North Mississippi Allstars

North Mississippi Allstars

North Mississippi Allstars is a blues and blues rock group from Hernando, Mississippi, active since 1996. The band centres on brothers Luther Dickinson, who plays guitar and sings, and Cody Dickinson, who plays drums, keyboards, electric washboard and sings, with Chris Chew on electric bass guitar.

Background and sound

The group grows out of the North Mississippi blues tradition and the musical environment around the Dickinson family. Luther and Cody Dickinson absorb the playing of their father, Jim Dickinson, and the wider legacy of North Mississippi blues, including the juke joint culture associated with artists such as R.L. Burnside, Jr. Kimbrough and Otha Turner. Their music develops from that background into blues-infused rock and roll, with hill country blues influences and elements of psychedelic southern folk rock blues.

Releases and recognition

The band’s first album, Shake Hands With Shorty, receives a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Their albums 51 Phantom and Electric Blue Watermelon are also nominated in the same category. The band’s third record, sometimes referred to as Phantom Record, also receives a Grammy nod. Electric Blue Watermelon reflects the band’s upbringing in North Mississippi and its sense of oral history and local musical tradition.

In 2001, the group wins a Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut. Over the course of its career, it releases six full-length albums and tours widely in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Collaborations and related projects

North Mississippi Allstars serve as the backing band for John Hiatt, including on the album Master of Disaster. All three members also join Robert Randolph and John Medeski in the group The Word. Luther Dickinson later joins The Black Crowes as lead guitarist and appears on Warpaint, Before the Frost...Until the Freeze and Croweology. Cody Dickinson also forms Hill Country Revue with Daniel Coburn, Kirk Smithhart, Doc Samba and Ed Cleveland; the group is sometimes joined by Luther Dickinson and members of the Burnside family and releases Make A Move and Zebra Ranch.

Former member and guest appearances

Duwayne Burnside previously plays second guitar in the band. He is the son of R.L. Burnside, who also appears on some of the group’s tracks.