...i hope you bring the ''workers''....we all wish you happiness,sucess and good health in the future.....bill,bruce,evan,glenn,sue ,lynn and randy
William
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September 8, 2008
hi slim and the wonderful workers, we had such a wonderful time with you in louisville ky, we were we so flattered that you loved out watermelon slim tee shirts. we are traveling to see you again in dubuque ia, can not wait! i hope you like your wrinch. we have taken michaels suggestion and branched out to listen to more blues artists and are loving the music, but to tell the truth slim and the workers takes us to where we love to g. your show at stevie rays was great! you played all of our favorites.the beat is irrisistable. your honset music and lyrics is a great escape from the stresses of the everyday. your very faithful fans the dohms, patti, ed, tracy, jason ryan, and adam. gods speed and we will see you in iowa, ps from ohio its a long drive but well worth the trip. i may have to call my job and tell the boss i won"t be in, had too much slim last nignt ( as if i could get too much)
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September 8, 2008
Hey Slim-
What a treat, being able to see you perform twice in three days! The show at the college in Mankato was the best performance they have had for the students in the four plus years I've been attending that series. And I know & heard the students thoroughly enjoyed & appreciated their "assignment". I also enjoyed it so much; I had to come back to St Peter, for a second look and the little change in venue! Again, no disappointment, think you gained a few fans in southern Minnesota, hope to see you back here again. Good luck in Russia & Turkey, I know you'll blow 'em dead.
Ken
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September 3, 2008
Bill,
Just a quick note to tell you how much we enjoyed your shows in Marquette. I say shows because the performance you put on at our "After Party" was nothing short of fantastic!!! I truly appeciate the time you spent with us after Festival show signing autographs and just talking. I for one can hardly wait for the opportunity to see you again!
Regards,
Wayne Dickinson
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September 2, 2008
Hi Slim,
Also caught you at the Yooper Blues Fest in Marquette. I was lucky to be in town for my Nieces' wedding. She released me from the second half of the reception to see you. If you could see by the stage in the daylight, I was the only guy with a suit and tie on.
It was a privilage to see you and the GREAT band you have, and yes, your drummer is rock solid, light touch, everything you could ask for in an anchor. Can ya tell I'm a drummer?
We gotta get you to Fitzgeralds in the Chicago Suburbs.
If you haven't played there, it's one of the premier venues in the ChiTown Area.
Travel Safe.
Chris Buck
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September 2, 2008
Slim,
I just wanted to say thank you for an amazing show at the Blues Fest in Marquette, MI last night. I have to admit that I'd never heard your music prior to finding out you'd be playing up here. I looked around the internet to try and find some samples of your music, and stumbled upon a video of you playing "Smokestack Lightning" solo/acoustic. After seeing that, I knew I was in for a treat, and you did not disappoint last night. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the few notes you played on your harp and guitar during your soundcheck had more feeling in them than entire works by most of the other artists out there today.
And in a time when many blues artists seem to gravitate toward a more rock-oriented, "good time" sort of sound, it's wonderful to see an artist such as yourself who is so firmly rooted in the delta tradition.
Certainly, some of your songs have a good time vibe and got the crowd moving, but I also really appreciate the fact that you tackle some fairly deep issues in your music. It's obvious that you've lived the blues. That fact comes through in both your singing and playing, which is something that can't really be said for a lot of other players out there. I apologize for going on so long, but I was simply blown away by every aspect of your performance. I hope you'll find your way up here again sometime in the future.
Joe
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September 1, 2008
Hey Watermelon Great show in marquette m.i. & the after show jam @ the Skybox. Its David from Coolerlight.com It was nice shooting
the shit with ya in the back about my invention. hit me back when you get a chance.
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August 31, 2008
Hi ya slim and rew,
got around to buying your other CDs, you were a huge hit at the Narooma Blues Fest in 2007, loved your song about Australia,
have you recorded that track about Australia at all ? would love to hear it again. When are you coming back to Oz ?? you and your crew are legends,
All the best in your travels
cheers
Martin,
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August 31, 2008
Hey Slim!! Its Michael from Green St. in Cambridge and also Broadway from the 70's..Anyway I am happy to see you doing so good and people
really hearing you hehe..Take care and I hope you come around soon,
peace and love from Cambridge bro
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August 29, 2008
HEY SLIM
YOU JUST MADE A BUNCH OF GOOD OLD GIRLS FROM EDMONTON VERY VERY HAPPY, WE SEE YOU ARE COMING UP TO EDMONTON IN OCTOBER!!!! WE WILL PRESS OUR BLUES FESTIVAL T-SHIRTS WITH YOUR PICTURE ON THEM FROM THE BLUES FESTIVAL AND BE FRONT ROW AND CENTRE!
THANKS FOR MAKING OUR WEEKEND!!! P.S. BRING SOME WARM CLOTHES...
Corrine Caithness
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August 26, 2008
Wow!
Mr. Slim, I had the great pleasure of seeing you and The Workers last night at Stevie Ray's Blues Bar in Louisville KY. What a show!
It was so refreshing to see a real band whip up a mess of home cooked authentic blues and have a good time doing so. Your harp and slide skills are nothing short of amazing and you sang from the gut, heart, and from deep down in your soul. As for The Workers... you couldn't find a better band than those guys. Your originals kick ass and your selection of covers was quite tasty. I bought your latest CD last night and popped in on the way home. It rocks and it will stay in my CD player for a long time. I wish you and The Workers much happiness and success.
God bless you, thank you for serving our country and get back to Louisville as soon as you can. Thanks again for a knockout show.
Brent Thurman
Louisville KY
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August 25, 2008
*/
*/Mr. Slim is what my grandson Andrew called ya when he met you yesterday[Aug 24th] at the fruit market in Kingston, Ont. He was in AWE all day. He is 7 and loves the BLUES. All he did when we got home was play the harp. We thoroughly enjoyed your show, and hope to see you again soon. /* */Keep knockin em down./* */Cheers Mike and Andrew. A couple of LIMESTONERS........................./*
/*
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August 22, 2008
Hi Watermelon Slim and the Workers!
This is Portia and Gary. We met you 3 years ago at Brackins Blues Bar in Maryville, TN. We are listenting to the Blues channel tonight and heard you twice! Great music. We love you and wanted you to know it. Can't wait to see you in Maryville,next time you play at Brackins Blues Bar.
Portia and Gary
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August 22, 2008
To whomever this may read,
I would like to express my gratitude for the signing of a Watermelon Slim CD.
It has been given to me by my brother and sister after they had visited the Belgium Rythm and Blues Festival.
I was pleased to read the words which were directed to me by a man whom I presume DOES understand the way in which the wars, chosen by politicians, are being conducted by the soldiers in the field and the way it tends to change a man's perspective, for better or for worse.
I do hope that I will be able to attend a performance somewhere in the future, for it means 2 things:
1. My tour hasn't went FUBAR and I have been able to return to my family and friends in one piece.
2. I get to watch a man who took the time to sign his CD with a small token of understanding on a soldiers' point of view.
Please do take the time to give my thanx to Watermelon Slim (or the man portraying the artist). It has been a joy to listen to his music and lyrics.
Best regards, the Dutchy from Afghanistan
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August 21, 2008
Slim, phenomenal show last night in Unity, Me. I'm the guy who requested 'Rattlesnake' (great job!). Forgot to mention, I dj locally here, & we play the band's records all the time.
Come on back, soon.
Jeff Hayward
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August 21, 2008
Slim, Thank you so very much for a great evening of the blues last night in tiny Unity Maine. You are an incredible musician, with enough energy for a stageful of blues players. The Workers also were a pure treat. Thank you also for taking the time to meet and greet us through the night. You autographed a cd for a friend of mine that was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, and for that we are both very grateful.Take care Slim and I WILL see you on your next stop in our great state.
Hopefully the fishing will be a little better next time.
Andy Mc.
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August 17, 2008
Hey Slim , just want to say thanx much for the show on the 15th . the workers were awesome, as were you .and you all were all VERY ACESSABLE.
I picked up ( no paid holidays) my fav. is ( DAD in the DISTANCE ) real BLUES MASTERPIECE , tear jerker too. HOPE YOU PLAY THIS TUNE ON YOUR NEXT TRIP TO THE NARROWS...............COME BACK SOON ....GOD BLESS YOU ALL.........
CUSTER
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August 14, 2008
ooooooh slim we miss you so bad it hurts, we will see you in louisvile ky come hell or high water. we are so in love with the new cd. you rock our world and we love it. the last time we saw you was in oxford mi and it seems like a thousand years ago. there is nothing like listening to you and the band play live,. it is thrilling!!! i have a brother in louisville and hopefully we can bring him along. you, the band and your music are a balm in our lives. happy you are home safe from your overseas tour. i'm sure everyone adored you all. be safe on your journeys. see you in horse country.
your very good friends the dohms ed,
patti, jason, tracy, ryan and adam amd julie.
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August 12, 2008
Dear Mr. Slim:
Meeting you and Ann and Walter ( and his daughter), was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed working with you, Michael, Ronnie and Cliff at the Cincy Blues Festival. You are the nicest blues man I ever met. It was nice of you to give me the empty whiskey bottle at the end of the night.
I'm sorry I couldn't join you all for the after party at the hotel-I was really worn out by the end of the night. Thank you so much for headlining our event. I sure hope I see you again sometime. I'll be watching for you. If there's ever anything I can do for you, please get in touch with me through the Cincy Blues Society. They have my contact information.
Tammy
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August 11, 2008
Salutations!
I would like to give Watermelon Slim and the Workers a warm and heartfelt thank you for the wonderful performance I was so fortunate to see last night at the Lakeview Lodge in Lawrenceville, PA. Once again, I was completely blown away by the amount of talent Slim, Cliff B., Ronnie Mac and Mr. "Slick" Newberry exude as a driving machine and musical force. I look forward to having them back in the area soon, and wish them nothing but the best with the remainder of thier tour. Keep chasing your dreams, you all deserve every ounce of recognition and award!
Always and forever a fan,
Leah
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August 10, 2008
Enjoyed meeting you and the workers at the Cincy Blues Fest and was floored by your performance. Hope to see you back here soon!
Francesca - Cincinnati
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August 7, 2008
*I saw slim in Lewiston ny and he is great: I have lost touch with a lot of music but am back: he is one of the best harp players on the circuit today and I am a HUGE fan: his music is back porch stomp style and I love it!!*
*Renee*
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August 7, 2008
Sir.
I absolutely loved your concert, hope you will not mind my saying that I enjoyed your presentation more than the second. Keep up the GREAT Performances!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless.........
respectfully,
Darlene
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August 7, 2008
Yo! Slim,
My names Dewey and I met you last night after your concert at Art Park in Lewiston, New York. I just gotta tell again how much I enjoyed your show! Like I told you last night, I just turned 65, this was my first outdoor concert, I love the blues, I love the harp and I bought my first Slim Harpo 45 rpm record (Rainin' In My Heart) in 1959. This was the first time I heard you play and *I was totally blown away!* I mean to tell you, I ain't never heard anyone play better. And the boys in your band (The Workers) are awesome! They were right on and right there. I mean, that's what I'm talkin' about! You made my night and put blues back in my soul. I had chills all night long just listening to you. I just ordered your CD's on line and hope to see you again at one of your concerts.
God bless ya man, you are the greatest,
Dewey Godfrey
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August 4, 2008
Slim,
Thank you for a wonderful evening at the Blue Door, Kathy and I were thrilled.
I know you have found commercial success as a Blue's Man and indeed you are one of the best in my book but anyone attending the Blue Door and your intimate solo show should easily discern you to be so much more. I sense there is yet a wealth of expression churning inside, awaiting creative release.
Thank you further for remembering my previous email and taking a few minutes to visit with me about "Hard Times" in Push County and I now recall meeting you in 1980 or 81 at the Clayton Homecoming festivities, where you sang the "Frog Song", among others, on a vacant lot across the street from Sharpe's Pharmacy.
Please accept our sincere wishes and prayers for your continued well being and commercial success. We hope to have opportunity to see you perform with The Workers soon.
Our best, to you.
Steve / Kathy Randall
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July 29, 2008
As originally seen in your Myspace page, which I see you've left untended since February - dishes still piled up, ashtray on the porch picked through by neighborhood nabobs for choice butts, puppy skeleton chained up in the backyard, but hey I digress (it's what I do), here - catch:
Hey Slimbo,
Just tugging on yer sleeve to say howdy. Hope you make it back out here this year! Maybe between San Diego and Alberta? Let's get talking to Triple Door again. Your name came up in conversation with Pura Fe recently. I said to her that her slide playing on her song "Home" reminded me of you, and she said "I know him! We were on the Blues Cruise together!" She said you were sweet (hoo ha). I did nothing to dispel the quaint illusion. I can tell you're having fun with your Shiny New Friends now, so I'll let you get back to it. Don't worry about us fans from the early, hungry days. We'll get by on the meager memories,
sniff...
Merciful Lee Dickens
Seattle
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July 23, 2008
Hi.
Please pass on my heartfelt thanks to Watermelon Slim and the band for their performance on Sunday night. He and the band put everything into the show and made it an unforgettable night of blues. Just make sure he/they come back!!!
All the best from the North East of England
Charlie Reavley
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July 20, 2008
Dear Mr Slim,
You saved the blues on Saturday 12/07 in Belgium (Peer)
Thank the lord because you were there. Fabulous act and singing. Thanks !!!!!!!!
Pierot and Koen
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July 14, 2008
Hey Slim and the Worker,
Hope all is well on the road.
I am writing is response to Mr. Ted Wolf's blog on July 11th. I am SO with you. The music is so addicting. I jam to their music everyday, and as load as my speakers will go. And like you with the windows down. I also drive a 67 Jeep for the summer, BUT I do not have a working radio therefor no CD player, so I carry my iPOD and listen to their music that way. One of these times I will have a cop behind me and never know it. "Call my Job" has to be added to the playlist. That is such a FANTASTIC Song.
actually the entire album "No Paid Holiday's" is a AWESOME. My boys are Crazy about it. Korbin just got a Bass guitar and him and Kheagun are going to start a band.( hahaha) Watch out world!! they are only 14 and 12. I am not sure if I am ready for this.
Well, Can not wait till you all are in the Indiana-Ohio area again. I think Patti and I (my mother in law) will be taking a trip to Louisville, Ky. to see you on the 25th of August. The husbands say they are not letting us go alone, I told them we would not get lost we have a GPS , we will be fine. My husband say that is NOT what I am worried about. I am afraid that you and my mom won't come back home and Slim will have 2 new girlfriends. The funniest part, he was serious.
We well can not wait to see Y'ALL again.
Have a safe trip around the world.
Your #1 Melonhead
God Bless
Sunflower Studio Photography
Tracy Dohm
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July 13, 2008
Hi,
Yesterday I saw Slim and his Workers in Peer (Belgium).
It was a great show.
That was really what we here in Belgium call the blues.
John
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July 12, 2008
Dear blues-man
What a performance at The BRBF PEER, i was impressed by all off you
A real discovery into my blues-discovery-journey!
Thanks!
Arnfried Blancke
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July 12, 2008
I was in Pistoia last night, thank for the show!
I wish you'll come back in Italy next summer.
Giulio
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July 11, 2008
*Superb!*
I got the disk yesterday due to becoming a Slim junkie after having seen the show at the Regattabar in Cambridge, MA a while back...Already have tix for the upcoming show at The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, MA on 8/15.
I was thinking Slim could appreciate this mental picture:
I'm a banker at one of the nation's largest banks and was commuting home in traffic yesterday listening to NPH for the first time. I was literally jumping out of my suit bobbing n' weaving to the incredible tunes, had all the windows down so that anyone in a car nearby could hop on the same plane, and I really think I made some peoples' days...smiles were abound! All the power, man!
Here's a plea to include "Call my job" in the set list on the 15th.
Ted Wolf
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July 10, 2008
Hey Slim and the Workers,
I just want to let you know that there are some very excited people here in West Virginia and southern Ohio, as we count the days to your arrival at the Front Row in Parkersburg for the IVAW benefit show. It's going to be a party like this valley has never seen. Hey, we will even celebrate your birthday, if you like. (Shame on those Chicago boys!) Hope you are having a blast in Europe.
Lynn in Marietta
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June 26, 2008
Boozhoo Watermelon & the Workers,
Just dropping a note to say your show (Oxford, MI BBQ & Blues) and new CD are as fresh as fiddleheads in spring. We didn't have the full crew there, but some must persevere and forge those new trails into the unknown and I can testify that more than us three enjoyed the showmanship and style of Watermelon Slim and the Workers.
The plan was to buy the new CD "No Paid Holidays" was at the top of our list for weeks. We heard some airplay already from Saturday night GVSU Blues with Greg Bluben. You guy's are definitely getting airplay here in southwest Michigan! We still think fondly of the Billy's Blizzard night in Grand Rapids, MI in February and what a powerful show.
Congratulations on your accolades in Tunica awhile back. You and the Workers are deserving of every award out there. Enjoy the EURO Tour and we have emailed some very good friends who plan on catching your show in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We plan on going to the Marquette Blues Festival in August so until then - the Blues are alive and well and traveling with Slim...
Yours truly - The Shananaquet Family
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June 25, 2008
Hey Slim,
Last Friday night at the Creekside Blues festival at Gahanna - you guys were fantastic! Thanks for being so gracious to my friends before the show - my girlfrend still can't get over you bowing to her. Count in three more new fans. My twenty something son was very impressed with all of you. Your encore solo finale of "Angel from Montgomery" was awesome. Can't wait till you get back to Ohio again. The new CD has some great tracks.
Frank
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June 23, 2008
Hey Guys,
Well it has been a great week!!!! Our family has had the pleasure of seeing 2 of Slim and Workers shows in 3 days. When we were walking to the gates of the Oxford show, and saw you guys rolling in Patti and I about flipped out when we saw you wearing your peach outfit. THAT IS OUR FAVORITE!!!!! We had so much FUN dancing and being CRAZY.
Hopefully Y'all don not think we are a bunch of weirdos.
As always, you guys amaze us, your music is so fresh and WE LOVE THE NEW CD!! My Mother in Law and I can not stop listening to "Call my Job".
The boys love it to!! We hope you start singing that in your live shows, it would be a HUGH HIT!!! Ronnie your song is AWESOME!! Patti and I love the beat. I could be used for a latin dance!!! Maybe we can suggest it for the next season of Dancing with the stars. Wouldn't that be a scream!
Well I had the BEST Birthday WEEK of my life. 2 slim show in one week and 3 total for the Month. What a BLAST. Well gentleman, Have a save trip over seas, and IF I could get out of the country I would fly and see you there as well.
Will write soon.
--
God Bless
Sunflower Studio Photography Montgomery
Tracy Dohm
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June 20, 2008
Well, I was witness to ANOTHER GREAT performance by Slim and the Workers. Last night was the first time the children was able to see you guys perform, and they had a ball. My youngest son says he is never going to wash him hand again.(he got to shake your hand) I was laughing at that. He was serious.
I am also amazed by every performance, they are alway sooooooooooo different. The only thing that is the same is Mike Newberry, that man is a machine. He is flawless!! He cracks me up! Cliff you are a RIOT.
I feel like part of the crew when you come over and talk to us. The boys thought that was awesome.
Thank you Slim for signing my new CD cover, my husband thought It was funny that he did not have to tell you what to write. We are just Crazy about you guys!!
We will see you in Oxford on Saturday. I will be the CRAZY lady in the front partying hard, it is my Birthday!!!! and will be jamming to y'all I will send you Pictures
God Bless
Sunflower Studio Photography Montgomery
Tracy Dohm
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June 9, 2008
Hi Guys,
Well, I have seen another GREAT PERFORMANCE. I have attended 5 show in the last 8 months. I have to say every show is so different and so excited that we talk about it for days after the show. YOUR GUYS ARE AMAZING!!!! My father in Law purchased the NEW CD, which is sooooooooooooooo GOOD!!! It is a GREAT MIX!! I have listen to it at least 3 times in ONE Day!! I LOVE ...Call my Job, but honestly I LOVE them ALL. We can not wait till the 21st of this month to visit Y'all in Oxford MI. Sometimes you just need a LIVE SLIM AND THE WORKERS FIX.
Your shows are nothing like listening to the CD, which make the shows so ADDICTING!!
You guys have an amazing talent.....I would have loved to dance, but that gave an opportunity to sit back and listen to the music absorb deep into to me. I Felt so sorry for that Man with the LOUD color shirt...no one to dance with!! :<) that was entertainment in it's own.
I will get the pictures edited this week and email them to Y'all as soon as possible. There are a few that ROCK!! Thank YOU Slim for singing Angel from Montgomery for me. I first heard that song at your Show in Dayton, OH and immediately Fell in LOVE with it. I have Bonnie Raitt's version on my computer, but I love your husky voice singing it !!! IT"S GRAND
Thank you So much for letting me a HUGH fan, it has been a pleasure SEE you in a couple of weeks
--
God Bless
Sunflower Studio Photography Montgomery
Tracy Dohm
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June 9, 2008
It was great seeing you at the Waterfront Blues Festival in Toronto on June 8. Your entertaining set (and your kind comments about Canada) made for a wonderful - although rather scorching hot! - afternoon.
Chris
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June 8, 2008
Slim et al: Just wanted to say 'Thank You' for the show in Cobourg on Friday night. It was a huge treat to see the band in such an intimate room as the Royal Canadian Legion. We brought a few friends down from Peterborough, occupied a beachfront hotel and made a memorable night of it. Your music was new to my friends and blew them away. The new disc is superb and your a cappella tribute to Stan Rogers was moving. He was yet another Canadian national treasure who is not treasured enough. For sure we will treasure the memory of your visit and we'll travel as far as necessary to see you next time around.
Keep on Workin'!
Bruce Parkinson
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June 4, 2008
Hey Slim and Worker.
We are loading up the car and we will see you in Toledo, Oh on Thursday June 5th. We are YOUR CRAZY FAN CLUB that travels all over to see you, but we need a Slim and the Workers FIX. I was sooooooo disappointed when I discovered you were not coming to Ft. Wayne, In on the June 21 of June. So, We will be loading the car and driving to Oxford, MI to see you again, this time with the Boys!!! I told my husband come Hell or High Water, I am seeing Slim and the Workers for my birthday. Everyone asks "Whatcha want for your birthday?" to see Slim in concert!!!!!
What a Great Honor for you to mention our Family as a "personal aspiration". We are so honored to be a FAN of your and to be able to travel and hear you perform. YOU GUYS are AWESOME and ABSOLUTELY AMAZING people. It was a honor to know little bits of your life and to share little bits of our lives with you. What Very personal people you are!!!!
We still listen to you EVERYDAY!! my car has a 6 disc CD player and YOU are 4 of them and soon to be 5 of them. The fact of the matter is My 3 boys probably know the word better then I do these days. Every time I listen to the album I find a new favorite or a favorite part about a song. Currently it is Newspaper Reporter. My seven year old son and I will sing to each other. Don't need no glitter on my face or six inches platform shoe, what we are gonna do is lay down some sweet old OKKKKKlahoma Blues. I laugh all the time with different lyrics of your songs. Sometimes my husband and I text each other line of your music back and forth.
Well Men, Keep singing your hearts out because WE LOVE !! See you Thursday
--
God Bless
Sunflower Studio Photography
Tracy Dohm
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June 1, 2008
Well, Blues Fans,
I said I was backed up too far on this blog to talk about everything we Workers have been doing. But I'm damn sure not going to fail to memorialize our almost-but-not-quite-rained-out gig in Springfield, Nebraska for the Soaring Wings Vineyard. Now, folks, next time somebody offers you a glass of wine from Nebraska-- drink it! You'll be asking for another! Great wine, I'm telling you. Nebraska has a grape called the De Chaunac that stands up to any of them hifalutin California vintages, and indeed, to any good French Merlot! (I like my wine, y'all...)
However, fine wine aside, we will remember Soaring Wings Vineyard (S. of Omaha) for having been booked with the legendary Fito de la Parra, and the Woodstock-featured group that he has kept current all these years (the book is worth the money), Canned Heat. I have a 40-year history with the Heat, having first seen them, at the peak of their powers, with the genius Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson, in 1968, years later, having loaded the by that time late Blind Owl's father's masonry truck as part of my forklift job working for a construction supply company(1974), and years after that, having had "the Sunflower", Canned Heat's guitarist, the late Henry Vestine, in MY group, Church of the Blues, up in Oregon in 1985-86. He was even my roommate, in Eugene.
Fito remains (though "the Mole", Larry taylor, is still alive and kicking, and received a BMA nomination for bass at this year's ceremony). I was honored to finally Boogie With Canned Heat again, after all these years! We Workers paid proper respect. Anyone that can keep a wild commodity (you gotta read how wild! Order Fito's book at Canned Heat's website) like Canned Heat (known to be the wildest, most down-with-it partiers that ever did a gig) going for 40 years is one HELLUVA organizer. I played harp with Canned Heat towards the end of the show, and the ghost of Alan Wilson (and the memory of one of those who replaced him, James thornbury, whom I also knew in Oregon) stood next to me on stage with Fito and his band. I will never forget, and I hope to get together again with Fito and Canned Heat!
I'll be writing more snippets as they push themselves out of my two typing fingers!
Slim
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May 29, 2008
Well, All You Melonheads,
I've gotten so far behind in this blog that I am going to just have to do triage on the huge body of things I ought to say. And would, if I could type with anything more than two fingers. But I can't, so perhaps a lot shall remain unsaid.
But the most inportant thing I, Watermelon Slim, for my Workers, Ronnie Mac, Cliff and Michael, want to say is the two most important words in English or any language,: thank you.
Many thanks to all the staff and volunteers at festivals from Lillehammer to Doheny, soundpeople, backline suppliers,merc vendors, security (hat tip to Mark of the OKC OK PD!),, teeshirt makers, Jesse Wells our website manager (three cheers, it's a fine site, ain't it!?
And I hate computers!), radio and tv producers-- Brett in Memphis, nice to see you at the awards!-- my business associates, he frontline of whom are Intrepid Artists of Charlotte-- Jake, Rick, Brad and Kevin; NorthernBlues Music Inc., my label, owner, Fred Litwin, of Ottawa big freakin hugs; Michael McClune, formerly dba Crowsfeet Productions, don't know how he styles it now, my publicist (thanks also on the publicity side to Betsie Brown, an early supporter!); and especially to the man who has made this happen by investing part of his dough and a very big part of his life in putting me on the musical roadmap ("Another Attractive Nuisance by the Roadside, you say they called it at that last rest area, dear?" "Yes, Paul, that's what the sign said. But I had no idea it would actually SING...!"), my producer and manager Chris Hardwick of Norman, Oklahoma.
Other special, eminent people to blame for my rise in notoriety:
texas Ray Isom, who always said, from the time we first got together in 1998, that he wanted to see me make it as a musician.
trent Bell, formerly of the Chainsaw Kittens and currently of Bell Labs Studios in Norman, where I have recorded 5 of my 6 CDs this century (the other was at Chris Hardwick's Southern Sounds Studio), plus other projects.
Jerry Wexler.
the original Fried Okra Jones guys, Doren Recker and Mike Rhodes, and all the FOJ people who followed.
Another Roadside Attraction, a zany New Wave Red Dirt rockin' band I was playing in at the turn of the century. Nathan and the guys helped restore my confidence when I needed the help.
My "Mom", the uppity blues mama, Barbara Dane.
Chip Eagle, old old friend Rosy Rosenblatt, and Bob Margolin.
Stovall Brown and Washtub Robbie, and Michael Moran, my oldest musical ties in the land of the majority of my ancestors.
Curtis Salgado, who taught me stuff I didn't even know I was learning at the time.
My mother-in-law, Mary Rossborough. A steadfast heart.
Rob Newberry, Patricia Ellen talbot, Famous Framus and all the rest of our Canadian friends. Canada Rocks, Y'All!
Selby Minner, wife, bass player, life companion and now widow of D.C.Minner, the grand old man of Oklahoma blues. Between 1998 and 2007 I missed Rentiesville only two years, booked or unbooked. My condolences on your loss. But I did that gig on the 17th, just like Popsy Dixon said DC would want me to.
the guys and gals at HEW Waste Recycling, working with whom gave me the grist for some great songs, and to my professors--- Rockett, Alef, Pope, Petrin, Logan, Gough, Smallwood, Jewsbury-- who helped me get the tools to write them.
And all the other musicians I have ever played with, swapped ideas with, even just basked in the sound of-- everybody from Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton, Sam Lay and Super Chikan to Dustin Pittsley, Rusty Aldridge, Aaron Squirrel and Dan Danger, Koko taylor to Miss Blues-- to Miss Amy-- to innumerable rock and country and R+B and blues and folk and jazz musicians many, many too many to mention-- thank you for sharing!
And last, to you, my readers, and, like as not, fans of Watermelon Slim and the Workers (You cannot get online ham sandwiches here. that's like, jambon.com.): the old bluesman said, as I am fond of quoting, "wasn't fer you, wouldn't be no us." Blues Foundation voters or not, it is you, the truly LIStENING public, who have made it possible for us Workers to realize lifelong personal and professional aspirations. the Dohms, the Lavictoires, the Shananaquets, and all you represent, here and abroad: Aho! We are a culture without borders. Une couture sans cotes. Una cultura sin cotidas!
And, of course, my thanks to God for my wife Honour, and my daughter Jessie. they are the reason I keep campaigning in the way I do.
Finally, if you don't already know, this year, every gig I play, as well as the new CD, No Paid Holidays, is dedicated to a very brave young man named Craig Lawler. Craig is my greatest harp student.I'm glad you were able to hear the awards ceremony, Craig. God bless you. I love you.
Watermelon Slim
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May 29, 2008
Hi Slim:
We are quite a bit North of the site of the earthquake and although a tremor was reported in Beijing and Tianjin, we did not feel a thing here.
Apparently the epicentre is in the middle of an earthquake zone but it's also near the Three Gorges Dam project, which makes me wonder about a causal connection ... Whole towns were dynamited out of existence and the people moved to new apartment buildings higher up the bank, to make room for the rising waters produced by the dam ... that's a lot of blasting to do in an earthquake zone.
For the first ten days after the quake, the English television station, CCTV, had continuous coverage of the rescue operations which are enormous: 148,000 troops went in immediately and 307 tons of supplies were air dropped from helicopters which couldn't land b/c of bad weather at first ... The troops look very well organised ... initially they were all dressed in matching blue and orange uniforms, not the green army ones you usually see here, and now see as the rebuilding begins.
I saw a report that the Americans were sending army rescue units in and mentioned it to the Chinese school principal here at my school, Mr. Sun ... He said he didn't think China would allow any American troops into the country and that, "in China we think" fire fighters should do rescue work, not soldiers"
There is still a potential for quake produced lakes flooding and the rivers are all overflowing into lakes and reservoirs ... Communites needing to be evacuated are naturally reluctant ... where will they go?
Everywhere is devestation, rubble, food lines ...
Reports are coming in of international aid ... I didn't see anything on Canada's contribution till the other day,when they showed a clip of reporters interviewing survivors from Toronto via a live feed to the site ... all the reporters and everyone in the room, all media people from Toronto were Chinese Canadians - there are many, many thousands of Chinese Canadian citizens ... and Canadians have sent $14 million ... Aid is pouring in from everywhere ...
There are 60,000 counted dead so far and 350,000 injured ... 26, 500 still missing ... 45.5 million affected ... So many orphans created ... They're also discusing the trauma to survivors and rescuers ... and sending in counsellors ... restarting schools ... but the leaders are telling people not to cry, that the government will take care of them...Our school plans to bring some of the orphans here ...
They're interviewing people on talk shows and many of the questions are quite leading, something like "What do you think of the incredibly efficient and amazingly prompt response of the government to this disaster?" and there are many clips of the two big leaders, VP Wen Jia Bao and Pres. Hu Jin Tao, who, to their credit, were there within hours and days respectively ...
There was a pointed reference to George Bush's delayed response to Katrina ... but the Chinese also were tragically and culpably slow in responding to there last earthquake disaster - in Tangshen, near Tianjin, where I am, in 1976 ....
The rhetoric is a bit over the top at times, as it always is here ... but they are sparing no effort ... Hopefully, the rebuilding process will see the same commitment. The rebuilding has begun with temporary housing already being set up ... 5 million are homeless ... some buildings are being made from huge metal storage crates ... and many, many tents have been erected ... tent making factories here are going into full production but there is a message on TV today in capital letters CHINA URGENTLY NEEDS TENTS AND TEMPORARY SHELTERS ...
They reported on the total collapse of some of the schools and the allegation that this has been caused by corruption of administrators pocketing the money allocated for building earthquake resistant structures. This has been commented on as uncommmom openness for Chinese leadership to allow ... and today itis reprted that the government plans to impose "a firm hand on quake related crime, from theft and robbery to speculation and rumor-mongering"...
Foreign media are being welcomed but it is hoped their reports will be positive ... and there is certainly much positive to report ...
There's been almost 26 billion yuan donated all told to thispoint (divide by 7.2 - close to $4 billion US) ... they'll need it ... it's 5 towns with major damage and several more affected ... and all transporttion systems also impacted ... all roads leading to Wenchuan, one of the towns levelled, were destroyed ... railways were also destroyed and those remaining were jammed with people trying to get there to find family, though they were asked not to go ... an additional $7 billion US was allocated today by the Chinese government ...
Our school held a fundraising, which was interesting. Tthe Chinese staff, who earn 6000 yuan a month were informed that they _must_ donate 100 yuan each. They lined everybody up and recorded the names and amounts as it was dropped into boxes ... The government leaders were shown on TV doing the same thing only they were holding sealed envelopes ... mind you, there was something written on it, so perhaps their names and amounts would be known too ... they really don't seem to have the word privacy in their vocabulary ...
One of our teachers in the Canadian program organised a spagetti dinner fundraiser and brought in over 3000 yuan (approx. $450 Cdn)
There are potential public health issues - hepititis, the black plague and encephilitis have been mentiones- and there are still aftershocks down there in Sichuan ... one at level 6 today ... there have been 178 aftershocks, large and small, measured ... very frightening for the survivors ... and now, concern is being expressed about the treatment the survivors have been receiving. There are many amputations and post operative infections are a hazard ... also in caps today ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATION URGENLY NEEDED ... There is massive spraying of disinfectants ... Water has been tested from the beginning of relief operations ... springs, wells, etc. ... All are being reported safe ... Ditto for the nuclear reactor .... but Iwonder, b/c of the Chinese concept of face whether itwould be reported if there were a hazard ...
Eight pandas were moved to a zoo in Beijing ... their living quarters in the panda conservation project also damaged ... so tourists to the Olympics will now be able to see them ... their home territory is Sichuan Province, where the quakes happened .... and the US San Diego Zoo has joined in the panda rescue efforts ... several are missing ... Hong Kong and Taiwan have sent rescue teams ... this is being commented on as indicating and reinforcing Chinese unity ... China declaried a 3 day mourning period nationally one week after the quakes hit ...
At 2:28 pm on Monday May 5th - the moment in which the quake had hit - the country stopped for three minutes ... everyone stood with heads bowed. Everyone - the leaders, governmet offices, businesses, schools cars and trains - stopped everywhere, over the entire country .... very moving ... Iwas teary eyed when Ispoke to my students afterwards ... but they blew sirens! which I found disconcerting ... but it had a mournful sound, which I gather was the point ... All flags are at half mast and it was reported that this was the first time this has been done for ordinary citizens ...
Our students held candlelight vigils for each of the three nights ...
As for me, the images of people being rescued continue to be very distressing, as is the awareness that something so devestating can happen without warning ... one can't help but imagine what it would be like to be going about your daily life and then suddenly be buried under rocks and rubble ... but the relief of being whole and healthy is predominant.
Hug your loved ones.
Yes, you can use whatever communication I send you for whatever purpose you see fit.
Famous has a CD release party tonight ... well tomorrow night your time ... Saturday May 24th ... He's still at it, committed to the music ... wish I could be there.
I'm so happy to hear of the recognition you got at the Handy's ... what an exciting time for you ... all this world travel!! Hopefully our paths will cross somewhere soon.
Take care of yourself my friend, till we meet again ...
Pat
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May 24, 2008
Wow!
We saw Slim at the Pearl in Dallas last night and were blown away!
Absolutely the best live blues performance in a Dallas club since, well forever! We will never miss him again if he is within a 100 miles!
Dave and Nikki
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May 21, 2008
Congratulations and jolts of joy heading your way from across the wide ocean... It was a much needed boost for me to learn of your wonderful victory at the Handy's because, as I'm sure you know, we're in mourning here in China. When I head home this Summer,
I'm still hoping to catch up and get a revitalizing dose of you an your music, (somewhere between hugging my newest granddaughter, Skyler - and the three others - close to my heart and my return to teach here another year)
Got the Wheelman CD here, of course and am enjoying your voice on my Ipod... Hugs to Cliff!
Wow...so great!
Much love.
Patricia.
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May 15, 2008
G'dday Slim
Was mighty pleased to get the info about your awards from a fellow blues traveller who was also at your Auckland show. I enjoyed our chats at "smoke time" and hope you get a gig in the South Island next time you're in New Zealand. Congrats to you and The Workers. It was a memorable gig.
Cheers
Jetwax
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May 14, 2008
Congratulations Bill to you and The Workers for your two awards! You are truly deserving of them. Make sure you tell Cliff, Michael, and Ronnie Mac that I am so proud of them, and what an honor it is to be your friend. I will look forward to you all coming back to Wisconsin this September!
Don Keller
Madison,Wi
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May 14, 2008
Caught your act in Memphis ------- VERY impressive to say the least. Of all the acts we caught, you and Keb were the most impressive to me. Very genuine raw blues ... the way I think the blues should sound but are seldom played. Thanks so much for the great performance.
Don Peterson
AND look foward to seeing you again in Marquette Michigan later in August.
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May 13, 2008
Michael,
It has been a long time since we have written to Bill and the guys. Please pass on our congratulations to them for their winning ways at the BMA's. I am sorry we were not able to be there in person this year but we are looking forward to a reunion soon. We still have that lobster dinner in mind somewhere in Maine.
Thank you Dan Ober and Diana Downs.
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May 13, 2008
Hi Slim,
Please let me know when you are coming to England. My friend Pat (percy) Leggett and I are huge fans. I can sort you out a gig at my pub if you don't mind doing it for free. (only Joking) seriously we would love to see you playing live. The two albums i've got are brilliant.Real Music Best wishes for the future.
Malcolm Mills
The Black Bull
Donington
Spalding
Lincolnshire
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May 12, 2008
Amazing! I'm sure you don't recall, Slim, but we took a few classes together (Shakespeare with Prof. Gough?) at OSU back in 99 or so. I saw you with Fried Okra Jones around Stillwater every chance I had. I moved to St. Louis in 2001 (law school), and hadn't heard of your incredible accomplishments in the meantime. Congratulations on all of your success! I saw "Watermelon Slim" on the bill for the Beale Street Festival and thought "Can that be the Slim from Stillwater?" Sure enough. I also see you're coming to St. Louis in June. I will certainly be there, and I hope to get the chance to say hello.
Will Joyce
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May 9, 2008
Hey guys! Majorly huge sincere congrats to Slim, Cliff, RonnieMack and Cliff for the Album AND Band of the year awards at the Blues Music Awards!! I know y'all won't say it so I will - you guys deserve the awards and the applause.
It's been fun over the years, listening to you perform from the Busted Lift to Famous Dave's and all points in between, like WhiskeyBones a couple weeks ago. Solid sets that night, by the way!
Take care and I'll see y'all down the road sometime.
Greg - Minnesota
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May 9, 2008
Slim,
The official Ennis Texas Watermelon Slim Fan club want to congratulate you and the band on winning 2 Handy's this week. Texas Ray said you might get some of those teeth fixed that got knocked out by that Mississippi "So and So" but we don't think you should mess with your sound. We like when you say CD... " We got a brand new SHE DE just released "
Enjoy,
Ken Isom and Texas crowd
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May 9, 2008
Slim And Company,
CONGRATULATIONS! You didn't get them all, but you got the two "BIGGUNS" last night in Tunica. I had to move on down the line from the area so I didn't make it last night, but between seein' y'all in Clarksdale and again in Memphis last weekend it's been a great Spring so far! Good things come to those who wait, and by the Grace of God it's payin' off for y'all now! Good Luck In The Future And Stay Safe!
See You Soon,
Scott (West Asheville, NC)
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May 6, 2008
Hey Doctor ! Says the salt of the water, to the salt of the earth,
I 'll be there with you in spirit t'morrow ....all the best ,from your compadre'
that's coom parhd !...tkar care ...c'mon up this way some time ! will ya woncha ! Later Gate ...speaking of gate Gatewood also sends his best !
take care bro' ...see you 'round sometime ,Eh? ...from a tubthumper!
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April 26, 2008
hi slim and the workers, we were sorry to miss you in chicago on the 25th just could not get it to work out. we were all so disappointed. looking forward now to oxford michigan in june. come on june!! SLIM . I want to wish you a happy birthday, i read on one of your interviews that you were born in april. we can not wait until the new cd comes out so excited for all of you. saw an author talking about his new book about
the life of william shakespear "WILL IN THE WORLD" author steven greenblatt. he is an english professor. the interview was on cspan's book tv . i know you like SHAKESPEAR thought you would enjoy this book. the grandkids can not wait to see you live in june, they are still singing along with your music. kheagun is improving on his electric guitar, look out ronnie , and ross is learnign the harmonica,
"DON'T LOOK BACK BOYS CAUSE SOMETHING MIGHT BE GAINING ON YOU" ed is a truck driver and he is all over the us highways and is always on the look out for the honey wagon so if a new black volvo tractor gives you a blast on the horn its ed. wishing you safe journeys on all your traveling. your very best fans in In, and ohio the DOHMS ed,patti, jason, tracy, adam, ryan, kheagun, korbin and ross ps, the flask is sterling over pewter if you use it for a slide it might ware off silver, just thought you should know. found it at orvis the old fishing outfitters. hope you get to fish this summer. it is all we do all summer. have a little place ne of angola in.would love to have you up to fish if we c ould work out, or we could just give you the keys and you guys could find a little private time. bye for now best wishes to you all!
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April 25, 2008
Hello Slim....
I've played the hell out of your last two CD's and am THRILLED TO SEE YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER COMING OUT IN jUNE. i'VE ORDERED THE OTHERS YOU HAVE AVAILABLE NOW AND AM ANXIOUSLY WATCHING MY MAILBOX. tHE BLUES HAVE MOVED ME SINCE i GOT MY FIRST hOWLING wOLF CHESS aLBUM IN 1967...AND THE
FLOOD GATES OPENED. i LIVED IN cHICAGO FOR YEARS...AND THEN MOVED TO
mEMPHIS/nORTH mISSISSIPPI hILL cOUNTRY SO i'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO
HEAR SOME AMAZING PLAYERS. wHEN i SAY YOUR WORK ASTONISHES ME i mEAN
IT AS THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT POSSIBLE.
i AM CURIOUS ABOUT A COMBINED PROJECT i'VE HEARD RUMORED... YOU AND jIMBO mATHUS COLLABORATING( OR CONSPIRING?). i LOVED jIMBO'S kNOCKDOWN sOUTH cd... AND APPRECIATE WHAT HE AND oLGA DID FOR jESSIE mAE hEMPHILL (WHILE SHE WAS STILL HERE TO ENJOY THE TRIBUTE)...ANY INFO YOU COULD GIVE ME ON A COMBINED PROJECT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
aND AS THE bEAR (AND hENRY) WOULD SAY...
"dON'T FORGET TO BOOGIE"
dONNA bURROWS-hITE
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April 20, 2008
*Bill,*
* *
*What a pleasure it was to be able to spend my first ever evening in Clarksdale with you and the band. We were the only two cats from Asheville, NC in the house at Ground Zero, and by God we let'em know it!
Good luck in Tunica in a couple of weeks...I know y'all will knock'em out!
You need to get back to WNC in the near future...drop me a note and I'll hook you up...there's a couple of new joints to play in now in Asheville.
The Seydel harps are the real deal...the low, low G could pass for chromatic work any day without the hassle of the slide! It's a shame you couldn't have hung around the rest of the weekend...what a blast! You would've really enjoyed drinkin' breakfast with me Sunday morning out at Stovall, but me and the "Mudman" thought about you! Be careful out there, and we'll see you down the line.
Your "Homeboy"...Scott (West Asheville, NC)*
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April 14, 2008
Slim,
Just wanted to take a minute to say how much my sweetheart Jill and I, and our friends Ellen and Raoul, enjoyed your April 11 show at Knuckleheads here in Kansas City. You guys play tighter than the nuts on a new tractor! And as a longtime recovering journalist myself, a very special thank you for honoring my request for "Newspaper Reporter." Your showmanship is most appreciated. Can't wait for the new CD. May the mojo be with you!
Chris Whitley
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April 11, 2008
Hello, Went to your show last night in Tulsa, the music was great, but I am voting for Obama and Dopey is a friend of mine.
Frank Gadberry
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April 10, 2008
Brethren absolutely enjoyed opening the show for yall last night in Hot Springs, AR. Yall are a class act for sure, and salt of the earth. You have made a lasting impression on us. It is such a pleasure to meet such genuinely nice people who also happen to be incredibly talented,
Sincerely Big Papa Binns.
P.S. please approve our friend request on myspace so we can add you to our top 10 list.
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April 5, 2008
Slim,
Looking forward to seeing you again this year at the Blues Music Awards. I just got an email from Joe at the Blues Foundation mentioning your golf outing on May 8th. Unfortunately, I'm not flying in to Memphis until Thursday afternoon. I actually have been looking for someone to golf with on Friday, May 9th and/or Saturday, May 10th so feel free to pass this on to anyone who might be interested. I was thinking of booking a time at Tunica for mid morning on the Friday.
Good luck at the awrds - I know I voted for you at least a couple of times.
See you there,
Kevin Herron
A Canadian fan since the 2005 Awards (including Blues Hall the next night)
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April 1, 2008
Saw you steal the show from Fabulous T-Birds in Lillehammer. (Told you so!) What a performance! You are the new rising King of the Blues!
Cheers! / PG aka Hot Dawg
PS. Hope ye like the Hot Dog Taylor record! DS.
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March 30, 2008
Hi Slim
Just wated to thank You and the workers once again for a magnificent live performance i Odense, Denmark the 27th of March 2008 at PostOne.
We are very happy that we drove 150 km (do not laugh - we are aware of US distances) to see Your band (as we missed You in Esbjerg the nigth before). A powerfull show and also a new blues attitude with blues songs about killing of buddist monks as a good renewal with actual blues'y problems !
Looking forward to see You next time in Denmark
Best wishes to You and Your band - Please carry one !!!
Susanne & Jens Strandgaard
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March 25, 2008
Hey there Blues Fans,
Here we are in Denmark, Copenhagen (Kobenhavn) to be exact, the capital, where we will play our 4th show in as many nights tonight in a club named MOJO. They will particularly like Froggie and the rest of my mojo hands, I bet!
What do you know about Denmark? It's not a country that gets in the news very often because it is a very peaceful, happy place, and that doesn't usually make news. Denmark is a little more than twice the total area of Massachusetts. It is listed at 16,639 square miles, not including the Faeroes Islands and Greenland, which are autonomous regions within the Danish Kingdom. That area is composed of three major pieces of land, which make up the approach to the Baltic Sea, and over 1400 islands, some inhabited. The Queen is the head of state, and has a little more actual authority than the English monarch, within a parliamentary democracy. About 5,475,000 people are Danish citizens.
We longhaul truckers look at the distances involved here as a hop skip and jump. Five hours-- maybe six if you have bad traffic-- takes you from one end of Denmark to the other. Economically, Denmark is listed (according to Wikipedia) as the sixth most prosperous nation, per capita, in the world!
We thought it would be cold here in March-- I brought three pairs of full-wool socks, plus a set of arctic long underwear. However, the temperature has rarely dropped far into the 20s at night, though the wind has been high generally. Nice right now, 39-40 degrees, and wind only a breeze today. Spring isn't here yet, but the end of winter is nigh. Parts of this country, which has a maximum elevation of only 560 feet (except for mountains in Greenland), remind the Workers of Oklahoma east of Tulsa, with much agriculture, including dairy cattle and pigs, across the coutryside everywhere you go.
If you read Hagar the Horrible in the comics section, you are laughing about a Dane, most likely. Danish Vikings, like Hagar is always doing, invaded and settled parts of England, France and Ireland.
So far, the Workers have played in Sonderborg, down by the German border in the south, Aalborg, up north by Sweden, and Syderup, over near the west coast. Danish crowds have been extremely appreciative, especially given that they can understand everything we say or sing, because English is universal, among people less than at least my age. Most Danes speak at least Danish and English, and many speak German in addition, as well as the other two Scandinavian languages. Danish, Swedish and Norwegian are all similar. Finnish, however (Finland is the most northerly-easterly nation in the Scandinavian peninsula) is significantly different from the other three.
Last night, in Syderup, we had a dual bill, full house natch, with Magic Slim and the Teardrops. Although we have been honored to have Slim come play with us in Lincoln and elsewhere, this is the first time that we have gotten to play with the Teardrops at THEIR gig. Standing Os and encores have been the order of the tour. We will be going back to Norway atv the end of the month, and thence to Barcelona. But we will be always remember the magnificent hospitality we have enjoyed here. Special thanks must go to Flemming, Jan and Birgit, who have arranged our itinerary here, and made sure we got there!
God bless Denmark, and Danes! Already we are looking forward to our next trip here! And we'll see y'all back in the US again soon,
Watermelon Slim
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March 25, 2008
Slim, You and the Workers were outstanding last Saturday night 3/15/08 at the Marietta, OH Festival. First time I've seen you in person and I really enjoyed talking to you before the show. I brought a musician friend with me who had not really listened to you much before and he said that you were the best slide guitarist he'd ever heard or seen.
What a great show you put on - can't wait until you come to Ohio again and I will bring more W Slim novices to the next show.
Frank
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March 21, 2008
hi slim and the wonderful workers, saw you at gillys dayton last friday, had a wonderful time. you guys were awsome as usual. my son jason and daughterinlaw tracy were with us. it was a combo bd and anniversary outing. thanks for the harp happy birthday solo its the best happy bd song i have ever had. i was the designated driver on the way back to nw ohio and we got into a sobriety check point. passed of coarse with flying colors but mentioned we were in town to see watermelon slim. no reaction, so we told them all about you. any thing to help out our boys in blue or black . thanks agin for all the fun can't wait till the new cd is out, the grandchildren can't either they love your music. they can
finally meet you in ft wayne in june.
patti dohm
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March 17, 2008
*Just thought I would write you and let you know that you and the workers rocked the joint Friday night at Gillys in Dayton,Ohio*
**
*we sure look forward to you coming back.*
*Jeff*
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March 15, 2008
Hi, I've just taken the time to read some of the blog about the time Watermelon Slim and the Workers appeared in Auckland New Zealand last year. This message therfore is probably dated somewhat. We (my wife and a friend from the South Island) travelled up from Wellington for this Blues Festival (3 nights of concerts). I had already purchased both CDs and was already a huge fan of Bill and his music/writing. Blues is by far my preferred genre (that word!) and I particularly seek out the less well known artists Not that Watermelon is less well known eh ? !
What surprised me at Auckland were the small audiences. That was a shame as along with Watermelon (and that alone well justified me travelling that far) there were two other superb international performers as well as the well known (to me anyway) New Zealand artists Midge Marsden Bullfrog Rata and Hammond Gamble and a band I had recently heard led by Darcy Perry. What a great time we had ! Hopefully Bill you were encouraged (by the enthusiasm of 'us few') to come back sometime - even if it's just the world class trout fishing that attracts you. (if you do you must try the South Island - dry fly and nymph - THE BEST !).
I'll be there (at the concert) if you do come back.
Looking foward to your June release!
Cheers
Geoff
(ps it was great to meet you and have the quick chat)
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March 14, 2008
Just wanted to say thanks for coming to Maryville, TN last night. After my band's rehearsal ended, my drummer & I came over and caught your show at Brackin's and really enjoyed you all. GREAT BAND! Here's wishing you all many safe journeys and hoping that you all will come back to Maryville soon!
David Yocom, Bass Guitar/Vocals
Smoke-n-Mirrors
Lost & Found
Dirty Pool
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March 11, 2008
Boozhoo Watermelon Slim and the Workers,
I really can't believe it has been over a month since you blew into town with that blizzard in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our drive to get there was over an hour and we live about 35 minutes out - so in a sense it was the true blues who turned out on that snowy night on Feb 9, 2008. I just wanted to say that show was one of the most intense and don't mean to knock the spiritual but in a sense the spirit of blues made it into Billy's and didn't get let out until way after everyone made their way home and then some. We all enjoyed the gift you gave us - the performance and the show's level of intensity left everyone fueled for at least a week. You truly are a healer and the Workers are definitely co-conspirators in your particular brand of medicine. Dave and I felt the gift of the "Chief of the Blues" is deserving of your home (enjibaa - or where your spirit resides). The Chief is Ike Pelcher and he is Saginaw Chippewa from Mt. Pleasant. The postcard the image is dated from is 1954. Our family is humbled our gift is in such an honored place in your home.
I read the blog today and feel compelled to write before you head out "over the pond" to welcome the sun back in Denmark and Norway. We still plan on coming down to Memphis for the Beale Street Blues Festival in May and perhaps making our way to Tunica for the Blues Music Awards.
We will look for more blues runs as we consider what 2008 has in store for us...physically, emotionally, spiritually and acknowledge your health in our way of communicating with the powers and spirits that be. We know we are still doing, if we're still casting a shadow...so until the next gig - baa maa pii giiga waabimin (until we see one another again.)
In Respect - The Shananaquet's - Dave, Punkin, Paul, & Carly
The kids loved your show - your magik with the young people exists...Paul continues to play the harp you gave him.
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March 6, 2008
Hey Slim,
......to answer your questions. Yes and Yes... I ordered with your initials engraved on it, and it is Sterling. And that was my father in law that was keeping you on time to Juke Joint Woman. Hey is a Hoot!!! I am very happy that you are using the flack in many ways. 151 proof rum at 8:45 in the Morning. WOW!!! that is GREAT!! We will be in Dayton, OH to see you on the 14th, and can not wait. During break stop over and see us and I will buy a round of shots. Hey Have you ever tried Torguga Rum?? it is from the Cayman Islands. It rock. Not as hard as you 151 proof. I gotta tell you the full story of how we became Slim junkies, roadies,freeks, ect...
Here it goes. Last Fall my mother in law-Patti(you have meet her at skip's twice) was listening to car talk and heard trucking driving mama on it. Well, that opened up the can of worms so to speak. She looked you up on the web and ordered your CD's. Well she gave us the CD to listen to and to be honest with you, we were like who the heck is this GUY!!!???
Well, I started to listen to it and feel in love with "Oklahoma Blue" and Then "why they call me Watermelon Slim" ....Well the Boys (My Kids 14, 12 and 7) would get into the car and demand that I play.... call me watermelon slim!! I still think that have not figured out the "REAL" meaning behind the song! hahaha..and then song to song that would memorize them.
So... We saw you at Skip in Angola in October of 2007 and it was like WOW, and I have not listen to the Radio and or anyone else since then!!!! AND THAT SHOULD BE A HUGE HONOR, BECAUSE I AM A HUGH KENNEY CHESNEY FAN!!!!! COUNTRY AS WELL, and to be honest with you I could not even tell what song are playing on the radio. The Boys pretty much know every slim song. and my 7 year old has a voice from Hell!!! His favorite song is Red, White and Blues. And at the end when you say HEEEEEEEEEEEEERE with the Red, White and Bluuuues. My son can hit that note every time and hold it out as long as you do!!! My other son is taking guitar lesson and we have to burn a couple of song for him to take in and learn, as well. and NOW here my other son want a Bass guitar for his birthday, Thanks to Cliff for that one....
Well that is the story and We love you guys and Can not wait to see you on the 14th of March in Dayton.......AND.....Slim stay Healthy , Because We wanna see you on the 19th of June in Ft. Wayne In. at Ribfest. The Boys will be able to see you and I will be Great Birthday Gift for ME as well.
Take and I love to read about me in your blogs, it's FUN.
God Bless
Tracy Dohm
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February 21, 2008
Well, Blues Fans,
that's reassuring-- I already wrote up Notodden, and Billings, Montana too. I am going to put off Australia one more entry, and tell everybody (particularly our Canadian fans) thank you all so very much for voting for me and the Workers for all these awards we've been nominated for.
For those who didn't carefully check out the Home Page here at my website, we were named BB King International Artist at the Maple Awards in toronto! this is extremely prestigious, and when you look at who we were named instead of, it's even more a miracle to me.
Putting it in perspective: before there were anything like awards, W.C.
Handys or any of this stuff, the reward for a bluesman/woman was having a pocketful of money from the night's gig, a warm place to stay the night (even company occasionally), and the knowledge that you have another night's gig tomorrow. tell ya what, sometimes ANY job-- even this one that I do-- seems like just a job. But I am a blessed man, to have SOOO much inspiration, variety, and LOVE all around me while I do my job. YAAA-AYY!!
Portland, Maine, Piermont, New York, Knucklehead's in Kansas City (KCMO had a HUGE week at the IBC in Memphis. Knucklehead's won the KBA Award for best blues club 2007, and the KC band trampled Underfoot won the IBC band competition). We ran our @$$e$ off last year. 182 gigs, by my count, way more than 200 days over-the-road and in the air. It took a physical toll on me, and so I have been kind of resting, but we did a week's club gigs in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky last week, and next swing, March 11-15, it's Ohio and tennessee (will be checking in wih my fishing buddy Bill Russell, heh heh), including the Marietta Blues Fest. While hanging around Memphis for the IBC, I realized that more people told us they had seen us in Marietta (where my transmission gave up the ghost, lost another in Indianapolis-- damn Ford's been pretty reliable but for those), Kalamazoo, or Wheeling, West Virginia than any other places. Naturally, we sure hope to get back to those last two places as well!
My health, though, as some of you know, has not been the very best this year. I am not going to be doing as many gigs this year as in 2007. And I'm going to be playing a lot higher percentage of solo appearances, including a several-day trip to England in July, Yes, blokes, I'm finally coming back. I hope I get to see you folks from Birmingham again. About bloody time, I can hear some of you saying. Hear, hear!
So much more to relate, so few brain cells left to do it with. One little thing before I go: I understand I may have started a new fad at the Subiaco Academy, a Catholic boys' high school in Subiaco, Arkansas, at a Benedictine monastery. You boys be careful of that Monk Sauce, hear? Just 'cause I can drink it straight out of the bottle doesn't necessarily mean YOU can. It has been great spending some time playing for you Razorbacks. the Blue Collar Fest, at Mounain Home, and the Bayou, in Rogers, were really, really fun. too bad about the weather for the last scheduled night at the Bayou; I see we've got another date already. thank you, thank you! I will get out and fish for trout around Mountain Home one day. I really had no idea that there was world-class trout fishing in L'il Ol' Arkansas!
Enough for today, I'll be back at it tomorrow,
God Bless You,
Watermelon Slim
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February 21, 2008
Y'all have probably wondered if I would ever write again. Well, I was always intending to. First, I must say a general "thank you" to everyone who has come out and supported live music ,the blues, and Watermelon Slim and the Workers. Money's been tight, and yet we play to many full houses, and no deserted ones. Bravo to all you fans, the stars of the show!
Now, specifically, I must immediately thank tracy Dohm and family for this magnificent present, which, as you mentioned, I used for a slide that night in Grand Rapids. I used it the next two nights too, in toledo and in Louisville. It's now an integral part of my equipment, being both mojo hand and slide at the same time, as several of my slides are. Works to drink from too, of course (101 ways to use your mojo); at the moment it contains a small amount of 151 proof rum. I gotta ask two questions.
Is that really a sterling mark on the bottom edge? And were the initials "WS" already on the flask when you got it, or did you actually go to the length of having it engraved for me? God bless you folks, and keep those boys practicing (doesn't sound like any parental prressure is required!). I'm taking a sip right now, regardless that it is 8:45 in the morning, in y'all's honor!
Not for a moment to be outdone, I must also thank Dave, plus Punkin and the Shananaquet family, for the magnificent painting I now have placed in a place of honor on my wall. Who is the "Blue Indian"? At first, I thought Red Cloud, but then I went and found a pic of Red Cloud and it doesn't look at all like him.
How about New Zealand and Australia, I know you're all wondering. How about Norway? Well, we just had a BALL in all those places, and discovered (no surprise) yet again that these "furriners" sure know how to run bluesfests, just like Canada. Highlights are too many to mention, even if I could sit here all day and rack my brains. In New Zealand, I watched my guitarist, Ronnie Mac, jump-- twice!-- off the highest controlled-baseline (as opposed to mere bungee) jump in the world. You all know that New Zealand invented the bungee jump, don't you?? After bass player Cliff had bugged me enough about doing it (I really didn't want to spend the money, for several days, and I don't really like heights), yours truly plopped down the cash, donned the jump suit, and very, very carefully edged myself out on the platform 619 feet above the ground, as the attendant finished hooking me up to the baseline harness.
It works like this: you get hooked up, and then they have you lean forward, , toes over the edge of the platform, and the mechanism pulls you out over space. the attendant says, "count to three, and let go of the side poles", and when you do, the machine pulls you out and simultaneously drops you, and a video camera on a separate but connected line follows you down in the initial 30-foot drop. After you have been photographed dangling in space 590 feet above the ground, the machine drops you, and 11 seconds or so later you land on a platform with a target painted in the middle. Some people swing themselves around during the drop, and I saw one jumper almost miss the floor of the platform and hit the railing around it. But no harm done. For my part, I made a 10-score Mary Lou Retton landing, dead in the middle of the target, flat on both feet. Now, Cliff says he will never be talked into taking this plunge, but trust me, he will never hear the end of it, especially the next time we get to go play New Zealand.
Besides this excitement, I also got to go about half an hour out of Auckland and have a lovely lunch and "walkabout" (as they call going out int the outback, kind of the same thing as a Native American vision
quest) in green beautiful sheep country. I marveled at the natural fauna and flora-- the parrots were spectacular, as were the multitude of trees and flowers completely unfamiliar to me.
I am a fisherman, as anyone who has kept up with this blog knows. I had intended to do a LOt of fishing on my trip down under. But as things went, I only got on the water twice, and only for a morning's time each.
the first time was a disaster of sorts. two big fans took me out, and when we had been sitting in the middle of Auckland Harbor for awhile, getting no bites (we were hoping for snapper or kingfish), the lady who owned the boat decided we'd move. Aaargh, the boat wouldn't start! I felt so embarrassed for the lady (and her mother, a personal friend of BB King, who had decided to come for the ride) when she had to call the harbor patrol and have us towed in to the dock. Back there, the disaster compunded when the owner realized that she had filled the tank with diesel fuel instead of gasoline! Only the fact that gasoline is heavier than diesel kept the engine from being damaged. I felt so sorry for the lady (luckily for her, she was good friends with the harbormaster, who came along on our towboat).
However, the next time I went out with New Zealand blues band leader Darcy Perry and his harp player, and although we couldn't stay too long, I did at least get hooked up. I thought it was the bottom, but Darcy said, "nope, that's a ray. He's going to do his best to stay on the bottom right where he is." It was a magnificent fight, as the ray (it turned out to be an eagle ray of some 20-25 pounds) was still taking line off my reel 10 minutes after the hooking. there was no horsing this fish. But eventually, I got him to the side of the boat, where we saw that he was securely, but not deeply, hooked, Darcy cut the line, and the ray, who had plenty of strength left, plunged for the bottom. Later, that night, I played one of my several impromptu gigs at a local club with the Darcy Perry Band. the others had been at an Irish pub I stumbled into (well, walked. One night out of the three I played there I kind of stumbled out. Damn Kiwis-- and Irishmen who were also
there-- plied me with strong drink and had me playing at 3:30 in the morning). I played with an acoustic duo-- "(Somebody) and All the Daves"
(there was only one Dave) who could keep time in a hurricane. Great stuff!
Darcy and his band, Eric Lindell and HIS Louisiana-based band (whom I met later in Australia, more on that to follow), and I are very big on the idea of a Blues FISHING Cruise!
I have also spoken to Super Chikan (James Johnson) and other bluespeople I know, and we sure would like to get something of ths nature going.
Obviously, we won't have the pockets to hire something like the MS Westerdam, but I just think it would be as cool as a moose in February in Saskatchewan to take a couple of bands, several other artists to play with them, and a couple of hundred rabid blues AND fishing enthusiasts out for 2-3 days in, say, the Gulf of Mexico. I'm open to ideas, including funding schemes, about this.
My special thanks, first, to Brian, the promoter of our visit to Auckland and Wellington. Without his resourcefulness, I literally could not have played the tour, because I was seriously, SERIOUSLY spinally misaligned. But Brian knew a good chiropractor, and less than 24 hours after getting to the island, I had been snapped, crackled and popped (I had at least five vertebra misaligned, cervical, thoracic and lumbar). After one trip to him, I could bend over and tie my shoes again. After a repeat visit, I felt good enough to jump off the Sky tower! My thanks also to Ronny, a lovely lady who works for Air New Zealand, and who put in countless hours of volunteeer time making sure that logistics for all the artists arriving and leaving were properly taken care of. Loved the book, dear! When you see ths, would you please give me a shout? I lost your email, or I'd have been in touch long before now.
I'm going to take a break, and then I will plough on through Australia.
Notodden will be huge, and so even though we did that (and Fredericton,
too) before Down Under, I've got so much catching up to do that it is a daunting task, and I promise you all I'm going to work hard to catch up.
If I should fail to personally thank anyone that truly deserves acknowledgement, I apologize; if I had been less lazy about this, I'd be better able to give it to y'all in some kind of decent order.
God Bless You All, from the Workers, and
Watermelon Slim
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February 11, 2008
My Husband and I (along with his family) decided while Slim and the workers were in our area for a while, we would like to take in a COUPLE of shows. SO WE DID!!!! We saw his in Angola, In. and Grand Rapids, MI.
as well. The Band and Slim just amaze me beyond belief. WOW.... is all I know how to say after you see them preform. We gave slim a flask, but he thought it would be a great slide. He used it for Devil's Cadillac.
AWESOME. I even Got my father in law to dance with me and take part of juke joint woman chorus line. I have to say the hands down or hands up ......I AM THE BIGGEST FAN of Slim and the Worker. My days does not start till I have Youtubed them and watch a couple of videos and then continuing to listen to them in the cd player for the rest of the day.
THANK GOD, I am my own boss. I can not wait till June 20th to see them in Ft Wayne, In. at the Ribfest. It will be 2 days before my birthday and I can think of a better place to be, but Rocking with them!!!! WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!
Tracy Dohm
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February 8, 2008
WOW!!!!!
What a Great Show in Angola!!! You ALL rocked!! You Guys Sounded Fresh and stunning!! Had a great time dancing and scratching Slim's back of course:) We are traveling to Grand Rapids on Saturday to see you play there as well!! You Guys ROCK!! Love the new songs and I will be one of the first fans to buy.
See you Saturday
Tracy Dohm
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February 4, 2008
Hey Roadies,
It is Monday the 4th of February and Slim and the worker will be playing in my area in 2 Days!!!!!! I am soooooooo excited to see them. All of my family will be coming in for every to see them play at Skip's. My Boys who are 13, 11 and 7 are mighty mad at Mom and Dad . They want to see the band play. my youngest in a great blues singer at the ripe age of 7. He loves the red, white and Blues song.
Have a safe trip and See you on Wednesday
Tracy from Indiana
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January 23, 2008
Hey Slim,
Congratulations on your win at The Maple Blues Awards! It was well deserved. Hopefully it's a good omen for Mississippi in May and that little bag of mojo you picked up at the crossroads will work it's magic.
Can't wait for the new CD & DVD to come out later this year. Looking forward to seeing you and The Workers up here in the Big Smoke in June.
I met you and caught your show in Hamilton last July. All I can say is that you are one cool dude and without a doubt you are the "real deal".
Richard
Toronto, Ontario
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January 22, 2008
Just wanted to congratulate you guys for your win last night for the MapleBlues BBKing International award.....
LOOKS GOOD ON YA'S. You deserve it...congrats.
Moe
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January 20, 2008
Hi Slim - My wife and I saw you last night, Jan 19 2008, in Mountain Home, AR and we wanted to say what a pleasure it was to hear you in person. We love your CD's and have introduced you to family and friends. You might remember me because I said I was the one that "laid out the crooked roads in Arkansas!".
Dana and Cindy Mountain Home, Arkansas
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January 19, 2008
Just listen to the opening solo riff of "*/Newspaper Reporter/*" on Slim's "*Wheel Man*" CD and you realize how much Blues music is about tension and resolution. Any harp player or harp music lover gets gets to hear to the finest example of blues harp tension and resolution I've ever heard in my thirty years of harp playing. Each time I hear the song, I repeat the opening riff portion several times, and if I happen to be in the car, I can only imagine what drivers around me must think as they observe my face consternation's reacting to each note, followed by another wail of tension and at last, working on down to the final /low /note of resolution, a complete octave lower. Talk about creating an emotional roller coaster! NOW THIS IS SOME GREAT HARP PLAYING SLIM.
I'll see you in Grand Rapids, MI in a few weeks.
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January 17, 2008
Howdy Mr SLIM!! HAPPY NEW YEAR !! and CONGRATS! To you and the Worker's from Harrison Hot Springs !!! Yup! Rusty Harper here!!!! Heehaw!! what a blast I had last year chasing the band from here to Vancouver then to Edmonton!! Hope you make it back this year I've spoke with quite a few people here in Harrison who are wishing the same!! Hi also to Michael,Mack,and of course Cliff-man That skunks cold nose touched my toes!!!
Cheers again Gang,
Rusty&Yvonne
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January 2, 2008
Happy New Year, Mr. Slim! Congrats to you and the Workers for drivin' it home with The Wheelman! How sweet it is to see all of the praise and love from the fans on the Slim blog. And it looks like you cracked open another 6 pack of Blues Music Award nominations, along with all of your other blues acclaim! I'm holding good thoughts that 2008 will be "THE YEAR OF THE WATERMELON" as far as the BMA "Handy" awards go. (After all, Charlie Musselwhite and John Lee Hooker Jr. didn't make the nominee list this year!) Your Colorado fans will be "caucusing," Iowa-style, for you this May.
I hope all is well with you and the family, Mike, Cliff, Ronnie, Ike, and the crew. Drop me a line when y'all pass through Colorado again; we suffering the low down Watermelon withdrawals out here.
- Craig
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December 30, 2007
Hi Slim,
Congratulations on six nominations again this year! The girls and I had a blast with you in Davenport last month doing the "back scratch" I got the e-mail that you're playing in KC on New Years Eve-evidently, I must go and see you, Mike, Cliff and Ronnie on my way down to Pittsburg, KS.
Did you have your surgery yet? It doesn't appear the schedule has allowed it yet, but if it has I hope to see you feeling well. Take care and I can't wait to see and hear you guys!
Say hi to Michael McClune for me...
Take care,
Lori
IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival Publicist
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December 22, 2007
my family and i want to wish slim, michael, ronnie and cliff a very merry christmas and a happy safe new year. we love your music and can't wait to see you at skips in angola indiana in feb. hope you enjoy your time at home with your families you work so hard all year and we appriciate it believe me.
patti
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December 13, 2007
Hey Wheel Man,
Congratulations for the six nominee's for The Wheel Man! You are truly deserving of them. I want to wish you and The Workers and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Your Buddy in Wisconsin,
Don
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December 9, 2007
hey slim
apparently you and i exchanged pleasantries on a certain political forum. sure would like to see you and the workers on the west coast some day. decided to come and czech out your website. just now in the process of downloading the free song. (blue freightliner). it's slow going at 56.6 kbps (37 minutes remaining).
hope you're well from that dentist thing
"comrade N"
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December 7, 2007
Congrats!! I just saw Amazon.com Top Ten Blues CDS of 2007. Number Two!!
I hope your Holidays are great. Vickie says "hey". Memphis in May!
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December 2, 2007
Slim,Michael,Cliff,Ronnie,et al,
Take a holiday break guys. You all deserve it after the great shows and tour you had. Luckily I got to catch the show in Michigan a couple of times. Knocked my socks off it did.
Hope to see you again in Michigan in February.
Bluesman Paul
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November 25, 2007
Slim-Sure was a treat seeing you and the Workers last week in Cambridge. Some of the young guys we dragged along were a little unsure about the Blues...Well my friend you did an fine job of showing them that the Blues is Alright. You now have some fans playing your CDs on campus in Amherst. Great show, you gotta be the hardest workin' man in show biz....
your old friend Roy
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November 21, 2007
Howdy Slim and The Workers,
Hope you are well and having a great time playing lately! We really appreciated your hospitality at Famous Dave's in Minneapolis and I had a great time dancing with you and groovin to the tunes! I love the new cd and listen to it often. We are in Arkansas this week visiting family for Turkey Day and will be out in Rogers at the Bayou to see you again on Friday. Kevin and I are bringing my mom and her husband (Dawn and Jerry) along. They love the blues too and are looking forward to seeing y'all. I hope to say Hey and have another dance with you. I will always be glad to scratch your back! Take care and see you soon.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all,
Heather & Kevin
--
Be with wonderment!
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November 13, 2007
*Report of Veterans' Day Activities from Watermelon Slim*
I played Veterans' Day in Rochester, Minnesota-- not in Milwaukee, as I had hoped, but there will be other opportunities-- at the Whiskey Bones Roadhouse, for a sparse Sunday night crowd. People apologized for the slight turnout, but the Vikings had lost to the Packers 34-0, and people were staying home licking their wounds.
Before playing the first number of the evening, I announced that it was Veterans' Day, and Veterans' Day gives me the blues. I told 'em there was a very important thing we needed to do, asked that everyone please remove their hats, "and for those of us who know the meaning of the words, Present Arms". After "taps" and Order Arms, I merely said, "for our fallen heroes. My brothers and sisters." One solemnity that seems to offend no one is to honor the dead. I've been playing "taps" regularly at gigs in America and Canada since Canada lost its first combat casualty since Korea back in March of 2006. they've since lost over 70 in Afghanistan...
Later in the gig, before my song "Black Water" (listen to track 3 on my latest CD, /the Wheel Man/), I asked the question I've been asking audiences nationwide for the last year. Declaring the question's particular relevance on Veterans' Day, I asked the crowd why, if our nation has 2.73 or so billion dollars per week to spend on a war that's killed and wounded tens of thousands and has created hundreds of thousands more combat veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan, why don't we have 2.73 billion a week to spend on the restoration and rehabilitation of the Gulf Coast of the United States of America?
I shall continue to ask this in your name, my brothers and sisters of the current war. God bless us all, Happy thanksgiving,
Watermelon Slim
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November 13, 2007
Slim and the Workers played a great show in Eau Claire Wisconsin on Nov. 9th. I want to Thank them for making our group of Bluesfesters wanting more. Slim is a showman and made 1 of our group feel very special. Kaye is still all giddy after Slim's performance. I hear you were still talking about it when you played Bev's in Superior on Saturday night. We all can't wait till you get the area again. Mike, Ronnie and Cliff are one of my favorite bands. You keep Slim working.
Thank you
Mark
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November 11, 2007
From one 'Slim' to another- you ARE the business!
You are the REAL thing!
Just purchased all of your CD's - You make the hairs on my neck stand on end. When are you coming over to the UK?
Best wishes
The 'Big Slim'
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November 5, 2007
Dear Slim and The Workers,
I know why you guys are called the Workers.Boy,do you guys give 100%!!Slim,thanks for sitting in front of me while I opened the show for you on October 27th,2007!! That meant a lot to me,more than you will know.I really enjoyed your show.I have opened for many of the greats in blues at The Stanhope House but your show was the most memorable.I hope we can meet again and play some Dobro or Nationals together.I wish you great sucess,
Best Wishes,
Mike Esposito
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October 29, 2007
Last night as I was driving into the city, to Barnes&Noble before they closed, I was listening to Dan Aykroyd and the house of blues. He played Devil's Cadillac by Watermelon Slim & The Workers. It was almost a full moon and it seemed all the stars were out with only wisps of clouds occasionally passing over the moon. Since it was Sunday night the roads were practically deserted...even in the city. Slim's song just seemed to complete the scene, my mood, and just that moment in time last night as I was driving. The guitar in that song was just mesmerizing.
It's something I won't soon forget.
Thanks to Watermelon Slim & The Workers for the laid-back tune, and thanks to Dan Aykroyd for playing it.
Michelle - Michigan
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October 26, 2007
Hey Gang,
My Family saw you play in Skips Lounge in Angola Indiana In October. Since then my children (3 boys) have been listening to you and my 11 year old son especially loves your music, he just starts shaking in his seat. He now walks around the house singing your songs. What a riot!!!! What a great time we had watching your show and I took tons on photographs of Slim. Hopefully I could get them on your website!!!
God Bless
Tracy Dohm
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October 26, 2007
Yo brother Bill,
Sending a heartfelt and sincere request you find your way to the D.C.
area. I missed the Richmond gig as I wasn't dialed into the tour info on the website and I tried to make Moondog's and am wishing and a hoping to make the West Virginia date, but it's a tough nut to travel when you are a single Dad. Keep the rubber down and the blues real. Look out for those oversized dumpsters on the road of life.
Yours in concrete,
Joe in Southern Maryland
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October 25, 2007
Hey Slim -
Me, Tink, Bubba, 'Brook, Rich & Joe needed to thank you for one of the all-time blues club experiences the other night at the Turning Point.
Now, we might not have "seen them all", but we sure have seen many big-time blues players and we do know a little bit about the blues.
We agreed to a man that your show the other night was up there with the best. Seriously. Everything about it was very special, including the preview of your new stuff (like Dad in the Distance). I doubt fans at many of your shows will have the chance we did to hang with you and your talented band. Those who do will no doubt come away with the same feeling we did - you guys are very serious players and good folk. It made the weeknight trip to Piermont, NY very well worth it. (And big-time thanks to the owner of the Turning Point for doing what he needed to do to get you guys there & keep his place going.)
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October 20, 2007
Had a chance to see Slim play in person, and WOW was it great. First time blue listener. My mother in Law..Patti recently had her hip replaced and this was a celebration for her 6 weeks later. All of her boys(3) came to the show with her. 2 from Toledo and 1 from Auburn Indiana. WOW we all loved the show at Skip's.
Man can SLIM sing. I have found a new love for music. WATERMELON SLIM AND THE WORKERS. We were very impressed with how personable all of the band members were. GREAT PEOPLE.
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October 11, 2007
Great reviews from the folks down under. We are spending our 10th wedding anniversary on the North Shore and we'll be wrapping up our week by stopping by Bev's Juke Joint on Nov 10TH to enjoy your fine music.
Can't wait.
See you then
Vickie and Dan Sheehan
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October 9, 2007
Hi Slim.
I am an uber fan of yours and your fantastic band, the Workers. I picked up a cd a few months ago and it gets almost daily play! I am coming out to see you at Famous Dave's in Minneapolis this Thursday night and I can hardly wait. I am from the south as well. I was born in Tulsa and raised in Fayetteville, Ar. I saw on your site that you played the King Biscuit Blues Festival. I also see that you often dance with the ladies! I am so hoping to get a spin with you too!
I am starting fresh at the tender young age of 41 and your bio is very inspiring. I earned my masters degree well into my 30's and tho I have enjoyed working with mentally ill folks as a counselor, I am ready for a change. I love music and singing, writing and other creative pursuits.
I am told I have a great voice and really want to try and get to some jams here in Mpls to try it out. I also taught myself how to play bass guitar and am learning drums now. Percussion seems to be my gig. I feel like I am beginning my life really and your music is a big part of what keeps me taking steps to be the person I am meant to be.
Just wanted you to know how much you and your music are loved here in the great white north (Land of the Bland I say, but nice enough folks.
I do miss my roots tho down home in the hills.) I'll see you there and will be wearing my cowgirl hat, singing and dancing along, and will give you the high praise you so deserve--a big holler and yeehawwww! Be well!
Your newest fan,
Heather Martin
--
Be with wonderment!
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October 9, 2007
Hi from Narooma, just wanted to thank the guys for a great time and gig in Narooma....hope to see them back next year....love to them all from all at La Salle Motel....and Slim I did put in a good word for you but no need we all loved the show...we want you back.......
Rhonda xx
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October 5, 2007
Dear Chris Wick
Would luv it if you could pass this image onto Watermelon Slim I'm the one in the red shirt, I have a gallery in Mogo NSW Australia where I sell RAW ART & BLUES MUSIC.
My gallery is just up the road from Narooma where we watched the AMAZING.... THE FANTASTIC MR SLIM do his thing ......... Took me ta heaven and back luv the man!!!!!!
I have been selling his CD's at my gallery since last year after seeing a little video on UTUBE, sold many since & quite a few since the festival many people have been turned on by his charismatic charm
I put on an exhibition of portraits by j.d.Sipe a bass player with the Hoodoo's from Albuquerque New Mexico which included a portrait of Watermelon Slim we met him and Cliff Belcher at the signing tent after their gig on Sat he may remember me and my brother in law Tav the two hyped up boys totally turned on by the MAN
We told him he was on the wall between two other heroes Skip James and Robert Pete Williams (3 Kings together) he seemed impressed at the time
Anyway would luv it if you could pass this on ...... To top it off I caught his songs with the Holmes Brothers on Sunday night he was in another zone and took us all with him ........... Watermelon Slim you are etched on my heart forever THANKS MATE!!!!!!!!
Kind regards
Steve Fox
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October 4, 2007
My vote for best band at Australia's Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival (28 - 30 September 2007) goes to Watermelon Slim and the boys!
I was drawn in by the first performance and blown away by the second gig (in the afternoon no less). Loud, authentic and moving - and what showmanship. T-shirt one day, three piece suit with cufflinks the next no less.
To top it off, bought the new The Wheel Man CD and had it autographed by the band. Slim took the time to fill me in on their first trip to Australia and mingled in the crowd. I happened to mention that the band is as good as Little Charlie & the Nightcats, which was accepted as one of the highest forms of praise.
Been playing the CD loudly all this week and I think it is great, particularly the opening three tracks. Some of the strongest, tightest playing you could ever hope for, and a wide range of styles. I'll be off to get hold of another album by the band in the near future.
Make sure the band is on the Festival's program for next year and do at least a couple of gigs in Sydney, including The Basement. I'll bring the many other converts along ..............
Best wishes and thanks a million.
David Anderson
Sydney Australia
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October 3, 2007
Hi there,
just a quick note to let you all know that Bill and the Workers were fantastic here, and please let them know that we want them to come back when they can. They now have thousands of fans here.
Best wishes
Dave Allen
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October 3, 2007
Saw the shows at the Narooma Blues festival, very tight work. Was also good to catch up for a few cans and "Smokes" with Ronnie after the gig on Sunday. Hope the flight home was ok, and also hope to catch you back in Australia sometime soon. Tell your booker to get you a Sydney Gig next time!!!!
*Paul*
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October 2, 2007
*Caught Watermelon Slim & The Workers at The Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival in Narooma, NSW, Australia on September 29 & 30.*
**
*Slim & the band, take another bow. Both sets were absolutely fantastic.
A genuine repoire with the crowd, guys, and we want to see you back again real soon!*
**
*Hope you managed to get that spot of fishing in down there, and yes...
that really was a cow's ass hangin' from the roof of the tent!*
**
*(That cow got well n truly milked on the weekend) ;-)*
**
*Cheers & best wishes*
*Jimsintoblues*
**
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September 24, 2007
Hello from middle earth...
I travelled form the central north island Taupo, to Auckland, it a four hour drive, never heard of this guy before went to mainly see the support band, Midge Marsden and Bullfrog Rata.
Well what a shock... watermellon slim & the band were great, I am so glad i went along...
After the show, he was avialable to sign Cd's I was so impressedby his talent,.. I purchased one, happy to share it with my friends who i know will be impressed.
We would love to have him here to tour the country and at the same time enjoy a good holiday with some of the best ever fishing in the world and awesome kiwi hospiatily... more than happy to help out here if required.
Any way was so impressed ,I looked you up over the net and wanted to leave a comment ,positive feed back
Sure hope he makes it back down under, and here to middle earth (Taupo) New Zealand.
Regards Karen
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September 23, 2007
I just caught Slim and the Workers at the Opera House in Wellington, New Zealand. You gentlemen are the real deal - you blew the Mighty Flyers away
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September 23, 2007
Hey, we came across Watermelon Slim in a small Pub in Auckland early hours of Sunday morning (23 sept), we heard this awesome music as we were walking back to our hotel after being in a not so good bar and decided to go in and wished we had come along earlier. Watermelon Slim - we just thought you were great and it just finished off our evening nicely. It was a nice surprise and the music was just great.
Hope you come back to New Zealand again as we would love to see you in concert. If we had only known early
Cheers
Sheryl
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September 22, 2007
Hiya Slim! The whole gang here at the Detroit Blues Society is excited about the show on October 19th at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak. We are going to have some big fun that night. Feel free to contact me at sallen8961@aol.com if you have any questions or concerns.
Steve Allen
Detroit Blues Society
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September 14, 2007
Just came through the door at home from your one of your Fredericton shows.. Brilliant!
Working with the locals and other from the festival was incredible. I know it's the blues, but I am still grinning. Thanks for a wonderful show.
*/ /*
*Don Whitty***
*Fredericton, NB Canada*
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September 14, 2007
Just as short note to say hey from Iowa. I was surfin on the tube and heard you sing dark genius. I googled you and read your bio and and your and inspiration, I can relate... thankyou. Im fixin to buy you CD's. I was a cowboy in Wyoming when Bush called me back into the Army for Desert Storm (Medic, 1st Infantry Division)in 1990 after 3 years active duty and ended up back here in Iowa where I grew up. I inteneded to get back to cowboying which I Love with all my heart, but the good Lord had other plans. So Im raising these 2 kids best we can and I pick alittle flat top and when I can. I try to write a bit too. I got the calf pen in the barn set up with a drum set, amps and guitars, gut bucket, dulcimer, fiddle, all kinds a shit. All junk, but work just fine. Had the neighbor kids over last night for an hour or two and we made a hell ofa racket!
The damn horse nearly tore off the door trying to get their heads _/in/_ to watch. My oldest Daughter finally opened the top door so they could watch. Strange huh! Its suprised me as much noise as we made. It was quite a picture! One kid shows potential on the drums. Good to hear your a driver. Truckers for a few generations on both sides of my family. Im getting Uncle Mike Which ever CD has Blue Freightliner.
Ill let you go. Hope you get to Iowa some time and we will see you.
Thanks you so much for sharing your gift with us.
Take care
Kelly Mishak
Alta Vista, Iowa
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September 9, 2007
Watermelon:
You and the Workers turned in a great set last night at the Bull Durham Blues Festival, it was great to hear some of the material off the new CD - live!!!! Wheel Man , Blackwater etc.
Be sure to come back to the Raleigh/Durham area soon - we would love to catch a full 2-3 hours in a local club with the Workers.
Enjoy the fishing,err , I mean tour down under this month. And we'll look forward to some new material maybe next year :)
Best,
JB Zydeco
Raleigh NC
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September 2, 2007
*Just a note to tell you I really enjoyed your show in Peoria. You were fantastic! I heard a message similar to one I hear in a fellowship I belong to, very Spiritual. Thanks for sharing your talents with Peoria!
You were awesome.*
* *
** **
**
**RT Roling**
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September 2, 2007
Hey Slim & The Workers
I attended your amazing/wicked sessions at the Calgary Folk Music Festival Sat. Jly 28th and had you autograph my CD. I suggested I was from Edmonton and Cliff B. checked his Blackberry to give me the dates you were performing here. Unfortunately we had a previous engagement for that weekend and could not attend. However I remember saying at the time that Edmonton audiences/blues fans rock and judging from your letter to the Edmonton Journal you had an amazing experience. I'm so glad you had a good time in Canada and hope you do come back soon!!! I'm playing your CD often and telling friends about the group. Thank you so much for coming to Canada and treating us to your amazing performance.
Wendy Z.
Edmonton, AB Canada
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August 31, 2007
Hi Slim, I was at the Edmonton Blues festival, yourself and band were flawless and tight, I had the chance to see you in St Louis in April at BB's, I knew from that moment I would have to see you again, when the line up became public in May I couldn't believe it
Your military acknowledgement was very touching and professional - well done
Your fan response in person and in the Edmonton Sun newspaper was also well accepted and very professional. I hope you and band can make it back up this way, say for a week long stint at the Blues on White blues bar, you would pack them in every night
Thanks for a great show
"
Brian Beaupre
Edmonton
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August 31, 2007
Hey Slim! Hey guys! My son and I were fortunate enough to experience you and the Workers in action at the Edmonton Labbatts Blues Festival this past weekend. Wow!! what a weekend- your mojo did the trick and the good weather held , for the most part and what a diverse range of blues to enjoy! Your performance was our first exposure to your music ( I'm embarassed to say) but we are converts now..My 17 yr.old picked up all your Cd's and you were kind enough to sign one for him. You were also good enough to pose for a picture with him. Thank you for that- he was quite excited . I would also like to say that I really enjoyed the part where you and Fiona Boyes joined forces. She is quite something, isn't she?
Lastly, I want to thank you , from the bottom of my heart for your acknowledgment and your tribute to our fallen troops in a war so far away. Personally, I found that lone harp so haunting. Your country has suffered far greater losses of young men and women and regardless of ones' politics and opinions of that war (for or against), we must support our troops who are fighting the fight and dying for their respective country. They do need our support.
Sorry, I've digressed- I hope that you and the Workers had a good time and I hope you felt the crowds' appreciation and respect for your music. From my perspective, you had the place jumping. Hope to see
you real soon.
David & Nicholas --Edmonton
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August 30, 2007
LOVIN' that Watermelon Slim BLUES!
Just finished this years edition of the Edmonton Blues Festival...
many excellent bands, and mucho fine tunes, but none as COOOOOOL as Watermelon Slim! I love you Watermelon! I am now a HUGE Slim fan... I know I speak for thousands of other Edmonton Blues fans when I say Please come and grace us with your presence again Watermelon Slim!
PLEASE!
Robert Scott.
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August 30, 2007
Wow, Slim,
You're on a roll, keeping up with your blog this way (yeah, I know, you wanted to say that yerselves...)?!! Well, here ya go, Memphis and Edmonton, Alberta. We highballed down to Memphis the morning of August 17, and schmoozed around Beale Street eating barbecue and such until it was time to play at the Rum Boogie. We played for a full house Friday, and an elbow-to-elbow full house the next night. thanks to Kevin and all the Rum Boogie staff for making this a great fun time for me and the Workers! And also to Charlie Burch for getting us out to Printers' Alley Saturday night for after-hours fun! But especially to my colleagues Barbara Blue and James "Super Chikan" Johnson for turning an already great gig into a historic occasion for us all!
Got back home Sunday morning, and that week I had doctor
appointments. Arthritis is finally kicking up in me, especially in
the hips. the doc showed me pictures of all four joints, hips and
shoulders, and suffice it that I will never throw a baseball, or
even skip a rock, again. My body still looks like a 30-year-old's,
but it sure doesn't feel like it. Nonetheless, the MD says I can
still dance, still bowl, still run if I feel like it. And still,
most importantly, go the distances required to get out and be a part
of you all!
Edmonton was a BLASt! I could namedrop like crazy, with as many of
your favorite blues artists that I met there. But suffice it that I
managed to play with Fiona Boyes and her bassplayer, old Oregon
friend Dave Kahl (and then call her up to play with the Workers),
with Mitch Woods, in an action-packed after-show appearance (played
with 2 other fine piano players there too, one a festival
volunteer-- GOD BLESS tHE VOLUNtEERS, without who nothing would go
on!) at the Chateau Louis Hotel (thank yous to all the staff of the
hotel-- we were treated like kings!), and at least got to say hi to
Elvin Bishop, and especially, sit down finally, after 20 years, with
dear old friend and musical inspiration from my Oregon days, Lloyd
"Have Mercy" Jones, who led the perennially underrated Lloyd Jones
Struggle in a great set before Fiona came to the stage.
Besides that, with your help, blues fans, I was able to stop the
rain again, on Saturday. I'm sorry I had to leave, and couldn't do
anything about it for Sunday. Special praise for the Edmonton
entertainment press, which went the extra mile for us (nice to see a
city with two thriving daily papers AND two thriving weeklies!) And
last but not least, thank yous to the festival's co-promoters, Cam
and Carroll, who went to the length of putting my image on all the
teeshirts and other promotional,materials for this festival. Great
photo-editing job, besides everyhing else!
As always, special thanks to USA and Canadian customs authorities,
for the fine, efficient, cheerful job you have continued to do on
both sides of the border when we've showed up, and to my friends in
the American tSA, for whisking us quickly through all the airports
we've been flying in and out of lately! You are fulfilling your
missions in A-1 fashion!
Besides all that, I got to say that the state of local blues here in
OKC is thriving. I got to jam with Speedy West, Chris Hinson of the
Snakeshakers, Jesse Cahn, and a whole bunch of my musical buddies
here both the last two Sundays, at what is now (make a note of it)
ODIE'S Blues Saloon, on NW 10th Street here in OKC, and tuesday with
Bobbie Haynie, Doc Blue and friends at Doc's Biting Sow, down in
Bricktown. A blast with everybody! Viva la Oklahoma Blues Society,
and greeting from us Workers, wish we could be around more!
I'm killing time before a grueling drive to Peoria, Illinois
tomorrow morning. Among our gigs we'll be back in Roanoke, home of
the Hokies, where we hope we were able to help the grieving process
at Virginia tech a little less sad last time we played the Capitol
Restaurant; at XM Radio HQ in Washington DC, thank you Mr. Bill Wax,
of Bluesville, Channel 74; and tthe Harvest Festival, in
Fredericton, New Brunswick. It'll be great to see all of our
Maritimes friends again! then it's off to New Zealand and Australia
for the second half of the month. Fiona, Steve Clarke, Harper, Geoff
Acheson, and others have told me/cautioned me about what to watch
for Down Under, and one way or another, I'm going to be posting
photos of all the huge fish I catch! I have both trout fishing and
deep sea fishing trips planned in between gigs, and I only wish my
mother was still alive to see photos of me with 20-lb. German Brown
trout, 10-lb. rainbows, and 300-lb. (heck, 700 lb.!) sharks and tuna
caught by my own hand. this trip is the realization of a dream I
have had for 40 years or more, to go to the site of the wildest fish
remaining on the planet and try my luck!!
Okay, all, I gotta go do some errands and last minute stuff. I'll
send photos as soon as I catch 'em! Aaarrrr, mateys, what a blast it
will be to look up at the Southjern Cross. this will be my first
time south of the Equator.
Me and the Workers say
God Bless You All,
Watermelon Slim
P.S. Hey, Jason Ricci, how come your administrator will not post my
messages!? Miss you (H-U-U-U-G), glad you are with Intrepid, Delta
Groove, and working your A$$ off as usual!
P.P.S. Forgot to mention I got to meet, and swear undying fanship
for, no less than Stevie Winwood, who should need no explanation!
What a cool cat!
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August 29, 2007
Hi there, I met you in Edmonton at the Labatt Blues Fest. What a show you put on. You have many "new" fans up here in the north and we just loved your music. Too bad they sold out of CDs before you even played!
Thanks for the nice letter you wrote to the Edmonton Journal about the fest. Hope to see you back up here soon.
Liz Kingan
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August 29, 2007
Hello,
I just read your kind letter to the Edmonton Journal newspaper. I am glad that you enjoyed your time spent with us this past weekend. I assure you that we enjoyed having you here as well. I had the privilege of speaking to you and gained a better understanding as to why I am happiest when I'm listening to the blues. That may seem like an oxy-moron....but at 60 years old it makes perfect sense to me....and I suspect it will to you as well. I grew up loving and leaning towards this music before I knew it was called the blues. The romantic image that I have carried with me as to what a "classic bluesman" would be is best personified in you and your style and demeanor. Thanks for this gift.
You made a lot of friends up here that hope you get back to Alberta soon. I'm glad that you felt the love and respect we have for you and wish you continued success and happiness.
Best regards always,
Terry Robson
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August 28, 2007
Hi,
I just wanted to know that I've recently discovered your great blues records. My cousin travelled around Australia for a year not long ago, and he returned with some "Les Norton" novels by Robert G. Barrett. I finished another one of those novels just last week, entitled "Mystery Bay Blues". The book is set during the Narooma blues festival in Australia. When I checked out the website for this year's festival I saw that Watermelon Slim was going to be playing. Who's that, I wondered. A quick trip to iTunes and I had downloaded a copy of "The Wheel Man", and I knew who Watermelon Slim was.
Or so I thought. I read the bio on your website, and like all the great musicians who I like, I discovered the man has has a story to tell.
He's been around, that's for sure. Kind of reminds me of Billy Joe Shaver.
Anyway, I work nowadays as a driver for an out of hours medical firm, which is part of the NHS, here in the NE of Scotland. If someone calls for a doctor through the night, I hit the road and get the doctor to their door, anywhere in the NE. So I enjoyed "The Wheel Man". I think I'll keep a CD in the car, so if we get a hot one I can put it on and blast it through the speakers as I do the driving thing.
yours,
Kenny.
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August 28, 2007
Hey Slim just wanted to thank you for the wonderful show on Sat.I wanted to also thank you for the tribute to our troops;being a former infantry soldier myself it was appreciated.I also want to thank you,Nick Moss and your bass player(sorry I forgot your name) for the compassion you showed my friend Gary who buried his wife two days before.You are a unbelieveable player,but you and the guys in the room that night are even better people.God Bless to you and your'e crewand you were right about the rum,it did kick Bacardi's ass.
Kurt Ford.
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August 26, 2007
Hello, I saw you at the Edmonton Blues Festival yesterday. I enjoyed your show the most and hope you come our way again. You play a mean harp.
Bill
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August 22, 2007
Hey, Blues Fans,
I gotta turn you on to a book that one of you,'Mr. Van Willson, turned me onto. It was written by the son of one of my old antiwar-movement comrades, the late Dr. George Wald, so I was eager to read it anyway. But here, in a letter to the author, Elijah Wald, musician and musical historian, are some of my very personal reflections about the book, /_Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues_/ (HarperCollins, NYC, 2004) and about the blues, and about life, and my life. You want to read this book, because, at the bottom line, it's not just about the blues-- it's about YOU.
See you in Peoria, Maryville, Fredericton New Brunswick, Narooma New South Wales, and everywhere on the trail,
Watermelon Slim
*********************************************************
/Hello Elijah,/
//
/You probably will not remember me, for you were just a boy when we were introduced, by your father, God bless him. Dr. Wald was one of the triumvirate of Boston area professors of conscience that I marched with as a member of Viet Nam Veterans Against the War. Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky were the others. Striding along, our arms locked together from Central Square down to Kendall, or dodging tear gas at Boston University, I knew I was in solidarity with great and true comrades./ // /I was known as Bill Homans-- William P. Homans-- then. I still am, proudly (you undoubtedly would know of my dad, the civil-rights lawyer, of my name). But I am also known now as Watermelon Slim, bluesman from Oklahoma. One of my fans (he happened to be in Chicago) gave me /_Escaping the Delta_/, which I just finished the text of tonight (I'm working on the endnotes in my usual way, a little here, a little there, going to whatever catches my eye). My master's-thesis advisor got a laugh from me and the other professors at my defense when he smiled, "Bill, you know you're not really an academic." Nonetheless, with my modest little credentials, I know I am a lifelong colleague in my history department, at Oklahoma State. / // /What a great book. the only other text on the blues I ever read all the way through, cover to cover, was Paul Oliver's /_the Country Blues_ /(well, also, biographies of Muddy,/ /the Wolf, and Peetie Wheatstraw)// and that was many years ago, 4 decades, in fact. I hadn't even been to Vietnam yet. You might say that my reading that book was part of the white blues revival that you document with such insight in /_Escaping the Delta_/. Bravo, pard. You done good!/ // /I've spent a helluva lot more time learning my musical craft than reading about what others have done in it, learning it first hand, from Junior, and Big Walter, and James Cotton (whose nearly first words to me were, "get me some hash!", down at the old Speakeasy in Central Square-- I got some, of course...), and maybe more than anyone else over 40-plus years of learning all the music you talk about in /_EtD_/, Earrring George Mayweather. George was my fishing buddy, and my mentor, as he was to many of the blues players around Boston, whether he knew it or not (sometimes he knew it, and sometimes he was too drunk to give a shit). / // /So much of what you write about "realness" and all that resonates with me when I think about George. I was, by the time I met him in 1987 at the 1369 Club over in Inman Square, a better harp player than he was technically. And I had some pedigree; I'd been hanging out with "the Sunflower", Henry Vestine, who played with my band on the west coast when he wasn't touring with what was left of Canned Heat, and I'd gotten to play with Champion Jack Dupree in Paris. But more than anyone else, George showed me (he never really tried to tEACH anyone) how to do the whole show, how to get completely up close and personal with the crowd. God bless you, George, you're still Da Man to me. / // /And I grok so much about what you write, also, about musicians not just consciously trying to be "bluesmen" or "blues queens", but working in their trade. I'm now internationally known as a "bluesman". Have I stoked the image? Not much, but interviewers ask certain questions in certain ways. they are expecting a set of somethings; they are, more than the interviewee (usually), setting the agenda. I try to remind them that although the blues was, indeed, the first live music I ever heard sung, in my own house, back in 1954 when I was 5 (from a woman who sang snatches of John Lee Hooker and others while she was working), way before I ever knew what "the blues" even was, I also grew up with bluegrass, Country and Western, Doo-wop, the real R+B, Sinatra, Martin, and Crosby, jazz, Lawrence Welk, Mitch Miller and Perry Como, "folk" music-- ah, Harry Belafonte!-- and through it all, sacred music of various kinds, "white" and "black", in and out of the church. And I have sung it all, at some point, in the process of learning to become the musician I have become-- or am alleged to have become-- today. And I am my own, unique musician, and sing in my own voice. / // /You have debunked effectively all the stereotypes about how a "bluesman" should have come about, era by era (as though the path from minstrel shows and field hollers through W. C. Handy, Mamie Smith and Ma Rainey, Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell-- Robert Johnson-- Muddy Waters, Johnny Shines, Big Mama thornton, Mississippi Fred, John Hammond Jr., Junior and James, the Rolling Stones, Hendrix and Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray and his brother Jimmy, all the way to Kim Wilson, Keb Mo, Super Chikan, Kenny Brown, Jimbo Mathus, Lightning Malcolm, Duane and Cecil Burnside, Miss Higgins, Dorothy Ellis, and, uh, Watermelon Slim, was not one great continuum!). I found great consolation in your final chapter, because as I have said to crowd after crowd in city after city, in country after country, in English mostly but also in French and Spanish, "it's not about me, it's about y'all who are listening to me. If it weren't for you, wouldn't be no "us". / // /I got to reassure you on one point: the white blues audience is no longer overwhelmingly male. Just looking at my crowds, and reading the people who write to my blog, allows me to confidently say that. Maybe they're the majority. But I've got the women, of all ages, coming out to hear my music. As many of them bring their men along as the other way round./ // /And what I play, mostly-- by every definition that you have suggested throughout /_EtD_/-- is the blues. Working-class music describing every day life for me and for all of us. I will reassure you further that the demographic of who is coming out to clubs and festivals (I can't say for sure about them that buys the records) is not as middle-class as all that. Many are. But many are not. I meet as many truckers, house painters, garbagemen and cooks, secretaries and housewives, soldiers, firemen and cops, unemployed people, as I do teachers, doctors, lawyers and businessmen. Overall, it's damn nice to read somebody who has given all this stuff, which I've been thinking about for all these years, so much thought./ // /You and I have a mutual friend and musical collaborator-- "compad", as he would put it in his South-Shore accent-- and that is Washtub Robbie Phillips.We've done hard labor together, played loads of gigs together, hollered at each other, hugged and kissed each other. He often has spoken of you, and not just because he knows I knew your dad, and he always holds you in the very highest regard-- I think he's even a little awed by you, and Robbie don't get awed by much. When you see him next, please give him a big hug from me, tell him I was thinking about him, and to please give me a shout!/ // /I hope we'll meet again sometime-- I think I will be back in Massachusetts for Christmas, visiting my daughter, from whom (and my wife) I have been separated for a few years now. Maybe one day we'll play the same crowd together! I hear you're hot./ // /God bless you, Elijah, until that day, from/ // /Bill Homans, Life Member VVAW,
aka/ // /Watermelon Slim/
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August 22, 2007
*Greetings from Cookeville, TN! We met you on the cruise in January '07, sent my brother to see you at Famous Dave's in Minnesota, then sat a couple tables away from you at the Blues Music Awards. We treasure our autographed cd's. You are top on our list!*
**
*Would love to have seen you in Chattanooga in June but couldn't make that date.*
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*We checked your tour schedule and were like kids at Christmas to see that you will be in Maryville September 5! We can hardly wait! We're going to do a dry run to Brackens tomorrow just to be sure there will be no glitches.*
**
*Thanks for being you!*
**
*Lynn and Gerard *
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August 22, 2007
Good morning! I wanted to drop a line and tell all of you that this past weekend my wife and I were in Memphis TN, and caught Slim at the Rum Boogie. That was our first time to ever here him and it had to be one of the best shows I've ever seen and heard! I was looking at the upcoming schedule and saw no dates in Mississippi. My wife and I are from Jackson MS. We would love to see the tour come to our town or one very close to here, especially since our Delta is rich in Blues history.
I would love to be added to an emailing list if you have one. Loved the show! It was great!
Thanks
Marty May
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August 20, 2007
hi slim, the first time i heard your music was on npr radio show CAR TALK it was truck dirvin mama and i immediately ordered all of your cds on amazon and now have them all memorized. you are just what i have been looking for. i saw that you would be in kalamazoo in july but it was too short of notice to get off work. i work third shift in a hospital. i thought you would never be any closer that that to me, was so disappointed. my daught inlaw told me you would be a skips lounge 17th of october, i was elated, the only hitch is i will be just 6 weeks from getting a new hip joint and should not be in a crowd yet. i will be front row if i can possible do it though, just have to see you. i am bringing by onturage so i think i will be ok. your music has been such a balm to me during the rough time with my upcoming surgery, can't say enough about how it lifts me up. i have turned everyone on to you. my husbands loves your music too but he is a long haul trucker and will have already taken enought time off to help me so he won't be there. you and your band are the winning combination. the sound is sweet as candy can not wait to see and hear you in person, hope i can introduce my self to you would be such and honor. i feel i need to thank you personally for your music because i does something so personal to me. god be with you all on your travels be safe and happy your all deserve the best.
patti dohm
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August 20, 2007
*Hi blues fans,*
**
*Well, me and the Workers have been busy as hell. In the last six weeks, it's been Portland, Oregon to British Columbia to Ontario to Washington State back to BC to Alberta, home for 36 hours, then off to Notodden, Norway, back across the ocean to Connecticut, Bethlehem PA, and finally to Billings, Montana. *
**
*too much to write from beginning to end. By my count, 33 appearances in 42 days. I'll try to touch on some of the high points:*
**
*In Portland, got to schmooze with old friends Pinetop, Hubert, and James, and many more musical friends and colleagues. Besides that, my old buddy Jeff Humphries, now Jeff Humphries, D.D.S., and his wife, now not wife, Hannah, and old, old friends Ray Varner, co-impresario of the fabled Old taylor's Jam with the late Gavin (Rooster) Fox; no less than the owner of that storied dive, Dave Dingman; and my very, very old friend and closest political colleague, Michael P. Roche, formerly my co-coordinator in Massachusetts VVAW, and now soon to retire after an honorable career as an NLRB investigator. Nice to know there's been at least one honest man in government over the past 25 years!*
**
*With two hours sleep I drove the 405 miles to Whistler, BC, and then, after a great gig and a bit more sleep, down to Vancouver Island. However, as luck would have it, our travel agent put us on the wrong ferry, and we ended up dozens of miles from where we were supposed to be! Fear not, the festival arranged for the Workers to be picked up in a Beaver seaplane, and the view from 5000 feet of the Canadian Coastal Range (on our side of the border they are called the Cascades) in a coincidentally superb day of visibility was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. those snowcapped peaks stand there like jagged, broken teeth! We got to the stage in Courtenay, BC 1/2 hour before showtime. Big howdies to my native buddies Jared Suron (we loved your CD!) and NorthernBlues labelmate Doug Cox. *
**
*Lessee-- Harrison, BC, at the Harrison Arts Festival. Great hospitality, another standing O. Back on the plane and back over the border from Detroit just in time to play the Windsor (Ontario) Bluesfest, back over the border again for Kalamazoo-- this was a return engagement for me, and I re-encountered a bunch of old acquaintances there; back over the border AGAIN for Milton Ontario. Got there too late to stop the rain for my musical buddies Doc MacLean (a Canadian guy who does 300 gigs a year, resembles Leon Redbone a little) and Walter trout. But I put the mojo to the sky, and sure enough, the rain stopped for everyone else including the Workers. Want yas ta know, I stopped or prevented rain 4 times on this tour, including at the last gig, in Billings, Montana. Now if I can figure out how to MAKE it rain where it's needed, I'll know my mojo is truly all-purpose.*
**
*Had a ball in Ottawa for two days. Wrote a song while looking out over the Houses of Parliament (eat yer heart out, Washington DC and Paris: Ottawa is the most beautiful national capital in the western world! Canada ROCKS!!) that will probably make it onto my next CD. Had lovely dinners with Fred Litwin, head of NorthernBlues, while there. He and his buddy Andrew rolled out the red carpet for me and the Workers. Made a bit of a fool of myself leaving large tips. then on to Hamilton, where I had the great and unexpected pleasure of seeing my dear Canadian friends Patricia talbot, home briefly from her teaching job in Beijing, Rob Newberry, ditto from HIS teaching job in Wawa, ON, and Famous Framus, in a hiatus from HIS musical touring, when we played PepperJacks. We will get to the Boathouse in Kitchener next time, I'm sure, fellas! Love ya, Pat...*
**
*Back on the plane, off in Seattle, and over the border immediately to Fort McLeod, Alberta, where we met great new friends and fans Hugie, Suzanne and Rachel, in the motel room next to ours. Ate an entire pound of the best raspberries I ever had, for sale 100 yards from the motel. Back over the border again (are you keeping track??) down to Spokane, Mister G's; Winthrop, WA, where I again stopped the rain; Seattle at the triple Door, where we opened for John Lee Hooker Junior (God bless you and your late dad, my greatest hero), and finally encountered my longtime email correspondent Merciful Lee Dickens, with whom I've been exchanging humorous and occasionally serious emails for 8 years. Somewhere during the above frantic schedule I also ran across one of my long, longtime favorite bluesmen, American Vietnam vet and now Canadian international recording artist Ray Bonneville. First met and played with Ray in Paris back in 1983. Great seeing you, Ray, et bientot encore, eh??*
**
*Back across the border again, this time staying in Vancouver, and tearing up a great crowd at the Yale Hotel. For a hotel, this was truly a juke joint! Hurt my back a little lifting a bass cab like hundreds of weights I have moved in my career as a trucker, lumper, sawmiller and musician-- don't know why this should have been different, but I'm not dancing very well right now-- siigghh...) then nearly 500 miles north (I don't know, this may be the farthest north I ever was in the world, though maybe Inverness Scotland is that far north too) to Prince George, BC. No matter how far we get away from the mainstream of civilization, the CULtURE we encounter and take part in is universal and warmhearted! *
**
*By now truly longing for our 36-hour rest in Oklahoma City, we highballed down to Calgary, Alberta, taking the time to marvel at the mountains and glaciers of Banff (Canadian) National Park, at sunrise, on the way. We saw 2 bull elk, 2 cow elk, a 12-point whitetail buck, two Bighorn sheep (well, only Ronnie Mac got to see those), and, finally, got to watch a young black bear for 5 minutes, as he was in process of tearing up and eating some brush. I know bears are omnivores, but the stuff he was eating didn't look like bear food at all! *
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*Our gigs at the Calgary Folkfest were triumphant. In one of the true high points of this or any other festival I ever played at, I got to host a round-robin songwriters' jam (this seems to be a particularly Canadian format, I like it very much!) with New Orleans soul singer John Boutte' and one of the most important songwriters of second-half-20th-century popular music, P. J. Sloan. Cliff got to play "Mustang Sally" with its writer, Sir Mack Rice, on our Blues Cruise. I two-upped him, in Calgary. I got to sing and play "Eve of Destruction", Secret Agent Man", and "Where Were You When I Needed You?" with (who'd a thunk it!?) the writer of ALL tHREE. Sloan, btw, was also the falsetto harmony on the surf-music hits of Jan and Dean and some Beach Boys hits, and the lead guitarist for the Mamas and the Papas!*
**
*After a few deep breaths and some laundry-doing, we headed for Notodden, Norway for one of the most famous blues festivals (20th anniversary) in the world. the Workers were super-hot, and we did 3 SRO gigs for an adoring international audience. Must have been fans from 50 or more nations there. Besides our own gigs, I got to play with James (Super Chikan) Johnson. Magic Slim was also playing there, but alas, he was always scheduled on another stage exactly when the Workers were scheduled, so we didn't get to play with him and the teardrops. But Slim and Super Chikan and myself did at least all get in a picture together. that one will be on the website in our "Photos" section. (Oh, check out the new oil paintings posted there too. Remember, I am soliciting painting commissions...!) I even got to go fishing the last afternoon there with a couple of Norwegian friends/fans. We didn't get shut out, but didn't catch any of the trout Norway is famous for. Just caught a few of the local tiger perch. *
**
*Back on the plane, finally (for the last time this swing, over the border back in the USA and off to Niantic, Connecticut for a down-home little affair called Cooking at McCooks. Met the most distinctive hotel operator of all our touring, a big fellow named Jude, whose small establishment was New England delightful. Jude, tara, Becky, we sure hope you get the dog/police stuff under control so that the Cookin' series can continue! Had a lovely swim in Long Island Sound. First time I've been in the Atlantic since '05. From there, it was Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, arriving half an hour before showtime again after trying to follow 4 different sets of directions. Still tore the place up. Finally, it was back to Newark and on the plane to Billings, Montana, where we had some of the best musical and cultural fellowship in the entire tour. Besides a kickass Workers mainstage gig, I got to play on (what a coincidence, though there is no such thing as a coincidence) the Stillwater Stage, 2 hours straight and the crowd crying for more, and also with our dear friends the Reverend Peyton and His Big Damn Band (Breezy on washboard and Jamie Peyton on drums, all on vocals. Breezy PLAYS that axe! One person likened her concentration to that of former Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary. Woof!!), piano boogieman Barrelhouse Chuck, from Chicago, John Hammond Junior-- whom I smarted off to 35 years ago in a folkie club down on Charles Street in Boston; I'd been waiting 35 years to apologize for being a smartmouth wannabe-- and Southern-rock/blues sensation Eric Lindell. I dedicated our last set of the tour to Michael Newberry's wife Michelle. *
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*And finally we are home, and looking forward to seeing some or all of you down on Beale Street Memphis tomorrow and Saturday night at the Rum Boogie. After that 6 weeks of touring, a mere 475 miles to Memphis on Interstate 40 is nothing but a hop skip 'n jump.*
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*My back hurts. My hips hurt. My shoulders hurt. My guitar-playing hand, broken in 4 pieces last year, is about the strongest piece of me remaining besides my voice. I'm ready and eager to continue. We are SOOOOOO blessed, by God and by you all!*
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*Have a fine rest of the summer, and may a miracle occur in all your lives, individually and collectively,*
**
*God Bless You,*
**
*Watermelon Slim*
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August 20, 2007
*Forgot to mention: in Notodden, the third gig we did was a party for the festival volunteers, of whom there were more than 600. We also noted that the huge Calgary Folkfest had over 13 HUNDRED volunteers! Canada and Norway know how to put on festivals, yesireebob! Joining the Workers on stage was legendary guitarist Jeremy Spencer of Fleetwood Mac. tore UP the slide guitar, he did.*
**
*I put down six rough mixes of songs for the next NorthernBlues CD day before yesterday. Y'all are gonna like 'em. Chris Hardwick will continue to produce. He knows my music and my capabilities better than anybody.
Although I have always had a dream producer, and that is Ry Cooder, who is not available this year, Chris Wick is the main reason you have heard me or heard of me. He is the organizer and leader of the business team without which I'd still be driving a truck and playing for chump change on weekends. I can't say thank you enough.*
**
*Bringing you totally up to date, and I mean date: last night, something really unusual occurred. two relentless touring musicians were in the same city with neither of them having work for at least 24 hours. So me and Candye Kane-- that's right, the famous Candye Kane-- went out to dinner together. Candye met me and my daughter in Memphis at the BMAs (just like the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival will always be "the Biscuit", the Blues Music Awards will always be "the Handys" to me), and we recently began regular correspondence. On our date, I tried very hard to let her know all about my liabilities (hey, 's been a long time since I had a date), but we get along GREAt nonetheless. When I make the shitkicking truckdriving C+W album I've talked about here, Candye will be singing on it! Maybe Honour Havoc too, but I really want to save her for our own "Stillhouse Boys" record together. *
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*Right up to the minute: my greatest fans in Oklahoma City, Paul and Susan LaVictoire, just left here, after coming over to jump-start the Honeywagon, which totally unexpectedly decided not to start this evening (and I gotta be in Memphis tomorrow). I had apparently left its flashers on when I parked it this afternoon, and having sat for six weeks, turns out the battery water was low, evaporated down in Oklahoma's intense heat, and that was all it took to weaken it beyond being able to start.
We sat and schmoozed about what their six trophy children have been up to, and about our Christian faith, how it's been tested, and how confirmed.*
**
*If I can remember anything else I'll let you know, blues fans. See y'all in Memphis tomorrow night, *
**
*Slim*
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August 11, 2007
Hi Slim.
I'm just sitting, here in Sweden, listening to Your latest CD "The Wheel man", and I really like it.
The "Newspaper Reporter" was/is the best track, but I really like them all.
Kind regard
Göran/George Andersson
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August 6, 2007
Hi Slim!
Thank you for a great visit in Norway. The workers are one of the best band at Notodden Blues Festival EVER !!, and I have been there for every year since 1994 !! I have never seen a band who came so close to the crowd, and delivered a blues consert so damn good !!!! I am probably one of your greatest fan in Norway, and I hope you can remember me. We spoked about some bikers outside the consert area. I drowe a Harley, and you told me that you have played for som bikermeets sometimes.
I hope that the workers will return to Norway sometimes, if not: I will com to Oklahoma !!!
/Bjorn
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August 3, 2007
howdy tall drink o water,
dont know when i have been so intrigued by such a brilliant, talented and charming person. hope to hear from you again soon. i know you are rocking notodden now. I played there a few years ago and it was so much fun. love ya sexy smart guy, candye kane in new york city
work what you got, if its a little or a lot!
www.candyekane.com for news and updates!
www.myspace.com/candyekaneband
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August 2, 2007
Hey Slim:
Bonjour Ami ... nice shows here, ay? a packed house both nights ...
We're still thinkin' about ya, rolling into Steeltown, Canada like a Southern tornado ...
Rob's playing his Slim inspired guitar, brilliantly, of course ... under the Willow Goddess tree ...
and me? I'm fervently hoping for the sake of the longevity of the Dream, that you're planning, not requesting, a Break, say somewhere around October ...
and hoping to see you again ... sooner than we all would have thought possible ... xoxo ...
Patricia
P.S. I'll try to remember to bring you a kite from Beijing ... now, how many of your friends can make you such a cool empty promise?
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July 30, 2007
Really enjoyed your performances at the Calgary Folk Music Festival. I hadn't heard of you before, but after your session with Jim Byrnes, Mary Flower and the rest, I went over to the record tent and got you CD.
Sometimes you just have to do that. And your performance of "Northwest Passage" next day was riveting; it reminded me of an old shanachie I once heard in Galway Ireland.
My question for you is this: what other performers did you like most at the festival (blues or otherwise)? Your music was my happy discovery -- what was yours?
--Jim Tubman
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July 29, 2007
*Hey Bill/Slim:*
*I sure did have an amazing time here in Vancouver last Tuesday. Mike and Ronnie were super nice, we all had a smoke and you guys played a ass-kickin' version of "Oklahoma Blues" for little 'ol me, who had to get up at 4:30 AM to work at the Railroad.* *I'm telling all my friends on the Eastern Coast of Canada to go catch you guys in September in Fredericton.*
* Michelle and I thank Slim for taking photos with us, and I'll make sure I have the day off the next time, so we can have a bourbon or three on the second set. Anyone who's a bourbon man/woman is all right by me.* *Best Regards, and have fun in Norway,*
*Bruce 13.*
*New Westminster, BC*
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July 25, 2007
Slim, Michael, Cliff & Ronnie, we can't thank you enough for finally making it to the famous Yale Hotel in Vancouver, Canada. I bugged club management & the promoter for two years to get you guys in there, and finally it happened. Your high octane show last night was the best at The Yale by far this year and we get a lot of top Blues performers passing through the joint. Hearing you guys deliver songs like "Juke Joint Woman", "Devil's Cadillac", "The Ashtray's Full", etc. "live" proves why you were nominated for six Blues Awards. I only wish we could've stayed for the second set, but when one has to get up in the pre-dawn hours and has a nagging wife - "time to go home dear"... Well what can I say? I love her just the same. And I love you guys too. I've got all of your cd's and look forward to the next one. Hope to see you back this way soon. In the meantime, keep safe wherever the Blues highway takes you and remember to keep the pedal to the metal, the shiny side up & the greasy side down.
Russ, a.k.a. R.B. (/with initials like those, is it any wonder why I love those Blues/)
Vancouver, BC Canada
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July 24, 2007
I bugged a blues fan friend for weeks to go to the concert. I told him he had never heard anyone perform like Watermelon Slim and he was in a league of his own. He raved about it afterwards.
I'm the hero who told him. Watermelon Slim is like a primer on how to entertain and stay a decent human being people can talk to.
Something he did for me personally really touched my heart.
I know when he reaches the big time and I see him on Jimmy Kimmel or some place like that that he will remember and still play for his friends in Hamilton Ontario.
Even though he didn't play Jimmy Bell for me . You guys in the office get the wheel man cartoon on a tee shirt for us to buy.
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July 24, 2007
Howdy Slim and band! I'm still in a state of shock and denial over last night's sold out performance at the Triple Door. Shock because you were even better than I anticipated (and I anticipated a helluva show) but - more importantly - denial because it didn't last long enough!!! No offense to John Lee Hooker, Jr. and band, but just one incredible set from you left me jonesing for more! I needed a whole night of that kind of glorious celebration.
I enjoyed finally getting to sit down and talk with you in person, oh my brother. You are one charismatic mufka. And Michael was entertaining as hell, too (but our Kings of Trivia team came in dead last after all our bragging and preening, didn't it now - ha, I love it)! Cliff and Ronnie Mack were cool, too, and were very gracious to put up with all my sleeve-tugging.
You know, the sensation I came away with after last night is that not only did I witness one of the absolute best performances I've seen in a long, long time, but I feel like I made some good new friends, too.
I'll be checking your calendar and that of some of the local blues clubs in the area to see if I can't get you guys an extended visit for another trip to our fair city.
Anyway, I could babble on and on, but I'll try to hold up some for now. Many thanks and
Holler Atcha Flipside,
Merciful Lee
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July 20, 2007
I've got to say, we were blown away.
A few of us caught the show on Sat and were totally blown away. I did attempt to hook up myspace as a friend but for some reason didn't get accepted. That's cool. I'll bet there are alot of those and it must be hard to check stuff out. Outside of becoming a believer I really just wanted to thank Mike for walking me back to catch Walter Trout before he split. To see him behind the skins took me by surprise and what a rhythm section !!!
Thanks for the show and I'll catch the guys next time they hit the area.
Johnny Pettit
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July 20, 2007
Hey, thanks, Punkin!! So glad you got in touch. We're up here in Alberta right now, doing the last 10 days of the tour, and I want you to know that that healing thing is what we're after.
God bless you, dear,
Ho Ka Hey, Watermelon Slim
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July 19, 2007
Dear Watermelon,
I just want you to know your show in Kalamazoo was not just great - but from a health perspective actually healing!! I had been feeling the blues for the past week or so because of all the shit going down w/Bush Administration - death, death, w/o any giving. I knew when we came to the show I seen your performance and like a heroin addict, just stuck my arms out there, ready to receive and I felt the power of healing from the blues that any one knows from being effected by good blues music, it is like a medicine. Anyway I bought the c.d. and checked out your website. Hoping to catch your show in Chicago on October 13, 2007. I'll bring a pumpkin for you to carve. Anyway from Michigan Punkin & Dave say a big "Megwetch" (thank-you for all you have given) to you and the Workers. We really enjoyed ourselves and I'm digging the c.d. daily. Look for us on the trails and keep up the good work.
Yours in the Spirit of the Blues,
Always, Punkin Shananaquet
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July 10, 2007
YO! SLIMBO!
Man, can't wait to see you in Seattle in LESS THAN 2 WEEKS and finally meet you in person!!! (You will of course be sending the limo for me - right?) I've assembled a worthy mutant army who will be in front row attendance.
By the way, brotherman, the food there is first-rate - might want to plan on snagging yer din-din there (I recommend the pad thai). Pad thai in a blues show??? Relax, Jake - it's Seattletown.
I hope we'll have an opportunity to shoot the jit.
Oh, and I trust you won't embarrass me by dropping the i-word. Har, that's a jo - I say, that's a JOKE, son!
Your Biggest Idiot Fan
In This Or Any Hemisphere,
Merciful Lee Dickens
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July 5, 2007
I wanted to tell you about my minor miracle. FM radio reception is pretty lousy out in the burbs west of Portland, but I had to try to hear your set at the Waterfront Blues Festival this afternoon. So I repositioned my radio, untied the fm antenna, and lo & behold I heard your voice clearly, singing like a rusty angel. But as soon as the next group came on, the reception returned to the usual hiss and static.
I've been a fan ever since I happened upon your last cd at my local library ... and I'm especially glad to see that you have a newer one out now!! I just read on your web site that you have made several cds in addition to these two. Are the earlier ones still available? I'd love to have a copy of "Blue Freightliner"!
And I hope nobody ever offers you that million dollars to fund your investigation. I don't believe that our loss of you as a musician could ever compare with any truths that you might find.
Charlene
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June 24, 2007
*/10-4, Mike, /*
I DO appreciate people who actually think afterwards about anything
I have said or sang or done!
I come by my politics both through decades of experience and
activism, and besides that by way of generations of family
involvement, going back to before the American revolution. My
ancestors include Samuel Adams, John Adams and John Quincy Adams.
Harriet Beecher Stowe, my great great aunt, wrote /Uncle tom's
Cabin/, which some historians list as a catalyst of the War Between
the States. More recently, my late uncle Leverett Saltonstall served
as US senator from Massachusetts, and my cousin Endicott "Chub"
Peabody served that state as governor. Dad served one term as a
state rep and quit, disillusioned by the political logrolling.
I am a longtime political investigator and activist. My masters'
thesis culminates with my own independent, and undebunked,
investigation of suppressed and unfollowed leads in the case of the
Oklahoma City Bombing. the neoNazis who conspired with McVeigh to
commit the bombing-- and the cowards in the FBI who allowed it to
happen-- still run free, and some of them live in Arkansas! With a
minimum of about $750,000, a million to be safe, I would set my
blues career aside, assemble and lead a team of journalistic
investigators and security consultants, and surveil and bust Elohim
City, as the FBI and AtF were ready to do in March of 1995, but
chickened out at the last minute.
It matters a lot to me that you have been good enough to let me know
that there was disagreement. And I agree wholeheartedly that it
doesn't matter whether a Dem or Repub is in power. these parties'
first imperative is stability and continuity of the dominatnt
two-party system. And Bush/Cheney would never have won without the
votes of millions of people who call themselves "Democrats".
And no, the continuing shortfall of restoration and rehabilitation
is not ALL George W. Bush's fault. But when that volume of money is
spent on war, a climate of assumption that the US would jeopardize
its war effort, and worse, its sons and daughters in the field, if
it made domestic, compassionate priorities paramount. We are,
consciously, opting for the uncertain benefits of foreign war in
lieu of the demonstrable benefits of domestic infrastructural
rehabilitation. And George Bush, and Dick Cheney, and Paul
Wolfowitz, and Don Rum-filled, Dick Perle, John Bolton, Alberto
Gonzales-- the neocon cabal-- are responsible for this distortion of
priorities.
Next time you come to a show somewhere, please do come and introduce
yourself to me and the band. We'd love to meet you and yours, and
till then,
God Bless You,
Watermelon Slim
P.S. Would you give me permission to include this dialogue between
us in my blog on my website?
/10-4, we go--o--o--o--o--one.../
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June 24, 2007
Watermelon, First of all *THANK YOU* for taking the time to write back concerning Ft Smith. I first saw you perform at a small festival in Osco, AR. I told everyone that day "Watermelon is the real deal!". You are still the real deal! We love you! My only concern is I heard people around me saying "Was that necessary?" when you called the President an Idiot. It just made me think about it. I did NOT vote for Bush. I want you to understand I agree with a lot of your critiques of the man.
I will say I lived in New Orleans 15 years ago. Everyone told me back then. "You know this town is a soup bowl. "We built a town where a town should never have been built." I think we all agree there is some real truth to that. The US Government has sent several billions to New Orleans. I have been involved in this since it all happened. Mississippi which took on the direct hit has done a remarkable job rebuilding already including a complete four lane bridge between Bay St Louis, MS and Pass Christian, MS. New Orleans on the other hand is sitting on billions with the local government trying to determine what to do. I just cannot put all the blame on Bush for this whole mess up.
Like you also said ........ We can think about all of this in 2008 and decide what to do. I know when any other person gets voted in office they will not be perfect. We will have many of the same problems no matter if we have a Democrat or Republican. I know it's nice to hear a section of the crowd applaud and scream out when you call Bush an Idiot but remember it's the exact same people that voted him in office that makes up the other half of the crowd that's not saying a word.
Like I said, I did *not* vote for Pres. Bush but I will be in Washington D.C. next week on the fourth of July thinking over and over how nice it is to be here. I just think we need to at least try not to be to hard on our own leader.
Most likely none of this will matter but being a Watermelon Slim fan it matters to me that I at least let you know what was being said around us.
Again, Thank You and we Love You!
Mike
PS Have a great show in MS this weekend. We want to be there but the D.C. trip might keep us from coming. Sounds like a fun place.
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June 24, 2007
Dear Sir/Madam,
You are, in America, entitled to your opinion. And so am I. Now,
I could have stood there and been much more specific: I could
have caled Bush, and in particular his handler, Dick Cheney,
cynical, greedy war criminals. I could have said that he was an
irresponsible commander-in-chief for allowing-- ordering-- the
lion's share of the available combat troops of the United States
to be bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan, making it
logistically impossible for us to stop a North Korean invasion
of the South, if that reclusive, desperate and unstable nation
decided to try to take advantage of US military overextension.
But I didn't have a lot of time. And so I contented myself with
asking you all, my friends assembled in Fort Smith, why our
government-- not just our president and cabinet, but our
bipartisan Congress-- felt it had the money, and the political
imperative, to spend 2-plus billion dollars a WEEK making 10s of
thousands more combat veterans, while debris plumes continue to
extend half a mile or more out from where the water normally
reaches, in Louisiana and Mississippi, where boats are still
lying on dry land almost 2 years after Katrina, where businesses
remain closed, and families are still living in temporary
housing. If we have that much money to "HELP" people who hate
us-- all polls in Iraq say so-- why do we steadfastly refuse to
give our own citizens this level of support?
ALL festivals are "family" festivals. I didn't call Bush an
obscenity, or any string of obscenities. "Idiot" is about as
mild as I will get with the man. trust me, sir/madam, "idiot" is
not going to warp the sensibilities of your children or
grandchildren. And, sorry, my free speech, as a public figure,
trumps your desire to shield your loved ones from variance of
public opinion.
I appreciate your past attendance of Watermelon Slim and the
Workers musical affairs. thank you! But the bottom line is, I
shall not censor my own speech, except to the point that I will
not use scatological or other kinds of obscenities. I don't run
a "G" rated show. I'm a bluesman. My show would probably rate
about PG-13, based on occasional sexual double entendres within
lyrics, and occasional suggestive dancing and other stage moves.
But no nudity, and no "goddamn motherfucking bastard
sonsabitches" type of language. I will add, gently, that you are
the only person in my performing career who has ever identified
the word "idiot" as having crossed any lines of appropriateness
or taste.
And if I think the putative leader of the "Free World" bears the
historical burden of outright stupidity (and that is the best
that can be said for him), I will say so forthrightly. Had I
been president, a division-strength RDF would have been on the
Pakistani border of Afghanistan within three weeks of 9/11/01
(pay Musharraf however many billions he wanted), sifted the
sands of eastern Afghanistan before Osama and Mullah Omar could
slip away, found them and their forces, closed with them, killed
them, and withdrew. We would have taken significant casualties.
But not thousands of dead, and 10s of 1000s of wounded, GIs and
Marines. And every one would have been an undying American hero,
and a hero to the rest of a grateful world. For pennies on the
dollars we have already spent, and continue insanely to spend.
I am not a saint. But I do pray that God will keep all my
friends safe, healthy and fed, and so,
God Bless You,
Watermelon Slim
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June 24, 2007
*There was NO excuse for Watermelon Slim to call President Bush an Idiot at the Ft. Smith Blues Festival.* We have seen Watermelon perform any many venues including the 2007 Blues Awards and Ground Zero.
THIS CROSSED THE LINE! Come on! You do not call the *President Of The United States* names at a family festival.
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June 23, 2007
Please get back to Watermelon Slim how much we appreciated him in Norman, OK. He just proves to all of us that life is so full, rich, and rewarding. I bought his newest record: I never go a day without listening to it. To me his music, sound, and the other band members with him gives a new meaning to soul and the blues. I wish he could be here more often. Maybe the performing arts theatre at Norman North High School could be utilized. Anyway, thank him so much for me and my friends.
Twana
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June 20, 2007
Slim,
First off thank you for this FANTASTIC album, this is the best blues album that I can recall from this era. I first heard one of your tunes "Black Water" on my XM Radio and I had to find this album. I actually bought two, one for myself and one for my father who introduced me to the blues. I will most defiantly come to see you perform if you are playing anywhere near Dallas. It is like a breath of fresh air to hear an album like this. Almost inspires me to pick my guitar up and play some licks.
Thanks once again!
Lance
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June 19, 2007
Hi there Slim, Mike, CLiff, and Ronnie ! I am the skinny ''cowboy'' that caught your show at Cajun's,,, in Little Rock,,,
June 15 ,,,with Sonny "Blues Man'' Mcguire !!! You guys were EVERYTHING that he said !!! JUST AWESOME !!!!!! Glad that the ''Watermelon Mic'' was such a great SURPISE for YOU ! I know
you will CHERISH it !!! It meant so much to him and Lee Cosly,,to ''create'' it for YOU !!! It did sound AWESOME !!!! Hope to see all of you guys again ! Good luck with the ''road' !
A NEW FAN,,,,,,, ''Cowboy Dave'
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June 18, 2007
Hi Slim & Workers. Thanks for a great show at Cajun's in Little Rock on June 15. You all rocked (as usual). I want to say thanks for spending the time to talk with me after the show & to get a few photos with you and the band. Any time you come to Little Rock (or Helena for "Da Biscuit"), I'll be there with my friends to see you all. May the muse always be with you,
Bruce
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June 12, 2007
Dear Slim and Band:
It was most excellent to catch you for the second time at Darwins, in Marietta, GA! You guys not only "Rock"...You "Blue" Man!
You were all cool, conversational and gracious beyond the call, to sign the "Rev. Finster-esque" poster I had Cliff rip "out da winder" fer me!!! Sure would love to catch you at some other "Mo-Bigga" venues in
town....like: The Variety Playhouse in Little 5, Smiths Olde Bar in Midtown or the Roxy in Buckhead. All viable halls fer ye!.....I wouldn't lie!
How was the Riverfest in Chattanooga???..Nashville???....know you threw it all down, as usual!
Whatever yo 20 be, may it be stylin and profilin, gents!................Love the album!
Peace and Happy Trails!
Sincerely,
Alexander Fuss....drummer, singer-songwriter, but most importantly:
The Original " May-retta Melon-headed Mutha"
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June 11, 2007
Hello slim long time. looking forward to seing you again at the Portland Waterfront Blues fest.
Man alive i dug your last album with the workers. it is smoking. Drop me a hello sometime.
welcome back to Oregon. we will have to fix you up with one of our Oregon Hermiston mellons.. Now that a good eaten mellon
Blueduck chuck
St helens oregon
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June 4, 2007
Hey Slim, Thanks so much for the goodies! Wow,trials and tribs of life on the road. I read about your adventures and can only think that you will never run out of stuff to write songs about. Ya know, I'm one of the few guys in Western Mass. wearing a cowboy hat. So when people ask me about it (which they do) I tell them to check out your web site and buy the CD with the straw hat on the cover. Anywho between you and me I still believe in Santa Clause. Merry Christmas and God bless you.
your old pal....
Roy
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June 2, 2007
Hi Slim ! I let a couple of my friends ( blues ) listen to your music, and they become a fan of you at once. Keep on playing!
/Bjorn
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May 31, 2007
hey WHEELMAN, transformer hauler tommy from TEXAS, thanks for the call the other day it made my stroll down the supper slab even better than it already was. how was that stroll over to salina in that 379? keeper between the ditches. until we meet out on the big road keep on mashing that motor......they call me homegrown i'm out
Trucker Tommy
Texas
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May 28, 2007
Hiya Watermelon Slim. I see that you are appearing at the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest this year. I like it. Just got the cd "Wheelman" by resubscribing to " Blues Revue" and I enjoyed it. Now after reading your bio on the web site, I'm not sure if an uneducated dumbass like me is worthy of talking to you. Oh wait, yes I am. My story is what it is and so I work.
I also see that you apparently are an anti war person. The * administration has gotten our young people into a terrible mess, not to mention all of us. So it is my opinion that this fucker has to go and the sooner the better. At the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest, I am going to try and wear some sort of "statement" shirt so you will be able to spot me. If nothing else, I will be the fat bald drunk in the front row. I admire your political views as well as your music. Kweep up the good work and I will at least enjoy your show at the Fest.
Joe Penry
Davenport, IA
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May 27, 2007
Hello Slim!
I just love your music, and the way you preform the blues. I live in Norway and I already got my ticet to Notodden Blues Festival. I look forward to see and hear the workers, you sound are just GREAT!!
/Bjorn
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May 24, 2007
Hi Slim: I'm from Little Rock, AR and I got to see you in Helena, AR last October. By far, you & the Workers were the best act during the three day festival. You were also kind enough to talk with me and sign two of your CD's for me. A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU!! I really look forward to seeing you again in Little Rock on June 15. I'll bring a gaggle of friends with me that I have turned on to your music. You and your band are simply the best. God bless you & may the muse always be with you.
Bruce
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May 23, 2007
*Dear Blues Fans,*
**
*I owe you a lot of blog again. I am now (again) 20-odd appearances behind, and richer by a million emotional dollars by all of you magnificent folks that I have met, and played for, and gotten up close and personal with.*
**
*It is taking it personal-- being in all affairs personal as well as professional-- that separates the artist from the thundering herd. I must write up the events of last night, and my reflections upon them, before I get to the joys and trials of the road, including the Blues Music Awards, which will receive its own treatment, our lovely sojourn with Janice and tony Negri in Rosemark, our continuing relationship with Mississippi genius Jimbo Mathus in places like tupelo (yo, Oldsmobile!), our live DVD night at Ground Zero, and so on and so on, because of the crucial place in my development these two gigs in Santa Fe represent.*
**
*I was playing as the opening act for Buddy Guy at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, and afterwards at the Eldorado Hotel, probably the most prestigious in New Mexico's capital. I had come nearly to the end of my show, having played Smokestack Lightning as a symphonic piece (seriously, y'all, that's the way I think about that particular number when I stretch out in it), and I told the crowd (you) that I had one more song. I looked to my right and people were shining flashlights on me, and telling me that I had to get off the stage. I said it'll be a short one, and they insisted that I get off NOW. *
**
*Now, I am, first of all, a performer for whom "the show must go on" is an absolute first priority. I'm that fellow who played six gigs in 5 states with a broken guitar-playing wrist last year. *
**
*Second, I am a man among my fellow men and women who wants to give of myself all that my fellows need and want. And you, the crowd, resoundingly wanted an encore, or, as it was, a last short number. *
**
*But then, lastly, I am an artist, and each show is a piece of my art. I turn myself inside out for people. I take and give everything hat I do intensely personally. *
**
*I had never yet been told, without appeal, to leave the stage when the crowd is hanging on my performance. the artist in me became so disgusted at the idea that he was not being allowed to finish a piece of his art that his hand tossed what happened to be in it-- which was, alas, my most dear piece-of-mojo guitar slide, the 70-80 year old bottle of silver polish many of you have watched me use. *
**
*I tossed it towards backstage, not really thinking of where it would land, though there were surely no people there, and it shattered against a piece of shrouded Buddy Guy band equipment. I was too angry, and in moments, too professionally mortified, to take a bow. I walked off and jawed with certain of the Guy road entourage a moment about their stopping my show, but then walked off to my dressing room to hold my head and think about the many ways I might have done something differently and finished my program with grace, if not at the desired end.*
**
*I didn't even want to go out and sign CDs for you. I didn't want the money. I had blown it for you all, I thought. But I got a knock on my door 15 minutes into Buddy's show from one of Buddy's merchandizers (thank you to that lifetime pro in his work, for the Doobie Brothers and others besides Buddy) who told me that there was a line of you out in the lobby where the Guy merchandise organization had graciously allowed me to set up my CDs, and for the price of a CD (I said no, no, two of your choice!) they would sell them for me. *
**
*I knew you liked the show. But what was especially gratifying was how many of you not only bought CDs, but came over to my other show, where we had a fine, relaxed time together, and where I made the public apology which I shall here reiterate: I am sorry to any and all I may have offended by losing my professional reserve, no matter how briefly (if anyone is wondering, I was drinking nothing but hot water at the Lensic-- that's the best thing for my throat during a gig-- so my inappropriate behavior was committed in dead sobriety). You loved the second show. thanks again.*
**
*I will say only this in my extenuation: I have played a lot of solo appearances in which I precede another artist or band at clubs and festivals. In normal professional circumstances, the venue owners, or promoters, or managers whatever their title, will pre-inform the artist that so-and-so will give you the five-minute warning in order that the program progress as planned. this did not take place in this case. I even took a little LED clock I carry onstage with me, but I was told I had been 50 minutes of a 45-minute scheduled set. *
**
*Buddy Guy himself did not see any of this. I have no expectation of ever playing with the man now, of course. Alas. Like my mom used to say, them who act in haste are permitted to repent at leisure. But if this blog should be brought to his attention, I just want him to know, and his band to know, that I meant him and them absolutely no disrespect. Sorry, fellas.*
**
*Now, next, I will get to the touring pleasures. But first, one of the last two sips I have from April's bottle of Dalmore single malt.*
**
*Oh, and by the way, you tSA folks in Santa Fe, hola! Your commendation is in my April 16 entry. *
**
*Soon, soon. Manana at least, I will write. *
**
*God bless us all,*
**
*Watermelon Slim*
**
*____oo===-===ooiDo < < < <____*
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May 23, 2007
Slim,
What a treat to have been able to see you in Santa Fe, NM opening for
Buddy Guy last night (5/22/07). Most people in the audience were
unfamiliar with your music. I, however, was familiar with your two
latest releases (Watermelon Slim & the Workers and The Wheel Man). I
think I'm going to wear my CD player out playing these. XM Radio
(Bluesville) is where I first heard of you - now I will look forward
to each of your releases and your return to New Mexico.
It's unfortunate that the venue management didn't allow you to play
one more song as it was obvious the audience wanted to hear more from
you. You certainly had a right to be upset. I know I was. However, it
was a double treat to be able to see you perform at the Eldorado Hotel
at the "After Show Party". It's great to see a musician of your talent
that loves to play and entertain the blues music fans. I know you were
bothered by the fact they didn't let you perform on encore before
Buddy Guy, but in the end I hope that you realize you brought great
joy to the blues music fans in New Mexico. You apologized for how the
show ended and your reaction, but I apologize on behalf of the venue
management on how they upset you - you were on a role playing with
passion that is seldom seen from performers. Unfortunately, I didn't
get to see the entire "After Show Party" as my buddy and I needed to
travel back to Albuquerque so we could get some sleep before we had to
work this morning.
Please don't let this experience keep you from returning to New
Mexico. A buddy of mine and I signed up for your "Street Team" 3 weeks
ago or so - so we are ready to help promote your return to New Mexico.
Thank you for two great performances last night. Also, thank you for
your service to our country, which allows us to enjoy the blues!
Best regards,
Jimmy T - Albuquerque, NM (5/23/07)
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May 23, 2007
Hey Slim, just wanted to let you know that I saw your show for the first time at the GZBC live DVD recording. I enjoyed it so much that I came home and ordered all of your CD's. I hope ya'll receive the success that ya'll so richly deserve and I can't wait to see ya'll again. Until then be careful on the road and keep on enjoying the voyage.
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May 18, 2007
Dear Slim,
A dear friend of mine recently turned me on to your music, and I have been listening to it non-stop ever since! I really dig your sound! Your music is so heartfelt, so truthful and downright soul-touching! Always intelligent and well-written, and sometimes quite hilarious!! I am forever a Watermelon Slim fan-atic, and hope to be able to catch a show soon. Many thanks to you for sharing yourself and your talents with all of us. I owe a debt of gratitude to my dear friend, as well!
My best wishes to you and yours,
Carol Ann
Dayton, Ohio
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May 11, 2007
Hey Slim,
Listened to the show on XM radio. You guys sounded great. Thanks for coming through Ohio. Saw you at both shows.
Take Care of yourself,
Steve
aka Sir Hodge
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May 11, 2007
Slim...Happened to stumble upon you and your music and man am I glad I did.
You got it down to your shoes. Please come to Chicago and light it up...You would definitely be appreciated.
John
Chicago, Illinois
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May 7, 2007
Hi Blues Fans,
I know this is going to seem like a lick and a pomise, and, yes, I'm behind by about 14 gigs again, but I want everbody to know how much I've enjoyed this time leading up to Christmas, er, I mean the W.C. Handy Awards, er, I mean the BMAs. Are me and the Workers excited? Well, yeah, some, but we do not lose sight for a moment of the fact that in this business, indescribably more than in, say, Hollywood or pro sports, you the fans have a say in who shall be honored, and how.
We tore Memphis up yesterday. Now, some will argue that we kind of got helped by the rainy weather, which made the space under the Blues Tent at Memphis in May even more inviting! But whatever the case, y'all packed the tent, and we left with muddy shoes (they tell me that it always rains sometime during this mega-event) but warm fuzzies in out hearts for all the new friends we made there!
I'm going to get to our other many stops, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the northwest to Tampa, Florida in the southeast. I will tell you that me and my buddy Bill, from Maryville, Tennessee (home of Bracken's where the Workers are playing sday after tomorrow, night before Christmas, I mean the awards in Memphis. went fishing on Lake Tellico, on my birthday, April 25. We caught about 40 assorted bass between the two of us on an all-day excursion. Yours truly took largest fish-- a 17-inch 3-lb smallmouth bass (nice freakin fish, yeah!) on my FIRST CAST. However, Tennessee sez that 18 inches is the legal minimum for smallmouth, so we did not take a picture) and held his own for number of fish, though I think Bill had 3-4 more than I did.
I will get back to you all on our visits to the old home town, Asheville, N.C., and several great new places we played in the next installment! Until then,
(Communicator bleeps) KIRK OUT...
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May 3, 2007
Bill, thanks so much for the interview that we had on April 22nd! After considering my options about stretching the interview over two different podcasts, I decided to go with an entire show of nothing but you, our interview, and a sampling of your tunes!
Your show in Roanoke was awesome! The venue was gorgeous! I hope you'll be returning soon! As a new member of your street team, I'll get the word out far in advance too! Need to pack em in!
The interview and some of your sample tunes can be found at bluzndablood.libsyn.com or off a link on my home page at bluzndablood.com! The show has already been very well received and I'm sure "The Wheel Man" will have you and the guys back in Memphis next year picking up lots more hardware!
Hokie hats off to the greatest bluesman touring today!
Dave
P.S. I've now added "pickle park" to my vocabulary! That's funny as %#@!!!
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April 23, 2007
Hey Slim,
I trust that you and the workers are doing fine. I hope your surgery is healing up. The doc will really have you smiling a lot soon.
We really enjoyed seeing you at your old hometown of Asheville, NC at the Jack of the Wood. Man how do you hit all those high notes on that harp?
My cousin Mike Johnson said you make that dobro look like it's easy to play but he knows better. I love the blues dobro and harp. So thanks brother for showing up and showing out. You and your guys are one of the greatest of all times.
I hope you and Cliff liked the holy blues cd I made. I am working on some more originals. I believe your life experiences inspire your material. Besides that, do you have a process or progress to pen and play your songs?
Thanks for looking and God bless.
Tim "Blind Melon" Rhyne
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April 22, 2007
Hey Slim,
I saw you, yesterday actually, in Greenville, SC. I was the young hippie chick that couldn't take my eyes off of the great blues show that was going on in front of me. I am a HUGE fan and loved yall. I hope that you come back to Greenville, SC sometime soon maybe to the Handlebar or something like that. I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed myself and thanks for being so cool.
Rock steady,
Leigh
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April 17, 2007
As a former Oklahoma Blues Society member now living in Richmond VA, it has been a real pleasure of late tuning into Bluesville on XM radio and hearing Slim. At least 4 times the past couple of weeks. I was a big fan while in OK and attended two CD release parties. Bill and I enjoyed a couple of cigars over the years as I had a habit of bringing one for him when I'd see him play.
Anyway, the best to Slim from Virginia. Hopefully you can book him a gig this way so I can see him and perhaps share another smoke. Since I was on the site getting an email address, I ordered up the new CD using Paypal.
When the new CD arrives, I'll listen to it on the deck, with a Cohiba in one hand and a Sambucca in the other. My taste buds, those in my mouth and my ears, are looking forward to it already.
Regards,
Jack Bartell
Richmond, VA
/Long Live Da Blues/
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April 16, 2007
Here we go, Blues fans,
I've got a head of steam up, and I'm going to now bring you
completely up to date as to the goings and doings of Watermelon Slim
and the Workers. All of us are now, thank God, in health, and taking
a needed break before a long April run of touring dates. May dates
number a few less, and then June through August, we're not going to
get home more than once or twice briefly, not at all in July. Blues
fans, by your love and attention you have helped me and my musicians
to reach the point we have reached, which is as musical world
citizens. /Nous sommes bien des citoyens du monde. Estamos de verdad
de los ciudaderos del mundo, y orguillosos para eso./ However, I
promise you that we will always play like it's the Front Porch Stage
at Rentiesville, even if the front porch happens to be in Rome or
Ottawa or Singapore.
In March, as I mentioned, we stopped in at the Lawrence juke, Stu's
Midtown, and did a set at Knuck's for these wiseass clowns who were
tremendous showmen as musicians, todd Snider and Will Kimbrough. We
were on our way to Wisconsin to play a very important gig to me
personally. Now, you will remember that last Veterans' Day the
Workers were booked for a gig in Milwaukee. As luck would have it, I
got injured and had to cancel that gig, along with a whole west
coast tour and everything else in November and December until
Knuck's for New Year's. Well, this was the replacement. Vietnam
Veterans Against the War has presided over a Bock beer blessing in
Milwaukee for a number of years, and all the vets organizations seem
to bond closely where beer is concerned, or maybe Milwaukee was just
a blur-- no, wait a minute, I was sober-- uhh...
But before we played this gig, more in a moment, we had by chance
lucked into what is going to be a very fine gig over the long run
the night before. Grafton Wisconsin is blessed with the Paramount
Restaurant, which is a rather upscale but not pretentious place that
hosts the Blues. Paramount. Paramount. Haven't I heard that name
before, the blues aficionado is wondering, scratching his head. Ah!
Flash! Bingo! the record label, right? YES. You get the kewpie doll.
the restaurant is where something like 1/4 of the "race records"
were put out. Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Blake, Son House, I can't
begin to name 'em, recorded in this building. Paintings of them
looked down on me from the walls, as at Famous Dave's, or BB's
Lawnside Barbecue in Kansas City. Paramount's fare is French-style,
I would say, except when you actually order their Italian entrees.
My table wine was EXCELLENt; they had no business bringing me
something as good as a Pavillon Blanc on a mere request of table
wine! Grafton has its very own blues society, and with a piece of
history that significant in town, it's no wonder! Our thanks to the
gracious hosts, and we DO hope to see you again this year, perhaps
the day before Veterans' Day (wink)!
So, at Serb Hall in Milwaukee on Saturday, we pulled up and played a
couple of short sets for the Blessing of the Bock. All the major
vets' organizations were represented, and before the minister
conducted the little ceremony blessing the production of the local
breweries, many of whom were represented there, there was a color
guard. Now, if I've never mentioned it, one of my great unrealized
ambitions is to sing the National Anthem at Fenway Park. I may never
get that chance, but to be asked to sing the SSB at this gathering
of mostly veterans, in the 40th Anniversary year of my own beloved
organization (I'm a VVAW Life Member) , might be the greatest chance
I ever get to sing the song. It's a hoary old tune, but it still
raises a thrill in me. thanks, brothers and sisters, particularly
Amy, who came to see us back in Chicago at Legends! VVAWs John Zutz,
who booked the appearances and MC'd the Bock Festival, and Annie
Bailey, who arranged our lodging; and Katy from the Grafton Blues
Society www.graftonblues.org, who
sent lots of great info to us beforehand, and made directions
troublefree!
So now we're up to the most recent tour, which had us doing 7 gigs
in 10 days, good steady work. First, it was a midnight start for
Louisville, KY, where we were in to a new place, the Phoenix Hall
tavern. Louisvilleans remind me a lot of Oklahomans-- really
laidback, friendly, and with an undeniable Southern touch. We had a
purty serious Southern heavy-metal band opening for us, and pardon
me if I don't remember their name, but they banged my head, ahem.
Didn't have to worry about variety in tHAt program. But even their
crowd loved us, and we had numerous interstate spectators, from
various places in Ohio, who had driven all that way to see us! Yay!
From there it was into Indiana-- Richmond, almost in Ohio on
Interstate 70. the Fourth Floor Club was, indeed, on that level, and
was another hopping Blues Society hangout. And the food...! Here was
home cooking away from home. Most people think, "mac and cheese--
eaaahh." Fools, they are. Along with their centercut chops, and all
the obviously church-supper-style fixings, a meal to remember. And a
crowd, too. We had a classic-rock band opening for us here, a couple
of grizzled veterans like me in it. they sang real good! We tore the
place up.
that was Saturday night week ago. Now, before I get into this last
week, which will officially bring this blog up to date as far as
road work goes, I have a couple of short commendations I must make,
and you all must listen. First general medal I am awarding is to the
bartenders, barbacks, waitresses, cooks, maitre d's, sound techs,
managers, talent buyers, and other folks, paid and volunteer, who
make it possible for us to share this music we have with larger and
larger numbers of people. My fellow workers, my hat is off to you.
Solidarity!
And the other commendation: this may come as a little more of a
surprise, but if you know me, it shouldn't. Now, because of the
Workers' recent rise in profile musically, we have been doing quite
a lot of flying lately, nationally and internationally. I want the
folks in the transportation Safety Administration (tSA) that do the
monitoring and screening at the airports to know that they are doing
a very fine job under trying circumstances. It can not be easy to
maintain the good will and good humor you have uniformly shown while
providing your service for me and my band. I thank you so much, and
hope that you will never permit overzealousness in pursuit of
security to overwhelm your demonstrated concern for people's rights
and dignity. Again, Solidarity, and Bravo!
Now, having pulled out of Richmond, we highballed over to
Indianapolis, where we had a tuesday night with our friends the
Yeagys at the Slippery Noodle. Carol and Hal have the very best band
house among our touring venues. We get to just laze around in the
day, even on layover days like Monday we can stay there, and we get
to play for crowds of really discriminating blues fans. Like, for
instance, Brian and ___, ___ and ___-- see fellas, I'm lucky if I
can remember one name, and I was sober-- the prison guards from up
in Cincinnati who came all the way on the strength of having heard
one CD! tore tHAt place up, for our best crowd there so far, and it
was only a tuesday!
Alas, not all was well. In the evening, driving back to the band
houe, we noticed the transmision starting to slip. In the morning,
we barely got to the club again, and it was the same story,
different day. the tranny was toast. that rebuild lasted 49,500
miles or so. Past the warranty, but not long enough for me to get
rid of this-- FORD-- sorry, Ford fans-- before I had to install its
third transmission. Plus a rental van for three days, $150/day,
carrying as much equipment as we could but using other places'
backline stuff, AND I got a speeding ticket (82 in a 70) because I
didn't have my CB to tell me where Smoky Bear was at (Indiana
Smokies have REALLY fine-looking blue uniforms. Impressive!), PLUS
the Bassman malfunctioned, PLUS I spilled coffee on Cliff's
cellphone-- It was a very bad week fopr me financially. However,
manager Chris Hardwick notified me that my record company cash
advance had come through, and it just about covered the week's
unavoidable expenses. I bitched and whined unmercifully, of course.
So we did BB's, Legends and Skip's with the rental minivan. I've
told you about all these places before, each with its own unique
charm and flavor. I have to go on a little about the Legends
appearance, which will undoubtedly be the last gig we do at this
location, as Buddy is moving (being somewhat forced to move, as I
understand) the venue to another place on the west side of Chicago.
Quick as I got there I made sure the food was still all right, with
two helpings of collard greens to go along with my beans and rice
and corn bread. Yep, that'll work. Once we had solidly gotten into
our first set, for some reason I was paying attention to the left
side of the stage, and when I turned around there was Buddy Guy, who
had snuck up on me, with a glass of Remy Martin XO in his hand. We
were doing I'm a Man, and we dropped it down to slithering volume,
and Buddy Guy sang the blues with the Workers for going on /10
minutes./ the managers and staff say that this is very unusual for
him, he usually just comes up, sings a verse or two and gets off. We
are all very excited to be working closer with this all-time-great
in our field. thanks, Buddy!
After loading out at Buddy's, we drove back to Indianapolis where
the Honeywagon was waiting outside the transmission shop. Dubuque,
Iowa, then, is exactly the wrong way if you're going to
Indianapolis. Or vice versa. But drive it all we did, and eventually
got to one of our very favorite places of all, the party basement
kind-of-Irish-with a-bit-of-French-thrown-in we know as the Busted
Lift. this was a night full of birthdays and anniversaries, as it
happened, had a couple of each, and we want to thank you all for
sharing your happy milestones with us! this was an elbows-to-elbows
crowd, and the Lift ttreated us even nicer than usual to reflect
that fact! Food is now being served upstairs, and it is
highbrow-tasting stuff (my salad was truly exquisite in its
freshness and variety, and my burrito was huge and with
todays's-cooked frijoles), for a lower-to-middling price.
I usually obtain some of their specialty packaged Irish food, but
this night there wasn't time. the boys wanted to skeedaddle. I was
reluctant about it, I hate not to get full use out of as outstanding
a hotel as the Julien Inn, our customary lodging in Dubuque! But
home we came, and here I am, having finally, after a broken wrist
and only later increasing activity, having caught up to the present
time on this blog!
Lots of good future stuff to talk about. I may even include some new
song lyrics. I dunno. O haven't been up-to-date with this thing
since last September, lemme catch my breath.
Again, and again, thanks a million to everyone who has come out and
shown the love and affection, for us and for the blues! We are
inspired by you to keep on trucking, and keep on playing!
Y'all holler at us, come on,
You got the Watermelon, standing on the side for now,
/*WE GO-O-O-O-O-NE*/
\
\
_*oo-===-===-oo*liD*o*<<<<<<<<_______ t t t t H t t t t t t
tttttttt H ttttttttt H tttttttttttt_
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April 16, 2007
I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you the new CD of Watermelon Slim just came in the mail and I wanted to say thank you and tell you what a great CD it is. Thank you for the timely shipping of the CD and tell the whole band it is great.
Once again thank you John Lowery
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April 12, 2007
Hi guys!
I just wanted to comment on your new cd that I picked up in Dubuque. We listened to it all the way out to Colorado and found ourselves listening to it again and again. Great work guys! I think you better get used to being nominated for some more awards for this cd is every bit as good if not better than your last one. "Wheel Man" is a classic with Magic Slim adding a nice dimension to your sound. Congratulations on making another gem!
Your fan and friend in Madison,
Don Keller
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April 9, 2007
Hi guys!
I just got back from my trip to Colorado and I just wanted to thank you again for letting me get up and play with you all at the Busted Lift in Dubuque. It was a honor and a privilege to be able to share the stage with musicians of your caliber. Much thanks to Michael for being so kind as to asking me if I wanted to get up and play. I make a point of never asking any band or musician if I can sit in because I believe that is being really forward if not just plain rude. I have been in that situation before with the bands that I play in where someone comes up and begs to sit in usually saying, "come on man, let me play. I'm really good!" I have found over my years of experience that the ones who brag about themselves are the ones who usually suck!! Once again, many thanks for getting me up as it not only made my night, but it was a great way to start my vacation. I am looking forward to seeing you in Memphis at The Blues Awards and again in Clarksdale. I hope you have your acceptance speech's down, as you surely will win something in Memphis!! Just remember, ...the game is for life!!
Your friend in Wisconsin,
Don Keller
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April 5, 2007
Hi Blues Fans,
I'm catching up, see? I had to set this one in a separate dispatch. February 24 I flew a couple of little puddle-jumper airplanes into Gulfport, Mississippi, where I played a full-house (people were listening in and outdoors) solo appearance at the Shed, a great, long-established barbecue and blues stop on the Gulf coast. Recently I slightly overate (at BB's B+S, I ate 4 courses, and had to take a constitutional before playing!), but I ate more barbecue, tater salad and cole slaw at the Shed. You just never can tell...
My gracious hosts for the night, representing the local blues society, were Glen Alexander and his significant other, by now married I believe, tanya. Glen, btw, is an honest to-goodness Vietnam war hero who led 4 other men to safety from his downed plane, and was permanently disabled. He won points immediately being a Chevy (Corvettes, no less) man. After a lovely 65-degree semi-outside performance at the Shed, we went for after-hours to KJ's tOO, a suburb or so away where I was able to get up with a fine classic-rock/country outfit and do a real fine "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound", and then a somewhat less surefooted Sam Cooke number, "We're Having a Party".
In the morning before hopping back on the plane-- I wasn't even in Mississippi for 24 hours-- I got a chance to see a little of the destruction that the triple hurricane punch of 2005, especially Rita, which was the directest hit, unleaashed on this nearly oceanside community. Boats were still sitting on dry land a quarter of a mile from the water. Debris plumes, where the water had just set, with whatever was floating in them, extended much further out than that.
Glen's charming house had been partially destroyed, but he's a determined type, and a skilled archietect and contractor, so he eagerly-- this time-- rebuilt. He says he might not if there was a next time.As I have said in my live performances, I solicit your prayers for the folks on the Gulf Coast of the United States of America, and I also solicit your prayers for the people in charge of policy for the region and world, that they may see what needs to be done in our own land, and not further bankrupt the nation and our descendants, and theirs, on disastrous foreign wars according to the PNAC.
Hey, when I talk about our most recent tour, which included our triumphant meeting on stage with Buddy Guy at Legends in Chicago, and also included some more unexpected sour news from the Honeywagon (not Swine Flew's fault), I'll be all caught up! And that'll be
Soon, y'all,
Watermelon Slim
____*oo-===-===-oo*iD*o*<<<<<<_____t t t t t t t t t t t t t H t t t t ttttttttt tH ttttt
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April 4, 2007
Dear Watermelon Slim,
I recently had the pleasure of seeing you on stage in Chicago. I'm a college student from Pennsylvania and was visiting the windy City for the National Broadcasting Society Convention, and Legends was suggested as a place we should check out while we were there. So, on Friday (the 30th), we went down to that famous club, hoping to see the blues in action. And that is exactly what we saw.
Watermelon Slim, you put on an excellent show and I was completely blown away. I'm not normally what you would call a blues fan, I'm more of a metalhead, but that night, for those couple of hours, I knew and understood what the blues was all about. You made a true believer out of me!
I really count myself lucky to have seen someone with your talent on the stage. Your performance was filled with passion and power. I'm still telling my friends about what they missed when they decided they didn't want to go out that night.
Thank you for putting on an excellent show and for giving me a memory that will rank among the best things I've done in my life.
Brett Summers
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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April 4, 2007
I'm still way behind, but the account of our February commute to Lille, France should appear any time now. Since that time we have returned to the scenes of so many of our past good times: Blues on Grand, in Des Moines, *full house on a Wednesday. Yay. I'm gaining hand strength, Jeff...* Chesterfield's, in Sioux City. *What a room that is, built from the gitgo for music. I'm getting my truck specc'ed in Sioux City!* BB's Blues and Soups, in St. Louis, where we had a whopper of a gig with St. Louis musicians Big George Brock, Arthur Henderson, and the hottest 16-year-old all-around bluesman you ever saw, Marquis Knox. Remember that name, folks: this BOY-- no, this manchild, for he stands 5'11" or so at 220-odd-- plays and sings it all, from Muddy to the church to his own songs, and plays guitar, harp AND drums, besides really HAVING the voice. Woof. *Besides all that, we got to listen to a bluesman named Leroy Pierson, who as it turns out is also a college professor, but more importanly was a longtime friend and student of Fred McDowell. He had associations with ever'body, and I'm shooting myself for not being able to tell you who it was he did like 150 gigs with-- somebody like Sleepy John Estes, but that's only a guess-- and hell, I was sober.*..Murphy's, in Omaha*, where "Swine Flew", Watermelon Slim and the Workers' Flying Pig, was named, thanks again to all for the great variety and volume of suggestions. It's not every day that you get a chance to name a pig, for most of us.* Famous Dave's, in Minneapolis, where we caught back up with former Fried Okra Jones drummer Kyle and bassist Adam Enevoldsen, *with his betrothed,* who by this date is married! Knucklehead's, in KCMO, where we had to follow two of the most salacious and entertaining musical comedians we ever saw, *todd Snider *and Will Kimbrough. Bit of a tuffie to top that. Stu's Midtown, in downtown Lawrence, a fine working-class place if ever there was one. We named the flying pig, and just had a ball with all you folks!
I gotta go to the dentist. I'll tell you all about Canada and this last midwest tour when I get back!
And you can read about progress on the new truck below.
Latah, Blues Fans,
Slim
Me and the band were just in Louisville, where by good luck the big truck show was going on. A couple of owner-ops who are big friends and fans from KCMO were there, and we at least got to go look at our reflections in the floorboard of a '55 Autocar, lol! Oh God, that's some fancy stuff! I am currently having my own first (and undoubtedly, last) road truck specced out for me at Freightliner in Sioux City. I'm getting an 18-foot box, 2-ton chassis, the biggest size UPS delivery truck, but set up for Over-the-Road with a 6-speed Fuller and 3.20 gears, behind one of those 5-cylinder 250-HP Mercedes diesels, complete with jake brake. I'll be leaving it Freightliner blue and silver. It's going to be like 19,500 GVW, so the band won't need a CDL to drive it, but of course they will have to be completely trained.
You know, I can't believe some of our brother (and sister) truckers
sometimes, the way they blithely disregard the first commandment of
truckdriving, which is keep your freaking distance! Where do these
people think they are, Darlington? 70 MPH, 4 trucks in 10
trucklengths-- some people will do anything for a fuel bonus, come
on!? Okay, I'm getting off my soapbox now. Guess I wouldn't be a
trucker if I didn't whine once in a while, waaahh waaaahh!!
*Oh, Canada! is the national anthem of our rockin' northern neighbor
on planet earth. God, we love Canada! If only someone would turn up
the thermostat in the winter just a little.*
**
*But by that I mean the one with the mercury in it, not the one
within people's hearts in Canada. that one burns wide open, never
mind the energy. these were two new provinces for me and the
Workers, Saskatchewan and Maintoba, and we knew it was going to be
very cold when we got off the plane in Regina and got our trusty
Canadian-made Chevy minivan and head for stop One in Saskatoon,
which one trucker I talked to on CB said was a party town. It's a
medium sized city of going on 300,000 people, which surprised me,
and is the capital of the province.*
**
*One thing we have found about Canadian festival operators is that
they really make it happen seamlessly. Big tent or smaller tent,
even sideshow (which I have played in Ontario!)-- they know how to
run a circus! Great coordination with vendors, excellent but
invisible security, fine green room spread, the works! And the
Saskatoon Blues Festival and Regina, Saskatchewan's Mid-Winter Blues
Festival's great staff did not disappoint. We were, besides, treated
with the greatest of honor and respect. And I must also not forget
to mention the real strong, cohesive, knowledgable Blues Societies
that are working up in the North. My Golly! *
**
*Aside: I say "we", though in fact we did not have our drummer,
Michael Newberry, with us on this mini-tour. His absence due to
continuing, now resolved, legal B.S. was filled by longtime drummer
for Jeff Healy, torontonian Al Stewart, with whom we had a pantload
of fun, and made some memorable music for some just great, great
fans. Woooff!! And the fun went on up at the High and Lonesome Club,
in Winnipeg, Manitoba. this is truly a JUKE JOINt, 300 miles above
the U.S. border, with a basement and everything. We had a little
more stage space at the High Lonesome than we play in at Parker's
tavern in Grovetucky (Grove City, Ohio), the place by which we may
enduringly measure what limited space is. Same result as
in Grovetucky: 100 people in a space made for 70, a love fest, the
Workers and the far Northern Plains of Canada. Many thanks/Milles
fois Merci to my friends in Canada everywhere!*
**
*Hey, who woulda thunk it, Central Canada was actually getting a
respite from the worst of the winter when we got there. Although
there was plenty of ice and snow, and road conditions that gained
our professional respect at all times, the temperature never
actually sank as low as 5 below zero fahrenheit, and that only once.
As soon as we left, a blast of minus-teens blew down on them.*
**
*In other Canadian news, we are going to be playing the Harvest Fest
in Fredericton, New Brunswick! We really, REALLY were hoping for
this one, and I want to personally thank all of you Maritime
Provinces friends who helped make it possible! Hey, maybe, who
knows, Halifax one day, eh?*
**
*Later, eh/A bientot,*
**
*Watermelon Slim*
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April 3, 2007
I wrote some years back about playing in Tamp/Clearwater. Will be there in May at the blues fest............"Really looking forward to seeing you live"
Jeff Whitman
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March 29, 2007
I just learned of you and your band last year.XM 74 Bluesville i believe. I don't recall the song but i knew i had to hear more. I scored your cd "up close & personal". I've been trucking for 29 years and can identify with your words and your raw working mans sound. I just purchased your 2006 release from amazon,it's on the way. Keep up the good work. I too am a friend of the working man.
Neil
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March 29, 2007
I was pleasantly surprised that you saw fit to use my (and maybe others) suggestion to name your mascot "Swine Flew". For me it came about as a rare moment of inspiration brought on by your fantastic set at Murphy's Lounge. May he serve you well in the coming years! I'm anxiously awaiting your return to Omaha in April. See you then.
Bryan
Omaha, NE
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March 28, 2007
First off let me say that I am not a blogger and have never felt
compelled to write anything about an artist other than a few press
release/cd reviews. I am a people person and have communicated my
respect, loyalty and appreciation more on a one on one level as directly
to the people as I could and let the music do the talking.
We live in a complicated world made easier by technology and this
technology sometimes separates the audience/artists/management in a way
that has evolved into less of a direct personal one and a more efficient
but much less humanized one. The essence of humanity is the triumph of
the spirit over adversity and the ability to not only exist but thrive
when one's life path has been riddled with adversity, despair, rejection
and loneliness. Everyone has their own cross to bear, some just handle
it better than others. Sadly some of us never make the journey very far.
Those who do might argue that they are being punished rather than
rewarded for their perseverance. William Homans may be one of those rare
geniuses- who come along once in a lifetime.
When Michael Newberry first spoke of the great "Watermelon Slim", he
conveyed to me through words about how talented he was and I took it at
face value due to Michael's track record as a businessman and world
class drummer. We set up a show in Lawrence Kansas at a small club
which was for very low pay (gas money & food & maybe a few dollars left
over), but they were grateful to have the help getting out on the road
and beginning what has become one of the most underrated, underpaid,
critically acclaimed working blues bands of our era. Watermelon Slim and
the Workers, as they are collectively known, have the appealing quality
to reach the audience and Slim himself is the star who shines so
brightly on stage each night it makes you amazed at how he does it, why
he isn't more famous and compensated more greatly than he is. At the
risk of being cliche but yet defining the man, he possesses the same
level of talent and gifts that Stevie Ray Vaughn (SRV) had, but is
definitely his own man, deserving of no less acclaim. Each and every
performance is truly worth seeing whether you've seen him once or a
hundred times. He will speak to you through the gift of music.
I am also an amateur videographer who has priceless (to me) recordings
of a personnel nature of Slim being Slim. The first time we met, I
invited him and the band to my home for a home cooked "pot-luck" meal
with about 15 to 20 friends and we had a nice fellowship of the human
spirit. The people who were there were there for all the right reasons
and were rewarded by a rare chilling acoustic performance by Slim solo
in my garage after dinner while enjoying coffee and cigarettes. With
nothing more than his lap steel guitar and harmonica Slim demonstrated
to me that night that I was correct in taking Michael Newberry's word at
face value. He blew me away with his slide guitar and gritty voice as he
covered legends like Mississippi Fred McDowell, George "Earring"
Mayweather and his own song "Cynical Old Bastard Song." Slim modestly
comments he still doesn't know "what is all the fuss about." He then
shifted from guitar to harmonica and stood up to play a few songs which
are forever etched into my mind. The raw gritty nature of the untrained
videographer and the genius that is Watermelon Slim was captured on tape
raw where he is at his finest.
Having been a Vietnam veteran these songs were obviously very personal
to him and the silent reverie displayed by those who witnessed it stood
testament to how powerful his performance was. Everyone there knew they
had just witnessed greatness in person. Slim sang about both sides of
the experience in Nam, the hook of the song is about "if I die in
battle, pick up my AK47 & fight on". The other song was a darker tribute
to the suffering of US forces who were raised post WWII and brainwashed
about the glories of war through dramatic portrayals of bravery. He
sings about "now there's nothing but air where my balls used to be. Now
I'm a fucking hero." It sent a collective chill up the spines of
everyone in that room. It is my understanding that he rarely performs
these songs in public, but I may be wrong. My video recording of it and
footage from the club he played at later that night was shared with his
agent . Four of those videos were and still are on Slims multimedia page
and were put in to help sell the "Band" because there are limited
opportunities for acoustic blues performances among most clubs,
festivals, etc. All I did was to hold a mirror up and reflect to the
world what I felt was/is and will forever be a legendary musical talent
which each and every music lover should witness at some point in their life.
Bill "Watermelon Slim" Homans is a great man among men and he has the
dubious distinction of being nominated to 6 BMA's in May of 2007 and
should be rewarded handsomely, critically and monetarily for his
lifetime accomplishments in the world of music and his ability to heal
the human spirit. He deserves every accolade, award, ceremony and
happiness to know that his is the greatest, rawest, most entertaining
performance in real blues music of our time.
The 28th annual Blues Music Awards are at Cook Convention Center in
Memphis May 10th and Slim is nominated for the following 6 categories:
Album of the Year, Band of the Year, Song of the Year(Hard
Times), BB King Entertainer of the Year, Traditional Blues Album
of the Year, and Traditional Male Blues Artist of the Year
Be sure to catch Slim in KC June 2nd at KCUR's 50th anniversary party at Knuckleheads with Chuck Haddix and the Fish Fry Live. KCUR.org for more information...
Merle Zuel
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March 28, 2007
WOW!! What a show @ the Slippery Noodle/INDY 3/27. The Workers and Slim put on another fantastic show. The place was packed and the crowd couldn't get enough, prompting 2 encores. GREAT TIME HAD BY ALL!! See you @ the Key Palace 4/28! We're bringing some first timers that night!
GARY B // CADAVER DOGS
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March 25, 2007
Much has been said about Watermelon Slim & The Workers that frankly... I would just be repeating. But as a Louisville Area Blues Musician that is a left handed slide player too. it was... well, critical for me to attend his show. Lets just say lefty guitar hero's are far and few between!
Simply said, he's everything what critics claim. Slim is the real deal! I was delighted by his show, his musicianship. His band is very awesome and should be considered the envy of anyone daring to front these guys!
Cliff is a very powerful groovemeister on bass, Mack was a sincere pleasure to listen to. Turns out Mack hailed from Bakersfield CA like me! Every band needs a drummer like Mr. Newberry I'm here to testify... the groove does not get better nor deeper than what he can lay down for the Workers.
Their show was thoroughly entertaining and best of all Slim reminded us with reverence and deep respect about the blues masters that laid out the path of beautiful music for all of us to enjoy! Thank you for a wonderful evening!
A fan for life!
Cole Prior Stevens
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March 16, 2007
Ah, Lille. What a lovely place, beginning to end. And, calculating
in the possibility of airline screwups like the one to Rome last
year, we arrived on the 2nd of February and had a whole day to
explore this northern French city (near Belgium, we flew into
Brussels rather than Paris) of 400,000 or so. Particularly fun for
me, of course, since French is my second language. Universally the
word was that I spoke good French! Without even the qualification
"for an American". I want to put to rest the stereotype of snooty
French people. We never heard a snooty word in any language the
whole 2+ days we were in France. So there. And the guys had a blast.
A phenomenological aside: we were stunned by the lack of overweight
young people in Lille. I mean, the total and complete lack of them!
there's a pastry shop on every corner in France, what are they doing
right that Americans aren't?
We had the great good fortune of sharing a bill with Rick Russell,
an old, old friend from Boston going back 20 years, who happened to
have as a sideman "Sax" Gordon Beadle, likewise an old friend from
the Boston days. More recently, Gordon, and another old Boston
buddy, toni Lynn Washington's pianist Bruce Bears, were guest
stars-- played indispensable parts!!-- on my 2003 release /Big Shoes
to Fill/. I did the whole gig in French, of course, and I suspect I
was the only bluesman on the planet that night to be singing in
English but talking in French. I did, of course, sing Eau de Boue as
an encore.
It was a reminiscing night, and Gordon and Rick brought me up to
date on what some of our old compadres were doing around Beantown. I
must also throw in some serious praise for the level of French blues
musicianship! the Hoodoo Men, a French 5-piece who opened our
night's triple bill (the Workers headlined), were absolutely down
with it, veteran players, craftsmen each one and together. In
chatting the next day, I was told that they were really having a
hard time making ends meet in France/Belgium. Paying their dues. God
bless 'em, /et aies de la bonne chance, mes copains!/
Slim
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March 15, 2007
Well, blues fans,
Here's to the Legendary Blues Cruise, and all the true blues fans who showed us such affection. And here's (as any worker must say) to the staff of the Westerdam, whom I met and shared time and space with, from the captain on down. High points-- the experience is much more than I can write about. My god, it's like the time I went to the Louvre, me and my first wife on honeymoon in Europe, don't ask, that is another story-- you're standing around, sitting at breakfast, backstage, onstage, with dozens of the top pros in your craft. I got to hear and see maybe a bare majority of the folks I wanted to meet (I really didn't have any preconception about who I would be playing with, except Lil Ed and I had talked about it).
Highlights, like I said. Well, I can't deny that one of my favorite times was that first set in the Pilot Deck, with Jimbo Mathus sitting in with us. Jimbo payed our second set up on top with us, and like the old song goes, "...sumthins gonna come of that!" Jimbo and the Workers will be collaborating in projects in the very near future, stay tuned here (but you know how I write in bursts, so stop holding your breath).
The acoustic workshop I did with Steve Avery was an unexpected pleasure.
Man knows his stuff, nuts-and-bolts of how to play with people. How bout the trip to St. John's, drinking coconut milk fresh from a coconut opened for me on the dock (they wanted $3, all I had was $2, they took it). I played and sang a couple of numbers with our fast friend Joey Gilmore and his band on a PA that was as dicy as anything I ever played on. that mike quit permanently after 2 numbers, and that's when a pro slides offstage...
Meeting Magic Dick again, 33 or so years after our first chance meeting.
He's kept himself in fine shape! Of course, we're still waiting for the Magic harp line, but what I saw and heard demonstrated was exciting. And any hanging-out I ever get to do with Kim Wilson is always a plus! the warmth and inclusion I felt with Deanna Bogert, Sue Foley and Beverly "Guitar" Watkins, among countless magnificent members of the opposite sex, including Peggy.LOL!!
For me, the biggest high point of all had to be getting to meet so very, very many people in the blues community PERSONALLY. One on one. Just the way I am, I guess, if it ain't personal, it ain't the blues. And, well, that all goes triple for the Workers, Michael, Cliff and Ronnie Mac. Our mouths are parched and sore from saying thank you.
********************************************
Okay, I've got a huge amount of catching up to do, including our weekend commute to Lille, France in February, my first several gig swing in the midwest since my injury, our Canadian trip, and, most recently, our trip to Milwaukee. But one little item must come first:
the flying pig has been named. He is sitting on the hood, basking in late-morning sun as I speak. We had many excellent suggestions from folks in Omaha and Sioux City. After reflection, the judges decided that "Swine Flew" was the cleverest in the least amount of letters. So, all hail, Swine Flew is leading the Honey Wagon.
Our Ford 3/4 ton has really given quite dependable service. But I will not be driving the Honey Wagon by this time next year. Somewhere in the late summer or early fall I will be taking possession of the Freightliner I intend to make my final touring truck. I have begun the specc-ing process with a sales rep in Sioux City, and it's going to have Swine Flew to lead it when it arrives.
I'm tired, so I'll take a break and get another installment done soon, maybe today!
Okey Dokey, this is the Watermelon standing on the side...
__--__--__
--__-- *(* --__--
__--__--__
___*oo-===-===-ool*iD*o* << < < < < < <____t t t t
t t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttttttt_
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March 14, 2007
Watermelon Slim & crew!
Good to meet ya on the Blues Cruise! & hope alls well in music & tours. Best wishes w/ all your music endevours..much respect I was the younger guy backing up Taj - part of the Music Maker group My own band is on for some cool festivals in DC, VA, and NC & off again to Europe in a few weeks, for my own sets & w/ Music Maker artists as well.
Lemme know hows things going! all the best peace, Sol
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March 11, 2007
Just got home from a great evening with Watermelon Slim & the Workers at the new (and very cool) Paramount Restaraunt in Grafton Wisconsin, home of the Paramount Studios from 1928 to 1932 where 1/4 of all blues (race records) were recorded. Many greats played, stayed, & recorded here; Ma Rainey, Charlie Patton , Henry Townsend, Son House, Blind Lemon, Blind Blake, Skip James, and more. . Watermelon Slim & the Workers added their twist to the blues lore of Wisconsin. Great show, great band, great stories, and fun to meet. This band plays like there's no other place they'd rather be right then. Another guy by the name of Bruce Springsteen has the same "no place I'd rather be tonite" mantra. Lofty company to be sure. To us, the mark of true entertainers. Kudos to the Grafton Blues Association and their Blues Fest. Come on back anytime, Slim. And bring those Workers too!
Sally & Gary, Cedar Grove Wisconsin.
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March 5, 2007
How's it going,eh. Great show here on March 3, 2007. It was super seeing you in a small club. Your interaction with the crowd was something real special and is a fond memory already. Hope to see you real soon and waiting to check out your new cd... Any plans to tour up here again? The weather this morning is -29C, so it wasn't too bad when you were here. Try touring in April when things warm up.
See you,man...
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February 19, 2007
Well Blues Fans,
I haven't dropped off the end of the earth. Part of my extended silence has been taken up in recovery from my serious injury of last October. Here's the horse's mouth on that business, so rumors will not fly: we were playing a gig up in Stillwater, for a frat house at OSU, my old graduate alma mater. It was fraternity homecoming, and there were an estimated 3,000 people in the street. the police hadn't closed it off yet for the 3-band show which we were headlining. I needed to take a whiz, and so after seeing a car stopped at the intersection, I started across to the portapotties on the other side of University Avenue.
Amazingly he started forward. I was near halfway across the road, I figured he'd see me. Instead, he accelerated a little, and whacked me across the chest. I was sent 15 feet across the pavement. When I threw my left arm behind me to keep from hitting my head, I split the end of my radialis bone into 4 pieces that looked on the X-ray like sliced bread.
However, I didn't know this at the time. And I am one who always functions well when wounded. My first thought was, "the show must go on, if I can physically do it." I proceeded to make some decisions that looking back, I somewhat regret. the medics and police were there quickly, and an off-duty nurse was already examining me when they arrived. I knew they wanted to take me to the emergency room. I was seeing a cash register in my head. 4 figures easy, I'm thinking, Stillwater Medical Center is good, but it ain't cheap. I proceeded to tell the police and medics that I declined transport to the hospital. I figure it's just sprained, I told them, as well as the 18-year-old kid who was driving the car.
In the mother of all ironies Danny Vo Vu-- Vietnamese-American-- turned out to be a student at arch-rival University of Oklahoma. Unbelievable. A Sooner had hit me at Cowboy frat walkaround, and it was still 3 weeks before Bedlam! He seemed like a nice kid, but of course he was quite shook up. Intending at all costs to do my show, I told the kid, with the college press there on the scene writing it down-- A grade for the young reporter, btw-- that I was "sorry for this inconvenience." So, all the authorities eventually went away, after having me sign for a waiver of medical assistance. the Workers played the show and got our standing O from Cowboy Country. It's always great to visit Stillwater! I miss plenty of friends there.
I went home after the gig knowing that I had 3 days to rest before a 5-day, 4-state swing. I was relieved to know that I could draw a full breath, so my ribs were apparently not broken (they in fact were not). I lay flat on my back for 48 hours, and little more the third day. My wrist was still swollen, but it appeared to be coming down a bit.
We had a full week of our favorite clubs, ending in a new one, the Maintenance Shop (new for us that is; the club has operated at U Iowa for almost 30 years continuously, and everyone from B. B. and John Lee on down has played there.) Besides that, we played to old friends at the Zoo Bar, Stu's Midtown, BB's Blues and Soups, and Knucklehead's on Friday, where I got to drive terry and Linda Shruk's tweaked 550 Cat again. All the way to St. Joseph and back. Unfortunately, we all three thought at the time, they didn't have a trailer with a load on so I could really feel how it works through 18 gears. When you drive a truck like that deadhead, the road is just too easy for it! I used all 18 this time, just to familiarize myself with 'em, but pulling no weight it makes more sense to drive it as a 9-speed.
After finishing in Ames, we drove all the way home. I was in intense pain. Every day, I had been icing the wrist, and it would go down enough for me to play effectively. But it was becoming apparent that it was worse than a sprain. I was immediately put in a cast by the orthopedic hand specialist Dr. R. Brad Vogel, D.O. Never believe anyone, btw, who says only an M.D. is qualified to be your surgeon. However, after two weeks, one of the pieces had slipped, and so it was necessary to operate. I have a brace of titanium about 2" long in my wrist, held together by several pins. Complete recovery is now expected. I am certainly playing guitar at 90% capability now. And I can lift and carry the cab of my Bassman amp with no pain or problems now. Bowling will take longer, but the doc say that when no sign of the fractures can be seen on the X-ray, I can begin to roll the ball, as much as my diminished strength level will stand. I expect to bowl in tuesday night men's league next fall.
Now the decisions I made in Stillwater came back to bite me. When I consulted a lawyer about getting compensated for my medical expense, the attorney told me that I had no case, that I had said it was my fault on the police record (which I did;I really didn't want to get this kid-- I mean, I don't think he was even shaving!-- in trouble). Next time you are hit by a car, people, go ahead and go to the emergency room, even if you're not even sprained. It may cost you in front, but you'll get compensated on the back side. See, I have no insurance. I have enough medical prior history that I am uninsurable. Cash on the barrelhead. I'm just glad I had it.
However, I have nothing but praise for Dr. Vogel, who came out with his wife Vicki to the Workers' show at Galileo's last night. And for Deb Mason, LPt, and her colleagues at OSC in Norman,Oklahoma. the doctor put me back together right, and the physical therapists have helped me to recover fast enough that I won't miss a single gig in 2007!
I thank God. I am a very blessed man. My next entry will be about the Legendary Blues Cruise, in January out of Fort Lauderdale. Hey, I'm gonna get caught up in this writing in a hurry now, y'all, but this is it for tonight.
Also, at the end of this flurry of writing I'm going to announce the results of our Name-the-Pig contest. Our flying pig will be our new hood ornament when we see you next, wherever you are! What a great accoutrement, supplied by Kim Gearsdorf, "Gearzy" of Des Moines, an honest mechanic, good friend and big fan. thanks Gearzy!!
All for now,
Watermelon Slim
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February 17, 2007
Greetings,
My name is Eric Mariott. I actually worked for the same thankless bosses with Slim at HEW Waste in Stillwater. I left that company in 2002 to pursue my dreams in Architecture (which I studied at OSU). During the course of that time, my travels and adventures have led me to the Deep South in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, aka the home of The University of Alabama.
Over the past few years, I have visited www.watermelonslim.com and listened to the music, read the stories and have enjoyed seeing Slim realize his lifelong dream.
I am not sure if Slim would remember me, or that the fact that it matters, but I started out as a young kid in administration out of college with HEW. I was always amused and enjoyed Slim playing his harmonica and singing lyrics while waiting on a paycheck or while the mechanics were working on his truck. Slim was very different than all of the people that worked in that dark, damp place. Slim had a sort of charisma to him.
Slim is talented, very talented. I was hoping that in a way perhaps I could help Slim continue to pursue his dream, while helping myself in the process. Two friends and I are the process of producing a podcast that will cover issues such as sports, video games, living in the South, maybe even comment about a TV show or two, but when it comes to it, we need some music that covers the flavor of not only the guys in the podcast, but would also show someone with some talent. I would love to have permission to play a minute or two of Slim's music with the opening of the podcast. In addition to that, I would like to be able to help get Slim maybe towards Birmingham sometime by being a part of his Street Team. I know the proprietor of a nice pub in Birmingham and would try to get the attention of the local University radio station as well as local stations to play his music. I would be very excited to be a part of the fun.
I am leaving the information to contact me below. I look forward to hearing from Slim's management.
Sincerely,
Eric Mariott
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February 11, 2007
Thanks for a great show at Murphy's. We brought several folks that hadn't seen you guys yet, and were they ever impressed. Look forward to seeing you again at McKenna's.
Bob Jackson & Family
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February 11, 2007
Hi... You've got lots of fans here -- When are you coming to the BIG APPLE??!!
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February 9, 2007
I first heard Watermelon Slim on XM radio sometime in January and decided to check out your music. I Loved Trashy Trashman. I work for the Indiana Department of Transportation in Seymour, Indiana and can relate a little to the song. I am the Traffic Operations Supervisor and I am responsible for maintaining all Signs, White & Yellow lines and all Special markings such as Stop Bars, crosswalks, and turn arrows in our District. I have been working for INDOT for 32 years and have enjoyed every minute. I am responsible for 26 counties from Indianapolis to Louisville, Ky. And from Ohio stateline to 20 Miles West of Bloomington, Indiana. Which is half of Southern Indiana. I have been out in the middle of an intersection or operating a paint truck and I know people look at me as a sorry lazy government worker who probably couldn't get a job anywhere else. But to tell the truth my job is very interesting and I love what I do. Just some little facts about that line you see as you travel. Most of the time it is 4" wide except on the Interstate where it is 5" wide. That skip is 10' long 30' between each skip. We can paint 50 to 60 miles on a average 8 hour day.
We use about 950 gallons of white paint and about 800 gallons of yellow per day. We paint 16 gallons per mile, we use Glass Spheres (or crushed glass for shine) at 6 lbs per gallon. We use Hot tape, (Which is applied with a torch) thermo Plastic (which is melted into the asphalt at 450 degrees or hotter),or paint, for the arrows. I am in a different location everyday. The bottom line is I like Blues Music, I like what I do and good ole Trashy Trashman is a great song about a job most people don't ever care to have. But somebody has to do it, we are underpaid, the lowest guy on the totem pole, the guy who actually gets the job done, so why not smile about it. By the way, one line in the song talked about a pretty girl down at city hall! Well I married that girl three years ago.!!!! And she is HOT! Thanks for the Music and maybe we can meet at the Blues Ribberfest in Madison Indiana. Check it out on the internet.
George T. Wooten
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January 30, 2007
Dear Watermelon Slim,
I saw your video clip of "Smokestack Lightnin" and I've been forwarding it to everybody I know, the BEST I've ever heard since the original Howlin' Wolf. A bunch of us are going to see you at Buddy Guy's Legends on March 30th in Chicago.
I have a question. I've been learning blues on a squareneck dobro. I keep it in D tuning mostly with a fat .064 6th string. On the video of "Smokestack Lightnin", do you have your dobro in D tuning or some other tuning? Standard dobro G tuning? Your technique is completely original, unlike anybody I've ever seen.
I'd like to be able to play this tune and was just wondering how you had your dobro tuned. Thanks and see you March 30th (I've been telling everybody I know to go see your show, lots of folks from where I work).
Thanks for the great music,
Jordan
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January 28, 2007
The cruise was fantastic! I caught as many of your shows as I could and just wanted to let you know how much everyone I talked to loved your shows. Here are a couple of photos from the cruise. I wish you were doing some shows in Texas but hope to make it to St Pete in May. See you there!
Lyn
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January 24, 2007
I second Island Girl! Slim was the best. His energy and talent poured over the room. It was my first cruise, but not my last. His jams were outstanding, especially the one with Lil' Ed in the Queens Lounge. Hope to see you next January. I'll be ay Buddy Guy's Legends on March 30.
Bob McCabe
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January 23, 2007
Thank you, Watermelon Slim, for the most amazing performances I've ever seen! I mean it....you were my choice for most jammin' musician on the recent Blues Cruise 1/07. Everywhere I went, there you were....jammin with everybody at just about every show. I know you lost your voice, but that certainly didn't affect your harmonica playing one bit. This was the first time I've seen you in person and you were better, more entertaining and even more jammin than I imagined. Thank you for being the highlight of an amazing week at sea. Love ya!
Island Girl
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January 18, 2007
Never been on a boat 1/10th this size before this time. This cruise is great. I am tickled so pink I'm almost purple. We're feeling the crowds deeply. I've two standing room only rooms with encores. How much better can it get than coming to the Caribbean on a seven day cruise and getting paid for what you love to do!
Watermelon Slim
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January 16, 2007
Best news I've had this year!! Slim and the workers in Indiana!! We'll be ther 3/27 @ the Noodle and 4/28 @ the Key Palace. Don't know if you remember last year in Indy, but we talked about you playing the Diddleybow, hope you can bring it along!!
Your BIGGEST Indiana fan,
Gary Barkdull
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January 16, 2007
Slim,
Just a thought: you and Charlie Musselwhite together, on stage at the Awards playing the sweetest harp tune ever! Sonny Boy and Big Walter would be some proud. Roy and I will come down. We are all very proud of you. Do it up, my friend.
Jack Ragusa
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January 2, 2007
Yo Slimblog!
Wussup man? You been too quiet lately. Leastways out here in the Great Neglected Pacific Northwest... Well, a broke arm's a good excuse for a little while, I guess, but keep putting off a visit to Seattle and Tacoma and Portland and see if we don't begin to take it PERSONAL!
Anyway, just tugging on yer sleeve to say howdy and wish you a Happy New Dilemma and alla dat good jit. Drop me a line when you get the chance.
Remember now: Look both ways at the crossroads!
Between the ditches, shiny side up and greasy side down, Excelsior,
Merciful Lee Dickens
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December 27, 2006
HI : I was reading some music reviews and saw yours. man you are a real good player to say the least. I love the sound you make with that slide a lot.
Im a total lefty to but play all styles of music. Also a Nam vet so I relate to a lot you have to say. It's great to know someone as real as you are get's some respect for their music. I could listine to you play all day Slim your so good.
Peace
Mojo Zap
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December 19, 2006
Dear Slim,
Saturday night my hubby and I walked into Galileo's and there sat Cliff. I thought EUREKA! We've been living right this week and are being rewarded with a Slim & Workers show...alas, such was not the case, although Mike and Cliff did a fine job backing Otis Watkins.
Lilly says, "Watermelon Slim, I love you and I miss you so bad! Please get your arm well soon!"
Your Fans Forever,
Lilly & Shanon
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December 18, 2006
Slim,
On behalf of the Rounders, I just wanted to tell you congratulations on your many Handy award nominations and for the successful year you have had. No one deserves these accolades more than you and your fellow Workers. Good luck on May 10th. You certainly have our vote!!!!!
Ryan Taylor
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December 14, 2006
Slim,
I was driving along minding my own business when the UMASS blues dj introduced an album by a new artist. I generally don't pay much attention to the interludes so the artist's name didn't register. But, when the music started there was no mistaking who it was.
I went out and bought the album. Sounds great. Just wanted to say congratulations and best of luck going forward,
Bob from the 1369
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December 13, 2006
Hey guys huge thumbs up on Bill's nominations in the Foundation's Blues Awards, Just try and stop Watermelon from falling over and breaking something as he walks up for his awards Chris (:-).
Take care,
Billy Hutchinson
Team Writer "Blues Matters" magazine UK
www.bluesmatters.com
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December 12, 2006
Hey, congratulations on the Blues Music Awards nominations in SIX categories!!!!! That's purely great and I hope you win 'em all. You're sure put in with some big names and I'm sure that's a bit humbling by itself but you guys have sure earned it. Best wishes and hopefully I'll catch you somewhere during your January schedule.
Raven
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December 4, 2006
Yo Slim! Any chance we might get a show in OKC before you go back on the road? I bet you could use a good warm up after that busted arm & ribs incident. Show us that old arm can still burn on the slide! I been havin "wheel man" withdrawal symptoms and only know one cure...and you're overdue for some crowd luv. Merry Christmas dude! Hope you hit 100% stride real soon.
Dale
OKC
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November 27, 2006
Please convey my wishes for a speedy recovery for Slim. My husband and I truly love to listen to him and his band. We've seen them several times at Darwin's in Marietta, GA and recently at the King Biscuit Festival in Helena, Arkansas in October. He is a very nice man, as the rest of the band members are.
Donna Hitchcock
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November 13, 2006
Hi Slim,
I had read of your car accident, and I'm really sad. I hope you will heal soon and well.
I'm a your italian fan and I wait for you and the band will come back to Italy, so that I will listen you live another time.
Oscar from Cremona, Italy.
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November 13, 2006
Dear Mr. Slim
I just wanted to say that your music scares the crap out of me. I mean this in a good way (Hendrix high note good). Sitting in my dimly lit dorm room listening to your music on a tiny computer screen, the power of sheer life experience in your tunes is overwhelming. It's certainly enough to freak out this freshman (and make me practice my guitar and harp even more). I read in your blog that you're into Shakespeare. This really got my attention because that only thing that I love as much as the blues (and my family) is Shakespeare. Now there is a man that understood the blues, it seems. I've always felt that Feste, the aging fool from Twelfth Night, is the archetypical traveling bluesman. His final song is one of the saddest things I've ever read:
"When that I was and a little tiny boy,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
A foolish thing was but a toy,
For the rain it raineth every day.
But when I came to man's estate,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
'Gainst knave and thief men shut their gate,
For the rain it raineth every day.
But when I came, alas! to wive,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
By swaggering could I never thrive,
For the rain it raineth every day.
But when I came unto my bed,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
With toss-pots still had drunken head,
For the rain it raineth every day.
A great while ago the world begun,
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
But that's all one, our play is done,
And we'll strive to please you every day."
Now that's the blues.
I hope that you get well soon and are back on the road better than ever.
With Great Respect,
Eric
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November 6, 2006
Slim and band,
First of all, thanks for an incredible show at the Maintenance Shop in Ames, Iowa. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with the band afterwards.
Now, I find out that Slim was playing with a broken arm, what dedication! I can't wait until he heals and we can see him again.
Sorry you had to cancel your show at Blues on Grand in Des Moines but please come back to Iowa when you can.
You have made many fans locally after your hard work and superb performance.
Keep playing the old blues and making new tunes as well.
All my best.
Gary
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November 2, 2006
Slim,
Just caught a mention of your name on XM's Bluesville, went right to your site, and now I'm a fan for life!!!
When will you get to Louisville or Cincinnati. You know we have a kick ass Blues Fest in Cincy in July! Love to see you play here or anywhere.
Jim Appello
Cincinnati, Ohio
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November 1, 2006
I caught your performance at Knucklehead's in Kansas City.........and I'm now a fan of yours forever..........I've told my brother, my friends, & anybody who would listen that they MUST hear you live and at least, buy your CDs. My favorite so far is your "Up Close & Personal"...........absolutely incredible, every song......
I would love to get the lyrics for your song "Bridgebuilder". Please come back to the Kansas City area........I'll be there, smiling and listening.
Ronald D. Hicks, retired professor of art
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November 1, 2006
Hey Slim,
I just wanted to drop you a line as I saw you at B B'S in St Louis last Thursday. I think I should tell you that we only intended to stop in for a beer after the Cardinals game to let the traffic die down. As a hacker musician and I mean hacker in the true sense of the word, I have grown to appreciate passion when I see it. As I said, my wife and I didn't plan to stay but your passion blew me away. I told her right away that we're staying as long as he's playing so we closed the place down and I paid for it in the morning.
Believe me; I am going to keep my ear out for you so I will see you again.
Mark
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October 30, 2006
Really enjoyed the show at the Zoo. Hope to see you guys again soon.
Bob & Connie Jackson
Omaha
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October 30, 2006
We wanted to thank Watermelon Slim and the Works for the wonderful show Saturday (10/28/06) at the Maintenance Shop in Ames IA. They came out intense and never let up during the evening. It's been several years since we were so enjoyed a show so much and felt so much power and conviction from a band. It was real pleasure to see all of band hanging out after the show talking with the audience. We look forward to seeing them again soon. We'll probably head down to Blues On Grand on November 9th.
Randy Parker
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October 25, 2006
Hey Bill,
I just heard about your accident. I hope that you truely are alright as sometimes you can feel worse a day or two after trauma like that. Please take care(especially crossing streets) and I hope that you get well soon. I'm sure I speak for all of your fans that you will be in our prayers.
God bless,
Don
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October 17, 2006
Well, Blues Fans,
I's been more than a week now, and I haven't told you all about our trip to Helena, Arkansas and Clarksdale, Mississippi. Maybe we didn't even go to those places, and it was all just public-relations smoke-and-mirrors, eh?? He he.
Well, Friday morning we motored up to Springfield, Missouri, a nice afternoon drive, highball express up I-44, and played a new place for us that will surely be on the returned-by-popular-demand list. It's the Down Under Club at the Shriners Hall. You all know the Shriners, they're good guys. I made my substantial contribution to their charitable medical work.
And the crowd was right with us. I noticed that there were only a couple of people who were manifestly under 30, though, please, next time, folks, bring your sons and daughters! LOL.
The next day we pulled into Clarksdale. that's US 65 to I-40 at Conway, and blues highway US 49-- the one the Wolf and Sonny Boy sing about-- off 40 into Helena. the King Biscuit Festival was called the Arkansas Blues Heritage Festival, and that's a nice, respectful name, and would work just fine if the festival didn't already have a name: the King Biscuit Festival! And the staff and crowd all say the same thing, you businessmen. Please, don't be so petty.
Okay now I'll get off my soapbox.
I'm not going to ramble on about all the great folks we met, and/or re-encountered-- Lighning Malcolm and Bill Abel were two of the old friends, and geez, sorry, Malcolm, I got out-voted 3-1. I thought I had the band talked into staying for Pinetop's party down at Hobson, thought of staying and taking a bus, but itwas a schedued 21 hour bus ride, really a long local run, and I've 'bout had my last of those. We'll git it next time.
No, the Workers have been invited to the big dance now, and we are grateful to al the professional and volunteer festival staffs, festival promoters, and most of all to you, the fans, who have made enough noise to make 'em take me seriously now fairly late in my life. I am a blessed man, always was, even if it was not always apparent. thanks to you all.
But what I wanted to get to was a personal appeal about Red Paden's roof. Red's is one of the few real juke joints around. Lots of places hype themselves as a juke joint, but Red's is it, complete with the best smoked meats you ever tasted. After the Workers got finished tearing up a full crowd, numbers swelled by the festival and our performance there 20 miles away, down Highway 61 (I pointed out to the guys the very point at the Crossroads where I got out of my ratty Plymouth subcompact-- like a Dodge Omni, can't remember the name of the damn little banger, ends in
"o"-- got down on my knees and sang the Robert Johnson song, back in 1999 on my first, ill-fated trip to Clarksdale), we walked over from Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Club to Red's. It was 2-- then 3-- in the morning. But a crowd of maybe 25 people were sitting listening to Robert "Wolfman" Belfour play the after-hours blues. I listened to that old Mississippi man evoke the vocal and guitar stylings not only of Mississippi but of my most significant guitar influence, Fred McDowell. A couple of people played drums as he sometimes wordlessly, sometimes improvising from an inner storehouse of lyrics, hypnotically played the flowing descending lines that characterize the inner structure of the country blues. At one point, he broke into something real familiar but completely unique in its type. I urged him, "sing that catfish for us!", and he did, and proceeded to go through the greatest version of two trains Running I ever heard live. I will play with the Wolfman one day.
I didn't have anything to do with getting this roof-repair drive going, but now I see what the webmaster has put up, I'm all for it, and I'm going to give what I can. Red's is not just an entertainment site, but a piece of culture.
Call up Roger Stolle at CatHeads, at that telephone number on my home page under "News". If you don't know him, I'll declare to you here that he's a great guy, and a patron of the arts, in particular the blues!
Getting chilly here. lows down in low 40s, highs only low 60s. I hate to see summer go. But/ a/t least I have our after-thanksgiving western tour, including my first visit ever to San Diego, the third of the California Big 3 of cities. And I understand it never, ever gets cold there!
God Bless Everyone,
Watermelon Slim
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October 12, 2006
Heard my 1st Watermelon Slim tune on KBRX hear (pun intended) in Austin yesterday and was blown away! Will be buying cd this payday and hope to see ya'll live soon!!!
Tim Ryan
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October 4, 2006
Four of us traveled to Vicksburg from Tupelo to see Slim & The Workers may 3rd.
Being a wensday night, the crowd was small, but like Slim said, "Small crowd, Big party'!
We were blow'd away! Got to chat with Slim a little between sets. He and the band are super nice and down to earth guys. They are a "must see" for any blues fan.
Larry
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October 3, 2006
One of the most exciting and intriguing performances recently was the concert given by Watermelon Slim and the Workers at the 2006 " Blues and Barbecue " fest held in New York City . Not only did Slim and the band captivate the hundreds in attendance , with thunderous rounds of applause at every turn , Watermelon Slim soon became one of the most talked about acts that very exciting afternoon . He certainly was one of the most unique performers that I have seen in quite some time and most definitely one of the coolest blues acts in quite a while.
John Muller - United Jersey Blues Network
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October 1, 2006
*RECORDING tHE NEW CD*
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*Well, blues fans,*
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*But for a couple of piano tracks, that my old friend Dave Maxwell will be adding on piano up in Boston, and a bit of incidental percussion that I will put on tuesday (got myself a new pair of maracas and a cabasa to go with my tambourine), the new CD is ready for mixing and mastering! We are all very excited. Fred Litwin, the president of our recording label, Northern Blues of toronto, was down here in Oklahoma for the whole four-day recording process.*
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*What are you saying, Slim? It only took four days to record a whole 13-track CD!? Well, not quite that little time. In fact, we had four tracks from the Workers archives already in the can, which were the last recordings produced by Chris Hardwick at his former Southern Sounds studio, in Norman, OK. Southern Sounds has been downsized and is in a new location. Southern Sounds also recorded the two acoustic tracks the new CD will include. I'm not going to tell you what those are, but I will say that I dug back 40 years into my memory to find this mat**erial from 2 legendary bluesmen. I have* *updated both* *and made them **entirely my own, after all those years.*
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*For this latest session we went to Bell Labs, also in Norman, where trent Bell, formerly guitarist of the Chainsaw Kittens and producer of the Flaming Lips, recorded the /Big Shoes to Fill/ sessions, produced by Chris Stovall Brown, the top-gun Boston bluesman and one of my oldest musical friends and colleagues. *
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*trent has vastly updated his studio's technology. trent Bell was for many years of his engineering career an analog purist. the old 2-inch Ampeg machine is still there, but tapes for it now cost over $200 apiece, and besides that, the digital technology of recording has so advanced that the efficiency has doubled without sacrificing sound quality. We don't "punch in" any more. the engineer just slides the already-recorded music forward where necessary, and synchronizes it with the new track, all in a few moments. I can barely describe it, technologically challenged as I am. Stuff just doesn't take half the time. He doesn't use "Pro-tools", by the way, he's got some other equipment that's even more advanced. If you are an aspiring recording artist, Bell Labs is a place you want to consider if you're anywhere within two day's drive. He's not just state-of-the-art, he's cutting-edge. Get ready also for his latest project, the new CD by recently signed Blind Pig recording artists, our friends the Rounders, to be released very soon!*
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*In the first day at the Labs, we recorded all the rythym tracks. the second day, I put on 7 lead tracks, 3 on harp and 4 on slide, and all of my lead vocals! the third day, Ronnie Mac put all of his lead guitar tracks on, and I added backup vocals, along with Michael Newberry. By the fourth day (Wednesday), we were running out of work. But our special guest star, hall-of-fame Chicago bluesman Magic Slim came in from Lincoln Nebraska, where he now lives, and recorded his two contributions, a lead guitar track and lead vocals on a song that Fred feels will be hard to beat for Song of the Year at the Handys (aw, Slim, you're a freakin tease-- rite??), and Cliff Belcher and Ronnie Mack helped me put some more backup vocals on. *
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*I think that was the order of it all. It seems like a blur, it all went so smoothly. But that's what happens when you come into the best studio in the midwest knowing just what you want to do. Pink Floyd may take a year to make a record, but then they've got a million-dollar budget, not even including drugs, lol! And we're as good as Pink Floyd, on about a hundredth of that or so. (Btw, although Ronnie Mac has replaced Ike Lamb as the Workers' touring guitar player, Ike's outstanding work will be featured on the 4 previously recorded tracks. Ike remains our dear friend and colleague in the blues!)*
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*By thursday, we had nothing left to do but eat breakfast all together at the Waffle House, one of Magic's favorite places, and ours, too, wherever in the US we stop in at them. I signed a couple of 8x10s and a CD **for the adoring waitress, and we put Fred and Magic on planes to their various destinations. *
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*I went right to my local bowling lanes, and I was so pumped from the great sessions we had done that I smoked the pins, 1899 for 9 games, including a 266! that's: * *9/ X X X X X 8/ X X XX8=266. No Brooklyns. Look out, Monday Night Mixed and tuesday Night Men's League. I'm carrying a 190 average in the first, 189 in the second. My goal for the year is to be carrying 200 in both. I'm not a pro-- pros carry 220-230 these days-- but I am open for matches with absolutely anybody. Bring your cash, heh heh...*
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*In local news, Cliff and I played with our friend Otis Watkins (a monster, you gotta hear HIM) at Doc Blue's Biting Sow, on Oklahoma Avenue in Bricktown, Wednesday night after Magic Slim had finished his parts.*
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*thursday, I was back at the Sow with Dan Danger and the Danger Zone, featuring my former roommate Matt Hope on saxophone AND guitar. Dan never sounded better. He is one of a cut-off handful of musicians anywhere in the world who actually covers MY songs, and he has made "Cruisin" (off /Big Shoes to Fill/) and a couple others his own. Bravo Dan, I had a ball! *
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*Last night, the Workers were back at our regular OKC venue, Sober Grounds Coffeehouse, on North May and 31st. All the LaVictoires except for Cassie, who is under the weather, were there, and I played harp duets with a four-year-old harmonica phenom. Boy, she can sure do the twist, too!*
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*I'll be talking to you after King Biscuit (or, the Arkansas Music Heritage Festival as they're calling it now, because of those schmuck businessmen down on Beale Street!)*
**
*See Y'all on the Blues Road,*
**
*Watermelon Slim*
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September 27, 2006
Caught your show at Crystola - what a treat. Bought all the CD's and now I want a DVD player so I can see your videos. The Smokestack Lightning video on your website is awesome. Just what I like. Acoustic Blues !!!!
You guys sound great and have a lot of energy. Hope you come back soon.
Ken Rownd
Green Mountain Falls CO
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September 21, 2006
You have to get Slim to Houston, Texas! He rocks. What a great new albom. Please book him in Houston or Austin.
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September 20, 2006
Wow, now that was some smokin' blues! We really enjoyed you at the Telluride Festival. Come on down for a show in the more temperate climate of Arizona!
-Glen & Margie
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September 20, 2006
Just seen him in Telluride. He needs to come to Arizona!
Thanks-Glen
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September 18, 2006
*Hi, Blues Fans,*
**
*Wednesday night, September 13, after a 600-plus mile drive, me and the Workers played one of our favorite Colorado stops, the Yacht Club, in tiny Wolcott, Colorado, west of Vail on Interstate 70. the weather was halcyon, windless and touching 80 degrees. We have a solid fan base there, and there were a bunch of folks from Denver, Colorado Springs, and even Nebraska, who travelled to hear us throw down. Last time we played there, I had two magnificent center-cut pork chops with sauteed zucchini and carrots, a glass of white wine on the side. this time, Caesar salad. No wine, it had been a long drive.
From there, we drove 3 more hours to equally tiny Crystola, north of Colorado Springs. I have mentioned before that the Crystola Bar and Grille is owned by one-time standout Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Darryl Maggs. I wore his hat for the gig, on which he has signed, "from your other brother Darryl". LOL. the western-style food is outstanding here. We had huevos rancheros and burritos in front of us practically before we got out of the van. Crystola is on US 24, just south of Woodland Park. If you're on that road, you gotta stop in, and check out Darryl's 1951 Mercury too. Eva, Max, ever'body, we'll be seeing you again soon!
After more huevos (I actually had steak and eggs for breakfast-- fork-cutting tender), it was a 6-hour drive across and down the state, on US 24, US 50 (which includes Monarch Pass, one of the highest in the US at well over 11,000 feet, then 9 miles down-- only pass I ever actually smoked my brakes on in an 18-wheeler!), and a couple more spectacular roads, down to telluride, south of Montrose. It was the chilliest weather I have ever experienced during summer months.
However, these telluride Blues and Brews Fest fans don't appear to give a darn about the cold, God bless 'em!*
**
We played outside at about 54 degrees, and Sunday, when we took off, the temperature was freezing. Someone said 24 degrees, but I figure it was no less than 32. Brrrr. Went in one consignment shop, but the winter gear (used) was way overpriced. I borrowed a sweatshirt from someone, and didn't suffer unduly. Note to Boomer Chick, one of my big fans in Colorado: I did wear blue for one of the 3 shows we did, and black for the other two. We tore the place up. I expect there will be a live-show review in the current issue of the telluride /Daily Planet/.
Our main-stage show was right after my friend Joey Gilmore, a tone monster on guitar. Like myself, he had been running back and forth across the country and Europe doing shows, and I don't know whether his voice was everything he hoped it would be. But like myself, on our very worst days we kick the blues in the ass. Joey Gilmore's a bad mo-fo, and the nicest, most empowering fellow you could ever hope to meet. Like us, he performs as a four-piece. You gotta hear him! *
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*We played shows both Friday and Saturday nights at Las Montanas, an outstanding tex-mex restaurant and bar. I figure the full houses had 300 people apiece. We met and hung out with all kinds of fantastic folks, musicians and fans alike, including tab Benoit, John Alex Mason, Jimbo Mathus and Lighning Malcolm, Kent Burnside (the late R.L. Burnside's oldest grandson, at 39), Howard tate, Fiona Boyes' husband Steve--CRIKEY!-- there all the way from Australia(!), and dedicated blues aficionados from around the world. Special to Kristen: thank you for that taste of whiskey you got me (medicinal); I needed that, in the cold! And special to the cooks: the eggplant parmigiana (one of my very fave dishes) was the best I ever had! What a professional bunch of staff, from media, merchandising and security to promoters and sound personnel, including Mike and Dean at Las Montanas. It's no wonder that people come all the way from Australia for this event! World class all the way.*
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*Chip Eagle, publisher of /Blues Revue/ Magazine, hung out with us both days and nights (check out the Oct.-Nov. 2006 issue, out now, for Chip's review of our June show in Parma, Italy, with t-Model Ford and Big George Brock. Right in his freakin editorial! thank you Chip, you are too kind!!) *
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*the Workers even got to watch Lou Reed, who headlined Friday night. I opted to stay where it was warm, back at Las Montanas. I wanted to see Bruce Hornsby the next night, but we had a gig so I missed him.
As to recordings, Boomer: this year's festival had a technician taping everybody, and the live performances were burned on the spot and sold on demand. I figure 15-20 people actually bought my CD. I don't believe that CD is now available, they said it would only be sold at the show. I don't even have one. But if I get one, and it can be reproduced (I don't know about that technology), I will get one burned for you, my treat.
We drove over 2000 miles last week, and I drove 3/4 of them. As an old trucker, that is no great burden, but sometimes I think I'm actually being paid for driving, and then get to play a bit when I get to my destinations. I've had this van for 17 months, and it's got 101,000 more miles on it than when I bought it. On my second transmission and third set of tires. Counting rental vehicles and flying, I estimate I've travelled 140,000 miles in that time.*
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*I do have to briefly mention the trip back on this occasion. If you really want to dig a slice of the Rocky Mountains by car, take the following route: Colorado 145 west to Colorado 62 east to US 550 south to US 160 east to US 84 south, from telluride, CO to Santa Fe, NM. An 18-wheel driver's nightmare-- 550 alone has 4 10,000-foot passes, long and incredibly twisty, that rival my old favorite, Monarch. Or maybe it was 5. I just ain't sure. Donner? Cabbage Patch? Siskyou? Heck, they've got nothing on tennessee and Molas Passes. And the snow-capped, jagged peaks-- Alps? Bah Humbug, these Rockies stand there like teeth!* *As I promised, now I'm gonna get back to the Labor Day weekend, when the Workers played at our regular Oklahoma City venue, Sober Grounds, where my old friend from Stillwater, ex-poilce captain and fine bass player tony Wright (my best police friend ever) helped us tear up yet another crowd, and then we headed up to Nixa, outside Springfield, Missouri, where we played a huge motorcycle rally called the River Ride. Special thanks to the sound man there, because I had somehow left my harmonica mike cord at Sober Grounds, so I couldn't use my Bullet. But together we improvised with one of his mikes without losing one bit of fine sound. the wet teeshirt contest was also something to see, heh heh... *
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*the next weekend, I was playing the Stillwater BluesFest, and contractual obligations forbade me from being booked at any other Oklahoma festival for a week before that one. But after dropping the Workers off in Okie City on Sunday morning, I highballed down to Rentiesville for Sunday evening at the Dusk to Dawn Festival of D.C. and Selby Minner. *
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*those two are absolutely amazing folks! D.C.'s health has not been of the best for the last year or so, but he played three different sets, and I have never heard him sing and play any better! God bless him, I don't know how he does it! *
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*And I was thrilled to reunite wih my friends Harry and Debbie Blackwell, as well as tiki, one of two big fans (the other is at Dickie Doo's in Sedalia, MO) I know who work the red-suit, white-beard job in December. St. Nick all the way! And all the rest of the staff of Dusk to Dawn. Love you all, mwah (xxxooo)! Monstrous great time, headlined again by the great Johnny Rawls and James Peterson. *
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*Booked or unbooked, I've only missed one D2D since 1998, when Honour Havoc and I played 4 hours of the blues outside the festival gates at the main barbeque pit. Never even made it in, and were fed and paid anyway! the Workers will be booked next year, look forward to it!!*
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*Only two gigs the next weekend, including, as I said, the Stillwater Blues Fest. I am always so honored to return to the home I spent more years in than any other one place in my life. And this particular Friday night the Workers were the headliners, and we tore the place up. two encores. they wouldn't let us off the stage. And I got to spend time with my dear old friends Nathan Clewell and Cari Hollrah, my bandmates in the Stillwater-based rock-and-roll (Nathan would call us "New-Wave Red-Dirt") group, Another Roadside Attraction, besides tony Wright, Mac Crank, Jared Cranke, original Fried Okra Jones drummer Derek McCubbin (who has just released a new CD of Delicious Militia material), former Stillwater mayor and blues drummer Larry Brown, Martin McClain, and Aaron and Kira Frisby. I know I'm forgetting to name somebody, maybe more than one somebody, but I have so many friends in Stillwater! I am a blessed man.*
*then **Saturday, we were back in Missouri, at Dickie Doo's Barbeque, where owner Sam and I always have a wee dram (or two) of the raft of connoisseur bourbons he keeps around, besides a plate of various barbeque so big I could barely fit myself around it! My big fans Essie, who is my #1 Dickie Doo's backscratcher and photographer, and terry and Linda Shruk, my truckdriving buddies from KCMO, were there to cheer us on through 3 hours of top-shelf blues celebration. At first, my blackbird, to whom I always sing, was not there, but halfway through the night, he came back, cage and all!*
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*Next week me and the Workers will be recording the next NorthernBlues CD (looks like the name of the record may be "No Paid Holidays"-- but Cliff came up with several good ones), and I think I mentioned that Magic Slim will be coming in for a duet on one of the songs. I'll be telling you all about that.*
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*Y'all keep digging the blues now, and I'll keep you all posted! **till next time I drink enough coffee to write a proper blog entry,*
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*Watermelon Slim*
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September 18, 2006
Yeah Man,
Slim, Workers,
Just back from Telluride. You were absolutely the sleeper of the whole three day affair. And thats a good thing.
Come on out to Denver. Give us another chance to listen!
Great music!
Steve
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September 18, 2006
Killer show! I included a stop by the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival during a long weekend motorcycle ride around the four corners area. I picked Saturday for the brews and the performer line-up, primarily Tab Benoit and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. I read up on Watermelon Slim and he reads well, but it paled in comparison to the stage performance.
Outstanding show! Thanks for the jams. I noted a few pros shooting some photos at the festival, but I pass the attachments along because I like the way they turned out - even though they are digital (Olympus Camedia).
By the way, our local record store had one copy of /Watermelon Slim and the Workers/. Had - because it now has none, and I am listening to it right now. Ahhh, thanks folks.
R View the photos from this event here.
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September 17, 2006
Great show at Telluride, Colorado Sept 16th 2006. My husband and I enjoyed your performance the most. Your music was fun and real down-to-earth. My husband was a truck driver too. We want to thank you for your service to our country. And thank you for saying "God Bless You." You're the only performer that day that said that, and it really does mean a lot.
God Bless You,
Rick and Debbie Rayas
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August 31, 2006
Slim and the Workers,
I just wanted to drop you a line after the great show we saw in Dubuque Iowa on the 26th. You guys really do work!! This is the third time we have seen you now, and every show keeps getting better. I brought along a friend of mine that had never seen you before and he was really impressed with your powerful sound, and dynamics. We really enjoyed spending some time with Cliff before the show and eating some great pizza that he turned us on to. We really have to get you guys to play in Wisconsin as we are burning up gallons of gas traveling to your shows.
Keep rockin' and give my regards to "possum hand". One of these times we are going to take you up on your offer Mike!
Your loyal friends in Madison,
Don Keller & Van Wilken
p.s. "somebody gonna win tonight, somebody gonna lose"!
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August 31, 2006
Just wanted to say thanks for the purely fine show you put forth at the Busted Lift in Dubuque, IA on 8/26!!! I had looked at your tour list and figured that by this late date in the tour your butts would be draggin' bigtime. Maybe they were but Lawd did you guys put out some outstanding tunes that night in spite of a very warm setting with no a/c or fans.
I was on a short notice roadtrip at the time and, before heading out from home 500 miles to the north, had decided to take in your show. Am I ever glad I did. Thanks for a truly great show and an even better midnight ramble set that night. Catch y'all down the road.
Greg Ravenhorst
Walker, MN
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August 28, 2006
Hey, Blues fans,
You have all treated me and the Workers like kings for the last three weeks, both in Canada and the US. I will try to summarize some of the highlights of this most recent tour in another entry, but I thought I would invite you into a long-past piece of my life-- high school-- since one of my classmates, a quite unexpected one-- wrote me expressing his regret that he was unable to make it to my gig on Aug. 24 at Buddy Guy's Legends Club in Chicago, due to political responsibilities he had.
This was a GREAT tour, and I love you all dearly. Ain't no you, ain't no me, it's all just one big US. To God the victory, and to the rest of us, the fun!
Many thanks to all,
Watermelon Slim
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Wow.
Frank Kreusi. I can't believe it. When we were at Lenox you were certainly among the top five classmates I had in the category of "couldn't care less whether I lived or died." We were absolutely in different circles. I didn't even know what circles you WERE in. Somebody told me many years after graduation (and many years before the present) that you were Cook County DA, or assistant DA, I don't remember. Is that so? Congratulations, Frank. You've done right well!
Interesting that Lenox alums have said anything about me at all. If you are in touch with Paul Denzel, or Ed Miller, or whoever is administrating the alumni newsletter, I wish you would give them my address, which is 1508 Casady Lane, Oklahoma City, OK, 73120. tell 'em I'd be pleased to send a donation to the Alumni Association, or to whatever charity the assn. has designated for donations. I really am curious what exactly hey HAVE said about me! I have recently seen Josh Bauman, who was my best friend at Lenox (he says I was really his ONLY friend there)-- he came to a gig in teaneck, NJ, and brought his 11-year-old son, to whom I gave one of my harp mikes, but besides Josh, I haven't run across any Lenox boys for many years. I have corresponded warmly with a few others, particularly tim Cole, more recently, but you and Josh are it since about 2003. Do you have a list of alumni addresses or emails?
I did, however, visit the campus last year, and saw what a magnificent job Shakespeare and Company have done with the dear old place. I am a Shakespeare buff-- I wouls almost say, a lay authority-- and as one who was involved in the stillborn attempt to resurrect the school as a school in the late 1980s, around that idiot son of John Updike (are you hip to that whole tale? If not, when we meet, as now seems inevitable, I'll tell you all about it). If the place can never be a school, a Shakespeare campus is bang on what I would like to have seen take its place! If you haven't been there recently, Schermerhorn and Lawrence Halls, the Seamans library and the gym still are in use. St. Martins, the old Coop, West and South Cottages, the infirmary, and a couple of other buildings still stand, but they are all condemnable-- in the case of the Coop, the roof is almost completely gone, and St Martins is a gutted shell, as are the old math building and Field House.
I look back on Lenox as part of a'continuum of topnotch education that I have been lucky enough to get, from elementary school through (very eventually, I got my MA at Oklahoma State at the age of 51) graduate school. I would not change my academic qualifications with any Ivy Leaguer. BA, U Oregon, history and journalism, departmental honors in history, 1986, MA, Okla State, history, 2000. State high school subject teaching endorsements in history, geography, English, political science economics and psychology.
However, my academic sojourns (for so I regard them) have been, more than anything else, attempts to reinvent myself as something besides the grunt laborer and truck driver I became after returning from Vietnam (some other Lenox boys ended up there, I think one-- David Acton, Archie's brother, died there, or it may have been Jeff Gordon, from the '65 class-- but I believe I'm the only '68 who went. I know Peter Horner, from '67, also went, and I'm pretty sure Mike Greiner from '66 did). Both times I went back to college were in the aftermath of getting married, and the second marriage resulted in my only (known) child, Jessie, the apple of my eye now and forever. College has been almost coincidental to the real education I have gotten, in work, and in the blues, the craft, or profession, I pursue now, and (barring the country going completely to hell in a handbasket, which it might at any time) will do permanently (though I keep my Class A CDL current, and drive a semi occasionally just to keep my hand in).
I'll be recording my next CD in September. I will n