Herrington: At Mempho, a rousing primer on Black roots music
Fantastic Negrito sings during the first night of Mempho Music Festival at the Memphis Botanic Garden Sept. 30, 2022. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Chris Herrington
Chris Herrington has covered the Memphis Grizzlies, in one way or another, since the franchise’s second season in Memphis, while also writing about music, movies, food and civic life. As far as he knows, he’s the only member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association who is also a member of a film critics group and has also voted in national music critic polls for Rolling Stone and the Village Voice (RIP). He and his wife have two kids and, for reasons that sometimes elude him, three dogs.
In Memphis, the idea that blues, gospel and soul are as equally “Americana” is a notion as natural as breathing. And this weekend Black roots music, in various forms, made up half of Mempho’s 18 performance slots.
Chris Herrington on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Chris Herrington's stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
At 79, sacred soul singer Elizabeth King returns with a new album
Rev. Juan Shipp of D-Vine Spirituals introduced King to the head of Bible & Tire Recording Co., and she soon found herself back in front of a studio microphone: ‘It was pure magic, almost like her voice had been frozen in time,’ said the producer.
Widespread Panic, Avett Brothers headline return of Mempho Music Fest
The first major, outdoor live-music event in Memphis since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mempho Fest Oct. 1-3 will feature Friday and Saturday headline sets from Georgia’s Widespread Panic, and a closing Sunday night set from North Carolina’s Avett Brothers.
Rhodes, Bobby Rush create Memphis version of ‘America the Beautiful’
Despite suffering from COVID-19 just last year, Bobby Rush has been on a tear since his recovery.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.