Road Scholar : Home
Signature City Memphis: Magic on the Mississippi

Program Number: 12347RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/19/2013 - 5/24/2013; 10/20/2013 - 10/25/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Price starting at: $1,075.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Signature Cities Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 12; 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; None; None; None    

Memphis — home of the blues, birthplace of rock ’n’ roll — beckons you to experience its panorama of history, heritage and culture and discover what makes it special from the local experts who really know the city’s soul. Trace the transformation of the Old South into the New from King Cotton to the National Civil Rights Museum. Experience Memphis’s outstanding museums, beautiful parks and botanical gardens and the distinctive architecture of its churches and old mansions. Take field trips to iconic places like Beale Street, Graceland and Sun Studios and hear the music that reflects Memphis.




Highlights

• Learn the story of Memphis blues and delve into the lives of legends from the “Father of the Blues” W. C. Handy to “The King” Elvis Presley.
• Study the mighty Mississippi River’s environmental influence at Mud Island River Park.
• Enjoy some good eatin’ at Memphis institutions like Paulette’s Restaurant.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to 3-4 city blocks. City trolley available but is a 2 block walk from hotel.




Date Specific Information

5-19-2013, 10-20-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Center for Educational Adventure.




Memphis

On the banks of the Mississippi, Memphis gave rise to some of the biggest music genres of the 20th century. Blues, rock ‘n’ roll and soul started here, and the list of musicians who broke new ground in Memphis include Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Elvis Presley. Graceland, Beale Street and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum celebrate this heritage.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotel a half-block from Beale Street with indoor pool and fitness center.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Richard Raichelson
An authority of the history of Beale Street and its importance to music, Richard Raichelson is the author of "Beale Street Talks: A Walking Tour Down the Home of the Blues.” He is past president of the International Association of Jazz Record Collectors and is a voting member of the Grammy Awards Academy of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Richard frequently presents programs and performs with the Last Chance Jug Band of Memphis.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Hampton Inn and Suites
  Memphis, TN 5 nights
 Hampton Inn and Suites
Type: Hotel
  Description: Number One ranked Hampton Inn in the world! The award-winning Hampton Inn and Suites at Peabody Place is located in the heart of downtown Memphis, just 1/2 block off Beale Street (the city's entertainment district). Most downtown attractions and businesses are a short trolley ride or within walking distance. This hotel is beautifully decorated to fit in with the downtown atmosphere.
  Contact info: 175 Peabody Place
Memphis, TN 38103 USA
phone: 901-260-4000
web: www.hamptoninn.com
  Room amenities: Coffee maker, iron and ironing board in each room, free local calls, complimentary breakfast and USA Today.
  Facility amenities: An indoor pool, whirlpool, state of the art exercise facility, and business center.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Call hotel for rate. Call Brooke Atkins-Brown at 901-260-4016 to book additional nights.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Call hotel for rate. Call Brooke Atkins-Brown at 901-260-4016 to book additional nights.
  Check out time: 9:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Orientation at 5:00 pm, Dinner at 6:30 pm You will be staying at Hampton Inn and Suites that night.
  End of Program:
Program concludes with breakfast. Hotel check-out is by 11 am. You will be staying at Hampton Inn and Suites the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. If you have a Senior Pass, Golden Age Passport or National Parks Pass, please bring it with you.
  Parking availability:
Parking for participants staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites is $17 per day. Drivers of vehicles over 7 feet in height must make arrangements to park at a nearby lot at a slightly higher rate.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Memphis, TN
  Nearest highway: I-40 & I-55
  Nearest airport:  Memphis International (airport code MEM)
  From End of Program
  Location: Memphis, TN
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Memphis, TN

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$25
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

one-half hour 
 

Distance:

 

15 miles
   

Taxi rate is slightly more for two people
 

Memphis, TN

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$5
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

one-tenth of an hour 
 

Distance:

 

one mile
 

Memphis hotel

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$25
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

one-half hour 
 

Distance:

 

15 miles
   

Price increases slightly for second person in taxi.
 

Memphis hotel

 

To Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$8
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

one-tenth of an hour 
 

Distance:

 

one mile
   

Price increases slightly for second passenger in taxi.
 
Driving Directions
  From East (Nashville, TN) Take I-40 West to Memphis. Exit at US 51 South/Danny Thomas Blvd. (exit 1C.) Turn right onto Gayoso Avenue. Turn left onto South 4th Street. Turn right onto Peabody Place.
  From North (St. Louis, MO) Take I-55 South to Memphis, then I-40 East toward Memphis/Nashville. Take the Riverside Drive/Front Street exit (exit number 1) and the Riverside Drive ramp. Continue south on Riverside Drive North. Turn left on Union Avenue. Turn right onto South 4th Street. Turn right on Peabody Place.
  From South (Jackson, MS) Take I-55 toward Grenada/Memphis. At Memphis merge onto I-240 North. Take the Union Avenue exit (exit number 30) and the Union Avenue West ramp. Take a slight right onto Union Avenue/US Highway 70/Tennessee Highway 3. Follow Union Avenue/Tennessee Highway 3. Turn left onto South 4th Street. Turn right onto Peabody Place.
  From West (Little Rock, Arkansas) Take I-40 East. At Memphis take Riverside Drive/Front Street exit (exit number 1) and the Riverside Drive ramp. Continue south on Riverside Drive North. Turn left on Union Avenue. Turn right onto South 4th Street. Turn right on Peabody Place.
  Memphis International Airport (airport code MEM) Exit parking lot toward Winchester Road. Turn left onto Airport Exit. Turn slight left to take ramp toward I-240. Merge onto Plough Blvd. Merge onto I-240 West toward Little Rock/downtown. Merge on I-240 North. Take the Union Avenue exit (number 30) and the Union Avenue West ramp. Take a slight right onto Union Avenue/US Highway 70/Tennessee Highway 3. Follow Union Avenue/Tennessee Highway 3. Turn left onto South 4th Street. Turn right onto Peabody Place.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Check-In, Orientation, Dinner on Beale Street
(Sunday, May 19)

Note: Walk to Beale Street is 0.1 mile (approximatel 1/2 block.)
   
 Afternoon: Hotel check-in is 4 pm. Group leader will be in the lobby area conference room to greet you and give you your packet of information and your name badge. 5 pm orientation will be in the conference room. We will go over the schedule for the week and answer any questions you may have about the activities.
 Dinner: Dinner is at 6:30 at Kings Palace where we will enjoy an informal barbeque dinner and live blues music.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Memphis Field Trip, Memphis Botanic Garden, Danny Thomas Pavilion at St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Pink Palace Museum, Presentation On The Mighty Mississippi
(Monday, May 20)

Note: Travel by motor coach. Walking in the Botanical Gardens, Danny Thomas Pavilion and Pink Palace Museum on field trips. Sitting spots available on field trips.
   
 Breakfast: 7-8:15 AM: Hot and cold breakfast buffet in hotel lobby.
 Morning: A Memphis field trip will take you by motor coach to select points of interest. We will stop over at the Danny Thomas Pavilion. The life of Danny Thomas and the history of ALSAC and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are commemorated in the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Pavilion, located on the campus of St. Jude. The architecturally unique building contains memorabilia of late entertainer Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude. The Pavilion is home to Emmy Awards and accolades for Thomas’ television show Make Room for Daddy, as well as other entertainment and lifetime achievements. Part of the Pavilion is dedicated to Thomas’ life as a humanitarian, highlighting the awards and honors he received for his work on behalf of the world’s children. A centerpiece of this exhibit is Thomas’ Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award given by Congress. You’ll also learn the history surrounding the founding of St. Jude and the institution's accomplishments in the fight against catastrophic childhood diseases. You’ll be introduced to the rich ethnic history and successes of the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC), the fundraising organization of St. Jude, and the millions of generous people who support the hospital’s lifesaving mission. We will end our morning at the Memphis Botanical Gardens for a guided field trip into the unique gardens and lunch at Fratelli's.
 Lunch: Fratelli's Cafe at the Garden is a lunchtime destination, popular for fresh, creative soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts with an Old World flair...not to mention its ideal setting nestled between the Water Garden and Sculpture Garden, and outdoor terrace seating with a lush, natural view!
 Afternoon: The Pink Palace Museum is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Southeast. You can walk through a replica of the first self-service grocery store in the country, Clarence Saunders' Piggly Wiggly. Explore the cultural and natural history of the Mid-South through exciting exhibits, dioramas, and audio-visuals. Trace Memphis' development from the time of Spanish explorers through the Civil War and the yellow fever epidemics. Learn from the award-winning medical exhibit how health care grew to be Memphis' largest industry.
 Dinner: Dine in a restaurant near the hotel
 Evening: Learn about the Mighty Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is the chief river of the largest drainage system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States (though its drainage basin reaches into Canada), it rises in northern Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for 2,530 miles (4,070 km) to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains all or parts of 31 US states and 2 Canadian provinces between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains. The Mississippi ranks as the fourth longest and tenth largest river in the world.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Presentation on Beale Street History/Exploration of Smithsonian Rock 'n' Soul Museum/Lunch On Your Own
(Tuesday, May 21)

Note: Walk from hotel to Rock 'n Soul Museum is 1 1/2 blocks.
   
 Breakfast: 7-8:15 AM: Hot and cold buffet in hotel lobby.
 Morning: Hear from a local Memphis expert about Beale Street and the Memphis music scene by a musician/historian. After the lecture, we'll walk over to the Rock 'n Soul Museum. Created by the Smithsonian Institution, the exhibition of the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum offers a historical and educational exploration of the origins of rock and soul music, of the musical legends who overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create America’s music, and of its influence on world culture.
 Lunch: Lunch on your own from a list of restaurants given you.
 Afternoon: We will spend the afternoon on Mud Island. The Memphis Suspension Railway or Mud Island Monorail is a suspended monorail that connects the city center of Memphis with the entertainment park on Mud Island. The system consists of two suspended cars constructed in Switzerland, delivered in summer 1981. In the 1993 film The Firm, Mitch McDeere, played by Tom Cruise, uses the railway to escape from "The Company" that is out to kill him. The Riverwalk is an exact scale model of the Lower Mississippi River flowing from its confluence with the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois 954 miles south to the Gulf of Meico The Mississippi River Museum is comprised of 18 galleries that showcase 10,000 years of history in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. The exhibits detail early inhabitants in the valley to modern day transportation and contain over 5,000 artifacts; including two full size boat replicas which you can board and explore.
 Dinner: Dinner at restaurant near the hotel.
 Evening: After dinner, we'll meet back at the hotel to see a special Elvis film on the early years of Elvis Presley.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Music History, Sun Studio, Lunch at Paulette's, Graceland
(Wednesday, May 22)

Note: Walk to Southern Folklore is two and a half blocks. Motor coach to Graceland. Graceland field trip is 2 1/2 hours long.
   
 Breakfast: 7-8:30 AM: Buffet breakfast in hotel lobby.
 Morning: Your music history expert will use the piano and select music for this mornings instruction. You can sing along and clap to old time favorites while learning about music history. We will take the motor coach to Sun Studio afterwards. Sun Studio is a recording studio opened by rock pioneer Sam Phillips at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 3, 1950. It was originally called Memphis Recording Service, sharing the same building with the Sun Records label business. Reputedly the first rock-and-roll single, Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats' "Rocket 88" was recorded there in 1951 with song composer Ike Turner on keyboards, leading the studio to claim status as the birthplace of rock & roll. Rock-and-roll, country music, and rockabilly artists, including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Charlie Feathers, Ray Harris, Warren Smith, Charlie Rich, and Jerry Lee Lewis, recorded there throughout the mid to late 1950s. In August 1953, fresh out of his high school graduation the previous June, the 18 year old Presley walked into the offices of Sun. He aimed to pay for a few minutes of studio time to record a two-sided acetate disc: "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin". He would later claim he intended the record as a gift for his mother, or was merely interested in what he "sounded like", though there was a much cheaper, amateur record-making service at a nearby general store.
 Lunch: Enjoy lunch at Paulette's, a longtime Memphis favorite near the Mississippi River. The intimate, well-appointed dining room features fine woodwork and high ceilings, as well as original artwork and abundant fresh flowers. The high windows afford breathtaking views of the Mississippi River in Downtown Memphis.
 Afternoon: We will be going on the Graceland Platinum Tour. This is a great way to see the full Graceland experience. The Graceland Platinum tour includes: •an audio-guided tour of Graceland Mansion and grounds •a self-guided tour of Elvis' two custom airplanes •a self-guided tour of Elvis' Automobile Museum •a self-guided tour of Elvis: Live from Vegas •a self-guided tour of Elvis' Tupelo •a self-guided tour of Elvis' Hawaii: Concerts, Movies and More! Exhibit •a self-guided tour of '68 Special Exhibit Average Tour Time: 2 ½ to 3 hours For participants wanting to spend more time at Graceland, a shuttle is available and participants may arrange for transportation on their own. See information. The Sun Studio Shuttle picks up and drops off hourly from the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Graceland, Sun Studios and Heartbreak Hotel, and runs 7 days a week. Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum - First pick up every morning at 10:30 a.m. Pick-ups every hour on the half-hour throughout the day (11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.). Final drop-off of the day at 6:30 p.m. Customers waiting on the shuttle are welcome to wait inside the Rock 'n' Soul lobby. Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel is a fashionable boutique hotel features 128 unique rooms and is located conveniently across the street from Elvis Presley's Graceland. Shuttle picks up and drops off every hour at 55 minutes after the hour. Graceland - Shuttle picks up and drops off every hour at the top of the hour. First pick up is at 10:00 a.m., continuing hourly until 6:00 p.m. from the Graceland Plaza. Sun Studios - Shuttle picks up and drops off every hour at 15 minutes after the hour. First pick-up and drop-off is at 10:15 a.m., continuing hourly until 6:15 p.m. Shuttle seating is limited, and available for free on a first come, first served basis. Call 901-205-2533 or email at info@memphisrocknsoul.org
 Dinner: Dinner is on your own or with newfound friends at a restaurant of your choice. We'll be happy to provide a list of convenient walk to restaurants.
 Evening: Free evening.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Stax Museum, National Civil Rights Museum, Lunch at Arcade Restaurant, Dinner and Dancing at BB Kings Blues Club on Beale Street
(Thursday, May 23)
   
 Breakfast: Buffet in hotel lobby.
 Morning: We will visit Stax Museum. Because the Stax Museum is one of only a handful of museums in the world dedicated to soul music (the Motown Museum in Detroit is another), it not only celebrates the legacy of Stax Records and its artists such as Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, the Staple Singers, Johnnie Taylor, Albert King, Booker T. & the MGs, Rufus and Carla Thomas and others, but also features other soul music labels such as Motown. Some of the standout exhibits include an authentic 101-year-old Mississippi Delta church to help show the gospel roots of soul music; the Soul Train dance floor, Isaac Hayes' restored 1972 gold-trimmed, peacock-blue Cadillac El Dorado; and a changing gallery where special exhibits change five times each year.
 Lunch: Enjoy lunch at the Arcade Restaurant. Sitting right in the middle of this historic area is the Arcade Restaurant. It's like a trip back in time! It is this nostalgic feeling that has attracted photographers, artists, writers, and movie makers from around the world. Scenes from Mystery Train, Great Balls of Fire, The Client, The Firm, 21 Grams, Elizabethtown, Walk the Line, and My Blueberry Nights, just to name a few, have all been filmed in the restaurant. National magazines such as Southern Living, Esquire, Travel, and Sports Illistrated have featured the Arcade in their publications. The Food Network and The Travel Channel have even done specials on southern breakfast at the Arcade Restaurant. Many of the celebrities from these movies have eaten the same foods you will eat today. At one time, even Elvis was a regular.
 Afternoon: The National Civil Rights Museum is a privately owned complex of museums and historic buildings built around the former Lorraine Motel at 450 Mulberry Street where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Major components of the complex on 4.14 acres include a museum and the Lorraine Motel and hotel buildings. The complex also includes the Young and Morrow Building at 422 Main Street, which was the site where James Earl Ray initially confessed (and later recanted) to shooting King. The complex additionally includes the Canipe’s Amusement Store at 418 Main Street. The store is next door to the rooming house where the alleged murder weapon, with Ray's fingerprints, was found. Included on the grounds is the brushy lot that stood between the rooming house and the motel. The Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated, is closed for renovation. THE LEGACY BUILDING, which encompasses the old boarding house across the street, WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR TOURS DURING RENOVATION. A timeline encapsulates in chronological order the history presented in the Lorraine exhibits up to the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On the second floor of the Legacy Building, the history continues with the investigation of the assassination, the case against James Earl Ray, and ensuing conspiracy theories. The first floor exhibits illustrate the Movement’s impact on human rights efforts globally and end with a call to action for all to continue the legacy of the American civil rights movement.
 Dinner: We'll sit for a while and enjoy B.B. King's favorite dishes and listen to the best of Memphis music. Then get ready to get up and dance to the great live music we present to you every night on world-famous Beale Street.
   
Accommodations: Hampton Inn and Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Buffet Breakfast, Departures
(Friday, May 24)

Note: Program concludes with breakfast and check-out by 11 am.
   
 Breakfast: Buffet breakfast in hotel lobby.
 Morning: Check out of hotel by 11 a.m. Program concludes with final breakfast. Farewell till we meet again.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Battling the Plantation Mentality: Memphis and the Black Freedom Struggle (The John Hope Franklin Series in African American History and Culture)


Author: Laurie B. Green


Description: African American freedom is often defined in terms of emancipation and civil rights legislation, but it did not arrive with the stroke of a pen or the rap of a gavel.



Daddy King: An Autobiography


Author: Murtin Luther King, Sr.


Elvis by the Presleys


Author: David Ritz


Description: For the first time, the inside story of legendary entertainer Elvis Presley’s life as a husband, father, son, cousin, friend, spiritual seeker — Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, and other family members, come together to memorialize our greatest star in this stunningly illustrated companion to a major television special and longer-form documentary. Elvis by the Presleys is a uniquely fascinating treasure and serves as the essential companion to a major television special on CBS and, from Sony BMG, a longer-form documentary DVD and its related CD. Culled from hours of new family interviews conducted for the television special and DVD (much of it appearing exclusively in this book), enhanced with Elvis quotes, and illustrated with private family photographs and images of personal memorabilia from the archives of Graceland/Elvis Presley Enterprises, Elvis by the Presleys is an extraordinary document about an extraordinary figure.



Elvis: The Biography


Author: Jerry Hopkins


Description: Jerry Hopkins’s Elvis: A Biography was the first book on popular music to top the U.S. bestseller list, and its sequel was equally popular. Long out of print, both books, along with a wealth of exciting new interviews, are brought together in Elvis to form the most exhaustive account available of the King’s life. Telling the complete story of Presley’s rise and fall, from his poverty-stricken childhood in Tupelo through his musical development and emergence as pop’s first superstar to his decline and death, the book explores Presley’s singular appeal, his far-reaching influence, and his extraordinary legacy. Featuring newly published firsthand interviews with people close to Elvis — including high school teachers, girlfriends, directors, agents, recording engineers, bodyguards, sidemen, karate instructors, medical professionals, and even his personal jeweler — Elvis presents a comprehensive and amazingly intimate look at this cultural icon.



Gullah Cuisine : By Land and by Sea


Author: Charlotte Jenkins


Description: Take a journey with Chef Charlotte Jenkins into her creative kitchen, and also into her life. Charlotte and her husband Frank grew up Gullah at a time when the Old Ways were giving way to the New Ways. They are of the generation that bridged those two worlds. Charlotte learned to cook Gullah the way her mama, her grandmamma and all the mamas that have come before her - by working alongside one another. But she also trained at Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute in Charleston where she adapted the traditional recipes to be more healthful. In1997, she and her husband Frank opened Gullah Cuisine in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. They are now widely acknowledged as offering the best of authentic Gullah cooking. Gullah Cuisine: By Land and By Sea brings Charlotte's wonderful recipes to you. But it does more than that - the book is a tale of connection, sharing a world the Gullah built. It features a narrative by critically acclaimed author William P. Baldwin, photographs by Pulitzer-prize-nominee Mic Smith and art by beloved Gullah painter Jonathan Green.



Memphis (TN) (Then & Now) [Paperback]


Author: Robert W. Dye


Description: Memphis rests on the east bank of the Mississippi, a river that has altered its course many times. Memphis has also changed over the years, expanding and maturing with each new decade. From the days when cotton was king, through the yellow fever epidemics of the late 19th century, to the building boom of the 1920s, Memphis has adapted to its changing cultural environment. Through historic photographs, Then and Now: Memphis illustrates how the city has changed over the years. This pictorial retrospective revisits historic Memphis sites and offers comparative photographs of the locations in both past and present times.



Memphis Beat : The Lives and Times of America's Musical Crossroads


Author: Larry Nager


Description: This book fills in what isn't so familiar: Memphis, it reveals, is our great cultural mixing board, where all the black and white folk have met and done musical business for two centuries or more. Larry Nager, former music editor of the "Memphis Commercial Appeal," offers more than a casual history. His chronicle reaches back into the nineteenth century, when Memphis was a wild frontier town full of whiskey, fiddle players, and minstrelsy. It hits cruising speed at the turn of the century, as W. C. Handy discovered the blues, women like Lil Armstrong and Memphis Minnie kept up with the men, and a Memphis deejay dreamed up the Grand Ole Opry. It chronicles the strange alchemy by which local rhythm 'n' blues, hard country, and black and white gospel got remade into powerful rock and roll in Sam Phillips's Sun Records studio on Union Avenue. The beat goes on into the '60s and the era of Stax and Hi Records - when the first integrated generations, raised on Sun 45s, started waxing their own sounds. And it follows Memphis even into contemporary times, through Big Star's adventures at Ardent Records, the difficult revival of Beale Street, and the birth of the House of Blues. There is triumph and tragedy here, and much in between - from the stalwart presence of lifelong musicians like Gus Cannon and Furry Lewis, through the horrific accident that killed Otis Redding, the Bar-Kays, and years and years of musical dreams.



My Life With Martin Luther King, Jr.


Author: Coretta Scott King




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