Venue: The Alley
Location: Sanford, Florida
Date: 01/05/2019
There couldn't have been a better start to the New Year! William Homans (aka Watermelon Slim) & The Truckers ( Bryan Shaw - Drums & John Allouise - Bass) finally got back to the Central Florida area. I first saw Slim at the Daytona Blues Festival in 2015, so when the January show was announced, I was ecstatic to say the least.
The former truck driver, Vietnam veteran and historian was introduced to the blues in 1954, via John Lee Hooker. Young Bill picked up the harmonica in 1959 and later the Dobro Slide guitar and began being molded by blues legends like Mississippi Fred McDowell, Little Walter, and Junior Wells.
Like many artists, he struggled initially, but picked up steam in the 1980's.
The bottom line is that Watermelon Slim is the real deal, having honed his skills and paid his dues by honoring the legends of the past and holding true to the blues. His music attest to that.
He enamored the crowd at the alley with two hours of songs and storytelling. I imagine the audience learns something new about Slim and his life at every gig he plays. I am thankful to have met and heard this national treasure of a Bluesman.
As usual, I brought along my trusty Nikon and documented the evening. Enjoy!
Date: 01/05/2019
There couldn't have been a better start to the New Year! William Homans (aka Watermelon Slim) & The Truckers ( Bryan Shaw - Drums & John Allouise - Bass) finally got back to the Central Florida area. I first saw Slim at the Daytona Blues Festival in 2015, so when the January show was announced, I was ecstatic to say the least.
The former truck driver, Vietnam veteran and historian was introduced to the blues in 1954, via John Lee Hooker. Young Bill picked up the harmonica in 1959 and later the Dobro Slide guitar and began being molded by blues legends like Mississippi Fred McDowell, Little Walter, and Junior Wells.
Like many artists, he struggled initially, but picked up steam in the 1980's.
The bottom line is that Watermelon Slim is the real deal, having honed his skills and paid his dues by honoring the legends of the past and holding true to the blues. His music attest to that.
He enamored the crowd at the alley with two hours of songs and storytelling. I imagine the audience learns something new about Slim and his life at every gig he plays. I am thankful to have met and heard this national treasure of a Bluesman.
As usual, I brought along my trusty Nikon and documented the evening. Enjoy!
