Music GonerFest, the internationally known purveyor of one of Memphis’ most famous exports, rock music, takes a step beyond livestreaming to replicate the intangibles that make each year’s event feel like a meeting place.
As a fan at a virtual concert, you always have the best seat in the house, the bathrooms are clean and close, and the drinks are strong and really cheap.
Though initially regarded as the second-tier of talent in a stable of gospel acts led by record producer and DJ Juan Shipp, acts of the JCR Records label are enjoying a revival with the help of a new vinyl reissue.
From King’s WDIA debut in 1949 to his departure from Memphis only a few years later, he recorded a handful of early sides in the city.
Memphis soul singer Wendy Moten’s 1990s pop career left a lasting impression in Japan, where American commodities are often given a new context.
Three decades ago, Hibbert brought his sound — and all of reggae’s — back to one of its sources with a 1988 album recorded at Midtown’s Ardent Studios that went on to a Grammy nomination.
Children who go on to become successful adults are more likely to have had some arts education enrich their experiences on that path. Studies show the correlation between arts education, academic achievement and compassion for others.
Record Store Day will be several days this year, with stores varying how they let people in. The pandemic has forced retailers and store reps to find creative ways to package and promote records.
Named after a Memphis grocery store chain, Big Star recorded three haphazardly distributed albums over the course of just a few years, toured sporadically, got good press and had no hits. This obscurity grew over time into a considerable cult.
Buy some Memphis music, y’all. Our independent record stores are back open and doing shopping by appointment, which, honestly, is pretty cool.
Adopting Stax Records' approach to tackling Black liberation through song, several local artists responded to recent protests with lyrical activism.
On its 20th anniversary, the Stax Music Academy is using the break from in-person instruction to prioritize solo musicianship over live performance.
Elvis’ popularity may have started this week in 1956. That’s when “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel”— constituting two sides of one 45 rpm single — reached the top of Billboard's pop singles chart.
Elvis Week ended with an abbreviated version of the annual candlelight vigil, commemorating the death of the iconic entertainer.
Memphis is the central focus of the Porretta Soul Festival held in Porretta Terme, Italy, an hour outside Bologna.
This 1969 album established Hayes’ sound and persona. It not only made him a star, but it made him a new kind of star.
Hassell, who has collaborated with Brian Eno, Talking Heads and Ry Cooder, remembers a transformative introduction to music in his hometown: “You just never forget the things that happened first in your life.”
Some of the brightest stars of “Memphis rap” live on message boards and Twitter threads, instead of the banks of the Mississippi. Skinny Finsta's hometown is Heidelberg but it's the Bluff City sound that inspires him.
Since 1997, Devin Steel has been a force in Memphis' rap radio industry and behind the scenes of its thriving hip-hop culture. After being let go from his job of nearly two decades, he is hoping to stay in the mix.
Before this is all over there will be plenty of other songs like Yo Gotti’s "Recession Proof" that comment specifically on the pandemic. Even the tracks that don’t feature bridges about Zoom meetings will still reflect the mood and feelings of this moment.
The Live at the Garden series' home has a new name and a new sponsor.
Sisters Donna and Sandra Rhodes stand out among Memphis' background studio singers.
Next year’s festival is slated for Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.
Memphis rap's impassioned ode, Playa Fly's 1998 single "Nobody," is arguably as popular today as it was more than 20 years ago. Artists and experts share the story behind its staying power.
Against the Grain offers Memphis-area musicians a place to post performance videos. The service has earned nearly 150 musicians a total of more than $19,000.
“I’ve been wanting to help make a change with Memphis radio, specifically community radio, for a long time. ... We are going to amplify voices in Memphis and the Mid-South."
Memphis native Austin Webster founded an app that recognizes the music users are listening to and uses the song’s credits to develop playlists based on the key songwriters, producers and contributors behind the scenes.
The songwriter and performer of early Stax hit "You Don't Miss Your Water" will receive $25,000 from the National Endowment of the Arts. He said the full amount will be used for projects involving young soul musicians.
Local country singer Lance McDaniel invited Bar-Kays lead vocalist Chris Johnson to sing with him on “Skin,” a timely ode addressing racial dysfunction in America.