Happy 75th Birthday Elvis!

I'm a big fan of LA Times writer Ann Powers AND Elvis Presley so it's no surprise I'm enthralled with her grudge match blogs pitting some of The Kings greatest hits against others in honor of what would be his 75th birthday January 8th. Follow the story here.

Here's my favorite.

Blues Traveling

So it was off to Memphis and Mississippi last week for some bbq, some blues and some friends. I had a great time and saw a whole lot in a short period of time. Even got patches of sun while I was down there! Here are a few highlights:

This is Elmore James' grave, in Ebenezer, MS. He first learned how to amplify his guitar in nearby Canton, MS and went on to make some of the best slide guitar recordings I've ever heard. It doesn't get better than "Wild About You, Woman" and "Dust My Broom."

The best soul food in Jackson, MS, or so we were told. Some scrumptious fried chicken, yams, cornbread and turnip greens.

This is a guitar made by and belonging to Clarksdale, MS bluesman Super Chikan. I want one!

Here I am on Mississippi John Hurt's porch in Avalon, MS. "Avalon's my hometown, always on my mind. Pretty womens in Avalon want me there all the time," he sang.

Here's a blues mural, with a closeup of Eddie Cusic, who played some of the best live Delta blues I've ever heard and told us some amazing stories about the old days. Cusic taught Little Milton how to play and how to be a bluesman.
DJ "Sunshine" Sonny Payne has hosted The King Biscuit Flower Hour for over 15,000 shows from Helena, AR.

Here I am at Memphis' venerable bar/ex-brothel Ernestine & Hazel's examining a jukebox that may or may not still be functional.

Can't wait to go back!