Alberta slim biography of albert lea

Alberta Slim was a pioneer of the early days of Canadian country music. Born Eric Edwards in near Wiltshire, England, Slim emigrated with his musical family at the age of ten to Lloydminster, Alberta where they homesteaded in a two-room cabin, later moving to Saskatchewan. Slim learned to play the fiddle and eventually the guitar, playing and singing at local events.

When the Depression hit, Slim took his guitar on the road, riding the rails across Canada and singing for his supper on street corners. Officials were so impressed that they asked him to play regularly.

Alberta slim biography of albert lea: Louis was indeed musical

There was no salary, but Slim was allowed free advertising of his local performances. He snapped up the opportunity to promote his musical talents, composing songs, selling autographed pictures and song booklets, and dressing in elaborate show costumes. To make extra money, Slim also told fortunes. When reading the tea leaves of a pretty young Saskatchewan girl named Pearl, he predicted that she would marry him-which she did.

Slim started a summer road show after acquiring the first of a series of trick horses, named Kitten after a horse he owned as a boy. Accompanied by Pearl, who was announcer and assistant, he sang and performed at carnivals, rodeos and fairs across Canada.