Feb 23 - Memphis

Hi, again!

On Wednesday, we left Nashville behind and drove to our next destination, Memphis, TN. We traveled part of the way on the Natchez Trace Parkway, managed by the National Park Service. It is a 400+ mile drive along a very scenic 2-lane road. The "Trace" as it was known was used by American Indians and early settlers to travel between Nashville, TN in the north and Natchez, MS in the south. We had intended to drive from the northern terminus at Nashville (just past the Loveless Cafe on Rt 100) about 75 miles but road construction on the Trace forced us off after 50 miles. But then we got to drive through a rural part of southwest TN for part of the trip to Memphis. We did stop twice along the Trace, once at a summit overlook and again at Jackson Falls (MP 404). Due to the shortened trip on the Trace we didn't get to see the Meriwether Lewis Memorial (the Lewis in Lewis & Clark).

Natchez Trace Parkway

On Wednesday night, we just drove out to a local BBQ place, Central BBQ, then relaxed a bit and planned our Thursday outings. Thursday was a busy one.

We started the day down at Sun Studio in Memphis. Sun Studio is the acknowledged home of rock 'n roll. The first rock 'n roll song, Rocket 88 was recorded there. Sam Phillips, the owner of Memphis Recording Service as Sun was known in the early days. It was here that Elvis Presley was discovered. Other famous names that were signed by Sam and recorded here included Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, BB King, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charlie Rich. The place sat empty for many years but the buildings owner knew & appreciated the history of Sun Studio and let the building untouched just waiting for the day it could be opened as a "shrine" to the early days of rock 'n roll. In later days, groups/artists like George Harrison, John Mellencamp, and even U2 have recorded here in the original studio where Elvis, Cash, Perkins, and Lewis got their start.

Sun Studio

Sun Studio Artists

The Recording Studio

After Sun Studio, we made the almost obligatory trip to Graceland, Elvis Presley's home in Memphis. We took the tour, of course, but they're in the process of getting ready to move a lot of the memorabilia (especially from the Trophy Room) to new facilities across the road so we didn't get to see all the gold records, etc. When Elvis bought the house he was just 22 and busy with touring, so his parents were the primary residents early on. He paid $103000 for the mansion and about 14 acres. Obviously it'd be worth an awful lot more today even without having belonged to Elvis. The wall along the sidewalk in front of the mansion has graffiti all over it - messages in (mostly) black marker from fans. Among other things, Elvis added a pool and a Meditation Garden. He and his parents are buried in the garden. We also saw his collection of cars and his planes. His private jet plane was bought (used) for $250,000 but he added another $800,000 in renovating it -- the seat belt buckles are gold-plated and the sinks in the bathrooms ar 24K gold flake. First class!

Factoid: Elvis was the 2nd of a pair of twin boys. His older brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn. This haunted Elvis his entire life.

Elvis' Living Room

The TV/Theater Room

The Jungle Room

Elvis' Favorite: Grilled PB & Banana

Thursday evening we grabbed an Uber and headed down to Beale Street. We ate at the Rum Boogie Cafe and watched two sets by a (primarily) blues band. Its a divey kind of place but we got there just before the band started and got great seats for the show. One really cool thing is the place has guitars all over the walls and hung from the ceilings which were left by artists/groups that have played there throughout the years. While I only got to check out a small portion of the guitars I can tell you it's a pretty eclectic mix. After that, we strolled down to the next block and stopped to listen to a group at an open-air bar and finally ended the night at the Blues City Cafe. Beale St was kind if quiet but then it was a Thursday night in February!

Beale St

Getting Things Started

Some of the Guitars

Band at Rum Boogie Cafe

Blues/Rock/Reggae Band

Blues City Cafe

Well, that's all I have time for right now. I'll try to get some pictures added later. We've got to get out of this room and on our way - to Arkansas next -- maybe Hot Springs, that's still up in the air!

That's all for now! ..... Dan