NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS
Hill Country Jamrock @ 6th Global BASH

NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS pay homage to crunchy country blues while simultaneously pushing it into contemporary relevance with fatback funk, electronic innovation, slippery soul, and unadulterated rock & roll. Founded in 1996 by brothers Luther (guitar and vocals) and Cody Dickinson (drums, piano, synth bass, programming and vocals), the brothers have been making music together all their lives. The now venerable band is entering its third decade with a nearly perfected synthesis of Luther’s raw, organic aesthetic (brought into play as a guitarist with the Black Crowes) and Cody’s passion for electronics and programming. “We’re deeply steeped in American roots music but we are very much a modern band,” explains Cody. “We are at our best when we’re exploring both at the same time.”

The band’s latest record is PRAYER FOR PEACE, an energetic, rhythmic message of positivity, family, and hope. “Having our studio here in Mississippi has always been a great resource,” Cody says. “It’s kept our music grounded, but at the same time, I have always wanted to do what I think of as ‘field recordings’ of us on tour, on location, wherever we were.” “Our dad (legendary producer Jim Dickinson) was a big fan of capturing that initial moment of creation and inception. “We do it so fast,” adds Luther. “We go in and record four or five tunes in a couple of hours. In and out. It’s not belabored, it’s raw and fresh and live, we’re dripping sweat and in the moment. That’s why it has that electric psychedelic feel. We just go in there and let it all hang out, clean up the mess later. We don’t even listen to playbacks – we just play, play, play and then split.”

As ever, PRAYER FOR PEACE sees the Allstars putting their indelible stamp on classic blues numbers, including Mississippi Fred McDowell’s “61 Highway” and “You Got To Move,” the latter featuring smoking hot accompaniment from Hill Country guitar hero Kenny Brown. “I think it’s our responsibility to the community that brought us up to protect the repertoire,” Luther says. “To keep the repertoire alive and vibrant. That’s what folk music is about. It’s an oral history of America. My dad and his friends, they learned from Furry Lewis and Gus Cannon and Will Shade and then taught those songs to us. It’s important for us to write songs and experiment and do other things, but playing our community’s music in a modern way is what Cody and I do best…One thing R.L. Burnside taught us was that you can play the saddest song in the world, but if you do it with a smile on your face, you can make a whole roomful of people dance.”

SCHEDULE Global BASH – April 12-13, 2019
(Guthrie Green events are outdoor and free. Duet Jazz sets are indoor and ticketed).

FRIDAY, APRIL 12
6:00-7:00 MONHOLLON BROS. – African drumming @ Guthrie Green Grass
7:00-8:30 NORTH  MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS @ Guthrie Green Main Stage
9:00-9:45 Organic/Sustainable Wine Tasting @ Duet Jazz [Tickets Here]
10:00-11:30 CHANGUI MAJADERO – Cuban rhythms @ Duet Jazz [Tickets Here]

SATURDAY, APRIL 13
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL GUTHRIE GREEN EVENTS FOR SATURDAY HAVE MOVED TO CAIN’S BALLROOM
4:00-9:30 Inspyral – circus performing arts @ CAIN’S BALLROOM
4:30-5:30 NIGHTINGALE – American soul @ CAIN’S BALLROOM
6:00-7:00 BETSAYDA MACHADO – Venezuelan tambor @ CAIN’S BALLROOM
7:30-9:00 THE WAILERS classic reggae @ CAIN’S BALLROOM
9:30-11:00 Katie Thiroux – jazz @ Duet Jazz [Tickets Here]