News & Updates — Memphis

He produced Al Green and was an owner, engineer and staff producer for the Memphis-based soul label Hi Records. He also produced albums for Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, O.V. Wright, Otis Clay and others. Papa Willie Mitchell was a major part of the Southern soul scene and his Hi Records company was one of the most successful independent labels in the world. A Memphis native, Mitchell started playing trumpet at 8 and was writing and arranging music soon after. His early groups included musicians such as Booker Little, Phineas Newborn Jr, Charles Lloyd and George Coleman. He gigged with Elvis...

One of the infamous Beale Streeters of Memphis (along with BB King, Johnny Ace, Junior Parker and others), Bobby "Blue" Bland was an incredible singer dubbed "The Sinatra of the Blues". As he never went to school and never learned how to read, his illiteracy found him signing contracts at cut-rate royalty deals early in his career. Nevertheless he found great chart success in the late 50s/early 60s with "Farther Up The Road", "I Pity The Fool", "Cry Cry Cry" and "Turn On Your Lovelight". He had a nice comeback during the 70s with His California Album and Dreamer. Despite...