Travel Tales from The Hub

Bluesman from The Lost Coast: Part 1: Meeting Slim

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By Ken Hubbard


Tamron SP 70-200mm Di VC USD G2 – 1/400th, f/2.8, ISO 640 @ 80mm
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A little bit about the back story to how I met and had the opportunity to photograph Slim Fatz, a delta blues singer/songwriter from Panama City, Florida. It started on the last day of a photography workshop with David Akoubian and Cecil Holmes. We had finished up earlier that Saturday and I had a free afternoon to myself before I was going to head back home to New York. I walked around town and past a bar, a place called Bowery Station (http://www.bowerystation.us). I had done this a few times before, but never went in. I sat down for an early dinner at the restaurant called Up The Creek (http://www.upthecreekrawbar.com) and while waiting for my food I looked up what Bowery Station was all about. It turned out that they would be having live music that night, so I decided that after dinner I would finally stop in and check out the place.


Tamron SP 70-200mm Di VC USD G2 – 1/80th, f/2.8, ISO 12500 @ 70mm
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After dinner I headed off to the Bowery Station and I could already hear the music as I turned the corner of the street where the bar was located. There was this deep growling voice singing above the beautiful soft sound of an acoustic guitar, contrasting sounds in perfect unison. I ended up walking in as Slim was finishing his first set and couldn’t wait for him to return to the small stage. With the front part of the bar area filled with locals and a few tourists Slim returned to the stage with a few jokes and then back into the music. Soulful Delta blues covers of classic songs everyone knew and heart-felt originals that kept the crowd listening for the next hour.


Tamron SP 70-200mm Di VC USD G2 – 1/100th, f/2.8, ISO 1000 @ 200mm
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I sat there and listened to Slim sing a heart wrenching version of “Over The Rainbow” and wished I had my camera with me to capture some images of this amazing singer. Unfortunately, I left my camera back at Coombs Inn (https://www.coombsinnandsuites.com) and couldn’t photograph the performance. Not to be deterred and after a couple of songs (and maybe a beer or two) I asked the bartender if the owner was there, she said yes and introduced me to Matt Gardi. Matt is a super nice person and I felt perfectly at ease asking if I could come back for one of Slims next performances and photographic it. He said yes without hesitation and did not even blink when I asked if I could do a more formal photo session at his bar with Slim the next day! He said if Slim is good with it, I’ll open up in the morning (Bowery Station is normally closed Mondays) and you can have the place for yourselves. It’s wonderful to meet such nice people along the way when you travel across the country as much as I do.


Tamron SP 70-200mm Di VC USD G2 – 1/100th, f/2.8, ISO 1000 @ 200mm
Click image to view larger

Once Slim had concluded his performance that day I had the chance to meet him and confirm that he would allow me to photograph his live performance and if he had the next day available for a more formal shoot. Fortunately, he said yes, he was available, and we set a date for his January 6th performance. Slim had many friends at the performance, so we only spoke for a few minutes that first night. It may have been a short conversation, but anyone would have been able to see there was a much larger story behind this man with the growly voice.


Tamron SP 70-200mm Di VC USD G2 – 1/250th, f/2.8, ISO 640 @ 185mm
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Part 2 – March 2019 Enewsletter

Slim Flatz performs at Bowery Station almost every first Saturday of each month.

Lens used for this Article:
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2


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