You ain't nothin' but a bearcat!

Memphis has the same vibe as the rest of the Delta region. An abundance of good music, food and down-to-earth folks. It's also home to a couple of noteworthy American landmarks.

Sun Studio, instrumental in the birth of rock 'n roll. Founder Sam Phillips discovered a slew of legendary artists, including Howlin' Wolf, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis (still alive and touring!), Carl Perkins and of course, Elvis Presley. We were able tour the studio, which is still in use today.

Guitars and other memorabilia in the studio

 

The Million Dollar Quartet: Jerry Lee, Carl, Elvis and Johnny

Music is still vital and alive in Memphis. You can hear blues, rock, country, and even some karaoke all over town, but especially on Beale St. On this night, we decided to go to a rooftop party atop the Peabody Hotel. The crowd was a mixed bag of ghetto fabulous ladies and gents, office workers, hipster kids, soccer moms and Stepford wives. One thing everyone had in common? A great time!

 

 

Mississippi River sunset, looking towards Arkansas



Brad Birkedahl Band played some crowd-pleasing rock 'n roll covers, and DJs Cash Cash got the kids bouncing.

 

And of course, just like their cousins in Louisiana and the Delta, they sure know how to cook (and eat) in Memphis.

BBQ pulled pork sandwich. Leonard's Pit BBQ has the ambiance of a Marie Callendar's. It wasn't the greatest BBQ I've ever had, but it also was a $14 buffet. Apparently Elvis and family loved this place.
...why should we be apart, I really love you, baby, cross my heart...

"Tiger's Blood", a pina colada-flavored ice with soft serve. Jerry's Sno Cones is a local favorite, serving ices and other snacks. Perfect for a hot day.

 

Before I die.....Best thing about Jerry's wasn't the sno cones, it was the wall in the parking lot where everyone can share their dreams (or rip on someone). Stay classy Memphis.



Fried bologna sandwich at Dyer's. Fried bologna seems like a staple menu item in the south. The super greasy double cheeseburger (eaten too fast, so not pictured) was pretty good too.

Payne's BBQ jumbo chopped pork sandwich. Payne's joint is the definition of no-frills, but the sandwich was delicious.

Gus's fried chicken. We went to the original location outside of Memphis in Mason, TN. The chicken, beans, and slaw were excellent, but the best part of the meal was the chess and pecan pies. They are generous with the butter and sugar here.

Last bits on Memphis: I didn't get to go to the National Civil Rights Museum or Graceland on this trip, because I'd been before. But both landmarks tell us a lot about who we are as Americans, and worth a visit. For me, the Civil Rights Museum was especially moving. It is built at the Lorraine motel, the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.