Cutting Tracks at Royal Studio for Barbara Blue by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

(Memphis, Tennessee) This week we take a journey to the famous Royal Studio, housed in what was originally a movie theater located on the 1300 block of South Lauderdale in Memphis. It is within these magic confines that so many great hit records from Hi and Goldwax labels were cut, along with Al Green's phenomenal hits.

After it's beginnings as a movie theater, it's transformation into a studio where Bill Black and Ace Cannon recorded, this place blossomed under the leadership of the late Willie Mitchell, a great musician, songwriter and arranger in his own right, a major music force in producing and directing so many artists, in particular, the Hi Rhythm Section musicians who played on so many great blues and R & B hits.

Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell remembers his grandfather at Hope Church

Willie Mitchell is mentioned in these earlier American Blues News articles:

Where the Music Came From

Willie Mitchell Dead at 81

Willie Mitchell One Last Time Down Beale Street

Willie Mitchell Memorial Service

Surrounded by gleaming gold records, Boo Mitchell maintains the tradition

It was with a tremendous reverence that I entered this hallowed studio on a beautiful Thursday afternoon in the first week of September, 2010, to cut some overdubs for my friend Barbara Blue's upcoming CD. After being buzzed into the front door I was ushered to a comfortable chair in the front lobby.

After entering the studio I waited a few moments in the lobby for Boo Mitchell to arrive. He is an extremely busy man, deftly balancing the responsibilities of family, record making and a veritable procession of friends and loved ones who almost continually visit the famous studio.

As I sat in the lobby catching up on my phone messages, a small lizard appeared through the front door, seemingly coming from nowhere. Fearing he would possibly scare the young receptionist at the front desk, I alerted her that a lizard was resting on the front baseboard. Totally nonplussed, she replied, “Oh, it's ok. That's Pop's pet lizard. He comes in at certain times of the year.” As mysteriously as he had appeared, the studio lizard simply vanished.

When Boo came in the door, work in hand and talking on his phone, I introduced myself and mentioned that Pop's lizard had returned and then disappeared back out the front door. Boo said, “Yeah, I offered to shoot him with my BB gun but Pops wouldn't let me. Pops said to leave him alone because lizards eat bugs. I haven't seen him in a long time...I've been wondering where that little dude was.”

We have few lizard sightings in Memphis. I have seen lots of them in New Orleans and out west in Arizona, but very few in West Tennessee. I wished I had taken the magic studio lizard's picture.

Almost as soon as Boo entered he was covered up with guests. Gene Mason, a longtime club owner had dropped in to visit. Gene at 72 is spry, witty and has some great stories about Memphis and it's many musicians as he has owned many nightclubs going back into the past century. Gene managed Stax artists such as the Bar-Kays and William Bell. He currently owns the nightclub in the Executive Inn on Brooks Road, a rather famous old music spot for blues and R & B.

The enchanted Royal Studio mixing board...where hit records are made.

A two track and eight track 2 inch tape machine stand at the ready.

Old school tape splicing station..this is how we edited in the old days, kids...no digital tricks at all.

Without a doubt, one of the kindest, most affable and genuine personalities I have ever met in the music business is Boo Mitchell. He is quick to laugh and smile and always takes time to visit with the many folks who visit the studio. As he chatted with Gene Mason, a procession of a tour driver friend of his and his 3 tourists from New York came in the door. Without hesitation, Boo stopped what he was doing and gave them a quick tour of the studio.

The magic vocal booth and Al Green microphone

As I carried my old microphones, harps and 1949 Fender Champion 600 into the studio I overheard him telling the folks, “This is Al Green's microphone...” and entertaining them with grace and charm that was genuine and heartfelt. He obviously loves living in this great monument to Memphis music history. After the folks left to catch their flight back home, I told Boo that it certainly was kind of him to stop what he was doing to show the folks around and that he had a lot of heart. He said, “Oh yeah, man. You know, I mean, you have to do that.” To do otherwise would never cross his mind.

When once asked what was the greatest advice his grandfather had ever given him, Boo answered, "The greatest piece of advice would be to treat people with compassion."

Lester Snell, keyboard legend
Veteran Stax Records session musician, member of the 1970's Isaac Hayes Movement

After the procession of tourists departed, a cab pulled up to the front door and a crazed looking woman stood at the door requesting an audience. The receptionist instantly bolted out of sight of the woman, obviously having had to speak with the poor crazy woman in the past. Boo spoke in calm friendly tones with her for a few moments and she departed back in the waiting cab. He chuckled as he walked in saying, “you know that's the first person I ever met that had so many parents, Jackie Onassis, Elvis and Priscilla, maybe a few more.” He handles it all with aplomb and a sense of humor, never diminishing the poor lady or even as much as shooing her away from the door. He is a man of patience and tact, qualities that made Willie Mitchell such a class act and a successful producer...and Boo learned his grandfather's lesson about compassion well.

I love this thing...it's an overhead coat rack for mics and cables...genius.

Looking toward the control room from the main recording room.

Altec A7 Voice of the Theater wall-mounted upside down. I own one of these...beautiful sound.

Tape library, look at the talent on these tapes.

Boo Mitchell plays one of his grandfather's songs, "Let's Stay Together"

Before cutting a couple of harmonica overdubs for my friend, Barbara Blue, I had a chance to relax and play a couple of tunes on the beautiful Royal Studio Yamaha grand piano. Later when I was talking with Lester Snell I mentioned great sound of the piano, which had been recently tuned by Tony Thomas, another great Memphis musician. Lester agreed and added that he particularly liked the light elegant action on the piano. This feel can only be gained by an instrument that has been played and lovingly maintained for many years.

Boo at the Yamaha grand piano

I also got to witness a special moment when Boo played a song that always moves him, "Let's Stay Together," the monster Al Green hit that was cut in this very room. The song was written and produced by his grandfather and adopted father, Willie Mitchell, who was a seminal proponent of the Memphis sound, a great trumpet player and keyboardist who had a tremendous feel and knowledge of music and an incredibly inventive mind. His arrangements are unbeatable by any standard.

Boo played a few bars and looked up at Lester at a part of the song which featured a rather difficult flourish. They smiled at one another, Boo tried to reproduce the part and stopped, looking up at Lester. Like your favorite uncle, Lester lovingly bent over the instrument and added the perfectly executed flourish, just like the record. We all laughed and marveled at the richness of the song, the sound in the room, the history of this place and the magic that still hangs thick in the air at Royal Studio. Boo and his brother, Archie, are keeping it alive in Memphis.

Lester Snell quietly shows us all how it's done
That's a vintage 160 watt Sunn Model T with four 6550 power tubes in the background.

Barbara Blue working on her soon to be released CD

After laying down some harp tracks I got out of the way for Barbara Blue and Lester Snell to practice their parts, piano and vocals that Boo would engineer. As Barbara ran through the song a couple of times with Lester, Boo kindly walked me out to my car.

I asked him to call me sometime so I could come back to this magic place. Smiling he said, “yeah, next time we'll get you on the organ. You look like a B-3 player.” We laughed and as I drove off toward the Memphis Blues Society blues jam, we waved at one another as he greeted yet another neighborhood passerby who had hailed him as he walked back to the studio. On Lauderdale Street, everybody knows and loves Boo Mitchell.

RCT

© Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

Earl the Pearl and the Peoples of the Blues and more by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

(Memphis, Tennessee) This week brings a fun gig with Earl the Pearl and the Peoples of the Blues down at Murphy's Oyster Bar in Midtown(photo of Earl Banks above, from facebook by Michael Alago). We played on a Saturday afternoon, had a splendid time and, it being the week commemorating the death of Elvis(what is known locally as Dead Elvis Week), we were visited by a very thin Elvis who was invited to the stage but did not utter. I think he was just there for beers.

I don't want to venture a caption for this picture.
Use your imagination.

Friday night I ventured down through the delta with my brother and played at Ground Zero, Clarksdale, Mississippi, to play with the Reba Russell Band. We got lots of kind feedback from friends around the world who tuned in on their popular live stream.
We drove by the famous Blue & White Restaurant in Tunica, Mississippi, a diner which has been in business there since 1937(you can check them out at Road Food.com). Famous for chicken and dumplings and fried dill pickles(which were invented at the nearby "Hollywood").

The Hollywood and it's pianist, Miriam Wilkins, were immortalized in the hit song, "Walking in Memphis" by Mark Cohn. Here's a picture inside The Hollywood where my buddy Steve Reid plays every Friday and Saturday night. The original 1856 commissary building, built of cypress, was destroyed by a fire in 1983, but they have moved the business to yet another cool, old commissary building near Robinsonville, Mississippi. It is a highly recommended stop for food, libations and music.

The Reba Russell Band, photo by Jay Moore

Here is a Ground Zero shot taken by my friend, Jay Moore, of Razor Blade sitting in with the band. He is, well, sharp as usual and in fine voice. After a long, enjoyable night we journey north up Highway 61 to Memphis.

Murphy's Public House, Madison Avenue, Memphis

On Saturday, we arise with a clatter and travel over to Murphy's, which has been in business for 29 years. Back in it's early days when it was run by Russell George, a local restaurateur and friend, I used to go there and sit in with Don McMinn and his fine blues band. Shortly thereafter, Don went on to front the house band at the Rumboogie Cafe on Beale Street for many years. It was an interesting juxtaposition as I played a gig with Papa Don McMinn on Thursday night at the Hyatt hotel. His sons, Doug, on drums, and Rome, on bass, accompanied him and the Night Rain band did an admirable job for the fans. More on Don in an upcoming interview with American Blues News.

Papa Don McMinn, unknown football player, Rome McMinn
photo by the author at the Hyatt Hotel, Memphis

Murphy's is a small, intimate place which has been known throughout the years for featuring all types of music. Image above left by coolbreezeken.

Dennis Falanga, drummer, is the son of a Big Band musician

The next day we arose and headed for midtown and a gig with Earl the Pearl's fine band. I was greeted by my old friends with whom I have played many nights both in Memphis and on the road in various mid-south venues.

Earl the Pearl and the Peoples of the Blues

back row: Freddie Harris, Melvin Lee, Dennis Falanga

front row: Earl the Pearl Banks, Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms
Photo by my friend, Lisa McGaughran

Often I played in Earl's band with some of the finest old school blues and R & B players in town, including members of the famous Hi Rhythm Section, including drummer Howard Grimes and bassist Leroy "Flick" Hodges. These guys played on most of the old Al Green hits that came out of Memphis as well as tons of stuff that Willie Mitchell recorded.

Melvin Lee on bass is unbeatable in the blues.

B.B. King, my friend Dr. Herman Green, sax, Melvin Lee Green, bass
photo from Free World jams

It's really difficult to express with words how great the musicianship of Melvin Lee really comes across on stage. Although he has played big venues all over the world, he is as kind and down to earth as anyone you would ever meet. He has been my friend for many years and I have been honored to play on stage with him many nights. When I was touring Belgium with Reba Russell a couple of years ago, several people asked me about Dr. Melvin Lee when they learned I was from Memphis. He's just that good.

His bass playing is classic blues, low, deep, perfectly executed and inventive without ever being obstreperous, distracting or out of place. It is in a word, just perfect. He leads the band steadily with loping, beautiful bass lines that you have come to know from so many classic records from the past century. Although it is not really a perfect comparison, he reminds me of a Memphis version of Jack Meyers. It all comes from his heart and he performs seemingly effortlessly.

Melvin Lee, you are the hero of many a Memphis musician. The folks that have the pleasure of hearing you play at Wild Bill's likely don't know what a famous bassist you are, but they always know how great you sound.

In November we reported on Earl Banks winning of a W.C. Handy Heritage Music Award in the Authentic Beale Street Musician category. Here's a link to that American Blues News article:

http://www.ameriblues.com/2009/12/memphis-dr.html

Earl the Pearl is a classic performer of Memphis Blues, the slick, slightly more sophisticated sound of a music that sprang out of a cotton field but was refined and dressed up in the big city during it's migration north to Chicago and then onto the world stage. This is the blues of B.B. King, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Little Milton and so many other great southern post-WWII bluesmen. This music benefited from the influences of jazz and big band that were heard in Memphis during the 1940's. The more lush arrangements and slightly more complex chord changes are a hallmark, even when the music is performed by a 5 piece band.

Earl moves easily from Albert King numbers to Willie Mitchell instrumentals and touches on the Birmingham Boys' "Crosscut Saw" which was written here in Memphis. Earl is a veteran of all the old blues clubs and his seasoned expertise shines through during his performances. Earl has been a mainstay in Memphis and continues to perform throughout the region, occasionally gigging at Clarksdale's Ground Zero for appreciative crowds.

Earl the Pearl and Melvin Lee
before the gig

The gig went smoothly and I was sad to see my friends leave, several departing to play other gigs that night. Melvin Lee was headed for Wild Bill's on Vollentine for a late evening of performing and I headed downtown to play Memphis filmmaker Willy Bearden's birthday bash at his building on Court Street and Fourth. Wild Bill's is one of the last legitimate jukes in Memphis. Despite it's location in a sketchy neighborhood, the club offers cold 40 ounce beers and dancing every night. It has always been safe as Wild Bill himself, even at over 70 years old was never shy about pulling his pistol and throwing out anybody who started any mess. Bill passed away last year and his family still runs the club true to form. It is a must see location during a trip to Memphis and the music cannot be beaten. There is a happy racially mixed crowd in the club every night enjoying the music, dancing and partying down. It is an oasis for the spirit in what was once a polarized city.

After leaving Murphy's we drove down to Willy Bearden's 60th birthday party during which Willy played for his assembled friends, performing with the esteemed Ernestine and Hazel's Band of which I am a member. It was a hot summer night and the band included John Clary on horn and a slew of other musical guests who dropped in for the occasion. Willy B. produced and directed the film release "One Came Home" which appeared in theaters this year and nominated for numerous awards. My brother I appear in the film, but only in the credits as Willy said he wanted to thank us for our support and encouragement, a magnanimous act of a friend. He is a genuinely beautiful and kind artistic human being and it has been a delight to be his bandmate and an honor to be counted as his friend. Willy sang and played guitar throughout the night, at one point joined by his daughter, actress Savannah Bearden, who sang a number with her father.

RCT

© Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms, 2010

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Local 2011 IBC Competitions Heat Up Worldwide by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms

Feb. 1-5, 2011

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Local competitions are taking place everywhere to determine winning contestants to travel to Memphis for this year's International Blues Challenge sponsored by the Blues Foundation. Over 185 affiliate Blues societies will be hosting regional preliminary competitions and sending contestants in the band, solo and duo, and youth categories.

Don't miss your chance to compete this year during February 1-5 in Memphis, Tennessee, Home of the Blues and headquarters of the Blues Foundation. Blues fans, professional musicians, industry professionals and representatives of recording labels will all gather for this yearly spectacle which has grown into a massive enclave of musical performances and the initiation of new, up and coming Blues stars to the constellation of the Blues pantheon.

Orpheum Theater, Main and Beale Streets, from orpheum.com

This year, the IBC will move to a four day format, 2 days of quarter finals (Feb 2-3), one day of semi-finals (Feb 4) , concluding with finals in the beautiful Orpheum Theater (Feb 5).

From the Blues Foundation's website, Blues.org:

"The 2011 International Blues Challenge will be the 27th year of Blues musicians from around the world competing for cash, prizes, and industry recognition. The Blues Foundation will present the 27th International Blues Challenge February 1-5, 2011 in Memphis, TN.


The world's largest gathering of Blues acts represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its Affiliated Organizations for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Act ready to take their act to the international stage. In 2010, 110 bands and 80 solo/duo acts entered, filling the clubs up and down Beale Street for the semi-finals on Thursday and Friday and the finals at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday. We will have at least that many in 2011.

Michaela Rae performs on Memphis television during the 2010 IBC
Michaela competed in the youth category of the IBC

The 27th year of the International Blues Challenge will once again include a youth showcase for those under the age of 21. Smokin' Bluz of Charlotte, NC has signed on again as the Presenting Sponsor. The 27^th IBC will include an afternoon (Friday, February 4, 2011) of talented young people showcasing their talents for record labels, media, festivals, managers, talent buyers and the fans.

Laura Chavez, Barbara Blue, Candye Kane at the 2010 IBC

The week of events will once again kick off Tuesday night with a Meet & Greet hosted by the Beale Street Merchants Association at the New Daisy Theater, followed by the FedEx International Showcase.

Michaela Rae with 2010 KBA Journalism award winner David Fricke of Rolling Stone

In addition to the evening Blues competition, the days are filled with seminars and workshops and topped off in a moving Saturday morning brunch in which the Blues community will honor its own with the prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) awards that honor the men and women, who have made significant contributions to the Blues music world, in 20 categories such as journalism, literature and photography and to the best clubs and festivals, as well as managers, promoters and producers."

Email Joe Whitmer joe@blues.org if you have any questions.

Joe Whitmer of the Blues Foundation runs operations at the 2010 IBC

American Blues News will be covering every day's events of the 2011 International Blues Challenge and provide live reporting from several reporters as well as daily updates to provide unmatched coverage to our audience of worldwide blues fans. Join us each day at Ameriblues.com

JOIN the Blues Foundation today! Click here, it's easy: Join

*****************

Here's just a smattering of the excitement generated by local and regional competitions and their announcements:

Smoky Mountain Blues Society

Do you have a band or know of a band that might be interested in competing in the 2011 International Blues Challenge!!?? We are signing up bands NOW!! Our judges will select a winning band/ a duo or solo and a child band to send to Memphis early next year!! Labron & LA3 were finalists this year!! Let's show up again!! Call 973-0408

Southern Fried Blues Society-North Carolina

Attention NC Blues Bands and Musicians
Compete in the 2010 TBS Blues Challenge and Qualify to compete in the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Win a paid performance at one of the 2011 Bull Durham Blues Festival events. Receive money to travel and compete in the 2011 International Blues Challenge (note: you must attend the IBC to receive this money) and more prizes TBA. 2010 TBS Blues Challenge Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 Berkeley Cafe www.berkeleycafe.net 217 West Martin St., Raleigh, NC. This is a qualifying event for the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge (IBC)) in Memphis, TN. Winners in the band and solo/duo categories will be eligible to compete in the IBC (Feb. 2011). The TBS Blues Challenge is a professionally judged competition open to North Carolina blues acts.
Solo/duo acts and bands have until August 31 to get their application in and compete in the TBS Blues Challenge.

Atlanta Blues Society

Attention Musicians!!!

The Atlanta heat of the International Blues Challenge is
right around the corner. This year’s challenge will be on September
19th at Mudcatz Bayou Bar & Grill. Get your sponsor now and email
absmail@mindspring.com to g...et your application. Applications and entry
...fees are due by September 10th....

Prizes are as follows: Band - $1,000; Youth - $500; Solo/Duo - $300;
People’s Choice - $250. Don’t miss your chance to go to Memphis to
represent Atlanta in the IBC! Contact Kelli Stripling at
ABSKelli@live.com with any questions or concerns.

Golden Gate Blues Society

Congratulations to the winner of the final Golden Gate Blues Society preliminary round of the International Blues Challenge: TIP OF THE TOP! It was a wonderful day of music with Brothercat, Alabama Mike, and Tip of the Top. Come join us at the FINALS on November 7 (location and other details to be announced) to cheer on JC Smith, Twice as Good, Wendy DeWitt, and Tip of the Top!! Congrats ALL!

South Florida

We'll be there at Tobacco Road in Miami on Sunday Sept. 19th---the competition will be 'stiff' but we plan to rock the house!

South Florida Local International Blues Challenge - The Road To Memphis

Location: Tobacco Road

Time: 2:00PM Sunday, September 19th

Chicago-Windy City Blues Society

You are invited to participate in the 2010 Chicago Blues Challenge (CBC), a musical competition for Chicago area blues musicians. The winner of this competition will represent the Windy City Blues Society in Memphis this February at the 2011 International Blues Challenge (IBC).

There are three divisions for the competition:

• Band Competition
• Solo / Duo Competition
• Youth Showcase

WCBS commits to supporting the musicians by sponsoring them at the IBC. WCBS will provide a portion of the musician’s travel expenses to Memphis for Band and Solo/Duo, amount to be determined.

Eligibility

• Musicians must be from the Chicago area or primarily perform in the Chicago area
• Musicians must not have previously been listed on the final ballot for Blues Music Award (formerly known and as W.C. Handy Award). NOTE: If a musician was on the final ballot as a sideman or part of a band, they ARE eligible.
• Performers must make a commitment to representing the Windy City Blues Society and Chicago at Memphis from February 1, 2011 through February 5, 2011
• Performers can only compete as a band leader in one division
• Performers can be a sideman with more than one band but the sideman must disclose that they are working with more than one band to each bandleader and the WCBS
• Youth category only: All performers, including sidemen must be under the age of 21 as of the start of IBC (February 1,2011)

Timeline

• Applications for solo/duo and youth must be received by September 1,2010
• Application for band competition must be received by September 15,2010
• Chicago Blues Challenge Finals, Chicago, IL, November 7,2010
• International Blues Challenge, Memphis, Tennessee February 1,2011 – February 5,2011

Information

• For more information on the Windy City Blues Society, please see our website www.windycityblues.org. You can find more information about the Windy City Blues Society and the Chicago Blues Challenge on our Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter sites.

LINK: http://windycityblues.org/?page_id=3418

Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin hosted his annual blues jam on Beale Street
at the Rumboogie Cafe during the 2010 IBC

Colorado Blues Society

Third Colorado Blues Society (CBS) International Blues Challenge is TODAY ---->Sunday from 2 PM-7PM: Boulder Outlook, 800 28th St, Boulder. Bands include The Bobby K Blues Band, Blue Recluse featuring Shawntel Royale, The Taylor Marvin Band, The Lionel Young Band, The Mighty Jivesters, and Boa & the Constrictors. Winner advances to the finals on Sept 12. The CBS winner is entered in the Blues Foundation IBC Finals in ... See More February in Memphis. $5 cover charge. Hope to see you there!!!

Colorado Blues Society | Home

www.coblues.com

Non-profit organization supporting the blues in Colorado. Provides blues event calendar, venues, newsletter article submission, photo gallery, membership.

RCT

© photographs and text by Robert "Nighthawk" Tooms,2010