Road trip, Spring Break in Memphis

Day 2 in Memphis

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Tuesday, March 26 2024

We continued our relaxed exploration of Memphis today. We do not rush to get out in the morning and our first stop is usually Starbucks for a coffee and pastry. After that we decided we would like a ride on the Main Street Trolley to visit the National Civil Rights Museum.

Unfortunately we had done this on a whim and it is closed on Tuesdays so we will return another day. However, we were near the Blues Hall of Fame and decided to visit there instead.

Many of the Hall of Fame inductees were well known to us and there was plenty of memorabilia on display as well as a giant video jukebox where you could select and listen to almost any of their songs. There was also a library of books about the Blues that could have kept someone busy for weeks.

The exhibits included plenty of personal artifacts and interesting stories. The blue jacket above was worn by Muddy Waters.
I had to include this as the song Walking in Memphis includes a reference to WC Handy and I learned who he was while I was here.

We then walked back to Beale Street for lunch and to find out when the music was starting at the place we were planning to eat dinner.

The evening visit was an interesting saga that confused us. We had chosen a club that had been recommended to us and arrived shortly before the music began. We sat at a table with a good view of the band and waited, and waited, and waited. The music began on schedule but there was no service and, when we asked for menus and to order drinks all we got from the wait staff was complaints about how they were too busy. This was the first time we had encountered anyone in Memphis who was not friendly and helpful. After several attempts to get anyone to take an order we had been sitting there for over 30 minutes and left.

We went back to the place we had eaten lunch on Monday and, although the music was in full swing and the waiter took our drinks order quickly, no drinks arrived. When we went to find out what was happening we found there was just one waiter for the whole place. Another drink-free half hour passed before we moved on again. We were very surprised that the clubs stay in business as they, obviously, cannot make any money when they don’t serve drinks and food.

Third time lucky. Good music with service, so we finally got a drink and some food. I guess the silver lining was that we got to hear three bands.

9 thoughts on “Day 2 in Memphis”

  1. Hi Steve,
    I’ve been reading your daily posts but haven’t responded yet!
    Sounds like a strange way to do business! It being a busy time.

    Glad you’re enjoying your travels and hope you have better luck this evening!

    Enjoy the rest of your trip,

    Cathy

      1. Definitely! Maybe a ball game as I haven’t done one in a couple of years!
        Enjoy the rest of the trip

  2. Shame about the catering.. but a great music day.. you would have lost me in the House of Blues!

  3. Love the tips bin on the stage – had the same experience in a village hall on the Isle of Skye last year.

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