91´«Ã½

As kids, Luther and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars soaked up the gritty rural blues that surrounded their northwest Mississippi home. They flavored it with rock ’n’ roll influences from their father, a noted Memphis record producer.

Now they’ve distilled their music into its acoustic essence, which they’ll present as the North Mississippi Allstars Acoustic tour, featuring Sharde Thomas and Lightnin' Malcolm, comes to the 91´«Ã½ Riley Center on April 23.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. A pre-show party with refreshments begins at 6 p.m. in the elegant Grand Lobby.

Both Dickinson brothers are multi-instrumentalists, although typically Luther plays guitar and Cody plays drums. They often explore the retro sounds of vintage and even homemade instruments. Thomas sings and carries on the blues fife tradition of her late grandfather, Otha Turner. Malcolm, a singer and guitarist, frequently performs with the Allstars and learned at the feet of the same old-school bluesmen who inspired the Dickinsons.

The Riley Center audience can expect music as raw and authentic as a Mississippi juke joint, performed by musicians who love it heart and soul. Tickets are $39 and $33 at the 91´«Ã½ Riley Center Box Office, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets can be purchased online at or by calling the box office at 601-696-2200.