Shrimp City Slim

Bio:

Shrimp City Slim (aka Gary Erwin, b. 1953 Chicago, IL) is a keyboardist/singer/songwriter now based in Charleston, South Carolina. His specialty is "Lowcountry blues & original songs". He performs throughout the Southeast and overseas, solo and also with his fine band. ************************************************************** To date, Shrimp City Slim has released seven (7) CDs (latest: "Dark Road Piano") and also produces other artists for his label Erwin Music. His publishing company is Blue Chasqui Music (BMI). ************************************************************** Since 1990, SCS has toured with and functioned as bandleader for Southeastern blues legends such as Walter "Lightnin' Bug" Rhodes, Big Boy Henry, Neal "Big Daddy" Pattman, Chicago Bob Nelson, Drink Small, Beverly Guitar Watkins, and others. He credits all of the above for expanding his first-hand knowledge of the blues. Some of these artists have released albums on Erwin's label, Erwin Music (since 1988); some winning awards and all garnering rave reviews worldwide. ************************************************************* Shrimp City Slim's ongoing collaboration with vocalist Wanda Johnson (www.wandaj.com), since 1999, has earned them both further int'l recognition. Latest CD (2008): "Hold What You Got" (see Wanda's myspace page at www.myspace.com/misswandajohnson ************************************************************** His other activities include festival production (nine annual events/festivals, including the famed Lowcountry Blues Bash, which happens every February for 10-12 days in Charleston, SC. February 3-13, 2011 will be the 21st edition) and operating a booking agency devoted to roots & blues artists. ************************************************************** SCS/GE has been profiled in "Jazz & Blues Musicians of South Carolina" by Prof. Benjamin Franklin (University of SC Press); "Making Notes: Music of the Carolinas", edited by Ann Wicker (Novello Press), and "Blues" by Edoardo Fasio (Editori Laterza, Rome, Italy). ************************************************************** If you enjoy modern piano-based blues performed with commitment and exuberance, you will want to check out Shrimp City Slim.

Member Since:

March 19, 2006

Members:

Shrimp City Slim (keyboard, keyboard bass, vocals, acoustic guitar), when playing in a band setting, most often performs with Silent Eddie Phillips (guitar, vocals), John Clamchop Etheridge and others (drums, vocals), Juke Joint Johnny or Chuck "The Cat" Morris (harmonica/vocals). and other occasional musicians. / SCS collaborates with singer Wanda Johnson (www.myspace.com/misswandajohnson). He & the band also back up veteran artists such as Chick Willis, Beverly Guitar Watkins, Chicago Bob Nelson & others (festivals, tours). / In France, works with Dr. Pickup / in Germany & Holland, with Professor Bottleneck / in Poland, with The Blues Doctors.

Influences:

Blues poet-laureates such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) and of course the great piano men of New Orleans & Chicago. More mainstream inspirations have been Procol Harum, The Beatles, Jobim, Vince Guaraldi, Alan Price, Jack Bruce, and others.

Sounds Like:

Like everyone else, we hate to play the comparison game, but some reviewers have found touches of Mose Allison, Randy Newman, Professor Longhair, Bonzo Dog Band, Enrico Macias, and others in SCS’s music. Some say the early recordings (1980-83) hint at Steely Dan.

Record Label:

Erwin Music