North Mississippi Allstars: The Modern Torchbearers of Hill Country Blues
The North Mississippi Allstars are an American blues and roots rock band formed in 1996. Hailing from Hernando, Mississippi, the group has become a vital force in revitalizing the raw, hypnotic sound of North Mississippi hill country blues for a new generation.
Early career
The band was founded by brothers Luther Dickinson (guitar, vocals) and Cody Dickinson (drums, washboard) alongside bassist Chris Chew. Their musical foundation was laid at the feet of their father, legendary Memphis producer and musician Jim Dickinson, and through direct apprenticeship with local blues masters like R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. This deep immersion in the region's droning, rhythmic traditions shaped their sound from the very start.
Breakthrough
The Allstars' 2000 debut album, Shake Hands with Shorty, served as their powerful introduction to the national stage. A collection of covers from the hill country canon, the album was a critical sensation and earned the band their first Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. This release on Tone-Cool Records firmly established their mission as cultural preservationists with a rock and roll energy.
Key tracks
Shake 'Em on Down — This driving adaptation of a Mississippi Fred McDowell classic became an instant signature song and a staple of their live shows.
Po Black Maddie — Their rendition of this traditional tune showcases the band's mastery of the hypnotic, repetitive grooves central to the hill country style.
Snake Drive — An original instrumental that highlights Luther Dickinson's searing slide guitar work and the band's tight, improvisational chemistry.
Keep the Devil Down — This track from their 2001 album 51 Phantom exemplifies their ability to write original songs that feel deeply rooted in the blues tradition.
The band's prolific output continued with albums like Polaris (2003) and Electric Blue Watermelon (2005), the latter earning a second Grammy nomination. They have collaborated with a vast array of artists, including Robert Plant, John Hiatt, and Mavis Staples, further cementing their reputation as versatile and respected musicians. The North Mississippi Allstars have continued to evolve, releasing albums like Prayer for Peace (2017) and Up and Rolling (2019), a tribute to their late mentor R.L. Burnside.
Fans of the North Mississippi Allstars' gritty, groove-based sound often appreciate the work of R.L. Burnside for his foundational hill country blues influence. The raw power of The Black Keys shares a similar ethos of blues revivalism with a modern edge. The Southern rock explorations of Gov't Mule also resonate with the Allstars' jam-friendly approach. Additionally, the psychedelic-tinged blues of Left Lantern explores a similar sonic territory.
The North Mississippi Allstars' authentic blend of blues, rock, and soul earns them regular rotation on a variety of radio formats. Their music is featured on classic rock FM stations, independent music radio stations, and dedicated blues programs across the dial, appealing to listeners seeking roots music with genuine grit and energy.
You can hear the vital, rolling sounds of the North Mississippi Allstars on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their catalog and experience the enduring power of Mississippi hill country blues as broadcast by our curated network of stations.
