Welcome to uckfield blues and roots 2021

Oliver has worked with many musicians over his career building a good reputation, and today enjoys being involved with some of the best artists in the business.

 He started playing a guitar his Mother got from a jumble sale when 10 after expressing an interest in playing after hearing ''Purple Haze'' by Jimi Hendrix at school. He then had lessons for three or four years, before teaching himself. His Fathers record collection was mainly blues and 60s Rock and Roll (especially Big Bill Broonzy), all heavily guitar led. For an aspiring young guitarist, this was a library of exciting tricks to learn, more so than other music around at the time or since, and Oliver quickly became a student of the blues and its many forms. But the lessons really started when he began playing with other musicians....

 'I got ok at it (guitar), and my Uncle Martin introduced me to some local musicians, including Steve Walwyn (guitarist with Dr Feelgood and The Big Town Playboys at the time). Steve invited me up on stage when I was 15, and the buzz was amazing, I knew what I wanted to do...'

 Oliver then formed his first band, with Chas Chaplin (the drummer from Steve's band) on drums, and firstly Matt Clark then later Craig Rhind (also from Steve's band) on bass....the band was called The Bluetits!

 'Retrospectively, I was very lucky to be playing with experienced and tasteful musicians like these, really spoilt-they saved me years of messing around and pointed me in the right direction'.

 Around this time Oliver saw Mike Sanchez, then front man of The Big Town Playboys;

 'I was really blown away with his style and charisma, and also the level of musicianship, I'd never seen anyone that good before. The fact that it was wrapped up with a great show as well was awesome, he had everything'.

 This made an impression, and Oliver's understanding of the whole art of the show began to develop.

 It was also around this time that Oliver fully began to appreciate the true brilliance of Fleetwood Mac's frontman and founder,Peter Green;

 'I'd always listened to and liked Peter Green, but one day something clicked, and I just suddenly realised. I suppose it was just growing up a bit, kind of like an acquired taste. It also happened to me like that with T-Bone Walker, and with Charles Brown and Johnny Moore especially-I listened to the albums the first time, and thought they were ok, but then something would keep nagging at me, haunting me, and I'd put the album on again, and then be think ''Wow, this is amazing.... I want to learn how to do this!'''

 A few years later,  around 21, Oliver was supporting a group called Electric Leg (featuring Sanchez's bass player, Al Gare) with The Bluetits, and the guys really liked a couple of T-Bone Walker tracks The Bluetits performed. They asked Oliver up to do a couple of numbers with them. This was also where the nickname 'Darling' came from-at the end of the gig, the singer wanted to introduce Oliver, and asked 'what's his name?'. One of the band replied 'Darling', and when announced, there was some sniggering...! After this, the name stuck

The trademarks of that sound emanate from a road-beaten Resophonic guitar, a powerful and direct vocal style and a peculiar rhythm section of Double Bass and a duo of Percussionists.  It‘s a heavyweight acoustic sound that shouts loud and kisses sweet.  

" .....few artists create a distinctive sound KSS has done just that, terrific stuff..."  R2 Magazine 5 star review

Performing regular shows at the legendary 100 Club, Camden’ Jazz Cafe and Union Chapel Islington announced KING SIZE SLIM to an enthusiastic London Scene. Following the release of his debut studio album 'Milk Drunk' KING SIZE SLIM won international critical acclaim, IBBA album of the month, a British Blues Award and a nomination in Wasser Prawda magazine awards.

“The stand out act of the weekend” E-Festivals Acoustic Festival of Great Britain

Word soon spread amongst gig go-ers and bookers alike that KING SIZE SLIM was a hot act and subsequently Toby was handpicked to perform solo support for rock legends Queen at the BBC event 'Rock Big Ben' at Westminster Central Hall, London.      Soon after he was invited as a guest of the Prince of Bahrain to perform live sessions at 2 Seas Studio and The Island Vibes music festival on the Island Kingdom of Bahrain.

“Here's 'Milk Drunk' ... I really like this record!” - Huey Morgan, BBC Radio 2 / 6 Music