I love music. I guess most native Memphians do. It’s just in our heritage and our blood. We’re lucky to have some incredible live music venues downtown, but there are many more of them, scattered in unlikely places all over the city. Tourists will always frequent some of the glitzy Beale St. clubs, thinking they’re seeing “the real thing.” But sometimes the glitz gets in the way of the real thing. Blues and Jazz are the most popular music styles here, without a doubt. But we also have some country-western clubs and just great rock and roll, bands. New talent is constantly surfacing because of the support of the entire musical community for newcomers.
http://search.cityguide.aol.com/memphis/bars/browse/bar-club-live-music/v-47-1080-
Kudzu’s is a great place near downtown Memphis and not far from Sun Studios. It’s rustic, to say the least, with worn concrete and brick, and a great bar. It has the atmosphere of a neighborhood bar, with some great idiosyncrasies. They have comedy and jam nights which knock your socks off. The live music on Thurs., Fri. and Sat. nights goes on into the early morning hours and it’s great. They have different bands that make crowds just itch to dance. The patio out back is great for sitting and listening to the music on warm spring nights. This is a real Memphis landmark, although an understated one. From baby-boomers to a college crowd, the patrons of this club love the Memphis memorabilia on the walls, the funky down-home feel, and the incredible music. It will not disappoint anybody who loves to dance, either, guaranteed. Go down Union Ave. to Monroe to get there. This is their address and phone number: 901-525-4924, 603 Monroe Ave, Memphis, TN
Fargo’s is another place that has a funky feel to it. The location is outside the “music center” of town, in Raliegh. This is definitely a country crowd and Saturdays are swarming with U.T. fans who come to cheer on Big Orange. If you come for the music the best thing about Fargo’s is that they have a real range of good live bands, from great old rock and roll hits to some jazzier outfits and even a bit of country thrown in at times. It has a friendly feel because the same locals go there over and over–another club with a laid back neighborhood feel. This Raleigh bar and club offers a bit of a breather for people who love music but are sated with the Blues bars of Beale St. and midtown. It’s address: 4027 Raleigh Millington Rd., Memphis, TN 38128
Another club that is rather different from the Blues and Jazz clubs of the Beale St. area is Wild Bill’s on Vollentine near the north end of midtown in an ordinary small strip mall. It’s not showy, but it has attracted a dedicated following of regulars who come to listen to the incredible Hollywood All Stars over the weekend. Anyone who’s heard this band–and not many music lovers in Memphis have missed them–would give them rave reviews for their showmanship and riveting talent. There’s a $5.00 cover, but it’s well worth it. Regardless of the rough neighborhood, people flock here repeatedly to party and rock out with great live music. The crowd tends to be on the younger side and mostly locals. Call them if you’re worried about parking. I have not been there myself, but I know people who love the place. Address is 1580 Vollentine Ave.,Memphis, TN 38107 $5 cover charge
I have been to Satchmo’s only a few times, once just to eat a light dinner and have a drink. It’s located quite a bit away from the Center of the music “districts” of downtown and midtown. I can say that it really is designed to appeal to visitors to Memphis–people who will be impressed with that big Louis Armstrong Statue at the entrance–but regardless of that, it does have some surprisingly fine live jazz in a really snazzy setting. There’s a bit of the romantic to this place and older people who love music like this will really appreciate the place. It’s not the typical Memphis watering hole, for sure. The dancing is great, and people don’t have to be persuaded from getting into the beat. Satchmo’s is at 939 Ridge Lake Blvd in the Adam’s Mark Hotel.
I’m leaving my favorite place for last. It’s right on Beale St. and located just a bit down from the more glitzy B.B.King’s. Yes, there’s dancing here, but it seems that crowds here are a bit different from those at Kudzu’s–a bit more restrained. The food is wonderful southern fare, from fried green tomatoes, to barbecue ribs to great catfish. Dancing and music are in another room and the Club definitely features Jazz. Charlie Wood plays with his group there and they sometimes feature some newbie bands, which is usually a treat. Patrons can sit and listen or break away and go for a spin on the small dance floor. Nothing seems forced here, or fake. It has some great staff here, many of whom have worked at King’s for several years. I love its laid-back ambiance and the authenticity of the music, food and decor. I’ve never paid a cover there but they may have one sometimes. Call to ask and find out who’s playing on the weekend: 901-521-1851. It’s at 162 Beale St. downtown.
