Memphis Gold, By The Virginiabluesman
Posted on 3/12/2010 by Virginiabluesman
I came early to the show to check out the venue (Bangkok Blues) in Falls Church Virginia, and saw Memphis mixing with the crowd as if he was a regular fan of this venue. I had no idea who he was, but it was obvious that he was a well liked "regular" of Bangkok Blues. It wasn't till a half hour or so later that I realized this was Memphis Gold. Stacy had told me that he would be joining her onstage, and I HAD googled him before the show but still failed to recognize him.
Photo by Glenn's Photography
I didn't fail to recognize his vocal/guitar skills though. It wasn't more than a few seconds into his first jam that I knew this was going to be a special evening. Joined on stage with Jay Summerour, the two musicians clicked well with Stacy's band, and played on as if they were regular members of the band. The music for the rest of the evening was pure blues... blues the way it's supposed to be played: with feeling, heart, soul and passion.
A few songs into the jam session, the band broke into a great version of The Thrill Is Gone, a blues standard. Some songs are so great, they are better left alone for the original artists to play. When the first few notes from the neck of "Louise Fanniemae Brown" hit the amps though, it was obvious that Memphis could handle a tune of this caliber. Jay Summerour played the all important harmonica parts that make The Thrill such a classic blues tune. I'm not sure I have heard a better live version of this song, and the musicianship displayed by the entire band was something special.
Photo by Glenn's Photography
I had the opportunity to interview Memphis a few days after the show. It was a short , but very informative interview which he had to cut short to practice with his band. Mr. Chandler said that he was given a Gibson Custom ES-335 which he named "Louise Fanniemae Brown." The award was presented by Bill Wax, Program Director and show host of Sirius XM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville, on behalf of Gibson. He is obviously very proud of this guitar and had it personally signed by BB King himself. He played this guitar proudly during the jam session on March 5th, 2010.
Memphis shared that he has been on major blues magazines such as Jefferson Magazine Issue #147 January 2006, the worlds oldest blues magazine; Blues and Rhythm Magazine Issue #233 October 2008; Living Blues Magazine Issue #199 February/March 2009, America's oldest Blues magazine, and will soon be on the cover Block Magazine which is published in the Netherlands. Memphis Gold is not only one of the top musicians in the Capital City, but is also a world class entertainer.
Make no mistake about it. Memphis Gold is a major force in the Blues world today. If it's authentic, fiery, blazing blues you want, Memphis is the man. He has the guitar skills that will remind you of BB King, and possesses a gritty, powerful, soulful voice that is necessary to belt out a blues song properly. Serves Me Right To Suffer, a blues standard of epic proportions, has never sounded any better than on his CD titled Prodigal Son.
Cover of Block magazine
In 2008, Memphis suffered a life threatening 35 foot fall from a tree, breaking his back in 3 places. Doctors said that there was very little chance of him ever walking again. Memphis continued plugging away, and continued to write songs for his 2009 CD release titled Gator Gon’Bitechu! He has since regained his walking abilities, and has continued to tour relentlessly across the world. Not only do you have to have respect for a man who can play the blues the way he does, but the ultimate respect a person can be given is to respect the man that he is. Memphis is both a great musician and one helluva' man.
All photos were used with the permission of the artist and photographer ...
You can get more info on Memphis Gold at http://www.memphisgoldprod.net/fr_index.cfm
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MemphisGold
Check out a video of the show at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBhn4TVGdDw
Feel free to Email me if you need more info on Memphis Gold, or if you have any questions/comments about this web site.
virginiabluesman@gmail.com
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What makes American Blues News unique is our coverage across America. Here is our lineup:
Mon: Memphis Correspondent - Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms
Nighthawk is our resident globetrotter and man behind the scenes, as he tours with the Reba Russell Band.
Tues: New York Correspondent - J. Blake
Blake is the American Blues News review and interview guru. You may catch him out and about in NY playing the blues.
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Nelson offers a Friday column of blues photography and pictorial support for the interviews covered by the team.
Jim Stick in Colorado
Jim will be focusing on the Blues Festivals in the beautiful state of Colorado, and the artists that live and visit there.
Maureen Elizabeth, our resident art correspondent, will be focusing on blues art as she explores the creation of CD covers, or speaking with artists who also have a love of creating pictorial art in addition to their music! She may also feature some of her good friends in the Pittsburgh area. In her love of art, you may find Maureen's photography accompanying writer's articles on our pages. Maureen is also our marketing director.
Pittsburgh correspondent and photographer, CR Bennett, will share the Pittsburgh scene with all of you. You may also see CR's pictures accompanying other writer's articles.
We head to the big state of Texas! Abby Owen, our Texas correspondent.
Another big area to cover, the West Coast with Casey Reagan, Casey will feature many artists and events on this ocean's shores.
Lastly, we have our roving blues entertainment writer,
Chef Jimi.
And of course, we will surprise you sometimes!
Mon: Memphis Correspondent - Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms
Nighthawk is our resident globetrotter and man behind the scenes, as he tours with the Reba Russell Band.
Tues: New York Correspondent - J. Blake
Blake is the American Blues News review and interview guru. You may catch him out and about in NY playing the blues.
Wed: National Correspondent - Monica Yasher
Monica is our executive director and artist interview specialist. You can catch Monica singing the blues around Pittsburgh or working on some country music songs in Nashville.
Thurs: Washington, DC Correspondent - Virginiabluesman
Geraldo offers inteviews and reviews. You may have seen him at an Ana Popovic concert or conversed with him on her websites, as he offers administrative support with her music.
Fri: Northeast Photographer - Nelson Onofre
Nelson offers a Friday column of blues photography and pictorial support for the interviews covered by the team.
Jim Stick in Colorado
Jim will be focusing on the Blues Festivals in the beautiful state of Colorado, and the artists that live and visit there.
Maureen Elizabeth, our resident art correspondent, will be focusing on blues art as she explores the creation of CD covers, or speaking with artists who also have a love of creating pictorial art in addition to their music! She may also feature some of her good friends in the Pittsburgh area. In her love of art, you may find Maureen's photography accompanying writer's articles on our pages. Maureen is also our marketing director.
Pittsburgh correspondent and photographer, CR Bennett, will share the Pittsburgh scene with all of you. You may also see CR's pictures accompanying other writer's articles.
We head to the big state of Texas! Abby Owen, our Texas correspondent.
Another big area to cover, the West Coast with Casey Reagan, Casey will feature many artists and events on this ocean's shores.
Lastly, we have our roving blues entertainment writer,
Chef Jimi.
And of course, we will surprise you sometimes!