‘New World Psychedelic Gospel Rock’ supergroup, The Word, features John Medeski (Medeski Martin & Wood), Robert Randolph (Robert Randolph & the Family Band), brothers Luther & Cody Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), and Chris Chew.  The idea for the supergroup originated nearly a decade and a half ago when the North Mississippi Allstars went on tour with Medeski Martin & Wood.  In 2000, The Word became a reality when Medeski and NMA were joined in the studio by pedal-steel guitar phenomenon Robert Randolph and recorded their self-titled debut.  The album was highly acclaimed for its fusion of gospel, blues and rock and was widely considered one of the best releases of 2001.  The Word toured briefly behind the release before resuming their respective careers.  The band reunited in the summer of 2005 at Bonnaroo and again in 2009 and 2012 for a string of dates.  With multiple Grammy nominations amongst them and a legion of fans across the country, The Word are reuniting again in 2014 for a few select shows and have plans to release the highly anticipated follow up to their debut album.
 
Keyboardist John Medeski devoted much of 2013 to recording and performing with Avant-guard pioneer and MacArthur Fellow, John Zorn, as well as performing solo piano concerts in support of his first solo album, A Different Time, released on Sony’s newly re-launched Okeh Records label. Medeski Martin & Wood recently made two collaborative recordings, one with Wilco guitarist, Nels Cline, and the other with longtime friend and collaborator, John Scofield, both released in 2014. Medeski is also a frequent guest with Phil Lesh’s band, Phil & Friends.
 
In 2013 the North Mississippi Allstars released their new career-defining record World Boogie Is Coming.  The album marked a return to the band’s blues-infused rock & roll roots and pays homage to hill country legends and songwriters like RL Burnside and Junior Kimbrough.  Produced at their own Zebra Ranch Studios in Hernando, MS, the album features special guest appearances by Robert Plant, Duwayne and Garry Burnside, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Sharde Thomas, Chris Chew, Steve Selvidge, Lightnin’ Malcolm and others. World Boogie Is Coming is the record that perfectly ties it all together, fusing all the elements that have made the Allstars special while pushing the band’s sound further into the future than ever before.
 
Robert Randolph and The Family Band, first gained national attention for their distinctive mix of rock, funk, and R&B with the release of the 2002 album Live at the Wetlands. Three albums later (Unclassified, Colorblind, and We Walk This Road) together with tireless touring and unforgettable performances at such festivals as Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, they had garnered a passionate fan base. Randolph’s unprecedented prowess on his instrument garnered him a spot on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list, and also attracted the attention of such giants as Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana, who have collaborated with him on stage and in the studio. In July 2013, Randolph released the critically acclaimed album Lickety Split on his new label Blue Note Records.