Slap Johnson & The Trowellers
It’s noon on day two of Thunder Bay’s Blues Fest. There’s already a sea of colourful lawn chairs and people decked out in sun hats, waiting for Slap Johnson & The Trowellers to play. The band starts with Too Late. “We chose to open with this song,” says lead vocalist Lee “Slap” Johnson. “Because in the Blues business noon is way too early.” The Trowellers have been a local favourite for over twenty years. In addition to Johnson, band members include guitarist Michael Abraham, David Smythe (in town to play for the festival), Wayne Breiland (drums) bassist Tom Sinkins and keyboardist Hugh “Hughman” Hamilton decked out in a brightly coloured local Shaw bakery Holsum T-shirt. “I picked it up at a Sally Ann about a thousand years ago. I thought it was the damned ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“We really like playing here because it’s really professionally run, you get to see people that you don’t get to see during the rest of the year,” says Johnson. “There’s a good sense of community, the sound is fantastic and it’s a great atmosphere year after year.” An organizer comes up to Johnson and tells him that the area for autographs is ready.“I’ve never done that before,” he smiles. “We’re just a local band.” Another fan comes up and tells Johnson that his last set was the best he’s heard at the festival thus far, proving that Slap Johnson and The Trowellers are more than “just” a local band.
-TJ
Follow Us!