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Cosmic Soul Shakers started as a Sunday afternoon jam organized by partners Rob and Laura Kuhlman. The jams were at their Georgia recording facility, Root Cellar Music Studio. The sessions celebrated their love for artists like Humble Pie, Faces, Grateful Dead, Otis Redding, Gov’t Mule, Marvin Gaye, The Allman Brothers Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and The Black Crowes.

Rob and Laura were inspired to write Mississippi Lullaby after a visit to Memphis: a city that produced timeless blues, soul, rockabilly, gospel, and jazz; a community with deep ties to the civil rights movement; a town that borders the powerful and majestic Mississippi River.

“The Mississippi River is the transportation route for the blues,” said Rob. “Standing on the Big River Crossing bridge, you can feel the river carrying the blues back and forth between Memphis and Chicago and down to New Orleans.”

“Memphis is oozing with both inspiration and heartache,” recalled Laura. “Near the river, you can hear the sweet Mississippi Lullaby that’s soothed countless souls.”

During their trip back to Georgia, they talked about the lasting impact of Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and Martin Luther King, Jr., each with deep ties to Memphis.

Driving through Tupulo in a rain storm heading home, Rob said to Laura, “Let’s write a song.” Laura pulled out her laptop to write, and these lyrics referencing Elvis’ birthplace and famous home began to emerge:

Rainy ride through Tupelo misty open road

Thunder pounds the little town sounds like rock and roll

Ninety miles to Memphis thinking about the King

Wanna see the gates of Graceland and hear the river sing

Collaborating with Marvin Carter, Jr., they wrote verses for B.B. King, and Martin Luther King, Jr., finishing the song together.

Mississippi Lullaby is a southern stomp with old-school vibes and modern production. Cosmic Soul Shakers’ deep love of the classic Stax, FAME, and Muscle Shoals sound is evident in the swampy groove, sing-along melody, and storytelling of Mississippi Lullaby. Performed by these Cosmic Soul Shakers:

Laura Kuhlman - Lead and background vocals, percussion

Rob Kuhlman - Guitars, background vocals

Brian Baraszu - Drums

Kenny Head - Keyboards

Scott Williams - Bass

Produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Rob Kuhlman at Root Cellar Music Studio in Monroe, Ga.

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