Thursday 16 November 2006
Founded in Sikeston, MO, home of Lambert’s Café and Throwed’ Rolls, Shady Deal has been throwing down with an intensity that has gotten them the reputation as one of the best acts on an emerging musical scene. Having relocated to Oxford, MS several years ago, Shady Deal has been accepted as one of Oxford’s own, and their music resonates with the rich musical heritage of the area. Infectious grooves, melodic blues, reflective lyrics and soulful vocals all interact to create shows that are both impressive and widely appealing.In the fall of 2001 Jesse and Jake started playing weekly open-mic nights and various acoustic shows around the Southeast Missouri area. They quickly realized a potential for something more, and when old high school friends Mason and Austin approached the two about forming a band, they were quick to take the rhythm section up on their offer. After only two practices, the newly formed band played their first show on January 7, 2002 at the “famous” (and now defunct) Driftaway Lounge in Granite City, MO. They had yet to decide upon a name at this point so the club owner, L.A., dubbed the band “Jesse and the Rippers” on the marquee. Obviously not satisfied with this Full House reference, the members began searching for apt title. When someone brought up the annual Sikeston party, the Shady Deal, the name seemed a perfect fit.
During the spring of 2002, Shady Deal traveled as a four piece, taking clubs in St. Louis, Columbia, MO, and the Cape Girardeau and Sikeston areas by storm. When two of the members relocated to Oxford to attend Ole Miss, the rest of band followed suit. In the competitive Oxford market, Shady Deal quickly realized that they were missing an essential component for the type of music that they wanted to play. Through a mutual friend and a chance phone call, the band discovered James Pendley (originally from Shreveport, LA) whose touch on the keyboards brought exactly what Shady Deal had been missing. With this addition all of the pistons were firing in time and Shady Deal became a force with which to be reckoned.
Over the next year the band landed several key gigs across the South, turning heads and ears upside down. Undeniably, the most influential and important “catch” in the band’s career is legendary producer Jim Dickinson, who has more than 30 years experience in the music business. Having worked with artists such as Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Big Star, John Hiatt, and The North Mississippi All Stars (to name a few), the band was honored when Jim took them under his wing and produced their first album ‘The Lift’ (Feb. ‘04). Dickinson is currently producing their sophomore album as well which is scheduled for release in the Summer of ‘06.Shady Deal has shared the stage with The Black Crowes, Stockholm Syndrome, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Blueground Undergrass, Papa Grows Funk, The North Mississippi Allstars, Tishamingo, Moonshine Still, Captain Soularcat, Tea Leaf Green, Bockman, Old Union and Speakeasy. Additionally the band has worked their way into many markets including Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Athens, Atlanta, Charleston, Denver, and Chicago to name a few. This upcoming summer will see Shady Deal take on the traditional Southeast and Midwest venues with new markets being tackled in Texas, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and California. Festivals for the upcoming months include High Sierra, Riverbend, Double Decker, and the Euphio campout. With a brand new light show, this spring and summer will see Shady Deal take it to the next level.