Blues artists HeavyDrunk and Watermelon Slim are combining forces for a UK tour and a new record, Bluesland Theme Park, to be released in 2025. HeavyDrunk and Watermelon Slim each have quite a repertoire individually (26 albums between the two), so it’s intriguing to think about how their styles will blend together on their first joint effort.
The duo’s first single, “Watermelon Girl,” premieres today on American Blues Scene. “Broke out for long Delta miles/ As I staggered along/ A friendly melody beckoned me on.” With its smooth, steady Caribbean current – steel drums, pedal steel guitar, and dulcet vocal tones – the song is the musical equivalent of a cool summer breeze when you need it most.
Rob Robinson (aka HeavyDrunk) wrote the song with the late legend Tony Joe White (“Polk Salad Annie”). Rob explains, “Tony used to come get crawfish and Ribs from my BBQ joint in Tennessee. We became friends and started writing ‘Watermelon Girl.’ Tony split for heaven before we could finish it, so I completed it for this record with Slim.”
Rob and Watermelon Slim met in Clarksdale, Mississippi and played a few shows together before they decided to take the combo to Europe in October of 2024. “Once I heard Slim play ‘Little Bighorn’ I was blown away,” Rob explains. “It was instantly one of my Watermelon Slim faves, and it had never been released. So I booked the studio and called the band.” And soon they were headed to Dial Back Sound studio (owned by the Drive By Truckers’ Matt Patton), in Water Valley, Mississippi, cutting a new record.
Along with the UK tour, Heavy Drunk will be performing (with special guest Watermelon Slim) at the annual Pilgrimage Arts & Music Festival September 28 in Franklin, TN.
FALL 2024 UK TOUR
Oct 2nd – Leytonstone Social Club, London
Oct 3rd – The Hound Dog, Derby
Oct 4th – Mcchuills, Glasgow
Oct 5th – Anarchy Brewery, Newcastle
Oct 6th – The Kings, Portsmouth
Oct 8th – The Waterfront Studio, Norwich
Oct 9th – The Portland Arms, Cambridge
Oct 10th – Long Street Blues Club, Devizes
Oct 11th – The Golden Lion, Bristol
Oct 12th – Off The Cuff Bar, London
