eagle park slim

Biography

Autry McNeace, known as Eagle Park Slim, was born on January 11, 1942, in Eagle Park, Illinois. He grew up immersed in the blues, starting to play at his mother’s club, The Village Tavern, in 1954. By age 9, he learned harmonica from Harmonica Sam, using his discarded instruments, and later picked up guitar. In the 1960s, he performed regularly at Leo’s Tavern in Eagle Park with Little Walter J. & His Hard Working Phantoms, and expanded to East St. Louis and St. Louis, playing with blues pianist Johnnie Johnson.[1][2][4]

Slim's career took him across the U.S., collaborating with legends like Chuck Berry, James Brown, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson, Percy Mayfield, Ike Turner, Little Walter, Joe Cocker, Keb Mo, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. In the 1970s, he moved to Colorado, where Eagle Park Slim & The Mile High Blues Band became the house band at a Denver after-hours club. At age 38 in 1980, he relocated to Eugene, Oregon, becoming a fixture in the local blues scene as a busker with just his guitar and kazoo, performing in streets, coffeehouses, and markets. His motto was “ain’t no time to hate,” and he promoted “peace through music,” sustaining himself primarily through busking.[1][2][3]

A modern blues artist, Slim was known for songs drawn from daily experiences and feelings. He remained active in Eugene for over 30 years, playing with groups like The Vipers and mentoring locals. He passed away in August 2016 at age 74.[1][2][3][7]

Fun Facts

• Recorded “Baby Don’t Let Me Go Homeless” with Keb Mo and was paid via Western Union.
• Preferred traveling by train over flying.
• Was a fan of comedian Rodney Dangerfield, memorized his jokes, and named his friend Jan Brown’s chihuahua after him.
• Met long-time friend Jan Brown in 2002 at a bus stop where he flirtatiously sang a Lou Rawls song to her.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Harmonica Sam - Early harmonica teacher who gave Slim his castoff harmonicas (Learned at age 9) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Johnnie Johnson - Played guitar with blues pianist (Gigs in East St. Louis and St. Louis) [1960s]
• Little Walter J. - Played guitar in his band (Regular Sunday gigs at Leo’s Tavern) [1960s]
• Chuck Berry - Played along with (Various performances) [Lifetime]
• James Brown - Played along with (Various performances) [Lifetime]
• Muddy Waters - Played along with (Various performances) [Lifetime]
• Jimmy Reed - Played along with (Various performances) [Lifetime]
• Sonny Boy Williamson - Played along with (Various performances) [Lifetime]
• Percy Mayfield - Played along with (Various performances) [Lifetime]
• Ike Turner - Played along with (Various performances) [Lifetime]
• Little Walter - Played along with (Various performances) [Lifetime]
• Joe Cocker - Played along with (Various performances) [Lifetime]
• Keb Mo - Recorded together (“Baby Don’t Let Me Go Homeless”) [Lifetime]
• The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Played along with (Various performances) [Lifetime]
• Steve Ibach - Played in band together (The Vipers) [2000s]
• The Mile High Blues Band - Leader and house band (After-hours club gigs in Denver) [1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Andy Strange - Mentored young musician who formed his own band (Andy Strange and the Strangetones) [Unknown]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz