Slim Andrews facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Slim Andrews
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leonard Andrews Huntington, Jr. |
| Born | June 14, 1931 Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | January 15, 2022 (aged 90) |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Booking agent, Television presenter, Vocalist, Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1942-2017 |
Slim Andrews (born Leonard Andrews Huntington, Jr.) was an American country music artist. He was born on June 14, 1931, and passed away on January 15, 2022. Slim Andrews performed for an amazing seven decades! He started his music journey in 1942 when he was just eleven years old. He won a talent contest in New Auburn, Maine, and got his first guitar. For 75 years, he entertained people all over the South and Northeast United States.
Contents
Early Life and Army Service
When Slim Andrews was very young, his family moved to Auburn, Maine. He lived there until his mother passed away. In 1946, he moved back to Dorchester, Massachusetts. After finishing high school in 1948, Slim joined the U.S. Army.
He spent over three years serving in Germany. While in the Army, he helped with the Berlin Airlift. This was a time when supplies were flown into West Berlin because the Soviet Union had blocked all land routes. Slim also entertained the soldiers during special events. After leaving the Army, he married his high school sweetheart. They had five sons and one daughter. He then continued his country music career. One of his first performances was in 1954 in Hull, Massachusetts.
Growing His Music Career
In 1958, Slim Andrews started a band called the Berkshire Mountain Boys in Brockton, Massachusetts. After 13 years, he moved back to Maine in 1971. There, he formed a new band, the Cumberland Valley Boys.
In 1976, Slim helped create the State of Maine Country Music Awards Show. He also started a booking agency called Slim Andrews Enterprises. This agency helped many famous country music artists from Nashville perform in New England and New York. Some of the well-known singers he booked included Nat Stuckey and Grandpa Jones. Slim also put together a yearly show featuring top music talent from Maine.
In 1980, a newspaper called the Maine Sunday Telegram said Slim Andrews was one of the most important people in Maine country music. He was recognized alongside other pioneers like Dick Curless. Slim also helped change a law in Maine. He worked with a state representative to stop club owners from paying a certain tax for part-time musicians. This helped musicians keep more of their earnings.
In 1980, Maine country music was shown on TV for the first time on the WCSH 6 channel. Slim Andrews helped produce a special one-hour show. It featured performances by the four best country bands in Maine at that time.
From 1985 to 1990, Slim and his family lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Later, they moved to Savannah, Georgia, in 1990. While living in Michigan, Slim continued to perform as a solo artist. In Savannah, he started a group called the "Country Vets." This group performed for veterans in nursing homes and retirement communities. In 2000, Slim and his family returned to Maine.
Later Years and Achievements
In 2002, Slim Andrews was honored by being added to the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame. That same year, he married his wife, Carole Ann. In 2004, he brought back his band, "The Cumberland Valley Boys."
In May 2005, after 63 years in music, Slim released his first album. It was called "Favorites For A Lifetime" and had eleven songs. Six of these songs were written by Slim and his son, Jamie. Some of his songs told stories about important moments in his life.
In 2017, when he was 86 years old, Slim Andrews set a record. He had the most songs played on the radio for a Maine country music artist. He also appeared on the International Mainstream Country Music Charts more than any other Maine artist.
Slim Andrews was very involved with the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame. He was the chairman of the committee that chose new members. He also helped create the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. This museum is one of only a few like it in the whole country.
Awards and Recognition
Slim Andrews received many awards for his contributions to country music:
- Inducted Into The Maine Country Music Hall Of Fame 2002
- Duke Knight Memorial Award from The Maine Country Music Association 2003, 2006
- American Legion Post 197 Commander's Award 2006, 2009
- Trailblazer Award From The Pine Tree State Country Music Association 2006
- Gospel Song of The Year From The Maine Country Music Association 2006
- Maine Ole' Opry Award From The Pine Tree State Country Music Association 2007
- Living Legend Award From The Maine Academy of Country Music 2008
- Hal Lone Pine Memorial Award From the Maine Country Music Association
- Album Of the Year Award From the Maine Country Music Association 2010
- Rusty Rogers Award From The Pine Tree State Country Music Association 2011
- Lifetime Achievement Award From Maine Academy of Country Music 2016
- Induction Into The Massachusetts Country Music Awards Association Hall of Fame 2016
Discography
Here are some of the albums Slim Andrews released:
- 2005 "Favorites For A Lifetime"
- 2006 "Simply Slim With Harry"
- 2008 "Through The Years"—Slim Andrews and The Cumberland Valley Revue
- 2009 "Slim Andrews and His Alvarez"
- 2011 "Slim Andrews Sings Irish"
