urnside Exploration has quite literally been a musical exploration of sorts for Garry and Cedric Burnside.  As long as these Burnsides can remember the sounds of the North Mississippi Hill Country Blues has been resonating in their ears.  It is as much a part of their upbringing as is the English language.  Garry is the youngest son of the legendary RL Burnside and Cedric is Garry's nephew and RL's grandson.  The two have been inseparable their entire lives as they are only two years apart - Garry being older.

The two began playing together when Garry was 6 and Cedric was 4.  Then they were 13 and 11, they started playing the Juke Joint circuit together with Junior Kimbrough and have done so every weekend since.  Junior would pick Garry up for the gigs and act as his guardian as Garry was far too young to be on his own.  Granddaddy R.L. would do the same with Ced.

The Record is a modern interpretation of the grooves that carried their family through life - a hybrid of the old Mississippi Hill Country Blues and some good, solid R&B and Rock & Roll.  The diversity of the people who appreciate Burnside Exploration is a tribute to the power of the Hill Country Blues and Garry & Ced's own signature sound.  They have already played prominent Blues Festivals and well attended shows on the Jam Band Circuit with bands such as Widespread Panic and the North Mississippi All Stars.  Garry played with the All Stars for some time as did his brother Duwayne (an accomplished solo artist now.)

Garry says "People could relate to my Dad's music and Junior's music".  Cedric adds "We do the same style of music, but we represent the younger generation" - Young Hill Country Blues.  I try to write music about every day life and I want people to relate to it - if they can't relate to it, I hope they can at least groove to it."

This mission is accomplished by The Record.

Lance Cowan
lcmedia@bellsouth.net