Watermelon Slim / Church Of The Blues

Release: January 25, 2019

Label: Northern Blues Music, Inc.
Special Guests: Bob Margolin,
John Nemeth, Nick Schnebelen,
Albert Castiglia, Joe Louis Walker,
and  Sherman Holmes.










I was introduced to the blues back in 1970 quite by accident when I purchased a Capitol Records vinyl  LP  entitled: The New Spirit of Capitol. It was a compilation album featuring their recently signed plethora of artists : Steve Miller Band, Pink Floyd, Bob Seger System, Grand Funk Railroad and yes one guy I had no idea who or what he was; Mississippi Fred McDowell.  Just prior to that, I was heavily into Cream- Wheels Of Fire. I literally wore out that record, but had no clue Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker were actually preforming Blues -written by their heroes of roots music in America.  However it was Mississippi Fred that changed my life. His song Red Cross Store was real, it spoke volumes to me about the suffering and the difficulty of everyday survival. I believed him when he sang: "I'm not going back to that Red Cross Store".
I got that same familiar feeling when I stumbled across Watermelon Slim & The Workers album in 2006. The song: Hard Times in particular. Flash forward thirteen years & twenty Blues Music Award Nominations later and Bill Homans aka Watermelon Slim has recently released & co-produced this gem of a recording ; Church Of The Blues. The subject matter in these songs is a  common thread that runs through us all: death, taxes, alcohol, love, war, politics and religion. The original songs and covers are well done with fine journeyman musicianship by Slim's "Truckers" band; Brian Wells on drums and John Allouise on electric bass. Not to mention Watermelon Slim's expertise on the dobro slide guitar. The guest musicians on this recording (listed above) are the backbone that adds character and cohesiveness to this album of songs.
True standout songs are: St. Peter's Ledger, Gypsy Woman -a great Muddy Waters cover, and Slim's original; Post Modern Blues. The bottom line is this a well produced (Chris "Wick" Hardwick) collection of songs. For me it all comes together with a stellar cover rendition of Mississippi Fred McDowell's classic song: Highway 61. Sit down, close your eyes and give it a listen. All of a sudden  you are transported behind the wheel and driving down that 1400 mile grand old north / south blues connection in the center of the country.  It seems Bill Homans aka Watermelon Slim & I share a propensity for the Hill County, slide guitar legend originally from Tennessee. Nice to know, after so much water has passed under the bridge.

                                                                 

Watermelon Slim

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!

Bradenton Blues Festival 2018

The state of the blues is alive and well from the size of the sold -out Bradenton Blues Festival held annually at Rossi Riverwalk Park earlier this month. This years blues extravaganza featured some of the best entertainment in blues music to date, along with excellent food, not to mention the weather was near perfect!
What strikes me the most about this Festival in particular  is that each and every artist love being here and give everything they have when they hit the stage. In return the audience appreciates that and reciprocates enthusiastically!
This years lineup was so good, I am wondering how are they going to top it next year? Saturday's schedule was unbelievable!- Kelley Hunt, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram,Harper & Midwest Kind, Chris Cain, Shakura S'Aida. The Mississippi Blues Child - Mr. Sipp and the Welch-Ledbetter Connection. Not to mention, up & comer Trey Wanvig  entertaining the crowd between sets.

Armed with a media stage pass and my trusty Nikon, I documented the day with photographs to put you front row & center at this most celebrated Roots Music Smorgasbord in hopes that you can attend in 2019!

Central Florida Blues Challenge