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The Band: North Mississippi Allstars DOB: the NMAs became official in 1996, two years before their first album. They began playing small gigs...legend has it that they played only for free beer in the early days (and for exposure, of course). Name Origination: Luther says: I was in my friend's trailer down way out in nowhere, Mississippi, and we'd been up all day eating mushrooms. And I was laying on this nasty-ass shag carpet, listening to this Fred McDowell record, and trying to get some sleep when I had a vision. I said, 'okay, we're gonna start this band. It's gonna be a loose collaboration of all these great musicians and we're gonna call ourselves, tongue in cheek, the North Mississippi Allstars.' Concept: to be a jam-style collaboration of any or all of today's great musicians branching all levels of blues and rock 'n roll. Average Gigs a Year: 185+ General: Harp Magazine referred to the band as the spearhead of a "Southern Rock Revival." OC Weekly says, "the hooks are raw and relentless, the vibe fierce and primal, the volume deafening. It's a juke-joint-spawned, whiskey-marinated form of Southern funk" (Taken from Creem Magazine.com) Home: Over state lines of the obvious. Age: Several generations. Profession: Keeping the intersection of 61 and 49 from becoming a touristy crossroads of clichés. Hobbies: Fighting boll weevils with Charley, sailing the deep blue sea with Odetta, banging LuLu repeatedly. Last Book Read: How to Barbecue a Goat by Othar Turner. Last Accomplishment: Serving up some electric blue watermelon. Quote: "Shake 'em on down? Why don't you shake this on down!" Profile: The North Mississippi Allstars' world boogie is found deep within their genes. Members learned how to play by rubbing elbows with the last of the last of the hill country bluesmen. Luther and Cody's daddy was a Jester who drove a Cadillac, but was never a Big Star himself. Together with their southpaw bottom man Chris, the NMAs have helped keep the blues traditions of their homeland from becoming a museum piece. Beer: Boy Howdy!

Name: Luther Andrews Dickinson Nickname: “Lightnin'” Luther Dickinson Main Gig: Guitar, Lead Vocal, Songwriter DOB: January 18, 1973 Astrological Sign: Capricorn Special Talents: Finger-picking and slide, can play lead and rhythm guitar parts simultaneously, plays back-up drums Musical Influences: Mississippi Fred McDowell, Jimmy Rogers, Black Flag, Van Halen, Allman Bros., Jimi Hendrix, Sleepy John Estes, Furry Lewis Teachers: Jim Dickinson, Junior Kimbrough, RL Burnside, Otha Turner, Shawn Lane, Ed Finney, Lee Baker, Ry Cooder Fav US Cities: Boston, New Orleans, New York City Fun Facts:is also a producer, his wrists have been described as "snakelike" Equipment:Gibson and Epiphone guitars, Marshall amps, DR strings

Name: Cody Taylor Dickinson Nickname: Codeman Main Gig: Drums, Washboard, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Songwriter DOB: April 25, 1976 Astrological Sign: Taurus Special Talents: can play the drums and piano simultaneously Musical Influences: Professor Longhair, Harry Peel, Joey Jordison, Buddy Rich, Ronnie Van Zant Fun Facts: Became fast friends with the Gallagher brothers from Oasis, is also a producer, established a record label in Memphis, loves to rap Equipment: Ayotte drums, Zildjian cymbals, Sunnyland washboards

Name: Christopher Morris Chew Nickname: Big Chew Main Gig: Bass, Vocals, Songwriter DOB: October 11, 1973 Astrological Sign: Libra Special Talents: improvisational harmony, melds gospel with rock/blues, charismatic stage presence Influences: Fred Hammond, Les Claypool, Muddy Waters, Dave Schools, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, gospel Fun Facts: formed the Mississippi Community Choir, loves his kids, likes the color pink. Equipment: Modulus and Tobias bass, Schroeder Cabinets