Watermelon Slim - Current News

Current News

May 1, 2008

Here is a taste of what blues lovers will get on wed may 8th at the Blues Music Awards. Click on the photo to view more shots of Watermelon Slim and the Workers.

February 29, 2008

Watermelon Slim and The Workers On Tour!
Check the tour link for show dates in your area. Shows are scheduled for USA, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Italy. More dates added daily.

January 17, 2008

Remember to vote for Watermelon Slim and the Workers now for the Blues Music Awards - Voting ends at 11:59 PM Friday, Feb. 29th, 2008.

January 17, 2008

Watermelon Slim and the Workers Wins "International Artist of the Year" at the annual Maple Blues Music Awards, sponsored by Toronto Blues Society.
more info

January 3, 2008

Watermelon Slim and the Workers nominated for "Artist of the year" and "Album of the Year" at BluesWax
Don't Forget To Vote Today!

Click here to vote for Watermelon Slim. (Free Registration Required)

December 29, 2007

Watermelon Slim and the Workers nominated for International Artist of the Year at the Maple Awards. See the official release.

December 15, 2007

Watermelon Slim & The Workers receive 6 Blues Music Award nominations for the 2nd year in a row! The Blues Foundation just released the the 2008 Blues Music Awards nominations. The 29th Blues Music Awards will be May 8, 2008 at the Grand Casino Event Center in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, just down the road from Memphis, the Awards' home since their 1980 inception. Go to link below for more information. We love you all and please make plans to join us at Tunica Resorts May 8, 2008.

Blues.org Go here for all the information and to make your reservations! Become a member and you can vote for Slim!
View a list of all the nominees here.

Slim's Nominations:

Album of the Year
Watermelon Slim & The Workers
The Wheel Man

BB King Entertainer of the Year
Watermelon Slim

Band of the Year
Watermelon Slim & The Workers

Song of the Year
The Wheel Man - William Homans

Contemporary Blues Album of the Year
Watermelon Slim & The Workers
The Wheel Man

Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year
Watermelon Slim

December 5, 2007

New article in Paste Magazine

November 12, 2007

Watermelon Slim and The Workers featured in Harp! Check out this link to the December 2007 issue.

November 7, 2007

For the 2nd year in row, Watermelon Slim has released a cd to be voted #1 Blues Album of the Year by Mojo Magazine, United Kingdom This year its "The Wheel Man" - January 2008 issue, # 170

November 2, 2007

Congratulations on behalf of the Music Resource Group and their distinguished judging panels, Watermelon Slim and the Workers have been named an album category finalist in the 7th annual Independent Music Awards program. Check it Out

November 1, 2007

Watermelon Slim & The Workers have been nominated for "International Arist of the Year" for the 2008 Maple Blues Awards, sponsored by the Toronto Blues Society. go to torontobluessociety.com for more information. It's an honor to be nominated and we want to thank all friends up north fr all their support this year..

October 17, 2007

BEWARE OF BOOTLEG CDS
Recently Slim played a show in Iowa and a fan asked Slim to autograph the 2006 cd release "Watermelon Slim & The Workers". The fan bought the cd on Amazon.com and brought the cd to the show that night. Problem is the cd was a bootleg product. This was apparent because both Slim's recent releases on NorthernBlues Music for 2006 and 2007 were packaged "only in a tri-fold , hard paper stock style case". The bootleg cd was in a simple clear jewel case with one bi fold paper inside along with the cd itself. Both "Watermelon Slim and The Workers" 2006 and "The Wheel Man" 2007 were only printed with a tri fold , paper stock materials. If you purchased either of Slim's 2006 or 2007 releases on line and received the cd in a plastic jewel case we will pay you a reward for information about who sold you the cd. It's a sad commentary to learn that someone would bootleg a blues artist's cd. The typical blues genre recording artist counts on cd sales to simply pay the bills while touring. On much lighter note, Slim and his band are so pleased to have met so many wonderful fans this year while touring. They just got back from a New Zealand - Australia tour and made a great many new friends. Check the "Slim's Blog" link on the sidebar for recent comments from the fine folks Down Under.

July 17, 2007

Watermelon Slim on House Of Blues Radio July 21-22, 2007.* Elwood Blues aka Dan Aykroyd, devotes the whole show to Watermelon Slim. Slim again gives an inside look at his life and times. Check with your local station for broadcast schedule. For more information click here.

June 21, 2007

Attention all blues fans: Slim and The Workers are blessed with 30 + festivals this year so please check our calender for a show in your area. This year started out with France & Canada festivals. And now for July, August, Sept, & October - look for Slim and The Workers to play more festivals in the USA & Canada, plus dates in Norway, New Zealand & Australia too. Please stop by and see Slim and The Workers after the show. They want to meet you all.

May 27, 2007

Watermelon Slim was inducted into the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame on May 26th, 2007.

May 23, 2007

Thursday May 24th appearance cancelled. Due circumstances beyond our control, Watermelon Slim will not be opening for Buddy Guy at House of Blues in Dallas, TX on May 24th. Please accept our apology in advance for any inconvenience to those who have purchased tickets to see Watermelon Slim perform. Buddy Guy will be performing as scheduled on May 24th so please attend the show and see Buddy perform.

May 14, 2007

Slim is shut out on BMA night as Charlie Musslewhite picked up 4 out of 5 BMAs. The next night Slim asks Charlie to join him and The Workers on stage during a live video shoot at the infamous Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, MS. It was magical night in the heart of the Delta on May 12th as Slim and Charlie appeared to be having a great time.

May 13, 2007

Watermelon Slim to be inducted to the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame on May 26 at 8:00 PM at the Down Home Blues Club/Hall of Fame 701 DC Minner Street, Rentiesville OK 74459 Dinner at 8 (BBQ). For more information go to dcminnerblues.com.

May 4, 2007

The Wheel Man, released on April 17 , debuted at #9 on Billboard Blues Charts.

May 1, 2007

Just added Show
Watermelon Slim & The Workers w/ special guest Jimbo Mathus May 12th,in Tupelo, MS at Good Time Charlies 2901 Eason Blvd, call tel 662-841-1414 for tickets and info.

April 30, 2007

For those who cannot attend the BMA Awards show, you can tune in at 7:30pm on May 10 to Bluesville XM 74 and hear the complete show performances on XM radio.

March 14, 2007

*Join Watermelon Slim & The Workers for a live recording during the BMA week, May 11th at The Ground Zero in Clarksdale, MS, just 70 miles south of Memphis. You can drive down from Memphis on Friday May 11th for the evening show. Lots to see and do in Clarksdale, home of the Delta Blues Music Museum. See below for contacts for lodging too.* *Ground Zero tel 662-621-9009*

AREA ACCOMMODATIONS
Clarksdale, MS

*Shack-up Inn and Cotton Gin Inn at Hopson, 662-624-8329 (www.shackupinn.com). *Riverside Hotel, 662-624-9163 (www.cathead.biz/riverside.html). *Ground Zero Blues Club Apartments, 662-624-2591 (www.groundzerobluesclub.com). *Big Pink Guesthouse, 662-645-1815 or 615-385-4345 (www.bigpinkguesthouse.com). *Comfort Inn, 662-627-5122 (www.comfortinn.com) *Executive Inn (formerly Hampton Inn), 662-627-9292 (Executive Inn) *Econolodge, 662-621-1110 (www.econolodge.com) *Royal Inn (formerly Days Inn), just re-opened; 662-624-4391. *Southern Inn, 662-624-6558 *Budget Inn (formerly Plantation Inn), 662-624-6541 *Uptown Inn, 662-627-3251 *Hick's Hotel, 662-624-9900 *John Ruskey's Place, 662-627-4070; john@island63.com
For camping: *Expo Center on Hwy. 61 in Clarksdale, booked through Tourism/Chamber 1-800-626-3764 (www.clarksdaletourism.com), RV camping available.

February 8, 2007

Thanks to all the local blues radio stations that have been playing Watermelon Slim cds. You can also subscribe to XM Satelite Radio (on Channel 74), and listen to Slim and all your other favortite blues artists anywhere in the USA & Canada. Bill Wax, Host of Bluesville #74 on XM, has an all request show on Friday. If your not hearing enough Watermelon Slim during the week, you can always request a song via email bluesville@xmradio.com or call toll free 866-267-0454. Below is the link to Bluesville.
XM Radio Channel 74

January 12, 2007
New Printed Media Links on the Multimedia Pages! Click Here

January 6, 2007

Blueswax, popular online ezine, has just listed nominees for best blues for 2006.
Watermelon Slim & The Workers have been nominated for:
Artist of the Year
Album of the Year

Go to www.blueswax.com and sign up to vote. its free!

December 13, 2006
Watermelon Slim & The Workers receive 6 Blues Music Award nominations! The Blues Foundation just released the the 2007 Blues Music Awards nominations. The 28th Blues Music Awards will be Thursday, May 10, 2007 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis. Go to link below for more information. Also, only current Blues Foundation members can vote for their favorite artist / band. Please go to link below and join the Blues Foundation so you can vote for Watermelon Slim and The Workers.

A very special thanks goes out to all our fans, Fred Litwin & Pam at NorthernBlues record label, Micheal McClune & Betsie Brown at Crows Feet Productions, Rick, Jake, Brad, Michelle at Intrepid Artists, The Blues Foundation staff, Todd Glazer Promotions, and all those fantastic folks who have supported Slim and The Workers. We love you all and please make plans to join us in Memphis May 10, 2007.

Blues.org Go here for a full list of nominees and to vote for Slim!

Slim's Nominations:

*Album of the Year*
Watermelon Slim & The Workers

*BB King Entertainer of the Year*
Watermelon Slim

*Band of the Year*
Watermelon Slim & The Workers

*Song of the Year*
Hard Times, William Homans aka Watermelon Slim

*Traditional Blues Album of the Year*
Watermelon Slim & The Workers, self titled

*Traditional Blues - Male Artist of the Year*
Watermelon Slim

December 6, 2006
Alvin Jett and the Phat noiZ Blues Band won song of the year and Watermelon Slim won album of the year in the Independent Music Awards.

December 1, 2006
Watermelon Slim & The Workers, selected as "Blues Album of Year" by Mojo Magazine.
Mojo Magazine

November 27, 2006
See Watermelon Slim & The Workers on Dec 31st at Knuckleheads in Kansas City, MO call 816-483-1456 for information on how to buy advance tickets.

Watermelon Slim & The Workers just completed the recording for the next CD, to release April 2007 on Northernblues Music. We are proud to anounce that our special guests: Magic Slim and David Maxwell performed on the new release and it is smoking!

November 6, 2006
Watermelon Slim nominated for "National Recording of Year" along with Keb Mo, and William Lee Ellis, The 2006 Cascade Blues Assoc. Muddy Awards.
www.cascadeblues.org

November 2, 2006
*Watermelon Slim Breaks Arm In Accident*
Although at first it appeared Slim was not hurt after being hit by a car on Oct 20th, this week on wed Nov 1st his doctor did discover a broken bone in his left arm. Slim wants to thank all fans and venues in advance for their understanding as he will be canceling all shows from Nov 1st to Dec 15th.. The doctor said the arm cast can be removed in aprox 6 wks. Expect Slim to back on stage before the end of 2006. Of course, one of the many negative results of this accident is that Slim and his band will lose 6 wks of work. If you were planning to buy CDs at the shows, you can do still that here on line. We have all Slims CDs, T-shirts and DVDs here online. They make great Christmas presents!

November 2, 2006
Watermelon Slim nomintated, "BB King International Artist Award", 2006 Maple Blues Awards - Toronto Blues Society. Solomon Burke, James Hunter, Bettye Lavette, and Keb Mo also nominated for the 2006 award. Go to torontobluessociety.com for more information and how to vote.

November 2, 2006
Watermelon Slim & The Workers nominated "Best Blues Song" - The 6th Annual Independent Music Awards- New Jersey USA. Go link below and rate the song "Hard Times" with your comments at musiciansatlas.com.

October 23, 2006
Watermelon Slim ok after being struck by car. A little banged up, but the show goes on. See attached story link.
Full Story

October 11, 2006
Help save one more Juke Joint in Clarksdale, MS.
Red's Lounge 395 Sunflower in Clarkesdale is trying to raise money to replace the roof. Last time Watermelon Slim played there it started to rain and the club had to close down utill it stopped raining due to water leaking inside the room. Help Red save his Juke Joint. Red is selling T shirts to raise $. Call Roger Stolle at Cat Head Store in Clarksdale to donate and / or buy a T Shirt. Many many great blues folks have played at Red's- including T-Model Ford, Robert Belfour, Big George Brock and many more. Call tel 662-624-5992 for information. Tell them you want help save Red's.

September 1, 2006
Big News! Watermelon Slim & The Workers will release a new cd in early 2007. Slim and The Workers go back in the studio in Sept 2006 to finish tracking the new cd. Check back soon for news on a very special guest to appear on Slim's next cd. Big thanks to Fred Litwin, owner of Northernblues Music for all his support on this 2nd release. 2006 has been a banner year for Slim and The Workers. With a #1 charted cd & successful world-wide touring, we all feel blessed. Lets us take a moment to say thanks! A big thanks goes out to all our friends at Northernblues Music, Intrepid Artists-booking agency, Crows Feet Prod- publicist, Todd Glazer- Radio Promotion, Jesse Wells - web master, all the media writers everywhere, radio stations-programmers & djs, the venue & festival buyers for making it all possible, The Blues Foundation and their many affiliate Blues Societies and members worldwide, and last but not least the fans who come out to all the shows.

August 6, 2006
Watermelon Slim & The Workers T-Shirts are now for sale here on the merchandise page.

July 11, 2006
Please join Slim and the Workers on Woodsongs Radio Hour, July 31, 2006 at the Kentucky Theatre 214 Main St Lexington, KY. For tickets call (859)252-8888. This show will be on podcast and taped for later broadcast on the Woodsongs Radio Hour (syndicated radio show). Slim will perform solo and with his band The Workers. here is the link for more info www.woodsongs.com/wotrh.html

June 27, 2006
Check out Watermelon Slim at YouTube.com.

May 30, 2006
Thanks to all the great fans who are supporting Watermelon Slim & The Workers and buying the new cd. We are proud to announce the new cd was #13 on Billboard's Top 25 Blues Releases for April 2006. Also, thanks to all the radio listeners who requested the new cd. Watermelon Slim & The Workers was #1 on Living Blues Radio Charts for March 2006, #3 for April 2006, and then #6 for May 2006. Slim and The Workers have active tour calender set for summer and fall 2006. Please check the tour link and locate festival or venue near you and get to see the boys. Then please stop by to say hello and get your cd autographed by Slim. He wants to meets everyone of you. Also, on the site, go the link Slim's Blog. There you will find message after message from devoted new and old fans.

May 28, 2006
The new cd "Watermelon Slim & The Workers", is available at all Borders Music locations plus other fine retail stores everywhere. Also, Watermelon Slim and the music from the new cd will be featured on these syndicated radio shows:

     Beale St Caravan - May 15-21
     House of Blues Radio Hour - May 21-28
     Radio station list and broadcast times for the House Of Blues Radio Hour scheduled for next week.
     Blues Quest - Spring 2006

Please call your local radio station for local broadcast times. If your local station does not carry these shows, go online and google all each show above, and then look for links to other affiliates carrying the broadcast.
Watermelon Slim & The Workers are busy now touring the Mid, NE, & Canada. Look for tour dates in Mid West, West Coast and NW in summer 2006.

December 30, 2005
Listen to a podcast interview with Watermelon Slim by Beardo from bandanablues.com. Click here to listen to the interview.

December 25, 2005
Pre-order your copy of Slim's next cd, "Watermelon Slim & The Workers". 14 news songs recorded by Watermelon Slim and his hot touring band, "The Workers". Go to the "Merchandise" link, check out the full song download for Track 1, "Hard Times". Then listen to the sound samples for each song, and be the first to order your copy.

September 2, 2005
Watermelon Slim & The Workers want to invite all blues fans in Topeka, KS to join them at a new club located at the Downtown Ramada Inn - Uncle Bo's - on Sept 24th.

August 29, 2005
We are very pleased to annouce that Watermelon Slim has just signed with Intrepid Artists for all bookings. Please email Intrepid at staff@intrepidartists.com or call 704-358-4777 and visit their website at intrepidartists.com for more info.

August 26, 2005
Slim and his band The Workers are "Always On Tour" for 2005 & 2006, in support of the upcoming release, titled "Watermelon Slim & The Workers". Release date is Feb 14, 2006 on the Northern Blues label. northernblues.com

August 12, 2005
Look for Slim's next CD coming in early 2006 on Northernblues.com titled "Watermelon Slim & The Workers".

August 11, 2005
Look for a feature story on Watermelon Slim in the August-September issue of Blues Revue, now in stores.

June 24, 2005
Bill Homans aka Watermelon Slim has just signed with NorthernBlues record label, for new cd release in early 2006. Slim and his band The Workers are currently finishing tracks for the cd with producer Chris Wick.

June 23, 2005
Watermelon Slim is playing the summer festival dates all across the USA & Canada. Go to "tour dates" for a festival near you.

April 26, 2005
Slim has returned from Canada after a great trip and a wonderful experience. Many new pics of his trip are up on the site now if you click HERE. Slim heads off the Memphis next week, so make sure to wish him the best of luck at the W.C Handy Awards, Thursday, May 5, 2005.

March 21, 2005
Slim Fans in Canada! You can also Check out Slim at Jeff Healey's Club in Toronto on Thursday, April 7th, plus Slim perform two shows at Staircase Cafe Theater in Hamilton, Ontario, Saturday, April 9th and Sunday, April 10th.

March 13, 2005
Slim will host a slide guitar and harmonica workshop with Sue Foley in Toronto, Ontario Canada on Sunday, April 10. This event is sponsored by the Toronto Blues Society, who will also feature Slim in their April 2005 magazine.

March 13, 2005
Look for Watermelon Slim on the cover of Southwest Blues Magazine for the April 2005 issue. You can check out their website at www.southwestblues.com.

March 13, 2005
Beal Street Caravan, a one-hour blues radio program syndicated to 400-plus radio stations worldwide, will feature a live performance of Watermelon Slim & the Workers in April, 2005. The performance was recorded at Huey's Midtown in Memphis, Tennessee on Sunday, February 27. Visit www.bealestreetcaravan.com for more details.

March 8, 2005
A new Watermelon Slim Electronic Press Kit (EPK) has been put together for talent buyers and other interested parties. You can check it out by clicking the new link above marked EPK.

January 26, 2005
A lot of changes have been made to Watermelon Slim's website this week. We have updated information on his band mates under the Slim & The Workers link. We have also added a lot of new photos from live gigs and some publicity shots. Check them out while you are here and don't forget to vote for Slim at the Handy Awards by clicking the link above.
Also, Blueswax, an online weekly Blues magazine, reprinted an interview recently with Slim that was originally printed in Fall 2004. You can access that interview here.
Finally, Blues Matters, one of the United Kingdom's most respected Blues magazines, has a feature story and interview with Slim in their Jan.-Feb. 2005 issue. You can visit their website at www.bluesmatters.com to order this full color magazine or subscribe.

December 22, 2004
Slim has received a nomination for Best New Artist Debut at the 26th Annual W. C. Handy Awards to be held in Memphis, Tennessee on May 5, 2005. To vote for Slim, you need to sign up as a member of the Blues Foundation and visit their website HERE.
Slim was also honored when his most recent release, "Up Close & Personal" made the National Top 20 Blues Charts for 2004. Pictured below is Slim with his new band members: Ike Lamb, electric guitar; Michael Newberry, drums; and Cliff Belcher, bass.