American blues legend Bill Homan, professionally known as Watermelon Slim, will perform October 24 at Jacksonville’s Friday Musicale auditorium.
Slim has been performing since the 1970s with some of the biggest names in blues, artists like John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt, and many others.
"He’s interacted with some of the best there is," said event organizer Willie Hager. "He’s come a long way from learning to play the guitar in Vietnam."
Slim, a W. C. Handy Award nominee, has a prestigious blend of Delta blues, Chicago blues and trucker music — all rolled into one.
The Friday Musicale venue features a large, Colonial-style auditorium where people regularly hear classical chamber music from symphonies and orchestras.
"We’re going to light it up with some blues," Hager said.
The event is being presented by Vietnam Veterans Against the War-Old School Sappers and Occupy Jacksonville. Hager said he and Slim are both from the VVAW, which is part of a broader group of veteran organizations under the United Veteran’s Front.
"The way we approach people is through transformational organizing," said Hager.
Eleanor Wilson, Finance Director for Occupy Jacksonville, said she hopes the event will raise awareness and funding for local projects.
Hager said people need to know the occupy movement isn’t simply about camping out somewhere.
"It’s really about empowering people," he said.
Slim will perform at the Friday Musicale auditorium 8:00 p.m. Oct. 24. Buy tickets at the door, or online at Ticket River.
