Sunday, October 31, 2010

Tribute to the music of the late Johnny Slim Campbell on Sun, Oct 31, 6 to 11 pm, at 516 Texas St

Dan Garner presents performances by the Jerry Beach Blues Band, Buddy Flett & Friends, Ron Johnson, Johnny Bicknell, JR. III w/ Stanton Dossett on Sun, Oct 31, 6 to 11 pm.

The event is A Tribute to Johnny Slim Campbell.

The site is 516 Texas, performance center and home of the North by Northwest Louisiana Music Foundation - NXNWLA.

Campbell was a charismatic performer who rambled from his home in East Texas to Shreveport in search of an audience and in a quest for more contact with the blues. In the 1980's he was a hit in Shreve Square bars and clubs. It was apparent that he loved Shreveport. In turn, he was treasured by local music fans.

Having recorded 3 albums of singing and crackling guitar, he found a place for himself himself in NYC in the 1990's. Shreveporters traded tales of Johnny's success in Manhattan. "Long lines to see Johnny in a tiny bar!" "Look, Johnny's opening at a big NYC music fest."

In NYC Campbell married and fathered a daughter. But on June 13, 1993, he did not arise from his bed. His unexpected death at age 41 was attributed to heat failure. It was connected by many to the injuries carried by Campbell after a car wreck in his teen years.

Campbell's expertise at guitar and his ability to bring emotion to the stage became legend.

Tonight at 516 Texas musician-historian Garner has assembled a group of performers who played alongside Campbell in his Shreveport sojourn. They will tell stories describing Campbell's intensity and play songs that often poured out from his heart.

What an artful and touching alternative to the celebration of the dead.

Tickets $15 online
, $20 at the door.

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