February 27th, 2008 3:04pm
Bill Wharton aka The Sauce Boss brings dinner theater to a whole new level. His live performances offer a multi-sensory experience that transports audiences to the swamps of Wharton's native Florida. This past Tuesday a hungry crowd at the Offshore Ale feasted on some tasty original rock and blues AND a bowl of Wharton's down-home gumbo, concocted onstage during his performance.
Wharton's novelty act was a hit last winter at the Offshore, a venue known for bringing out-of-town acts to the Vineyard year-round, and offering something for every musical taste. His return this year was much anticipated by converts to this unique performance, featuring Wharton as vocalist, slide guitar master, storyteller and chef.
Wharton opened up his set with Let the Big Dog Eat, an original tune that was featured in the Jonathan Demme film Something Wild. An appreciative audience, who braved a bayou-like deluge to attend, were delighted with the cooking/rocking act. The crowd was transfixed by Wharton's slide-guitar playing and humorous stories, as well as the southern specialty being prepared in a huge pot on stage. At the conclusion of the show, the Sauce Boss handed around cups of his spicy gumbo.
The Sauce Boss first took his act on the road in 1990 and, according to his website he has fed over 148,000 people. He also sells his own blends of hot sauce and barbecue sauce.
The Sauce Boss will return in the fall. In the meantime, you can order Wharton's sauces or original CDs at sauceboss.com.
