Nikolina, cover of Slim Jim song. By Ken Lehnen

Ernest Iverson, "Slim Jim", was the most popular local country/cowboy singer in Minnesota during the 1930s, '40's and '50's. He was a regular on KEYD, WDGY and KSTP radio stations, and a member of the KSTP Sunset Valley Barn Dance. His signature song was "Nikolina". My father, Ray Lehnen, sang this song and I learned it from him. Here's my rendition of Slim Jim's "Nikolina".

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Music

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• nikolina3

[tackyrama]

Good Job! I'm from central MN and my grandfather jammed with Slim many years ago in ND. He's supposed to be some sort of shirtsleeve relation. He made some great music and I'm glad to see he is not forgotten. I just got done transposing the guitar chords from the Shifting Whispering Sands to Slim's Great take-off "The Drifting, whistling Snow". Keep up the good work!

[pikindboogies]

Thanks for your kind words. My dad was a huge Slim Jim fan, though I don't think he ever got a chance to play or sing with him. The photo in the slide show of the young woman and little girl with Slim is my mother and sister. "The Drifting, Whistling Snow" is a fun song too. I enjoy all the old, traditional songs.

[Evangeline220]

Thanks for posting. Brings back fun memories.

[twilightgirl9871]

Ernest Iverson is my great uncle and my dads dad was the gutar player and his name was Herbert Iverson!! im so lucky

[krenzcar88]

My Dad, Chuck Carson, was also a member of the Barndance and KSTP...I am sure he interviewed and played with him often. Man those guys got style.