Too Slim headlines blues festival

Too Slim and the Taildraggers will headline the inaugural Riverfront Blues Festival on Saturday in Libby.

Back Adit, the Ben Rice Band, Bridge City Blues and Ken LaBarbara are also scheduled to perform at the event, which runs from noon-11 p.m. at the Fred Brown Pavilion at Riverfront Park. Special guest Kenny Neal will also be on hand and organizers said don’t be surprised to see a jam come together at the end.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit Libby Food Panty, Libby Revitalization Inc., and the Kootenai Heritage Council.

Tim “Too Slim” Langford with his band the Taildraggers have created an eclectic style of roots-rock, Americana and blues that has become a genre all its own. The eclectic nature of the band allows the group to easily cross over and appeal to audiences of various musical tastes. 

The Taildraggers have played as headliners at theaters, festivals and concert stages. The band has shared the stage with the likes of Bo Diddley, The Doobie Brothers, The Little River Band, Ted Nugent, Los Lobos, Blue Oyster Cult, Heart, Travis Tritt, Junior Brown, Blues Traveler, Steppenwolf and Ronnie Milsap – just to name a few.

Their recent production, “Free Your Mind,” is the 10th studio album from Seattle-based group. It was the result of a touring hiatus in December 2007 and January 2008 and was released in March of this year.

“It was the first time I actually took time off specifically to write songs,” said Langford, “and I’m very pleased with the results.”

The songs on “Free Your Mind”  are a slice of American roots music, with blues, Americana and rock influences.

“The songwriting process is something that I really enjoy, but it can also drive you a little crazy,” Langford said. “I always try to write down ideas or phrases that I hear in everyday life that could be song titles. Some songs are inspired by personal experiences and some are just observations of life as I see it.”

Langford worked with producer Todd Smallwood on the new album. Smallwood  also co-produced the band’s ninth CD, “The Fortune Teller.”

“I really enjoyed working in the studio with Todd,” Langford said. “He had great ideas, and has the recording process down to an art. He is an extremely talented producer and musician, and played Hammond organ and 12-string guitar on the recording, too.”

Besides Langford on guitars, harmonica and vocals, other band members are Polly O’Keary on bass and vocals, and Tommy Cook on drums.

One reviewer described the band in this fashion:

“Experiencing a Too Slim and the Taildraggers concert is like taking a journey through the history of American music. Too Slim’s musical style ranges from down home blues, funky blues rock, Americana, southern swamp rock and instrumental guitar styles.”

Festival tickets for adults are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Student tickets are $10. Children 6 and under will be admitted free with a donation to the food pantry. Tickets are available online at www.riverfrontbluesfestival.net or call 293-9643.

On the Net: www.tooslim.org