During the Winnemucca Ranch Hand Rodeo
A marvel of musical ingenuity, yodeling cowboy Sourdough Slim and string instrument wizard Robert Armstrong joyously rekindle the country blues, cowboy classics and string band repertoire of pre-WWII America. A fast-paced performance of music and comedy that showcases their seasoned gift for connecting with audiences.
Whether capturing the haunting refrain of a Jimmie Rodgers blue yodel or swinging out a hot novelty number, everyone gets caught up in the fun these two cut-ups have on stage. Long time fans will remember them as founding members of two of California’s favorite acoustic combo’s, “8th Avenue String Band” and “R. Crumb’s Cheap Suit Serenaders.” Between them they share a provocative array of period instruments including: flat-top guitar, national steel, baritone and soprano ukulele, musical saw, accordion, six-string banjo and harmonica.
Well traveled veterans of stages ranging from Carnegie Hall and The Lincoln Center to The National Cowboy Gathering, Strawberry Music Festival and Prairie Home Companion, these modern day vaudevillians capture a sound and moment in time that consistently delights fun loving music fans everywhere they perform.
“First rate entertainment. A delightfully splendid show. . . full of good time music and laughs galore.” – Diane Brinkman, Seattle Times
“You won’t find better authentic Country or Western music being played anywhere.” – David Barnes, British Archive of Country Music
“Much more invigorating than 9/10ths of the stuff you hear from the current cadre of Western revivalists.” – Ronald Lankford, Jr., Sing Out! magazine
“Good stuff!” – Dallas Dobro, Master of Ceremonies, Strawberry Music Festival
It seems Slim was out on the slopes, shredding with his crew, when he bailed and cratered. Now he is out of commission.
That is, he was snowboarding, fell and broke his wrist. Rick Crowder, that is Sourdough Slim’s real name, felt terrible about having to call and cancel his shows, but it seems he needs to have to have surgery on his wrist this week, and will likely be out of commission for 4 to 6 weeks. Rick said this is the first time in his career that something like this has happened, and he really feels bad about letting us down.
The shows on February 26 and 27 are not going to happen.
We hope Rick has a speedy and complete recovery, and we’ll see him again on down the trail.
Swingin’ tunes! Cowboy crooning! Award winning yodeling! Timeless humor! Yes folks, all this and more can be yours at the only show on the planet where you can witness a man in a ten gallon hat, yodel, play accordion, dance a jig and twirl a lariat – all at the same time.
Sagebrush artist, Sourdough Slim, transport us to a whimsical, infectious world where vaudevillian camp and cowboy lore intermingle. With a repertoire of classic western songs and an exuberant, animated, crowd pleasing delivery, Sourdough Slim has become one of the most popular cowboy entertainers of our time.
The East Bay Express calls him “The most entertaining cowboy singer-yodeler-accordionist extant.” The Allentown Morning Call proclaims him to be a “One-man Western extravaganza!” And the music director at the Carnegie Hall Folk Festival commented, “Spectacular! His ability to entertain, charm and educate a New York audience was nothing short of amazing.” From the moment this accordion squeezin’ Will Rogers swaggers on stage, it’s apparent to everyone that they’re in for a rollicking good time.
A well traveled veteran of stages ranging from The National Cowboy Gathering in Elko, Nevada to the Lincoln Center’s recent Roots of American Music Festival, Slim provides accordion, guitar, harmonica and a generous helping of the truly astounding yippie-ti-yi style that won him the 2001 Will Rogers Award for Yodeler of the Year. His national appearances have justly earned him a loyal following of fun loving fans.
Born in Hollywood, California, Rick Crowder spent much of his childhood on a family cattle ranch in the Sierra foothills. But as he explains, “my true calling as a cowboy was not on the range but rather, on the stage.” A childhood cut-up, he developed his comic character, honed his musical and yodeling skills and garnered the nick name “Slim” while performing in several traveling western bands in the 1970’s and 80’s. Sourdough Slim emerged in 1988 when he came up with the idea to meld his experiences into a solo act based on a comical accordion playing yodeling cowhand. His seasoned gift for connecting with audiences from Los Angeles’ Autry Museum to The Kennedy Center is a true testament to the irrepressible talent and dedication of this unique entertainer.
