(PR) Hill Country Revue's debut studio album, Make A Move, will be released via Razor & Tie on May 12. The band and their friends recorded the 10-track, 45 minute album at Jim Dickinson's famed Zebra Ranch Studio, as well as at Young Avenue Sound in Memphis, with Cody in the producer's chair and father Jim Dickinson (who has played with Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, The Flamin Groovies, among others) as "director". The combination of musicians, soul, and experience results in a ballsy mix of raw blues and classic Southern rock. While the band has already released Live in Denver, a self-released live album from the inaugural Mile High Music Festival in July 2008, Make A Move marks Hill Country Revue's studio album debut.While Hill Country Revue as a band may be new to some of you, after a closer look you will see that those who make up the band aren't new faces at all. Hill Country Revue is Cody Dickinson (guitar/drums/piano/washboard), Chris Chew (bass/vocals), Ed "Hot" Cleveland (drums), Daniel Coburn (vocals/harp), Kirk Smithhart (guitar/vocals), and are at times joined by Luther Dickinson (guitar/vocals), Martin Shore (drums), Garry Burnside (guitar/vocals), and Aaron Julison (bass/vocals). Cody and Chris have played together in North Mississippi Allstars, Daniel is formerly of Dixie Hustler and Ed and Kirk are well known for playing in and around Memphis.
"The North Mississippi Allstars haven't broken up," Cody Dickinson says. "We're just off doing different things. Hill Country Revue, for Chris and me, is like a big jolt of adrenaline. It changes our blood chemistry and has us firing on a whole different set of synapses. Also the input from the other guys in the band, both as musicians and friends, is amazing. So everybody gains!"
Cody and Chris began shaking things up in February 2008 when they started trying out new material – much of it written by their friend Garry Burnside, the youngest son of legendary Mississippi bluesman R.L. Burnside – and working with Memphis-based slide guitarist Kirk Smithhart; vocalist and harp player Daniel Robert Colburn, formerly of Dixie Hustler; and drummer Edward Cleveland, nicknamed "Hot" for his performances around Memphis.
They think of themselves as "the modern blues band for the new generation," which might sound lofty, but they are rooted in the music of the region. "It's the music we grew up on, and our goal is to bring a fresh take to it. We play the blues of the Mississippi hill country as though it's been dosed with Viagra."
04.24.08 – Backbeat Jazzfest Series/The Republic – New Orleans, LA
05.02.09 – George's Majestic Lounge – Fayetteville, AR
05.16.09 – Batesville Springfest – Batesville, MS
05.23.09 – Summer Camp Fest – Chillicothe, IL
05.30.09 – The Jewish Mother – Virginia Beach, VA
06.05.09 – Wanee Festival – Live Oak, FL
06.27.09 – North MS Hill Country Picnic – Potts Camp, MS
07.05.09 – Rothbury Music Fest – Rothbury, MI
07.10.09 – All Good Music Festival – Masontown, WV
07.31.09 – Verizon Wireless Center – Noblesville, IN **
08.01.09 – Verizon Wireless Center – Noblesville, IN **
** Shows with Dave Matthews Band
