MUSIC NEWS - Longtime friends and collaborators Chris Chew, Cody Dickinson & Luther Dickinson (of North Mississippi Allstars), John Medeski (of Medeski Martin & Wood), and Robert Randolph (of Robert Randolph & the Family Band) will be reforming THE WORD for three very special shows this month and next (January 2010).

Avant-jazz keyboardist John Medeski is best known for his work with improvisational trio Medeski Martin & Wood. In 2000, Medeski produced and played on the self-titled debut by The Word, a gospel-meets-rock collective with North Mississippi Allstars that introduced the secular world to pedal-steel guitar phenomenon Robert Randolph. The band released a self-titled album and toured to support. The band reunited in the summer of 2005 at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, and again briefly in 2007 for four shows in the Northeast.

"The history of The Word reached back to our early years," says North Mississippi Allstars' Luther Dickinson. In 1998 we toured with Medeski Martin & Wood and came up with the idea. This tour means a lot to us and we're looking forward to getting back together with old friends."

THE WORD Tour Dates-

December

30 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre for the Living Arts (TLA)
31 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
January

1 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room