Bringing the sounds of the Deep South to the south of England, folk-country-blues rockers CC Smugglers have released a debut single.

The self-proclaimed rag tag barmy boys from Shefford, Hitchin, Stevenage and Old Warden, are having a cracking year so far, with performances at Rhythms of the World, an award-winning show at Bedford River Festival, and now first single Reubens Train – out last week.

The boys – Richie (vocals and harmonica), Dan (double bass), Ryan (guitar, dobro and banjo), Sam (guitar), Sparky (drums, ukulele) and Dave (keys and trombone) – formed three years ago after an “epiphany” at Cambridge Folk Festival.

Known to liberally swap instruments, put down a mean three part harmony and generally just have a hollering good time on stage – they are on a mission to bring their “new roots music” to an audience hungry for real musicianship, they said.

The single can be downloaded from http://ccsmugglers.co.uk and also features three other tracks.

An album – “an infectious stew of gypsy jazz, blues, folk, country and roots”, is planned for release in the autumn.

You can catch them live locally this month at Dunstable Rocks on the 18th and Rhythm Festival in Old Warden on the 26th.