The Wandering gathers five traditionally minded musicians assembled by
Luther Dickinson for the purpose of recording and touring. They all either hail from or live in Memphis and North Mississippi. The lineup includes
Amy LaVere on upright bass, guitarist
Shannon McNally, banjo prodigy
Valerie June, and Shardé Thomas, erstwhile leader of the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band (and granddaughter of Rising Star founder, the legendary
Otha Turner). All members sing and take turns on lead vocals.
Dickinson got the idea for the group when he was listening to
June play the banjo. Long affiliated with the rest of the members in one of his many projects as either a musician or producer, the idea became a reality over the course of two years. Their debut album, Go On Now, You Can't Stay Here: Mississippi Folk Music, Vol. 3, was released in May of 2012. ~ Thom Jurek