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SLIDE SHOW: Memphis Music Motifs

Soulsville Charter School student and Stax Academy member Tangela Mathis, 14, holds her guitar with fingernail paint chipped off her thumb from playing without a pick.

Photo by Mike Brown, buyitnow

Soulsville Charter School student and Stax Academy member Tangela Mathis, 14, holds her guitar with fingernail paint chipped off her thumb from playing without a pick.

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  • Andre Stockard gets the crowd at B.B. King's Blues Club riled up from behind his B-3 organ on a Saturday night. According to the the Beale Street Merchants Association clubs on Beale employ roughly 200 musicians on a regular basis with hundreds more that come for singular performances.
  • Saxophone player Lannie McMillan sparks up a cigarette during recording session at Royal Studios for local band Deering and Down. The storied studio, started by famed producer Willie Mitchell, stays booked months in advance with Willie Mitchell's son Lawrence 'Boo' Mitchell behind the board. It's not uncommon in Memphis that children of music legends from the past are carrying the torch into the future.
  • Lawrence 'Boo' Mitchell works the board while recording Deering & Down in Royal Studios.
  • Jonathan Kirkscey, 34 (CQ), has spent the last 11 years performing in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra but his versatility keeps him busy on all musical fronts. He is a member of the band Mouserocket, recently completed a film score for John Michael McCarthy and often performs with Harlan T. Bobo, Rob Junklas and Snowglobe, all this in addition to teaching cello at the Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
  • Jonathan Kirkscey, 34 (CQ), has spent the last 11 years performing in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra but his versatility keeps him busy on all musical fronts. He is a member of the band Mouserocket, recently completed a film score for John Michael McCarthy and often performs with Harlan T. Bobo, Rob Junklas and Snowglobe, all this in addition to teaching cello at the Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
  • At times you can feel the floor shaking beneath your feet when the Greater Community Temple Choir performs during a Sunday service in East Memphis, where member Shawana Brasswell (right) feels the spirit during worship. The influence of gospel music permeates all genres of music in Memphis.
  • Deacon Willie Harris hikes up his pant legs while singing during Sunday service at Greater Community Temple.
  • Elder Billy Pippins feels the spirit and drops to his knees while the band plays during Sunday service at Greater Community Temple.
  • While the underground hip-hop culture in Memphis continues to thrive it's still a struggle to break out for independent artists like Yung Kee, who has found regional success. Kee, whose father is a trombonist for Al Green and Isaac Hayes, is a tireless self-promoter and entrepreneur working to make his dream of national success come true like a handful of other local acts including the 2006 Academy Award winning Three 6 Mafia.
  • While the underground hip-hop culture in Memphis continues to thrive it's still a struggle to break out for independent artists like Yung Kee, who has found regional success. Kee, whose father is a trombonist for Al Green and Isaac Hayes, is a tireless self-promoter and entrepreneur working to make his dream of national success come true like a handful of other local acts including the 2006 Academy Award winning Three 6 Mafia.
  • Jay Lindsey, 29, better known by the stage name Jay Reatard, started playing Memphis clubs in punk bands when he was only 15 years old. Since then he has released more than 70 records, some of which routinely fetch hundreds of dollars from collectors on eBay. Lindsey's ability to get industry executives play into his hand is as impressive as his musical output. He recently signed a lucrative multi-album contract with Matador Records after being courted by Universal, Columbia and Fat Possum.
  • Jay Reatard's couch is covered with instruments during band practice at his Midtown home.
  • Soulsville Charter School student and Stax Academy member Tangela Mathis, 14, holds her guitar with fingernail paint chipped off her thumb from playing without a pick.
  • Soulsville Charter School student and Stax Academy member Tangela Mathis, 14, practices guitar during class. The school has graduated a number of students that continue in the music industry, some have even finished with record contracts. 'If I could be famous tomorrow I would, but I also value a good education.' Mathis said.
  • Lahna Deering lays some vocal tracks down while working at Royal Studios.
  • DJ Big Perm spins some music at the Executive Inn on Airways.

A cross section of Memphis music today

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