With an all-star line up of John Medeski (Medeski, Martin, & Wood), The North Mississippi Allstars, and pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, The Word have generated quite a buzz. Their album hit the No. 1 spot on the blues charts and has been loitering around the top five.

At the young age of 23, Randolph is being hailed as the next big thing in pedal steel blues guitar. The New Jersey native got his musical start in the House Of God Church, where steel guitar rules as the lead instrument rather than traditional piano and organ.

The Word’s June 27 debut at New York’s Bowery Ballroom was Randolph’s first gig outside of church.

The quintet start their trek in Boulder, Colo., January 14 with a two-night stand before heading north to Seattle. After gigs in Vancouver, Portland, Eureka, two nights in San Francisco, and Los Angeles, the band will roll on. More dates are expected to be added to the itinerary.

Touring in support of their self-titled debut, The Word combine old fashioned gospel hymns with a blues twist that brings a joyous noise to even the seediest of clubs.