Luther Dickinson named artist-in-resident at Ellnora guitar festival

Luther Dickinson, one of Rolling Stone’s “new guitar gods,” has been selected to serve as artist-in-residence at ELLNORA The Guitar Festival at Krannert Center in Urbana, Illinois, September 8-10, 2011.

Raised in the cradle of American roots music, Luther Dickinson is the son of the late Memphis/Mississippi musician and record producer Jim Dickinson. Luther emerged on the national scene in the mid-90s when Grammy nods began for the North Mississippi Allstars (a collaboration between Luther, his brother Cody, and Chris Chew). In 2007, he was tapped to join The Black Crowes, making his recording debut on its 2008 album, Warpaint, while continuing to work with the Allstars and other artists including John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples, and Jon Spencer.

At ELLNORA, Luther’s role will include reading from his late father’s soon-to-be-published memoirs, musically collaborating with Grammy Award winner Alvin Youngblood Hart and pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, and participating in other as-yet-to-be-announced programs during the three-day festival.

Other artists appearing at ELLNORA include Calexico, My Brightest Diamond, Richard Thompson, Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub, Marc Ribot, Sharon Isbin, Taj Mahal, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Adrian Belew, and many more.

David Spelman, the festival’s artistic advisor, notes that “Luther Dickinson is a festival alum. His electrifying 2007 performance with the North Mississippi Allstars included a surprise appearance by Jake Cinninger of Umphrey’s McGee and is one of those moments people are still talking about. As we began thinking about an artist-in-residence position, Luther was a natural choice. We’re over the moon that he accepted our invitation.”

More details on Luther Dickinson’s involvement in ELLNORA The Guitar Festival at Krannert Center (September 8-10, 2011) will be released on June 15, 2011. Please visit EllnoraGuitarFestival.com for information on previous festivals and for announcements about the 2011 lineup.

ABOUT ELLNORA:Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is situated on the campus of the University of Illinois, in the micro-urban community of Champaign-Urbana, and is North America’s premier university-based performing arts complex. ELLNORA The Guitar Festival (originally called the Wall to Wall Guitar Festival), held biennially, was launched in 2005 and through its eclectic global mix has presented many of the world’s most influential guitarists and bands, including Buddy Guy, Ani DiFranco, Jerry Douglas, Pepe Romero, John McLaughlin, Vernon Reid, Derek Trucks, Kaki King, Andy Summers, The National, Los Lobos, and the North Mississippi Allstars.