Category Archives: Memphis

Aug9

After 3 months, I’m finally home

Posted on by
After 3 months, I’m finally home

My U2 360 tour ended 2 weeks ago, but I just got home yesterday. I was hiding out at my parents’ house in Maryland avoiding reality. I drove exactly 18,073 miles through 31 states since I left Memphis May 14th. I saw 16 wonderful U2 shows, saw lots of great American sights and met lots of great people.

To help me get over my post-tour blues, I bought tickets for some Fall events: the play Memphis and the Denver Broncos – Tennessee Titans football game in Nashville – yay a road trip! Also something to look forward to is Rock for Love 5, the Memphis Music and Heritage Festival and the Cooper Young Festival. But more than anything, I am looking forward to Elvis Week this week, which I will report on all the events here.

After Elvis Week, I will begin writing my book about my magnificent musical journey this summer on the U2 360 Tour. You can check my other blog OntheRoadwithU2.com for updates.

May3

Beale Street Music Festival 2011

Posted on by
Beale Street Music Festival 2011

Tasha flew in early Friday morning for our annual weekend at the Beale Street Music Festival. We have gone every year since 2003, except for last year’s tornado incident where we spent a lot of time in the closet. I picked Tasha up at the airport Friday, and we were at Harrah’s Casino in Tunica by 9am. We played the slots until Paula Deen’s buffet started serving lunch, which was our real reason for beging there. We gorged ourselves on all of Paula’s magnificent creations - macaroni and cheese, sweet tea, biscuits, green beans, mashed potatoes. So fantastic! We came back to my house and relaxed for a few hours before heading downtown for MusicFest.

We had dinner at Majestic Grille on Main Street and then strolled in and out of the art galleries on South Main for Trolley Night. We didn’t buy anything, but had a nice walk to work off all the food we had eaten that day. We got into the Beale Street Music Festival around 7pm. I went straight to the hat tent because I wanted to get a new cowboy hat. The prices were much lower than when I bought one a few years ago, so I bought another one. I may be wearing it a lot this summer while I’m On the Road with U2.

Tasha wanted to see both Everclear and Cake, but they were playing at the same time. I didn’t like either, so I didn’t care who we saw. She decided to see Everclear, and I was so glad. They were good. I had issues with them because I had met the lead singer years ago in a bar in Baltimore I used to hang out in and he wasn’t the coolest guy. But I did enjoy Everclear’s set, although they played the songs a bit slower and his voice was a little lower than I remember.

Everclear 4.29.11 BSMF Memphis

Please watch my video of Everclear’s performance of Santa Monica http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEAsuwcn2XQ

After Everclear, we were walking toward the stage of the next band we wanted to see when we heard Cake’s last two songs – which were also their most famous. So Tasha got to hear both bands. I am really glad we were at Everclear’s set because I actually enjoyed it, and I was right about Cake – I don’t like them.

We both really wanted to see Flaming Lips because everyone had said they are a great live band. There was a huge crowd waiting and the anticipation sure did not match the performance. They are visually pleasing, but not musically. Not my thing – maybe because I wasn’t high. The lead singer got in a bubble and rolled on top of the audience and then balloons and confetti were launched into the crowd. Visually exciting, but not musically. We left after the first song.

Flaming Lips 4.29.11 BSMF Memphis

Please watch my video of the Flaming Lips opening performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiPS2QXOz7E

Tasha loves Stevie Ray Vaughan, so she wanted to see his brother Jimmy Vaughan play. Off to the Blues Tent we went – couldn’t get away from Flaming Lips fast enough. Jimmy Vaughan was great. He was more than just blues – he was sort of rockabilly as well. And I love rockabilly! They even had a sax in the band. More bands should really play the saxaphone. I love the sax! We were really tired as it was closing in on midnight, so we only stayed for a few songs.

Jimmy Vaughan 4.29.11 BSMF

Please watch my video of Jimmy Vaughan’s performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odAvemzwG7o

On our way out of the festival we heard a couple songs by Stone Temple Pilots. I originally wanted to hear their entire set, but was just too tired. So we just listened as we walked by. I did get to hear two of my favorites by them though.

Saturday Tasha and I decided to go downtown early and have breakfast at the Arcade diner. When we got there, they were lined up around the corner. So we decided to go to Beale Street to see what was open. It was around 10:30am. We parked on the street for free and went to Lil’ Anthony’s because I had heard they had good breakfasts. They don’t. I don’t know if they were just having a bad day, but it was terrible – the service and the food. We ordered sweet tea, and got regular tea. Our waitress apologized and said she would get us sweet tea. She then told us they had to make it, and then told us they had to find the sugar – we never got our sweet tea. Our order came out and mine was wrong and Tasha only got half of her’s. We didn’t have silverware, but we did get that. Tasha ate the food she was brought, and I still didn’t have mine. I cancelled my order and the rest of Tasha’s, and we left. We walked down Beale to Alfred’s, and by this time is was about 11:45, so we had lunch. I love Alfred’s - best food on Beale! Don’t ever go to Lil’ Anthony’s, go to Alfred’s!

After walking around Beale Street for a bit, we went to MusicFest around 2pm. Tasha’s main purpose of Saturday was to see one of her favorite bands Mumford and Sons. Luckily everyone I wanted to see Saturday were on the same stage as Mumford and Sons, so we secured our spot at the front rail and camped out at the Budweiser Stage all day.  Amy Lavere was up first. I had seen her once before and she was great. She was great Saturday also. Tasha really liked her too – and even bought her cds the next day. Amy has a very unique, passionate voice and plays the stand up bass – and she lives in Memphis!

Amy Lavere 4.30.11 BSMF Memphis

Please watch my video of Amy Lavere’s performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZhvrZzkGtI

We had not heard of Paul Thorn, but he was up next. His drummer looked like he was right out of the 50s with his sideburns, rolled up sleeves, and Elvis tee shirt – he is even from Tupelo. I also found Paul Thorn very attractive with kind of a raspy country Ryan Bingham sort of voice. I may get his cd.

Paul Thorn 4.30.11 BSMF Memphis

Please watch my video of Paul Thorn’s performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEcPBiQJLac

The Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis, was next. This was the 8th time we have seen Jerry Lee Lewis, and the 8th time we’ve seen Elvis’ friend George Klein introduce him. Jerry Lee performs every year at the Beale Street Music Festival, and he never disappoints. He is 75 years old and as ornery as ever. And he can still play that piano! He is one of my favorite artists. He is the last of the original rock and rollers, the last of the Sun Studio stars, the last man standing.

Jerry Lee Lewis 4.30.11 BSMF Memphis

 

the Killer

Please watch my video of Jerry Lee Lewis’ performance of Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWa3JP65y88

Although Tasha was really excited to see Mumford and Sons, I was not. I had seen them on the Grammy’s, and they just aren’t for me. But I stayed there, even though the crowd was jumping and freaking out. I liked every song that the banjo was not played. I’m still not a fan and wouldn’t buy their cd, but they are very talented and passionate – it’s just not my thing. Tasha loved them and was even more excited when she saw Jake Gyllenhall watching from the side.

Mumford and Sons 4.30.11 BSMF Memphis

Please watch my video of Mumford and Sons’ performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY9S8GnDZO0

After Mumford and Sons, we were exhausted so we left the festival and went to Central BBQ for dinner. It was fantastic! We sat out on the deck. It was Tasha’s first time there, and she thought it was the best bbq she’s had in Memphis. I love their BBQ portabella sandwich! After we went to the new YoLo’s for dessert. I had their amazing death by chocolate cupcake with icing like parfait.

Sunday we decided not to go to the Beale Street Music Festival because it was pouring rain. We went to the Cupboard for lunch. We have been going there for years. We stumbled upon it back in 2002 when we visited Memphis. I love their eggplant casserole, and Tasha loves their catfish. We then went to Sun Studio. We didn’t take the tour, as we could give the tour by now. We just sat in a booth and hung out for a bit, soaking in all the music history.

Sun Studio

After Sun, we went to see Water for Elephants. Tasha had read the book and really wanted to see it. Although I liked that it was set in the 1930s and starred Reese Witherspoon, I was little scared to see it because of the animal abuse. And I was right. I cried through a few scenes. It was an ok movie, a little slow for me, but Tasha liked it. After the movie, we walked out to discover a tornado was heading for midtown. We stayed in the lobby and watched the news for a bit and then decided it was safe enough to go home. By this time, I had developed a terrible migraine and took a little nap on the couch. After a couple of hours, we went to Bosco’s for dinner. Yummy humus andveggie burger for me! Tasha wanted gellato, so we went back to YoLo’s. Although my migraine had subsided, I wasn’t totally 100% so we just went back to my house and watched Up, which was really good.

Monday morning we woke up to no power – again! It had gone off during the night for a few hours, came back on and then went back off again. It came on just after 9am and luckily stayed on. We drove out east in the pouring rain to Blue Plate for breakfast – our favorite breakfast spot. They have the best biscuits! We then went to Flashback, which is a cool store on Central that has 1950s and 1960s clothes, furniture, decor, etc. I love it there! I bought a silver Johnny Cash cigarette case, even though I don’t smoke. I may use it as a wallet. Tasha bought a cool silver, peace sign painted belt buckle and belt. We went back to my house for a bit before I took Tasha to the airport for her flight back to Pittsburgh. I spent the rest of the cold rainy day on the couch catching up on my dvr and eating our leftovers from the weekend.

My 9th Beale Street Music Festival weekend was a success! Please watch my video overview of MusicFest 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZK2PBUUINU

Apr21

No Power and No U2

Posted on by
No Power and No U2
Yesterday I had my first non U2 day all year. Since the beginning of this year, all of my updates have been about U2 and all of my blog posts have been about U2 at On the Road with U2. But not yesterday. Yesterday I listened to Elvis all day and didn’t post one thing on Twitter or Facebook about U2. Yesterday I didn’t have power. A bad thunderstorm (and luckily not a tornado) knocked out the power at my house just before 11pm Tuesday night and didn’t come back on until about 5pm Wednesday.

I couldn’t stand being home all day without power. It was too quiet and it was damp and rainy outside, so I couldn’t really go outside to enjoy the day. So I decided to get my oil changed, since my car needs a check up before the big U2 road trip this summer. I called to make an appointment, but they were busy until 2pm and told me to just come in then. It was 10:30am, so I had four hours to kill. I took  a shower by candlelight and then headed off to Graceland, since I have an annual pass that expires in July.

Graceland was fantastic! I hadn’t been since January for Elvis’ birthday celebration. It wasn’t crowded, and I got to spent a lot of time in my favorite part of the mansion – the foyer/living room area. I also got to see the new exhibit that opened up in March in Sincerely Elvis. It was the Newseum that was in DC for the past year or so. It was the best exhibit they have ever had in Sincerely Elvis. I had lunch at the Silver Chrome Diner – mashed potatoes, green beans, corn bread, and sweet tea.

It was just about 1:30, so I headed over to the Saturn dealership – or what I thought was the Saturn dealership. As I was driving down Covington Pike, I saw the building that I used to take my Saturn too was now a Saab dealership. I knew Saturn had went out of business, but I had been there since then. Anyway, the Chevy dealership is now handling the Saturns. So I got there just before 2 and there were no other cars there. I had my coupon for free maintenance for a year, but I hadn’t printed it out. I thought showing them on my phone would suffice – I was wrong. And I couldn’t print it out on their computer. So I left and will make an appointment next week.

I arrived home around 3 and there was still no power. I was so frustrated and tired and didn’t really feel like going out but didn’t want to stay home either. So I decided to go to the movies. I had no idea what was playing, but The Conspirator at Studio on the Square looked very interesting. It was lovely because there were only about 4 other people there, including Congressman Steve Cohen – I’m pretty sure that was him sitting in front of me. I was so engrossed in the movie that I let out a little yell at a dramatic scene at the end. It was a fantastic historical drama about the people that ‘conspired’ to assassinate President Lincoln. It was directed by Robert Redford and starring Robin Wright, James McAvoy, Evan Rachel Wood, and Kevin Kline.

When I got home from the movie, my power was on and I was the happiest girl in the world! I ran around turning on all my lights. It was so fabulous! I immediately fixed dinner and charged my phone because it was storming again. But so far so good, I’ve had power for 24 hours straight. Let’s see what happens next week during the storms of the Beale Street Music Festival.

Apr16

It’s All About U2011

Posted on by
It’s All About U2011

I haven’t written much in my DeenasDays blog this year because this is the year of U2011, so I have been writing in my On the Road with U2 blog. I will probably blog about the Memphis Grizzlies playoff games and definitely about the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival in 2 weeks, but that is probably it until August.

The U2 360 Us tour starts in just over a month, and I leave one month from today for my summer-long road trip across America to attend all 16 shows. I have been blogging and posting constantly about U2 the past 4 months because I am trying to reach as many U2 fans as possible, so they will follow my blog and my articles on U2TourFans during the tour and hopefully buy my book after the tour. I have been writing a book about my travels on U2 tours I have been on from ZooTv to 360 and will continue with this summer’s road trip across America on U2 360. I will also be filming my entire trip with hopes of making a documentary.

When I return to Memphis in August, I will get back to blogging here on DeenasDays about Lollapalooza, Elvis Week, and all things Memphis. So please excuse me for a few months while I’m On the Road with U2.

Apr7

Memphis Redbirds Opening Day 4.7.11

Posted on by
Memphis Redbirds Opening Day 4.7.11

For the 3rd year in a row (and I’ve only lived here 3 years), I have attended Opening Day for the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple A affiliate for the St. Louis Cardinals. For 3 years I have sat in the front row behind homeplate. And for 3 years the stadium has not been close to being full – even though it was 70s degrees, Opening Day and the Redbirds are defending Conference Champions for the past two years. I expect Opening Day to be what I’m used to with the Baltimore Orioles – hard to get a ticket, crowded streets, sold out crowds, people take off work and arrive hours before the first pitch. It’s not like that here in Memphis for the Redbirds.

Autozone Park

I arrived at Autozone Park about a half hour before the start of the game, and it was empty. By the time the game started, the stadium was about half full. And by the second inning, it was about 3/4 full, which I guess isn’t so bad. Just not what I expect for Opening Day. And I have to say that starting a game at 7pm and calling it Opening Day is just wrong – it’s Opening Night. Regardless, it was a perfect night for baseball. It was 70 degrees and just beautiful out! So great to be outside watching baseball. There is really nothing like that feeling of being outside on a beautiful spring night watching baseball.

First Pitch

The Redbirds have a B. Anderson who is left handed, but he is no Brady Anderson. He is Bryan Anderson, a catcher – and looks nothing like my Brady. The Redbirds also have a Robinson, who is number 5, but is no Brooks – he is Shane Robinson, an outfielder. It was a slow game – took 2 hours to play 5 innings. The game ended just before 11pm (4 hours!). Unfortunately, the Redbirds lost to the Redhawks of Oklahoma City 8-7.

My Opening Day ticket and program

Please watch the short video of my night at Opening Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fayFoYA4YPI

Mar19

My St Patrick’s Day at Murphy’s in Memphis with EweToo 3.17.11

Posted on by
My St Patrick’s Day at Murphy’s in Memphis with EweToo 3.17.11

I already wrote about my St. Patrick’s Day on my other blog http://ontheroadwithu2.com/ because it had to do with U2, but I thought I would post it here as well since it has to do with Memphis too. I had read there was going to be an all-girl U2 cover band, called EweToo, playing at Murphy’s in Memphis for St. Patrick’s Day so of course I had to check them out. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything about the band online and the bar’s website was no help either. I called Murphy’s to confirm that a U2 cover band was playing.

So shortly after 3pm, I put on my U2 360 I’ll Go Crazy tee and drove a mile down the road to Murphy’s bar. The bartenders did not know what time EweToo were playing, so I got a Guinness and found a seat on the deck in the shade and waited. I met a lot of great people, long time Memphians who all knew each other for years. Although I did get propositioned by a fortune teller to give her a ride to the pawn shop since she had made enough money that day to claim her item – I declined. But the other folks I met like Susan and Alan and Paul made up for it, and there were also a few dogs celebrating. I may have to bring Elvis and Cilla to Murphy’s next year.

Murphy’s in Memphis for St. Patrick’s Day
the view from my spot at Murphy’s

Around 6pm or a little after, and 3 Guinness later, EweToo finally took the stage. They weren’t an all girl band – there was a male guitarist, but I think he was just helping them out. And they weren’t really a U2 cover band. They used to be a band, but the lead singer moved away. They learned U2 songs to play specifically for St. Patrick’s Day. They were ok, but it was great fun to hear U2 live - in any form. They played Two Hearts, Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year’s Day, Still Haven’t Found, I Will Follow, With or Without You, Pride and Desire. There were maybe 2 other U2 fans in the crowd, but mostly everyone was just singing the chorus and having fun.

EweToo, girl U2 cover band

Please watch the video of my St. Patrick’s Day, including EweToo’s performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu-VW5fUgVg  After listening to the video I took of EweToo, they sounded better when I was screaming the words along with them.

I had a great time at Murphy’s in Memphis for St. Patrick’s Day and will definitely return next year. In fact, I think I’ll check out their music schedule to see who is playing because it is such a great laid back non-college kind of hang out and only a mile from house. I had a great time!

my St Pats swag

Feb22

Tennessee Williams in Memphis

Posted on by
Tennessee Williams in Memphis

I’ve started reading Tennessee Williams’ Memoirs, which he wrote in the 1975. So far, it’s fantastic – although I’ve just ended his college years. So I’m sure it will get even better. But I didn’t realize that he had lived in Memphis. I knew he spent his boyhood years in Clarksdale, MS because they have a Tennessee Williams festival every fall.

Tennessee Williams spent the summer of 1934 at his grandparents’ house in Memphis recovering from an illness when he was in college. His grandparents, the Dakins, lived at 1917 Snowden Avenue, across from Southwestern University, which is now Rhodes College. This house is about a mile from my house, so I took a drive over there today to see it. At least I think I saw it. There is house between 1923 Snowden and 1913 Snowden and across the street from 1916 Snowden, so I took a picture just in case that was it.

Tennessee Williams' grandparents' house?

While Tennessee Williams was in Memphis he had dinner at the Peabody Hotel restaurant, but spent most of his time in the library at Southwestern University, now Rhodes College, right down the street from his grandparents’ house. It was here where he wrote his first play Cairo, Shanghai, Bombay!, which was produced and performed by The Rose Arbor Players at 1780 Glenview in Memphis. There is a historical marker on University and Snowden, but it says that Tennessee Williams was in Memphis and wrote his play here in 1935. But in his memoirs, Tennessee Williams wrote, that he was in Memphis in 1934 – and he writes it several times, so it is not a typo.

Tennessee Williams Memphis historical marker

Feb21

I haven’t forgotten

Posted on by
I haven’t forgotten

Not sure who is actually reading this blog, but just in case there are readers out there I want you to know that I haven’t dropped off the face of the earth. I haven’t been writing on this blog regularly because I have been concentrating on my other my blog at http://ontheroadwithu2.com. I have been spending my free time at home reading on my front porch, writing my u2 tours memoir and watching movies and tv – and recently walking along the Mississippi River with Elvis and Cilla. But I do have some non-U2 events coming up that I will be covering here. That’s it. I just wanted to check in.

a beautiful Memphis morning along the Mississippi

a beautiful sunset from my porch

Jan31

Courtside at Grizzlies-Wizards 1.29.11

Posted on by
Courtside at Grizzlies-Wizards 1.29.11

Saturday afternoon I wasn’t feeling that great from a bad headache. The headache was gone, but I was feeling the after affects – tired and my eyes were a bit numb. I was thinking that maybe I would not go to the Grizzlies – Wizards game, even though the Washington Wizards are sort of my home team. But I got an email at 4:30 from my Grizzlies account exec Marie Bugnitz saying she was going to leave a ticket for me at Will Call. I had previously asked her if there were any upgrades available. So I decided to suck it up and go because I can’t pass up on an upgraded ticket.

I pick up my ticket and it says $387. My entire season tickets cost $400. The ticket is in section 1, but there is no section 1. So I ask this man who works at FedEx Forum where section 1 is and show him my ticket. He looks at it for a second and then looks at me and says, ‘This is a $387. ticket! You’re on the floor.’ So I excitedly head dow the long stairway to the floor. I get to my seat and I am dead center court. I am courtside!

Grizzlies - Wizards 1.29.11

view from my courtside seat

It was a great game! I could hear the plays and see every expression on their faces. I think Tony Allen is my new favorite player. The Grizzlies defeated the Wizards 107-93. I don’t know how I’ll ever go back to my regular seat up top in good old section 203. Thanks Marie!

Go Z-Bo!

Go Grizz!

Please watch the video of my night with the Grizzlies courtside! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ye4h44k2UE

Jan17

MLK Day with the Memphis Grizzlies 1.17.11

Posted on by
MLK Day with the Memphis Grizzlies 1.17.11

Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day. A day celebrating Dr. King’s birthday and his legacy. Wearing my U2 Pride MLK shirt, I spent MLK Day with the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum. The Memphis Grizzlies were the first NBA team to have a MLK game, now everyone does.

MLK Day

I went to the Martin Luther King Jr Day Sports Legacy Award Symposium honoring NBA greats Willis Reed and Lenny Wilkens and MLB legend Willie Mays. It was supposed to start at 10am, but it’s Memphis so it didn’t start until about 10:20. It wasn’t as crowded as last year’s symposium – maybe because it was at 10am in the morning. Willie Mays was such a character, very funny. While telling his stories he said, “laughter is therapy.”

MLK Sports Legacy Symposium

After the symposium was the nationally televised on ESPN Grizzlies-Bulls game at noon. But before tipoff, Willis Reed, Lenny Wilkens and Willie Mays actually got their MLK Sports Legacy Awards from the National Civil Rights Museum. FedEx Forum was probably about 3/4 full, but it was a quiet crowd – and an ugly game. Grizzlies lost to the Bulls 84-96. But the halftime show was great – the fantastic Mavis Staples performed!

Pride, in the name of love

Please watch my video of MLK Day with the Memphis Grizzlies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbdqZ759NqY