Columbus Arts Council

AN EVENING WITH JIMBO MATHUS

Friday, May 8

Oxford native Mathus is likely known as the ringleader of the hyper-ragtime outfit Squirrel Nut Zippers. In his native Mississippi and throughout the South, however, Mathus is the prolific songwriter of born-in-the-bone Southern music, the torchbearer for Deep South mythology and culture.

WATERMELON SLIM

Friday, June 5

Watermelon Slim & The Workers have garnered 17 Blues Music Award nominations in four years including a record-tying six in both 2007 & 2008. Only the likes of B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Robert Cray have landed six in a year and Slim is the only blues artist in history with twelve in two consecutive years. In Spring 2009 he was the cover story of Blues Revue magazine.

"It has been my privilege to perform in, and produce over 2 dozen music shows in the CAC's Omnova Theater. There is no place that I enjoy performing more. It is the perfect middle-ground between the intimacy of a house-concert, and a large performance hall. Acoustically, or visually, every seat in the house is good... so that the performer can interact with everyone attending (if they desire). Likewise, there is enough isolation on the stage to not be distracted when it matters. 85 seats isn't the Ryman or Carnegie, but when they are filled with those who came to hear what you have to offer, it's the best room in the world."