L. Dickinson, Hart, Mathus South Memphis String Band

LUTHER DICKINSON, ALVIN “YOUNGBLOOD” HART AND JIMBO MATHUS
UNITE TO FORM THE SOUTH MEMPHIS STRING BAND, EMBARKS ON TOUR AHEAD OF RECORDING

South Memphis String Band

The South Memphis String Band, a trio composed of Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), Alvin “Youngblood” Hart (Grammy-winning bluesman) and Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers), launches its first tour on April 23, 2009 in Dallas, Texas, targeting the East and South. The three friends, bound by Memphis and North Mississippi roots, will tour ahead of recording their debut album later this year. So far only two songs have been unveiled, both at the trio’s MySpace page. So the April and May dates will be an opportunity for fans to get in on the ground floor.

Although they’d known each other for years, the trio’s musical spirit gelled last year when they recorded a yet-unreleased album with Luther’s father, legendary producer Jim Dickinson, called New Moon Jellyroll Freedom Rockers.

The South Memphis String Band was greatly influenced by the Mississippi Sheiks, Gus Cannon & the Memphis Jug Band and other string bands and jug bands of their ilk, as well as Mississippi Delta and Hill Country blues. They will travel with a passel of guitars, mandolins, banjos, lap steel guitars and harmonicas.

Mathus says, “Luther, Youngblood Hart and myself have been musical co-conspirators for over a decade. It is only fitting that we should come together with acoustic instruments and perform Mississippi music.”

Tour Dates
04/23/09 Thu Sons of Hermann Hall Dallas, TX
04/24/09 Fri Antone’s Austin, TX
04/25/09 Sat Continental Club Houston, TX
04/26/09 Sun The Parish @ House of Blues New Orleans, LA
04/27/09 Mon WorkPlay Birmingham, AL
04/28/09 Tue The Hummingbird Macon, GA
04/29/09 Wed Eddie’s Attic Decatur, GA
04/30/09 Thu The Evening Muse Charlotte, NC
05/01/09 Fri Carrboro Arts Center Carrboro, NC
05/02/09 Sat Capital Ale House Richmond, VA
05/03/09 Sun Rams Head On Stage Annapolis, MD
05/05/09 Tue Joe’s Pub New York, NY
05/07/09 Thu Sellersville Theater 1894 Sellersville, PA
05/08/09 Fri Birchmere Alexandria, VA
05/09/09 Sat Otherlands Memphis, TN