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]]>Events For All Ages
The beauty of the Delta Fair & Music Festival is that it is designed for everyone, from all walks of life, and for all ages. There truly is something for everyone here. The exact schedule is still being finalized, so stay tuned for performers and other activities, but if you’ve been to the Delta Fair & Music Fest before, you know just how incredible it can be.
During the festival, which runs from August 30 until September 8, you can take in live music, livestock shows, craft demos, special events, and a number of scheduled daily attractions. Make sure to check back with the Delta Fest website on a regular basis to stay on top of the announced events. You can also head over to the festival’s Facebook page for more information. This way, you’ll know the best days to go.
Theme Days
Each day has a special theme where the daily activities and events will support many of these themes. Some of the theme days for this coming year include Latino Day, Homeschool, FFA & 4-H Day, Delta Fair Bike Night, Senior American Day, Hardee’s Day, $2 Dollar Thursday, College Night, Salute Our Military Day, Midsouth Jeep Day, and $10 Tuesday.
Interested in learning more about the individual theme days? Check out the specific day pages on the Delta Fair website for more information.
Compete
Maybe you don’t want to just attend the festival. Perhaps you want to get in and compete. Well, there are plenty of competitions that will be taking place. Some of the established competitions include the livestock competition, Star of the Fair, competitions for culinary, collectibles and crafts, dancing stars competition, senior day contests, photography contests, student art contests, a Delta Dash 5/10K and so much more.
If you’re interested in competing make sure to head over to the Delta Fair website and click on the specific competition you’re interested in. You’ll find out how to qualify ahead of time.
Buy Your Tickets Today
Now is the perfect time to purchase your tickets for the Delta Fair & Music Festival. Gate admission is $10 for adults 13 and over, $5 for children 5 to 12 and for seniors, while children 4 and under are free. You can also purchase tickets for rides and bulk tickets by visiting a local Kroger. So stop by your nearest Kroger for more information on Family Fun Ticket Packs
Additional Reading:
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]]>The post The Memphis Guide to Arts & Culture appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>Africa in April
While February is African American heritage month around the country, Africa in April is unique to Memphis as the city looks to shine a light on the important influence African Americans have played in the overall cultural history of Memphis. You will find celebrations of African history, art and culture taking place throughout the city, with many vendors offering special products. There is also a Blues music showcase during the month.
Memphis in May
Throughout the entire month of May, there is an entire series dedicated to showing off the incredible heritage of the city. During the month, some of the most important cultural events take place including the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, Great American River Run, International Week and, of course, the Beale Street Music Festival.
Memphis Italian Festival
Whether you’re Italian or simply craving Italian food, the Memphis Italian Festival takes place every year sometime during late May or early June (this also depends on the Memphis in May celebration, as the Memphis Italian Festival will adjust accordingly, typically taking place the weekend after the Memphis in May celebration has finished). The Memphis Italian Festival occurs at Marquette Park and brings in Italian cooking competitions, musical activities, and local artists. There is also a 5K run, pizza tossing demonstrations, Galtelli Cup Recreational Bocce Tournament, and so much more going on with this festival.
Music
Outside of major festivals and events, music is as much a part of the city as anything else. Some of the biggest names in gospel, blues, rock and roll, country and others stem from Memphis. While you may already know Elvis and B.B. King are important musicians from Memphis, performers such as Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison, Isaac Hayes, and others all either were born in Memphis or spent a part of their career in the city. Beale Street and Stax Records are two important destinations for anyone looking to discover Memphis music.
Get Out and Experience Memphis Culture
These are just a few examples of Memphis culture. From art around the city to culturally significant events, it doesn’t matter if you’ve called Memphis home your entire life or if you are a recent transplant, now is the perfect time to get out and take in the incredible Memphis culture available to you.
Additional Reading:
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]]>The post “Soulin’ on the River” ft Lucky 7 Brass Band appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>More About Lucky 7 Brass Band
As the band’s website proclaims, the Lucky 7 Brass Band is made up of some of the “baddest of the bad musicians in Memphis.” It is a group that plays everything from soul to rap and everything else in between. The band is made up of seven talented musicians. This includes Randy Ballard on the trumpet as well as Jawaun Crawford on the trumpet. Both Nathan Duvall and Victor Sawyer play the trombone, and Jim Spake plays the alto sax. Neal Bowen brings the beat as he plays the bass, and Ryan Peel brings it all together on drums.
More About the Event
When heading out to the Lucky 7 Brass Band show, gates will open at 6 p.m. It’s best to show up early in order to get the best seat. It is a family-friendly event, and you can bring picnic baskets, lawn chairs, blankets and coolers. The show does begin at 7 p.m., so the earlier you arrive, the more time you’ll have to set up.
You can park downtown and then ride a bicycle down to the river. You can also rent a bike or scooter if you’d like. If you have gear, you can also walk down without a problem. Plus, there is Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible parking available right on Mud Island.
Upcoming Acts
There is a performance every Friday night beginning on June 21 and ending with the Lucky 7 Brass Band on August 9. While you owe it to yourself to take in the final act of the summer, there are plenty of other acts to enjoy.
On June 21, Nick Black takes center stage for “Soulin’ on the River.” Then, on July 12 (there is a weekend off to celebrate the Fourth of July) Black Cream will perform. There is another weekend off before Katrina Anderson plays on July 26, and then the Lucky 7 Brass Band will perform on August 9 to close out the event.
“Soulin’ on the River” is an extended concert series taking place at The Grove on Mud Island River Park. Kicking off on June 21 and ending on August 9, it is a great opportunity to get out of the house and take in some of the best Memphis sounds. So whether you check out Tonya Dyson or the Lucky 7 Brass Band, make sure to schedule plans to head out to the park by 6 p.m. That way, you will have the best seats for some world-class performances.
Additional Reading:
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]]>The post A Brief History of Memphis Music appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>No discussion about American music can be complete without a discussion about Memphis. Memphis is, hands-down, home to much of what we know as modern American music. Soul, gospel, rhythm and blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and other genres of music all have their roots in the city. Three specific landmarks exist in the city as a tribute to Memphis music history heritage: the Blues Hall of Fame (421 S. Main Street); Rock and Soul Museum (191 Beale Street); and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, at 926 E. McLemore Avenue at the site of the original Stax Records.
The Memphis Music History is as old as the city itself. At the beginning of the last century, Memphis was a convergence of African-American commerce and culture. Traditional spirituals handed down from generations of enslaved blacks to free people became the foundation for the blues and artists like W.C. Handy. Handy is often called the “Father of the Blues,” having brought his band to Memphis in 1909 to play in the clubs on Beale Street to showcase this distinctive style of music.
The genres (and artists) of Memphis
Memphis is host to many who have come through the city to play Beale Street or make their mark in “Bluff City.” Along with Handy and the blues came the introduction of the electric guitar in 1945 (after World War II) and with it, the advent of a newer form of music called rock ‘n’ roll. Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and others recorded tracks in the famous studios of Memphis and further solidified the city’s influence on the music of this country.
Sun Studio and Stax Records
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Two of the best locations to visit Memphis Music History are Sun Studio and Stax Records
Sun Studio, located at 706 Union Avenue, was started by one of the fathers of rock ‘n’ roll, Sam Phillips, in 1950. It was the commingling of the Memphis Recording Service and Sun Records that formed Sun Studio, and until 1969, it was the producer of acts and artists such as B.B. King, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis and of course, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. The studio’s claim to fame is that it is where the first rock ‘n’ roll record was produced: “Rocket 88,” in April 1951.
Stax Records was born in 1957. The original Stax was named Satellite Records until it changed its name to Stax in 1961. The company brought to the forefront American and Memphis soul, as well as gospel, funk and the “Delta” blues. Its most famous act was Otis Redding, and after his death in 1967, the studio struggled to stay in competition with Detroit’s Motown.
The music of Memphis has evolved from its long, rich history. The legends of the past have created a legacy that newer artists can only hope to imitate but never really duplicate. A walk along Beale Street should invoke the memory of the great musicians who have come to and played in Memphis. It is also a great place to connect with the city’s musical past, present and future!
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Stop by Every Monday Night
Huey’s Southaven is the place to be every Monday night. From 9 pm – 12 pm, you can select your favorite song, go up on stage and sing to your heart’s content. So whether you’ve been practicing that Britney Spears single from your childhood or you want to go with something a bit more modern, chances are the rocking DJs on staff will have the background track just for you.
And even if you’re not a singer, why not come on out with your friends and support their musical talent? Because even though we can’t all sing in tune, we can all have fun.
Happy Hour Makes It Better
If there’s one thing that’s better than karaoke on a Monday night, it’s happy hour combined with karaoke. At Huey’s Southaven, you can enjoy happy hour specials until 10 p.m. So whether you’re hungry, thirsty or just want to warm up your vocal cords, there really is something for everyone at Huey’s every Monday night.
Huey’s Southaven has some great happy hour specials just for you, so whether you’ve had a stressful day at work or you’re just hungry (or thirsty), you’ll find a great selection of options. On Mondays, you’ll find 75 cents off most drinks, beer and wine from 4-7 p.m. If you’re more of a fan of well drinks or have an eye for a certain draft, Huey’s has two-for-one specials going on from 4-10 p.m.
Dinner to Die For
There’s a reason why Huey’s has been going strong for almost 50 years. It’s not just the karaoke and the drink specials. It’s also the amazing food you’ll find here. You can enjoy some of the best munchie options in the entire city, which is great when you don’t want to fill up before going on stage. Or you can have a world-famous burger or sandwich, or order something a bit hardier from the Gold Miner Favorites menu, which includes everything from a steak stick dinner to chicken and tamales.
Additional Reading
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]]>The post How Music Continues to Shape and Grow Memphis Tourism appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>And don’t ignore the fact that Memphis stays fresh by being a hub of musical experimentation, producing hybrids such as surf rock with a Memphis twang.
Plus, the Memphis music producer Sam Phillips recorded what is often cited as the first rock ’n’ roll song, “Rocket 88,” at his Sun Records studio when it opened in 1952. Ike Turner wrote the song about a powerful auto, and his band member Jackie Brenston sang it.
Music tourism
Memphis serves up a banquet of musical history and styles. It’s a major part of our tourism appeal as demonstrated at the Memphis Travel website, which tops its “what to do” page with the following iconic music hot spots:
- Graceland, 3765 Elvis Presley Blvd.
- Sun Studio, 706 Union Ave.
- STAX Museum of American Soul Music, 926 East McLemore Ave.
- Memphis Music Hall of Fame, 126 South Second St.
- Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, 191 Beale St.
- Blues Hall of Fame, 421 South Maine St.
- Beale Street, which has so many music clubs that it has its own app
Impact of Graceland
Memphis Magazine contributor Chris Davis identifies 1982 as the year that forward-thinking entrepreneurs began shaping our city’s music history as a tourist attraction. In a December 2015 article, Davis noted the tourism renaissance as beginning “when Graceland first opened its doors to the public.”
According to Davis’ article, Beale Street had lots of boarded-up buildings the year Graceland opened. Sun Records (eventually renamed Sun Studio), where stars like Elvis Presley, Ike Turner, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison recorded, was just a quick flash outside the window on Gray Line Tours in the early 1980s, according to Davis’ article.
STAX Museum of American Soul Music is housed in the old STAX Records studio where stars like Booker T. and the M.G.’s, Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding (backed by the Bar-Kays), Sam and Dave, and the Staple Singers all recorded.
Nowadays, the city’s musical landmarks hum with visitors. Ted Evanoff of the Commercial Appeal notes that the neon 1950s appeal of Beale Street was Tennessee’s top tourist stop as of 2016 when it attracted six million visitors.
Additional Reading:
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/ike-turner/rocket-88
https://www.memphistravel.com/what-do
https://memphismagazine.com/culture/music-tourism-is-transforming-memphis/
https://www.staxrecords.com/pages/artists
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]]>The post The top music venues in Memphis that you have to check out! appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>That heritage can be seen throughout Memphis to this day. Though Beale Street may get most of the attention, there are great places to hear live music all over. If you find yourself in Memphis, here are a few venues you need to check out.
B.B. King’s Restaurant & Blues Club
Beale Street’s most famous live music venue brings in some of the most sophisticated and diverse modern blues lineups in Memphis. Swing by on any given night for the chance to see the B.B. King All-Star Band tearing through a set.
FedExForum
When it’s not hosting the Memphis Grizzlies as the “Grindhouse,” the FedExForum welcomes some of the biggest names in music. Located near the west end of Beale Street, the state-of-the-art arena can accommodate 18,000 cheering and screaming music fans. Past acts who’ve stopped by have included the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul McCartney, Bon Jovi and Bruno Mars.
Orpheum Theatre
While it may be best known for its Broadway performances, the Orpheum on South Main Street offers its fair share of live music, with symphonies, singers and major bands all populating its calendar. The gilded ceiling, plush interior and upscale feel contribute to a live music experience like no other.
Halloran Centre
The Halloran Centre is located right next to the Orpheum and consists of both a modern theater and an education center. The Halloran Centre welcomes classical music groups and artists from all over.
The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
You’ll find no better acoustics in all of Memphis than at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. It’s the home of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and has hosted a number of nationally known artists from a wide array of genres, including Bonnie Raitt, Marc Cohn, Bell Biv DeVoe and Shirley Caesar.
BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove
There’s something special about watching major national touring acts while sprawling on an outdoor lawn, so it’s no wonder crowds are attracted to the BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove. Matchbox 20, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The White Stripes and Miranda Lambert are just a few of the musical acts that have taken the stage. As an alternative to the lawn, you can snag some of the 4,000 premium seats if that’s more your jam.
The Handy Park Pavilion
Located on the legendary Beale St., the Handy Park Pavilion was named for W.C. Handy—a musical titan otherwise known as the “Father of the Blues.” Needless to say, blues is a regular sound in Handy Park to this day, and the live performances at this venue are top-notch.
Blues City
If you consider yourself to be a lover of jazz-funk fusion, look no further than Blues City for energetic live performances and the best of local acts poised to go national.
The Levitt Shell
They say the best things in life are free, and concerts at the Levitt Shell are no exception! This 1930s-era band shell has been a hub of music in Memphis for decades and hosts more than 50 free shows every year.
The Hi-Tone
This bar is a hangout for fans of rock, hip-hop, indie and more. There’s no telling what kind of music you’ll hear when you drop by the Hi-Tone, but one thing’s for sure—you’ll have a great time.
No matter your tastes, one thing is for sure in Memphis: There’s a great venue nearby to help you make some of your own musical history.
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]]>The post 14 reasons why upcoming songwriters need to move to Memphis! appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>We have our share of musical landmarks, as famous artists like Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Otis Redding and more have called Memphis home. But present-day Memphis is also experiencing a musical renaissance that new artists want to be a part of.
A dollar goes further in Memphis
Once you’ve sold a million records, you can live anywhere you want. If you’re just getting your start in the music industry, however, the world isn’t quite your oyster—yet. That said, music industry jobs in Memphis pay fairly well, coming in at around 79 percent of the average national salary. It also helps that Memphis is one of the cheapest big cities to live in, regardless of what you do for a living.
The live music scene
Beale Street is one of the biggest reasons Memphis has such a reputation for being a musician’s city. While the highlight is B.B. King’s Blues Club, the downtown street is lined with venues featuring live music on any given day of the week. And, who knows? Maybe you’ll see your name in lights on Beale sooner rather than later.
An eclectic musical mix
Seattle’s got grunge, New York and Los Angeles have hip-hop and rock, and Nashville is the home of country music. While Memphis is known as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and the home of the blues, today’s Memphis music scene boasts a bit of everything.
For instance, 8ball & MJG put Memphis hip-hop on the map in the ‘90s, then Three 6 Mafia picked up the mantle around the turn of the century. If punk is more your jam, Goner Records is home to a loyal and talented group of punk musicians. Whatever you’re into, you’re bound to find your people in Memphis.
Famous music studios
Electrophonic Records and Goner Records may be the current hot spots, but the studios of old have a major presence in Memphis to this day. Why not take a tour of Sun Studio, which became ground zero for rock ‘n’ roll? Alternatively, head on over to the site of Stax Records, which was home to artists such as Otis Redding and Booker T & the M.G.’s in the 1960s.
A lower cost of living
Compared to Nashville, New York and Los Angeles, the cost of living in Memphis is much more reasonable. What does that mean for you? Less time hustling to make ends meet and more opportunities to focus on your art.
Myriad music studios
The iconic Sun Studio is a cornerstone of Memphis music, but it’s by no means the only recording studio in town. Electrophonic Records and Goner Records are just two of the enterprises putting the next generation of Memphis musicians on the map. Could you be one of those musicians?
A vibrant live music scene
Music has been rated the biggest tourist attraction in Memphis, and it’s not hard to see why. In fact, there’s live music playing on Beale Street pretty much any time of the day that you visit, with countless clubs roaring to life each night. To catch large acts and national tours, stop by the nearby FedEx Forum.
Support for the arts
Music is the heart and soul of this city, so it’s no surprise that the arts receive a lot of support from residents and municipal funding alike. The numerous arts and music festivals hosted in these parts offer ample opportunities to showcase new talent—including your own.
A rich music history
It feels like an understatement to say Memphis has a rich musical history. There’s nothing like looking back at the past to get inspired for the future, and reacquainting yourself with the stories of Memphis music legends who made it big will help you do just that.
A lower cost of education
Memphis colleges charge lower tuition fees compared to many of their counterparts, and the selection of art schools in the city is ideal for upcoming songwriters eager to add a string or two to their bows.
Livability
Livability—the balance between work and social life—tends to quickly fall by the wayside in many cities, but not Memphis. If you’re considering a move to Memphis, you can rest assured that it’s a well-balanced city offering both business opportunities and a wide range of social activities.
Friendly people
The people of Memphis are warm and friendly, which will help newly relocated artists stave off homesickness and assimilate into new personal and professional networks. Newcomers to the Bluff City are warmly welcomed and embraced by everyone, but don’t just take our word for it—come see for yourself.
A cultural mix
Memphis is filled with different people from all walks of life, each with their own assorted backgrounds and customs. This yields a social and cultural mix that has inspired many a local musician to experiment with sound and rhythm.
You can find your inspiration
Memphis’ musical past gives the present a profoundly soulful feel. There’s just something about living at the crossroads of an urban vibe mingled with the slow rhythms of southern living that lends itself to the small-town feel and close-knit community that have been inspiring artists in Memphis for years.
Looking for musical inspiration in Memphis? Check this out!
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]]>The post Boo Mitchell talks about Willie Mitchell’s impact on popular music appeared first on We Are Memphis.
]]>GRAMMY Award-winning engineer Boo Mitchell talks about his father Willie Mitchell’s continued influence on artists like the Talking Heads, Tina Turner, Wu-Tang Clan, and even Kanye West. It’s amazing to see the reach of Memphis’ sound from classic hits to the music we all know and love today.
See the full video below:
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