Memphis, Man: A Drummer's Dizzying Dive
okay, so. memphis. i just got back and i’m still kinda vibrating, you know? like, the whole city feels like a low hum you can’t quite shake. i was there for a touring gig - a weird little blues festival down by the *Mississippi River - and honestly, it was… a lot. not in a bad way, mostly. just… a lot.
i just checked and it's drizzling, a sort of persistent, grey dampness that clings to everything. not exactly sunshine and rainbows, but it kinda suits the vibe, y'know? it’s like the city’s perpetually sighing.
and the music. oh god, the music. it’s everywhere. spilling out of bars, echoing from doorways, practically vibrating from the pavement. i spent a solid three hours just wandering around Beale Street, soaking it in. someone told me that if you don’t hear B.B. King at least once, you haven’t really done Memphis. i think i heard him three times, in different bars, all played by different guys claiming to be his nephew.
“Don’t trust anyone who says they’re B.B. King’s nephew. They’re probably just trying to sell you a t-shirt.” - Drunk guy at Rum Boogie Cafe.
food-wise, it’s all about the barbecue, obviously. i hit up Payne’s BBQ - seriously, go there. get the ribs. thank me later. https://www.paynesbbq.com/ - and then promptly regretted eating so much. i also stumbled across this amazing little soul food place called Four Roses Kitchen. https://www.yelp.com/biz/four-roses-kitchen-memphis The mac and cheese… chef’s kiss.
my room was in Midtown, which was… interesting. if you get bored, Nashville and Little Rock are just a short drive away. the neighbors were mostly college students and artists, which meant a lot of late-night noise and questionable smells. i overheard a couple arguing about whether Banksy was “really art” at 3 AM. classic.
“The pigeons here are smarter than most people I know.” - Elderly woman feeding pigeons in City Park.
gear-wise, i brought my usual touring kit:
Snare drum (14x5, gotta have it)
Kick drum (22x18, for that low end)
Toms (10, 12, 16)
Cymbals (crash, ride, hi-hats - the essentials)
Earplugs (seriously, protect your ears)
A really good noise-canceling headset (for when you need a break from the noise)
A portable espresso maker (because touring life is rough)
pro-tip: bring cash. a lot of cash. a lot of places don’t take cards, especially the smaller blues joints. and tip your musicians! they’re working hard to keep the music alive.
I heard that Graceland is a must-see, but honestly, i’m not a huge Elvis fan. i spent most of my free time just wandering around, getting lost, and soaking up the atmosphere. it’s a city with a lot of stories to tell, and i feel like i only scratched the surface. i’m already thinking about going back. maybe next time i’ll check out some of the street art scene. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60823-Activities-Memphis_Tennessee.html
“Watch out for the stray cats. They’re ruthless.” - Barista at a local coffee shop.
and seriously, check out the National Civil Rights Museum. https://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/ it’s… powerful. it’ll stay with you.
okay, i’m gonna go lie down now. memphis is exhausting, but in the best possible way.
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