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Can't believe it's been over three months since my last blog attempt.  It's been very busy and I've been scatter-brained working on a quasi-festival that commenced last weekend.   For the first time around it was fine.  South Main garnered quite a bit of press including multiple newspaper articles, TV segments and a concerted marketing effort from Downtown Memphis Commission and others.  Thank you for you support!

Coming up for air can be fleeting but it's time to prepare for Shannon McNally who plays here tomorrow night (June 20) at 7PM.  for more info on this amazing American Artist go to shannonmcnally.com.  You can purchase tickets by going to “shows” on this site.  There we are, getting sidetracked in the name of promotion, but that is truly my passion.  Whether it's for one of the 32 shows we have booked at various places in June or with our Music Menu promoting others, that's the sweet spot for me.  Almost daily I feel the need to reinvent myself when the future lies in what we've already done and continue to do.  

It won't hurt to slow it down a little bit and South Main Sounds often feels like an unnecessary expense. That is until you have a spirited discussion with visitors about The Arcade(Breakfast), Blues City Cafe(Ribs), The Peabody Ducks, STAX and even the Cattle Drive and Hotel Drover in Ft. Worth.  It's not much past 11AM and I've already shed tears talking to the Aunt of a St. Jude Patient who's prognosis doesn't appear to be good.  I found an extra Pocket Jesus that I donated to the cause and have hopes that the Young Lady in question pulls thru.  Though unnamed to me, she was described as a “spicy one” which had the two young kids in tow repeating that description over and over on their way out.

I've not decided on what the future holds but for now, we'll stay the course and do what we do best…promote things, consistently without being obnoxious.  If it ever becomes too much, I won't take offense to someone pointing that out.  I may not change anything, but at least I'll know.  That's it for now, I've gotta go get an enchirito at Taco Bell and Beer for our show tomorrow.

3 Chords and The Truth,

-MP

My upfront apologies for a rare time to boast over here in Memphis.  Aside from delayed and lackluster road response, we fared pretty well from the latest storm of the century.  In the wake of said storm, we put on a show last night that was magical from the start. I was reminded that the singer/songwriter world that is often taken for granted, is in fact the root of all music.  

Raised on the greats in and around the Motor City, music was a fabric of my upbringing and my exposure to radio stations at a young age made me appreciate it more than I imagined.  My father would often bring me along when he cut commercials and some of our closest family friends were in the media.  Again, this is an overview as I back into where we are now.

When we fast-forward to 2010-11, I found myself working at an iconic TV Station in Nashville that had lost it's identity in the community but for one night, everything changed.  Nashville flooded while my daughter and I were at a Jimmy Buffett Concert at Bridgestone Arena. In the aftermath, Vince Gill held a telethon that raised over a million dollars and everyone was there.  From Allison Krauss relieving me of phone duty to introducing Keith Urban to Larry Gatlin, I realized anything was possible.  My time in Nashville was brief, but many friendships were made that I cherish to this day.  My chance meeting with The Godfather of Americana, Billy Block was one such friendship that changed my life. In a 4-5 year span I would regularly attend his shows back in Nashville and we collaborated on a talent show for seniors that I'd like to revive one day.

In early 2015 I texted Billy, who was in hospice care at the time at the end of his cancer battle: “I may be crazy but am about to sign a lease on a space to do songwriter nights here in Memphis.”  His response read “Go for it, you'll be a tremendous succcess.”  The man who gave so many future stars a chance passed away a week or so later. Again, getting to my point.

Last night, in temperatures similar to those exactly 11 years to the day when we started South Main Sounds, the spirit of all those that came before us was revived.  Three separate acts graced our stage and the room filled up with folks that found hope in a former art gallery on Main Street.  This is why we do it.  This is why they do it.  It's a pouring out of your soul and an affirmation that your efforts, money and heartache are worth it all.  

Finally, after approximately 400 shows, South Main Sounds has stepped away from being an unheralded underdog and can claim it's place among the elite songwriter venues.  Thanks to the musicians that create the magic and the fans that fuel it, we are proud to have survived and perhaps thrived.  In my experience, The Bluebird, The Listening Room and The Commodore Grille are the havens in Nashville and I'd add Saxon Pub in Austin to the list as well.  But remember, South Main Sounds is not a singular place.  We represent and promote all of Memphis Music and honestly it reaches much further than that.  We are a product of everyone and every place that starts with an idea and watches it grow into something that matters.

See you next weekend for two big shows and we can't wait!

Much like events of nearly six years ago, the long snow break doesn't necessarily foster creativity.  Bare with me while I drum some up from the last few days.  First of all, our amazing South Main Community has been a joy to hang out with during Snowmagedden ‘26.  Max's, Birdies and Green Beetle have been wall-to wall with regulars and new faces as well.  What's great is how folks take over the Juke box at a place like Max's and create an adjunct playlist of just about all genres.  

It's interesting how things work sometimes.  People who frequent the same places and of various ages, enjoying a deep-dive into Little Feat or any number of acts from Rock to Folk-Country and beyond.  We've got a good one next Friday at South Main Sounds if the weather does us any favors.  We also have an open mic on Wednesday at Everygreen Grill here in Memphis.  We'll be doing these the second and last Wednesdays each month and hope to see locals and travelling musicians alike.  Bring your instrument and your best original song.  Presented by the Memphis Songwriters Association.  

In the meantime, I've got some catfish to broil and some gumbo to heat up from our neighbors at Juiced What You Needed on South Main.  Vote for them in the https://www.ediblememphis.com contest.  

We'll see