Wheatland’s Pioneer Hall to host Sourdough Slim
For the fourth consecutive year, Pioneer Hall in Wheatland will play host to Western showman Sourdough Slim in a free concert tonight.
Described as a throwback to vaudeville by event spokesman Martin Heatlie, Sourdough Slim has been a fixture of festivals and fairs throughout the country for three-plus decades.
“We are trying to do something for the Wheatland community after a hot summer day,” Heatlie said. “This is an evening of family entertainment that is open to everyone.”
Proceeds from tonight’s event will go to the restoration of the 100-plusyear-old Pioneer Hall.
During tonight’s performance, Sourdough Slim will be joined by Marysville-based performers Harmonica Hank and Mother Lode Mandy.
Free ice cream and snow cones will be available in the air-conditioned Pioneer Hall.
Admission for the show is free, with a suggested donation of $10. A chili dinner is available at $5 per person beginning at 6 p.m. at Pioneer Hall.
Rick Crowder, more commonly known by his stage name Sourdough Slim, said he began performing in benefit of the hall because friends who work at Grace Episcopal Church asked him to perform. The church runs operations at Pioneer Hall.
“Pioneer Hall is a beautiful WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: ADMISSION: CONTACT: building that you don’t really see too much anymore,” Crowder said. “I see the importance of trying to keep it going. For me, it’s something that I am wholeheartedly behind.”
The Western showman will play country music and recite poetry with a guitar, accordion and harmonica accompanying him.
Though Heatlie said it is impossible, he swears that Sourdough Slim can yodel, sing and play all his instruments simultaneously.
Crowder describes his music as containing multiple elements of country music and a distinct comedy style.
Crowder has refined his style through decades of performances, including shows at The Lincoln Center’s Roots of American Music Festival in New York, Carnegie Hall Folk Festival in New York, The John F. Kennedy Music Center in Washington, D.C., and taped performances on “Good Morning America.”
But Crowder’s musical journey begins in California, long before Sourdough Slim ever took the stage.
Born in Hollywood and raised on a family cattle ranch in the Sierra Foothills, Crowder said his introduction to music began when his mother bought him a steel guitar at age 6.
Crowder said music was always in his blood and his passion for music continued through to adulthood.
As a member of multiple bands growing up, Crowder said he began to discover a more individual personality. The character of Sourdough Slim eventually came as he began to break out from those bands and gain confidence.
That breakout has earned him accolades along the way, including an Academy of Western Artists 2001 Will Rogers Award for Yodeler of the Year and 2009, 2010 and 2011 nomination for Entertainer of the Year from the Western Music Association.
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