Bob Mehr

Memphis and national music writer and critic

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Bob Mehr has been a reporter and critic covering music for The Commercial Appeal since 2006. Born in 1975, the Los Angeles native began his career in Phoenix, working as a music editor at the flagship paper of the New Times’ alternative weekly chain, before going on to serve the same role at Village Voice Media’s Seattle Weekly. After several years as an award-winning columnist and critic at the Chicago Reader, Mehr arrived in the Mid-South where he’s reported on local institutions like Stax and Elvis, and produced a series of in-depth features on more obscure and unknown chapters in local music history. Mehr’s byline has also appeared in numerous national and international music magazines including SPIN, MOJO in the U.K. and German Rolling Stone, and his essays are regularly featured as part of CD reissues for labels like Rhino Records.

Recent stories:

• The face of soul: Pictures document rhythm of the blues
  November 6, 2009
• Eclectic experiences mature, grow singer-songwriter Neko Case
  October 30, 2009
• Southern pop poppa Mitch Easter headlines Memphis Pops Festival
  October 28, 2009
• For Bettye LaVette, long-overdue change comes
  October 23, 2009
• Jemina Pearl packs punch — on solo debut, vs. show hecklers
  October 23, 2009
• Life experiences, adventures fuel the music of Michelle Shocked
  October 21, 2009
• Concert Review: Maxwell melts the crowd at FedExForum
  October 21, 2009
• Indie Memphis: Robyn Hitchcock keeps it reel on stage
  October 9, 2009
• Sun Records owner Shelby Singleton dies
  October 8, 2009
• Lucero kicks off major label tour with Levitt Shell concert
  October 2, 2009
• See full list of stories by Bob Mehr...