Don’t be duped by the small stature of Melvia “Chick” Rodgers-Williams, who possesses a voice much larger than her small frame would suggest. Hailing from the legendary Orange Mound neighborhood of Memphis, Chick first found her passion for music while singing in her father’s church. This love would eventually blossom into a full-fledged career in […]
Blues Tent
Barbara Blue
Known as “The Reigning Queen of Beale,” Barbara Blue has been regularly performing on the iconic street for 25 years, intertwining blues, R&B, soul, and Americana. A recipient of a Beale Street Brass Note, she is often found at Silky O’ Sullivan’s, but has also found the time to record an astounding 13 independent releases […]
Brandon Santini
International touring vocalist and harmonica player Brandon Santini not only has a deep knowledge of blues history, but has followed a similar path to forbearers such as B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Before he began traveling the world, he honed his craft night after night at the clubs on Beale Street, forging himself into one of […]
Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88’s
Taking their inspiration from the great jump n’ boogie outfits of the late ‘40s and early ‘50s, Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88s have helped to keep this uniquely American musical tradition alive for over thirty years. Born in Brooklyn in 1951, Mitch Woods began playing classical piano at eleven and was influenced by artists […]
Hurricane Ruth
While some artists are known for their innovations within a certain genre, others make a name for themselves by excelling within the established confines, reminding us what made a particular type of music treasured in the first place. Blues singer Hurricane Ruth is firmly rooted within the latter group, an old school blues traditionalist who […]
Earl “The Pearl” Banks
Earl “The Pearl” Banks was born in 1936 and started playing the Blues in 1957. Earl’s first Band Banks & the Blue Dots included James Edward Thomas (bass guitar), world famous song writer “Teenie” Hodges (guitar), Willie Moody (drums), and Leroy Hodges Sr. (piano). Earl’s dedication to the Blues kept going and next was the Blues Busters […]
