February/March playlist: Where Black history and women’s history meet
Memphian Anita Ward struck it big in 1979 with the pop music release of her disco song "Ring My Bell." (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)
Elizabeth Cawein
Elizabeth Cawein is the founder and director of Music Export Memphis, a nonprofit export office for Memphis music. She is an adjunct professor of Music Urbanism at Rhodes College, a programmer/DJ on WYXR 91.7 FM and a national speaker on issues of music, culture and urban development.
A mix of Black women music-makers from Memphis, past and present, honors both February’s Black History Month celebration and Women’s History Month in March.
Topics
Black History Month National Women's History Month Anita Ward National Museum of African American Music Keia Johnson Telisu Jessica Ray KadyRoxz She'ChinahRelated stories
‘Ring My Bell’: How a Memphis teacher brought the Bluff City disco gold
Songwriter Frederick Knight originally conceived “Ring My Bell” as a song for teens about talking on the phone, but it became a hit for older audiences in the disco-era when it came out on Anita Ward's debut album.
Why is the African American Music museum in Nashville?
The answer is simple and it also stings. It’s in Nashville because Nashville asked for it.
An April playlist, and the future of live music
Tickets for Levitt Shell’s first two fundraising concerts sold out within hours, indicating that audiences are chomping at the bit for live music and shared experiences.