Slide guitar and harmonica-playing blues veteran Bill “Watermelon Slim” Homans wowed the Black Deer crowd with a cracking set of livewire blues.

“I’m an old guy who used to drive trucks for a living and it’s a pleasure to come over to play for you guys.”

Backed by bass and drums, Watermelon Slim began with Hard Times and Wheel Man. Paying tribute to Muddy Waters he played the slow blues Gypsy Woman, with a superb harmonica solo when he jumped off the stage and down to the crowd.

Post Modern Blues had a masterful groove and he proudly said “I’m not postmodern. I’m old school”

Then more Muddy Waters with a jumping Bluesbreakers-sounding Tomorrow Nite with a fabulous extended harmonica solo and energy galore.

In his green silk shirt and tie with a feather in his cap Slim plays the bluesman showman entertainer perfectly. Finishing with Archetypal Blues old school he certainly is and it was a privilege to see him perform.

Words and Live Photo by Chaz Brooks