River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs November 12, 2011

Bandleader River City Slim is a lifelong Blues fan, musician and DJ. Slim was already a Texas/Louisiana Blues and R&B fiend when he was bitten by the Zydeco bug at a performance by Terence Simien. The Zydeco Hogs reflect Slim's deep background in Gulf Coast music -- he's played behind a slew of Louisiana and Texas luminaries, including Willis Prudhomme, Corey Ledet, Jeffrey Broussard, Dexter Ardoin, D.L. Menard and others.

The newest Hog, bassist and vocalist Andy Karlok has held down the bottom for some of the best Blues and R&B bands in the Northeast, including a two-year stint with Blues legend Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson. During this time, Andy appeared on Luther’s M.C. Records release "Live At The Rynborn". His most recent gig before joining The Hogs was an extended run with Dr. Ya Ya’s Gumbo Party, a New England band that specializes in New Orleans-style R&B and funk.

Mark Thompson handles the squeeze box chores. He has jammed with the best at folk and roots music festivals throughout New England, being spotted onstage with such Louisiana luminaries as the Basin Brothers and D.L. Menard.

Guitar sensation Toad Eckert provides the melodic counterpoint to the accordion while jacking the energy level up a notch or two. Equally adept at churning rhythms and soaring leads, Toad also contributes his distinctive vocals to several songs.

Rockin' Robin Bean's rubboard syncopations and occasional flights of furious fiddling rounds out the rhythm section. Robin's let-the-good-times-roll stage presence brings things to another level, and he adds great harmony vocals to many tunes.

River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs first came together in the cold New England winter of '98 - '99. The Hogs made a big splash at the eighth annual Folk Next Door concert at the University of Hartford in May of '99, and haven’t looked back since. The band has made appearances at music festivals up and down the East Coast, including a performance at the 9th Annual Cajun/Zydeco Crawfish Festival in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 2001. Other major festivals The Hogs have been featured at include Musikfest in Bethehem PA, the Great Blue Heron Fest in Sherman NY, and Rhythm & Roots in Charlestown RI. The leanest, meanest Zydeco machine in the Northeast is now poised for the next step -- coming to your town to rock the party!

River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs are thrilled to be playing in the 'River City' (yup, that's where Slim got his name). Bridge Street Live in Collinsville, CT.

Official Website: http://www.41bridgestreet.com/calendar/index.php?id=194