Magic Slim, Dec. 25 at Lincoln's Zoo Bar, with Jeff Boehmer. Photo by Keri Hess.
‘The Blues is All Right’
Lincoln resident, Zoo Bar family member and blues legend Magic Slim was laid to rest in a funeral service Saturday, March 2, at Horizons Community Church in Lincoln. At least four generations of local musicians were influenced by Slim’s adoption of the Zoo Bar as his home away from home since 1975 and his move to Lincoln in 1994.
Two more formal musical memorials are planned.
Lincoln’s Zoo Bar will host a celebration of life event Sunday, March 31, beginning at 3 p.m. Lil’ Slim Blues Band, The Bel Airs, Tijuana Gigolos, Zoo Bar House Band and other guests will perform, with proceeds to benefit Magic Slim’s family.
Chicago’s venue The Mayne Stage will be the site for a tribute to Magic Slim Thursday, March 28. Performers at press time were expected to include Billy Branch, Eddy Clearwater, John Primer and Shawn “Lil’ Slim” Holt performing with The Teardrops.
Shadowboxers' Omaha Debut
Josh Hoyer is a Reader contributing writer who authored last week’s cover story on Magic Slim and is one of the Zoo Bar musicians who called Magic a mentor and a friend. Hoyer’s own latest band has their Omaha debut at The Waiting Room this Friday. Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers open for Satchel Grande Friday, March 8. The Shadowboxers are a seven-piece R&B/soul/funk band featuring some of Lincoln’s finest musicians laying down a mix of Hoyer’s original tunes and R&B, funk and New Orleans’ classics. Their Lincoln debut in December melded top-flight musicianship with a wicked sense of soulful grooves.
Bacon at the Zoo
Popular Tex-Mex musician Billy Bacon makes a musical visit from Austin, Texas. Bacon and friends play Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Thursday, March 7, 6-9 p.m., Friday, March 8, at 9 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, 6-9 p.m.
Hector Anchondo Band plays 9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, and The Tijuana Gigolos rock the Friday, March 8, 5-7 p.m., show.
Hot Notes
Chicago folk-rocker Dan Tedesco headlines the show at Barley Street Tavern Thursday, March 7. One reviewer called his latest disc Tracks on Fire “a raw, stripped-down batch of songs offering a both haunting and hopeful perspective.” Also on the bill are excellent local songwriters Jeremy Mercy and Matt Whipkey.
John Primer, former longtime sideman for Magic Slim, gigs Wednesday, March 6, 6-9 p.m.. at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar and plugs in Thursday, March 7, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at The 21st Saloon.
Runny Nose Pete brings blues to Sullivan’s Bar, 3926 Farnam, Friday, March 8, 9:30 p.m.
posted at 07:16 am
on Wednesday, March 06th, 2013
