Several times I have considered writing a 'cuff about "Arkansas Slim," the man I mentioned recently. Lloyd "Slim" Andrews was born in December, in a house overlooking Spavinaw Creek, not too far from Bethel Cemetery, just south of Gravette.
Lloyd was the seventh son of George Willis and Norma Andrews. His twin brother died in infancy. Lloyd grew tall and slender, hence the nickname "Slim" which followed him in a lifelong career of slapstick comedy, movies and entertainment until his death, April 3, 1992, just a few miles from his place of birth.
His life story is one of hard work, lucky breaks, no drinking or smoking, love for his fellow man, especially children, fishing and especially with his wife, Lucille. They celebrated 63 happy years together. She followed him in death in just three months, June 2, 1992. Both are buried at that cemetery in Bethel, that pioneer "community" that had existed many years before Gravette was even imagined.
Slim enjoyed talking, spinning yarns about his childhood, his travels through the country and even to England and aptly describing his fishing catches. His eternal smile endeared him even to those who couldn't begin to comprehend his musical talent and his witty tale-telling ability.
Slim remembered, during my visit with him in 1988, just before he was featured on an AETN program, how his classmates teased him because of his long, lanky body and the harelip with which he was born. Later corrective surgery helped but it was that ridicule, Slim declared, that "gave me an inner desire to make good."
It began with the $600 he made raising strawberries one year on an acre of land his father set aside for his project. He was able to buy an old Model T. His inventive spirit led him to tinker with the auto frame. Slim built himself a "racer."
"I never raced it," he chuckled. "I just liked to drive fast."
The teenager was a natural musician, although he could never read a note. And that tinkering ability showed up in many original, laughable "instruments" he created and which became his musical trademark.
Slim said -- not bragging, but matter of factly -- "They said I could play a hundred instruments."
That might have been an understatement.
Driving, not racing, on the muddy or dusty roads in the Gravette area led to his trip to Decatur one day in 1924. Slim was barely 18 years old. He caught the eye of a traveling salesman who made stops in towns throughout the South. "Watso the Musical Wizard" happened to be performing in Decatur that day. The Wizard needed transportation (Slim didn't relate why) and, seeing Slim's unique car, "struck a deal with me (the Arkansawyer) to tour with him."
His career began. He was known in those days as a "Toby" comedian, a term for a country bumpkin character in traveling show-biz acts. Slim said Watso (Earl Watson) taught him musical tricks and honed his comedy act during a year-long tour that took the traveling pair as far east as Alabama, along the Gulf Coast and even to New Orleans.
Slim described his role, his act, this way: "I'd be all dressed up in a country outfit. I wore a red wig and had freckles painted on my face. During the act, I'd come in stomping and singing 'ice cold hot dogs, red hot pop.'"
Watson would intercept this "stranger." "He'd tell me to 'sit down, boy, I'm trying to entertain.'" To which Slim would reply, "Yeah, tryin' is right," and the show would really begin.
After about a year, Slim decided to go out on his own. He booked some shows where he combined his comedy act with his indescribable musical instruments. It was during this self-tour the manager of a Nebraska tent show act, "the Chick Boyes Players," saw Slim and hired him. They played throughout the Midwest, where Slim developed and further refined the acts that served him well a few years later.
It was during a trip home to Gravette that he met and fell in love with Lucille Kinsey in Siloam Springs. They were married Oct. 9, 1929. She joined him on the circuit and "We've been courtin' ever since," Slim declared with a proud and contented smile.
It was 10 years later, in 1939, that Slim's break into the "big time" occurred. I'll recall that talk with him next time. In the meantime you might enjoy seeing the interesting exhibit about "Slim" which the Gravette Historical Museum has on display at the city hall in Gravette.
Dodie Evans is the former owner and long-time editor of the Gravette News Herald. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 07/20/2016