The dirty south has sprouted quite the up-and-coming rock act…by accident.  In 2006, the Knoxville, Tennessee-born The Dirty Guv’nahs were thrown together in ten days to form an opening act for Sister Hazel at a benefit concert.

The six: James Trimble (lead vocals, guitar), Justin Hoskins (bass), Michael Jenkins (guitar), Chris Doody (Hammond, Keys), Mitch Stewart (percussion, bass), and Aaron Hoskins (drums) assembled themselves and hammered out a set that was the beginning of something they could have never anticipated. Since that fated week and a half, they’ve twice been voted best band in Knoxville by readers of the local alternative paper Metro Pulse, not to mention managed to get on the schedule for Asheville’s Bele Chere Music Festival and Bonnaroo in 2009.

The Dirty Guv’nahs released their first full-length album, self-titled,  in April 2009.  The work is true to the band’s southern roots: a calamity of blues, rock, and soulful country.  There is no denying a comparison to acts like the Allman Brothers or Joe Cocker, and the energy of the album is reminiscent of The Black Crowes, right down to the last held Hammond chord.  Blue Rose Stroll is a swingy sing-along tune that can’t be matched live.  We’ll Be the Light is a Doobie-esque jam with hopeful lyrics that make you want to dance with your hands high above your head.

They’ll hurry into the studio again in December, 2009 to record their second album at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock with Grammy winning engineer Justin Guip (Black Crowes).  Until the new album is released, you can enjoy the band Live at the Bijou Theater or take a listen on their website or MySpace.

Afternoon Eyes (Live)