Greetings Slim People!

I got pulled over by the cops and they asked me if I had any police records.

I told them no, but I have a few Sting solo CDs.

SlimStones!

Before we roll out the red carpet for the Slim Man Hall of Fame action, let me remind you about the Big Gig at Vicky's Tuesday, January 20th.

Enrique Hernandez is coming all the way down from San Francisco to play percussion.

Which is the musical equivalent of saying "Okay, now...this is serious!"

Enrique played on the LIVE at Vicky's double CD, and we'll be digging out some gems from that award-winning album.

Why not grab your Sweet Potato and make a night of it? Stay at the Indian Wells Resort right across the street.

After the Slim Show you two snuggle bugs can hunker down in your honeymoon suite, grab some Pringles and Dr. Pepper from the minibar, and throw your own afterparty.

See ya Tuesday!

Go to slimman.com for all gig info.

And buy some merch while you're there.

A Slim Man Cookbook would make a great gift for your funny Valentine!

HERE'S THE REAL NEW

REAL NEWS FROM

SLIM'S SHADY TRAILER PARK

Slim People, buckle up!

Mid-November I boarded a plane in sunny Palm Springs and flew to my hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.

Bawlmer, Merlin, Hon! 

I landed late Thursday night and Ubered to Hit Man Howie Z’s house—bongo wizard of the Slim Man Band and all-around rhythm machine.

I slept for about three minutes, then headed out by the dawn’s early light to WJZ TV for an interview with Tim Williams.

Tim and I go way back—30 years back. Jacksonville, Florida.

The Slim Man Band was on tour, Tim had a TV show, and helped get the word out for our concert at Jacksonville Landing.

Two weeks later, Tim moved to Baltimore to do a new show on WJZ. He had us on multiple times over the years. 

And he's still at it, cool and smooth as ever.

We chatted about the cookbooks and the upcoming induction into the Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame.

MEHOF!

That’s right. Your Uncle Slimmy got inducted. Must have been a slow year!

A couple days later, I gathered the Slimmigos and we rolled into downtown B-Mo for the Big Night. The awards ceremony was held in a beautiful banquet hall filled with about 300 people.

I was one of about a dozen people to be inducted. There were some interesting acceptance speeches... 

The inductee before me walked up to the stage, took the mic from the MC, and paused.

He looked like he was getting choked up. Or choking on a chicken wing.

When he finally spoke, he opened with:

“I found my mother dead, sitting on the toilet seat.”

True story, Slim People.

The place got quiet. Real quiet. That’s one way to grab people’s attention!

I wasn’t sure where he was gonna go after that. Was he gonna draw some Elvis parallel? A plumbing metaphor?

No.

He went on to talk about appreciating the ones you love while they’re still alive—which is beautiful. Important.

But I couldn't get that opening visual outta my head!

Then it was my turn. The MC gave me a nice introduction, talked about my stint at Motown as a songwriter, the BootCamp videos on MTV, the Slim Man Band's dazzling discography...

And then he handed me the mic.

I did not mention any deceased relatives on plumbing fixtures. I kept it short and sweet. 

I thanked Carl Griffin—who signed me to Motown, managed BootCamp, helped steer the Slim Man thing in the right direction, and is still one of my closest and dearest friends. 

Griff is legendary!

Discovered everyone from Evelyn Champagne King to Diana Krall. Placed big hits with Aretha and Chaka Khan. Tell Me Something Good!

I thanked the BootCamp Boys: Tom Alonso, Bob Fallin, and Hit Man Howie Z.

Then I thanked the Slim Man Band: Rick O’Rick, John E Coale, and Kevin Levi.

And then?

I expressed my gratitude for the Slim Family, my friends, and everyone who’s helped me on this wild and wonderful journey.

The Slimmigos! Marky Mark, Tom Alonso, Hit Man, and E!

After the show, we went to La Scala in Little Italy. The owner, Nino, brought over a bottle of prosecco and made a toast… then brought out course after course after course.

It was like an Italian food conveyor belt. 

And everything was delizioso!

The Slimmigos were in rare form. Telling war stories. Cracking up and cackling about the crazy old days.

We were bellowing so boisterously a guy from another table came over and said, “I don’t know what you’re laughing about, but keep it up—it’s lifting my spirits!" 

The next day, Monday, I flew back to Palm Springs for gigs at Vicky’s Tuesday and Larkspur Wednesday.

And then… Thanksgiving Day… I flew back to Baltimore.

Because why not live out of an overhead bin?

I went to see the Slim Kin—my sister, nieces, and nephews. I took a photo with the girls, and after we snapped it the youngest said...

“Uncle Slim… you smell old.”

Everyone laughed. Except me! Maybe I should change colognes. Retire the Old Spice!

After the photo op we had a beasty feast of a Thanksgiving.

On Friday, Hit Man and I went back to La Scala for a benefit concert for Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital—a place where I volunteered for years, feeding and comforting newborns with serious health issues while nurses did the heavy medical lifting.

It was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. One of the toughest things I've ever done and one of the things I'm most proud of.

We set up on the indoor bocce ball court. Hit Man banged on the bongos, I crooned some Rat Pack tunes, and Nino even put one of my shrimp dishes on the menu.

And I’m happy to report nobody got sick or died. A win!

Howie’s daughter Lex showed up to support her Pops. And the cause!

We raised a ton of dough for the hospital that night. And more than $100,00 over the years!

Saturday, the Slim Man Band rehearsed at John E Coale’s house. It went great! Except...

Sax Man David Rhen, who played so brilliantly on the early Slim CDs, hurt his back and couldn’t make rehearsal or the show.

Which was a small problem, ’cause I built the set list around… the saxophone.

No pressure!

John E called a trumpet player friend who came over and jammed. He done did great, considering he’d never played a note with us. Baptism by brass!

The next day, we arrived at Encore, a very cool club close to B-Mo. We set up and sound-checked. And suddenly… it’s SHOWTIME!

Onstage: Rick O’Rick on piano, Robert Fiester on guitar, Hit Man on bongos, and John E on drums.

When we came to "Feliz Navidad" I called out to the crowd to see if Trumpet Man was in the house.

I spotted him in the back, waving his horn like he’d just been picked on The Price Is Right. He came up and absolutely lit it up. Richy Rich Kessler, Slim People. He was on fire!

Then I pulled up a stool and played “For Now and Forever” on guitar. 

All in all, the show was a blast.

We played Slim songs, Santa songs. We did slow songs, fast songs.

We even did some half-fast songs!

I brought the kids up to do their dance routine for our Big Finale. They brought down the house

Thanks to everyone who came to the show. Sold out!

Thank you, Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame, for the honor. MEHOF!

Grazie Nino per la cena deliziosa.

And thank you, Slim People, for coming along for the ride. It's been some kinda wonderful.

Who loves ya?

Uncle Slimmy

PS: Here's a video of a recipe from the first cookbook. Broccoli and peppers. It's vegetarian. And might even be vegan!

It's great by itself, or with rice, pasta, bruschetta...

Or put some on your Frosted Flakes in the morning. They're GRRREAT!

Click here to see the video!

EVERY TUESDAY!

THE SLIM MAN BAND AT VICKY'S!

SHOWTIME 6:00 PM

January 20th!!! Enrique Hernandez on percussion! Tateng on piano, Craig on drums, Chase on sax.

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED!

Vicky's

45100 Club Drive

Indian Wells, CA

760 345 9770

https://www.vickysofsantafe.com

The Slim Man Chase Huna Rat Pack Duo

Every Wednesday in January



LARKSPUR GRILL

SHOWTIME 6 PM

Larkspur Grill at Hotel Paseo

45400 Larkspur

Palm Desert, CA 92204

760.340.6069

Come see the Rat Pack Duo!!

Slim Man sings. Chase plays sax.

We have a cool video screen behind us that shows hundreds of vintage photos of the Rat Pack, Vegas, Palm Springs, old album covers, travel posters and postcards from the 1960s.

Come check it out!

It's fun. Ain't that a kick in the head!

See you there!

https://www.larkspurgrill.com

CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR ALL GIGS. AND MERCH!

BUY A CD! GET A COOKBOOK!

PEACE, MAN!