By Will Roper
Photos by Brittany Ward
April 9, 2018
Shawn Holt and Big Daddy Caleb and the Chargers perform at The Zoo Bar on Saturday, April 7, 2018. Brittany Ward/KZUM.
Shawn Holt returned to the Zoo Bar stage on First Friday for a special performance with Lincoln’s Big Daddy Caleb.
Holt, and “Big Daddy” Caleb Whisenhunt both took turns belting out blues vocals for the packed First Friday crowd, with Holt also expertly playing guitar with fellow band members Matt Richardson, Jake Wiese and J.J. King.
Holt last played at the Zoo on Christmas night – a tradition that was started by his late father, Magic Slim, decades ago. He and his band The Teardrops take inspiration from the late Magic Slim and his band of the same name, drawing from the high energy and unique sound his father’s band became known for after nearly 40 years. For Holt, that magic sound comes directly from his guitar as he cranks out many robust and melodic solos for each performance.
Big Daddy Caleb is another blues musician in the Lincoln-Omaha scene who has carved out a name for both himself and his band, The Chargers. It all starts with a unique sound – something new – and Whisenhunt has that in his sweet, soulful blues voice. Every note is filled with a powerful emotion of some kind, and when he first began singing at the Zoo two decades ago, people knew he was one-of-a-kind.
Shawn Holt and Big Daddy Caleb and the Chargers perform at The Zoo Bar on Saturday, April 7, 2018. Brittany Ward/KZUM.
This duo seems like the perfect match for a show at the Zoo – and it proved to be an excellent performance. As people gathered into the bar at 9 p.m. after First Friday art showings, Holt, Whisenhunt and the band put on one groove after another. The strong, biting voice of Holt contrasted beautifully with Whisenhunt’s as the two took turns leading the blues band with their vocals. In between lyrics, Holt took calculated, powerful guitar solos – some short and some long – continuously adding waves of energy to the late-night crowd.
This crowd was well-acquainted with both Holt and Whisenhunt, the two being staples of the local blues music scene, and it didn’t take long for the floor in front of the stage to be jam-packed by blues and music lovers of the Zoo Bar. Every solo and cutting vocal performance from the blues legends brought a raucous applause from the audience.
Holt, Whisenhunt and their respective bands will undoubtedly play the Zoo Bar again sometime very soon. Until that day, those who caught their performance on Friday were treated with the pair performing a wonderful blues set together. Their unique voices complemented each other perfectly, and Holt’s guitar skills were on full display – still some of the best around.
Will Roper and Brittany Ward are interns with KZUM.
