North Mississippi Allstars Comes to Colorado

North Mississippi Allstars is coming to Colorado, making rounds from Boulder Theater on March 11th, to Washington’s on the 12th, and the Gothic Theater on the 13th with the band’s “A Team,” according to Luther Dickinson.

The band, which has been around for nearly 30 years, has gone through several different group pairings. This chapter of the tour will include the group’s founding members, Luther and Cody Dickinson.

Joey Williams, and Rayfield “Ray Ray” Hollowman will also be joining, “Usually it’s one or the other. But we’re bringing both,” says Dickinson.

Dickinson’s excitement is obvious from across the phone when he explains the powerhouse of a team that’ll be gathering in Colorado.  “Ray Ray operates at such a high level,” explains Dickinson. Hollowman has toured with artists like Eminem, Ne-Yo and the Jonas Brothers. “With Eminem and Ne-Yo he plays huge shows all over the world. He has a really intense vibration. He just makes people dance. I’ve seen it with musicians. If you become accustomed to playing for tens of thousands of people, musicians became like superheroes,” says Dickinson.

“Joey is the band leader of the Blind Boys of Alabama. I mean fantastic. Another world class musician. He’s just a true showman and entertainer,” he adds. The duo will be trading instruments, switching from bass to guitar.

“We just love a Colorado audience. So, we want to bring ‘em our best,” he explains during a recent interview. In addition to getting amped up for Colorado, this is also the 25th anniversary of the band’s first record. The upcoming concerts will feature a variety of material, featuring some of the band’s foundational music. Dickinson also adds that his brother, Cody, retired his electric washboard for a while, but it’s back!

Like Hollowman and Williams, the Dickinsons brothers’ pasts were steeped in music. The duo  grew up watching their father, legendary producer and musician Jim Dickinson, take the music industry by a storm. From a young age, he instilled an appreciation of American Roots music in his boys. Luther Dickinson reflected, “Yeah he was a first generation Memphis rock ‘n’ roller … He went on to make records with Aretha Franklin and Albert King. He played on the Wild Horses Rolling Stones song. He had a great career. We grew up playing music with him and his friends.”

Back in those days, rock ‘n’ roll was self taught, according to Dickinson, “I’m 52 now. I grew up in the 70s and 80s. When I was teaching myself guitar I was watching VHS, or moving the turntable needle.” Now it’s easy to find music teachers in school or private studios that guide creative types through any genre.

While developing skills under the tutelage of a teacher is a great way to become a skilled musician, “Being innocent and naive on an instrument is so totally creative,” says Dickinson. “Even on the guitar I do certain things to trick myself. Lately I’ve been collecting super old cheap guitars that remind me of my childhood. I’ll play a guitar in a different tuning. Or I’ll play a left-handed guitar.” Removing himself from his standard musical settings seems to boost his creativity.

There’s something invigorating and inviting in change — which North Mississippi Allstars will celebrate with its new release of music.”We have a new Allstars record coming out this year to celebrate the anniversary of our first record,” reveals Dickinson. “It’s classic. Similar to ‘Up and Rolling.’ And it’s definitely representative of where we’re at now because Joey and Ray Ray are all over it ,and they added so much to the project.”

While the record will show off North Mississippi Allstars’ classic sound, the band’s sound has changed as well. “We’ve got one boot in the Mississippi mud but other influences have crept in.” Dickinson also has a solo record coming out this year.

With loads of new music coming out, and a tour ahead of the band, the group is buzzing with energy. “I’m really excited about the band right now. This lineup is so fun and inspiring. These guys are just utterly world class. And it keeps getting better and better,” says Dickinson.