Watermelon Slim sings the blues at Bodles

Chester — Watermelon Slim, the lead blues musician with Watermelon Slim & The Workers, will appear at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, at Bodles Opera House at 39 Main Street in Chester. Bill Homans, a.k.a. “Watermelon Slim,” had his first paid gig at 18. However, despite spending more than 30 plus years as a musician, it was only recently that he became well known. In late 2003, Slim finished recording the critically acclaimed “Up Close And Personal.” The blues community officially recognized him with a nomination for a 2005 W. C. Handy Award for Best New Artist Debut, and his CD was charted as #1 Southern Blues CD of the Year by Real Blues Magazine. After an intermittently successful musical career - that included playing with Henry ‘Sunflower’ Vestine of Canned Heat, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, John Lee Hooker, and in Paris with expatriate New Orleans barrel-house piano player Champion Jack Dupree - in 2002 Slim suffered a near fatal heart attack. His brush with death gave him a new perspective on mortality, direction and life ambitions. “Everything I do now has a sharper pleasure to it. I’ve lived a fuller life than most people could in two. If I go now, I’ve got a good education, I’ve lived on three continents, and I’ve played music with a bunch of immortal blues players.” At 56, Slim finds himself chasing his dreams with a healthy heart, an impassioned fan base, and a new recording deal. The new CD “Watermelon Slim & The Workers,” became available at Borders Music in February. For more information about the artist, visit www.watermelonslim.com. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.50. Order at www.bodles.musictoday.com or call 469-4595 for reservations.