Morris Holt, a/k/a Magic Slim was born in Torrence, Mississippi on August 7, 1937. He took an early interest in music, singing in the church choir. His first love was piano but, having lost a finger on his right hand in an accident, he found it difficult to play properly and switched to guitar. He worked in the fields during the week and played the blues at house parties on the weekends.
At age 11 Slim moved to Grenada, Mississippi where he later met and became friends with Magic Sam (who, years later in Chicago, gave him the name Magic Slim). Sam gave Slim some pointers on guitar when they were still youngsters. When Slim made his first trip to Chicago in 1955, Sam hired him to play bass in his band. Slim returned to Mississippi for 5 more years, perfecting his craft before he again returned to Chicago.
Magic Slim
Slim gained national and international attention when he began playing regularly at Florence's on Chicago's south side in 1972, filling in occasionally for Hound Dog Taylor, and taking over the gig when Hound Dog moved on to a more lucrative career on the road. He formed his own band called the Teardrops, consisting of his younger brothers, Nick (whom Slim had taught to play bass) and Douglas, the drummer along with Junior Pettis on rhythm guitar. Slim's raw, rough-edged slide guitar playing, with a pounding bass line overlaid with his fiery guitar riffs and gruff, good natured vocals, was the perfect complement to the often rowdy and sometimes violent atmosphere at Florence's.
Magic Slim's got the blues, and he's not afraid to play them his way. Slim is the driving force in Magic Slim & The Teardrops and they are all about keeping this distinctive American art form of the blues alive. When this bluesman steps onto the stage he instantaneously bursts into one of this dynamic songs and takes you on a long hot ride as he keeps his guitar cranked up to sweltering levels of the blues as only Slim can do.
Slim is backed by a dynamic trio consisting of Jon McDonald - guitar/vocals; Andre Howard - bass; Brian Jones - drums or David Sims - drums. Slim has a relentless touring schedule and has built up a die hard fan base. Slim says, "I've got the blues deep down in my heart and I'll keep on playing till I can't no more.
When
Time
Where
Mudbone
Deb & the Dynamics
Damon Fowler
Karen Lovely
Tinsley Ellis
Gator Nate
Kim Page Band
Stringtown
Skyla Burrell
Mel Melton
Trampled Under Foot
Magic Slim & the Teardrops