By Rhetta Akamatsu

It was not a packed house Saturday night, May 7,  at Darwin’s for The Red Dirt Revelators – many of the regulars were still recuperating from a trip to Memphis to see the BMAs Friday night and others were at the Blind Willie McTell Festival – but ti surely was a happy and enthusiastic one! In fact, most if not all of the crowded front table,plus two of the other people at our table, had come straight from driving home from Memphis to Darwin’s for the band. That is the sort of electricity this band generates!

We had not seen the Red Dirt Revelators before, or their former incarnation as WSNB (We Sing Nasty Blues) , although we had heard of WSNB. But the moment they took the stage we were captivated! This band is so high energy you can almost see the sparks shooting off the stage. Singer/songwriter r Willie Shane Johnston has a raspy, searing voice just made for Southern rocking blues and he plays harmonica in that chuga-chugga style that I associate with groups I used to hang around with in South and North Carolina a long time ago. (Never mind how long!)

In fact, although the band is based in North Carolina, Johnston is from Grenada, MS and his songs come from his experiences growing up in Mississippi and from traveling with the band. For instance, “The Rub,” which is also the title of the band’s new album, is about a little club he used to frequent, while “Maxine’s” is about the famous brothel in Hot Springs, Arkansas where the band once played. Between songs, Johnston tells the stories behind them, colorful tales from a man who is obviously a natural-born storyteller.

Johnston is accompanied by Jamie Trollinge on guitar, the newest member of the group ({He learned 35 songs in 3 weeks!” marvels Jjohnston), and fellow WSNB alumni Jason Gardner on drums and Clay Ford on bass.

These are Southern boys and they know how to rock a joint. They were right at home at Darwin’s and we enjoyed every single moment of the show. Check them out at https://www.reddirtrevelators.com/ and go see them when you get a chance!