Civil War Psy Ops

One of my favorite Civil War stories comes from Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s raid on Union-held Memphis at 4 a.m., August 21, 1864. It might have included one of the early uses of psychological warfare.

Forrest, with no formal military training, quickly became one of the leading cavalry figures of the tragic war. His goal in the Memphis raid was threefold: to kidnap the three Union generals who were posted there; to free Confederate prisoners jailed there; and to force the recall of Federal troops from North Mississippi.

On the night before the raid, the clever Forrest sent a telegram to the Oxford, MS telegraph office stating that “Forrest Had Captured Memphis in Surprise Raid.” Union forces began scrambling north and away from what would have been the destruction of Oxford.

Then, under cover of early morning fog, Forrest led about 2,000 cavalrymen galloping into Memphis which was occupied by 6,000 Yanks. In their quest to capture the generals, Forrest’s younger brother, Col. Jessee Forrest, rode his horse directly into the posh Gayoso Hotel. Unfortunately, their targets weren’t there.

Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn, quartered elsewhere, fled in his nightshirt to escape capture – and was later ridiculed by his fellow Federal officers for his perceived cowardice. To commemorate the incident, there is an alley in downtown Memphis bearing the street sign “Gen. Washburn’s Escape Alley.”

Although the general eluded kidnap, Forrest did capture Washburn’s uniform. Perhaps adding insult to injury, Forrest had the uniform cleaned and pressed and returned it to Washburn under a flag of truce. Washburn returned the chivalrous (?) gesture. Since Memphis was the center of contraband for the western war, Washburn was able to find Forrest’s tailor and have a Confederate gray uniform sent back to Forrest.

Union General Hurlbut was quoted afterward as saying, "There it goes again! They superseded me with Washburn because I could not keep Forrest out of West Tennessee, and Washburn cannot keep him out of his own bedroom!"

After a two-hour enounter in Memphis, Forrest withdrew, cutting telegraph lines and taking with his troops 500 prisoners and large quantities of supplies, including 600 horses.

Memphis Metal Museum

About a week ago when Mike and I had been downtown for breakfast with out-of-town friends, we took the opportunity to make a first-time visit to the National Ornamental Metal Museum, better known locally as simply the Metal Museum.

What a treasure tucked away on a bluff above the Mississippi River south of the downtown area. Access is a little difficult to locate, but you’ll be glad you made the effort. Per the website, “The Metal Museum is the only institution in the United States devoted exclusively to the advancement of the art and craft of fine metalwork.”

Historic buildings on the site have been refurbished for a library and exhibition hall. There’s also a working smithy on the grounds. A gazebo and attractive tenting provide a perfect setting for special events with a dramatic river view.

Our favorite part, however, was the outdoor sculpture garden. This link will take you to some good photos and descriptions. The pieces were whimsical, dramatic and intriguing. http://www.metalmuseum.org/sculpture_garden.html

The photo posted with this entry was our favorite. It’s approximately six and a half feet tall and perhaps four feet wide. It’s titled “Sarah Palin.” I try not to be political here, but I must confess that it gave me quite a chuckle. Okay, truthfully I LOL’d out loud. The gaping mouth provides access to a grill/smoker. We were told that at a recent event, the evening meal was cooked in the Sarah Palin smoker. Seems as if the pork was seasoned with tea leaves. We were also told that the fire in the cooker made her eyes glow wildly. Would have loved to have a photo of that.

Check out the Metal Museum. You’ll enjoy it – and Sarah.

Zombies in Memphis

Last night was Trolley Tour night in Memphis' South Main Art District -- always a fun event. But this time, it coincided with the annual Zombie Massacre. We just missed the parade of zombies, but caught up with them on Beale Street. And strange things began to happen

The Big Memphis Flood - 2011

Mike and I went downtown to the river yesterday to see the swollen Mississippi. As kids we sometimes saw the river creep across the low spot on Riverside Drive, but never anything like this. The river crested just about a foot short of the crest in the big 1937 flood.Most of the city is fine, but the river has encroached on many neighborhoods causing evacuations and loss of property. The river, usually a half mile wide, is now three miles wide.

Photos below were taken at and around Jefferson Davis Park on Riverside Drive near Jefferson St. -- just below Confederate Park further up the bluff. Below you'll see nearly submerged park benches, sidewalks and driveways covered by river water and debris, and a river boat's gangway that only river catfish can access. There's also a photo of what's left to see of Mud Island with its flags waving above the water. The one above is a beautiful photo of the sun going down over the Arkansas side of the river and forming a spotlight on the statue of Jefferson Davis, former pesident of the Confederacy.

Birthday on Beale

For my birthday outing yesterday, Mike and I went down to Beale Street for the unveiling of a brass music note for Jim Dickinson on the street’s Walk of Fame. Dickinson was a Memphis music icon who worked with, among others, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. (http://plunkchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/02/birth-of-memphis-sound.html). He was a major influence on Memphis music.

The event was held in front of the New Daisy Theater which opened to the public in 1936 – that’s what we call “new” in the South. We were joined by our long-time friend, artist and singer John Robinette to hang out and visit with the many musicians who showed up to honor Dickinson.

Speakers at the event included Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Antonio “2 Shay” Parkinson, Knox Phillips (son of Sun Studio legend Sam Phillips), Mary Dickinson and her sons Luther and Cody (well known for their band the North Mississippi All-Stars).

Mike and John enjoyed reminiscing after the ceremony with Knox telling stories from back in the day when Mike and John were with Jimmy Day and the Knights. Knox’s younger brother Jerry played guitar with the band, and they did some recording at Sun. I remember sitting with Jimmy’s girlfriend Lucy in the control room while Knox worked the board. Seems like just a few years ago.

After the post-ceremony chatting, the crowd moved into the beautiful Old Daisy across the street for an acoustic concert. The Old Daisy was built in 1902 and has presented some amazing music over the years. You can read more about it at http://plunkchronicles.blogspot.com/2010/01/beale-streets-daisy-theater.html.

On stage yesterday were Luther and Cody Dickinson and Sid Selvidge, all on guitars, and Jimmy Crosthwait on washboard.

We finished the evening by walking up to Main Street to the Majestic Grille for a wonderful birthday dinner. It’s been on our “go to” list since it was named Best Restaurant in ’08. After my excellent meal last night, we shouldn’t have waited so long.

The Majestic was originally built in 1913 as a silent picture house that entertained Memphians for 30 years. In keeping with the building’s original purpose, the interior has been beautifully restored in Beaux Arts décor and a large movie screen runs black and white cartoons and silent films.

It was a delightful dining experience. I just have one warning. Don’t plan on a big dessert. Their dessert tray features a variety of sweets – but they’re served in slightly oversized shot glasses. To have a “real” dessert, you’d need to order two or three. My view last night, however, was that they were saving me from myself. One “shot” of key lime pie was probably all I needed.

In the photos below: Mike & I; John Robinette & Knox Phillips; John & I' Mike & I with John.

A Visit To Shelby Foote's Home

Mike and I took a rare, tax-season day off Sunday to visit the estate sale of the late author and Civil War historian Shelby Foote.

Born in 1916 in Greenville, MS, Foote was first a novelist, but later achieved acclaim for his three-volume The Civil War: A Narrative. Popularity among the general public, however, did not come his way until documentarian Ken Burns invited Foote to take part in his 1990 PBS mini-series, The Civil War. When the program aired, Foote appeared in almost 90 segments -- about one hour of the 11-hour series. Foote's extensive knowledge, charm and Southern gentleman drawl made him a celebrity. Foote’s quirk of speaking of the Civil War as if it were currently taking place reinforced his historic authority and made the viewer feel that Foote had actually lived through the experiences he described. His descriptions and narrations in the documentary are conversational rather than pedantic. The overall effect is that here’s a man you’d like to sit and talk with over a couple of pots of coffee.

No matter what region of the U.S. you're from, you should rent or buy the dvd set of the Ken Burns’ documentary. It humanizes the period through personal letters written in that era and glimpses of soldiers’ and civilians’ lives. It’s informative and heart-wrenching. I guarantee that you will learn facts about the Civil War that you’ve never heard before.

Being big fans, we were anxious to walk through Foote’s home and hoped that we’d find a reasonably priced memento from his possessions.

Foote moved to Memphis in 1952 and bought the English cottage-style home with his wife in 1966. The 11-room home was built in 1927 and covers 3,900 square feet including a secret room – the location of which was not disclosed to estate sale visitors.

The house sits in a lovely mid-town Memphis area of large, old homes and can barely be seen from the street because of the huge, old Magnolia trees in the front yard. The 28x15 living room was impressive. From the entry hall, you turn left, step down three stairs and enter the room facing a large fireplace at the opposite wall. Because the living room stretches to the left of the main part of the home, there are windows down both sides of the room. Although windows of this style are not large, there was an abundance of them throughout the house so that it would be sunny and cheerful during the day.

I refer to my favorite upstairs room as “the tower room.” That’s just how it affected me. After climbing the stairs from the entry hall, you would turn right and immediately take a step up. Somehow, because of its positioning, there is at least one window on all four walls of this room. Love it. But here’s the most interesting part. There is a door in the room that leads to a small balcony --- overlooking the living room. I could just imagine having a party downstairs and stepping out onto the balcony to make announcements. Fascinating. The door itself was constructed much like a dutch door. The top half opened from the middle – like French doors – and, I presume, could be left open for ventillation, eavesdropping or whatever. When closed, however, the door was solid and gave no hint of what lay on the other side.

Downstairs, at the very back of the house was Shelby Foote’s study with rows of book shelves and his built-in desk. Mike noted worn-down places at the desk's edge – perhaps where he rested his arms when working. Much of his narrative for the Ken Burns’ documentary was filmed in that room at that desk. I was surprised to learn that Foote composed by hand -- pen and paper. No typewriter. No computer. It was exciting to stand there, touch his desk and know that much of his important work had taken place there.

Before leaving, we purchased two, small, matching, white porcelain cups that were part of his household possessions. His cups now reside on our living room mantle adding another little piece of history to our home.

Shelby Foote died in June 2005.

Here’s a link to today’s Commercial Appeal wrap-up story on the sale.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/08/foote-estate-sale-attracts-5000-but-no-bids-on/

Big Apple Good Samaritan

In the spring of my junior year in high school, I was able to take a wonderful trip to New York City. I was going to be one of the editors of the student newspaper in the following year and, thereby, earned the trip to a student journalism conference at Columbia University. New York. Columbia University. I was excited beyond belief and a bit nervous.

Our wonderful English teacher and newspaper adviser, Mrs. Headstream, was our guide and chaperone. She took us to a Broadway play, to the top of the Empire State Building, to Sardi’s for their famous cheesecake, to a multi-course dinner in the Village, and for a stop at Tiffany’s. Wow. We had wonderful experiences, and . . . oh, yes . . . the journalism classes inspired me. It was an amazing time.

As we quickly felt more comfortable in the big city, a classmate and I decided to cut classes and hop a bus to visit one of New York’s famous museums. I don’t recall whether it was the Smithsonian or the Metropolitan Museum of Natural History, but I remember wandering through marvelous exhibits all day and having lunch in an area that looked like a Roman atrium with white pillars surrounding a reflecting pool. It was magical and it may have been our best day in the city.

It was getting late and time to rush back to Columbia to meet up with our classmates. It seemed simple. Ann and I would simply cross the street and grab a bus headed back in the direction of the university. We climbed on, paid our fares and sat on the long bench across from the driver. We felt a little tired, but quite satisfied with ourselves and our ability to be out in New York by ourselves despite being 17-year-olds from the South.

We rode silently for a while before noticing that too much time had expired without reaching our destination and that the neighborhood looked unfamiliar. As we became attuned to our surroundings, we also became certain that we’d never been there before and that the surroundings were looking rough and scary. We were surely some place that we shouldn’t be.

I crossed the aisle, said, “Pardon me, sir,” and told him where we were trying to go. “Is this the right bus?” Nope, it wasn’t. From his expression, I could tell that he was certain that we shouldn’t be in that part of town. I think I asked him if we should transfer or what we should do. He quietly told me to sit back down.

I suspect that Ann and I looked as frightened as we were. The bus driver picked up his hand-held radio mic and summoned someone. We’re really in trouble now, I thought. About a block later, he pulled the bus over to the curb – not at a bus stop – and sat. We looked out the windows at the rough neighborhood. Shortly after our stop, we saw another city bus pull to the curb on the opposite side of the street – also not at a bus stop.

Our bus driver stood up, looked at us and said, “Come with me.” We followed him off the bus and were escorted straight across the street by the tall, broad-shouldered black man. He took us directly to the open door of the other bus. He directed us to sit down and get off only when the new driver instructed us to do so. He conveyed our destination (again probably) to the new driver. Exited the bus. Crossed the street to his bus and drove away.

You never know what a knight in shining armor is going to look like in real life. I liked to think that he might have had daughters our age and was protective to us as he would want someone to protect his girls. Whatever his motivation, he made sure that we weren’t in harm’s way.

Ann and I returned safely to Columbia and I’m sure we didn’t tell anyone for a long time. Over the many years since then, I’ve heard repeated stories of rude New Yorkers, thoughtless New Yorkers. When I hear them, I always remember the Good Samaritan who ensured safe passage for two teenage tourists from Memphis.

(In the high school photo above, from left: Jimmy Kiersky, Mike Hettinger, me, Jon Wax -- on our way to New York)

Birth of The Memphis Sound

Memphis music legend Jim Dickinson was a triple threat – at the very least. He was a skilled musician, singer, producer and songwriter. In addition, he had the sensitivity and musical depth to see connections, linkages and evolutions in music.
In a career that stretched over four decades, Dickinson was credited with influencing the shape of The Memphis Sound.

Dickinson built a worldwide reputation as a session player for the likes of Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. Dylan, who was a longtime friend and collaborator, acknowledged “Mississippi Jim” as a “brother” while accepting a Grammy for 1997’s Time Out of Mind. The Rolling Stones brought Dickinson in to add his soulful piano touch to their classic Sticky Fingers ballad “Wild Horses.”

The 67-year-old Dickinson died in August 2009, but left much to the world of music. His sons, Cody and Luther (the North Mississippi Allstars), continue his style and influence. He also left his observations about music and its development.

The link below takes you to a discussion with Dickinson about the origin of The Memphis Sound which became highly popular and sought after in R&B and rock ‘n roll. Dickinson’s assertion is that it all began just across the river in West Memphis, AR at a club called the Plantation Inn (PI). (I will confess to going there, under age, on a double date back when I was . . . well, too young.).

This is where it starts sounding like a game of Kevin Bacon seven degrees of separation. The popular band at the PI had two horn players, not commonplace at the time. Packy Axton was a young Memphis sax player who learned to play sax from the PI’s saxophone player. Packy’s mother was Estelle Axton, co-founder of the famous Stax Records in Memphis.

According to Dickinson, it was Packy who brought the sound back across the river and persuaded his mom and her business partner Jim Stewart, to incorporate the sound and feel in records they were recording.

Stax became internationally renowned for R&B and artists including Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett, Luther Ingram, Albert King, the Bar-Kays, Booker T. & the MG's, Johnnie Taylor, and Rufus and Carla Thomas. Much of the soul music you think came from Detroit actually came from Memphis.

Follow this link to a video of Jim Dickinson talking about the birth of The Memphis Sound - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3EOffeZ9s8

Just a side note: In the late ‘50s, Axton was the founding member of the Mar-Keys, a band that became very popular and well known. Mike played a Mar-Keys gig around 1965. The traditional horn section by then was trumpet, tenor sax and baritone sax. Packy played tenor and they needed a sub on bari, so Mike got the call. So that puts Mike in the degress of separation linking back to the birth of The Memphis Sound.

Memories of Front Street Theater

Eons ago when I was probably in the eighth or ninth grade, a good friend (slightly older than I) provided me an opportunity to join her as an usher at Front Street Theater. It was a small venue in the basement of downtown Memphis’ Hotel King Cotton.

We got to dress up and guide theater patrons to their seats. In exchange, we got to take vacant seats in the back, if any were available, or stand and watch live theater – my first exposure. The experience was thrilling. We saw everything from musical comedy to the most serious pieces. I was intrigued, and I felt very special to be there.

The theater was the baby of actor, director and producer George Touliatos. He founded the theater in 1957 and left the project 10 years later. The theater limped along for a few more seasons and then disappeared, some aspects morphing into Playhouse on the Square.

I most remember Barbara Cason, co-founder of Front Street, who played a variety of roles. I have a clear mental picture of her wonderful, campy performance in Auntie Mame. A native Memphian, Cason began her career as a character actress at Front Street and on local television before relocating to New York City in 1967 where she became active in theater both on and off Broadway through 1973. She most notably starred in the original, critically acclaimed production of Noël Coward`s Oh, Coward! in 1972-1973. That’s when she moved to Los Angeles and appeared frequently on television until her death in 1990. She is probably best known for her roles as Cloris Phebus on Carter Country (1977-1979) and as Ruth Shandling on It`s Garry Shandling`s Show (1986-1990).

Until researching this, I did not remember that Cason appeared in a number of tv commercials including a series of ads for Tydibowl toilet bowl cleaner. In those commercials her beautifully expressive face registered surprise after lifting the top of her toilet tank and discovering the well-dressed mini-man in his tiny rowboat, who then waxed eloquent about the wonders of Tydibowl. If you’re around my age, you’re bound to remember the Tydibowl man. I regret that I didn’t realize that was Memphis’ own Barbara Cason.

Other notables gained early experience on the boards at Front Street. Dixie Carter (photo in costune), well known for tv’s Designing Women, is an alum of Front St. who also appeared in films and on stage. Paxton Whitehead also began at Front Street and later appeared in many films and on television in roles on Desperate Housewives and The West Wing.

How lucky we all were to have had Front Street in our lives.

Happy Birthday, Elvis

Today would have been the 76th birthday of the King of rock ‘n roll, Elvis Presley. In Memphis, this winter celebration attracts hundreds of loyal fans for concerts, conversations with former El associates and the birthday bash, but it garners a much smaller pilgrimage than the August weeklong event to acknowledge Elvis’ passing.

The highlight of this year’s event was the guest of honor, Edison Pena, one of the 33 rescued Chilean miners. When rescuers first broke through to the trapped men and learned that Pena was a self-avowed Elvis fanatic who had been singing the King’s hits to bolster the morale of his co-workers, an MP3 player loaded with Presley songs was quickly dispatched to the mine site and, reportedly, helped sustain Pena and others.

The visit to Memphis was promised when the miners were lifted to safety, and it’s been a whirlwind for Pena who was treated to many special events. He stayed at the historic Hotel Peabody where he was accorded the privilege of serving as honorary “duckmaster.” (Learn about the march of the ducks at http://plunkchronicles.blogspot.com/2009/05/texans-come-to-town.html) Pena also visited a practice of Memphis’ NBA team, the Grizzlies, and was a half-time honoree at this week’s game.

But I’m sure his favorite activity was the personal tour of Graceland and Elvis’ birthplace in nearby Tupelo, MS.

Today, the miner and hundreds of fans sang birthday greetings to the King in front of a four-foot-high cake decorated to look like stacked television sets.

Although Pena does not speak English, he can belt out perfect renditions of Elvis’ hits. Check it out.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12143311

Happy Birthday! Long live the King.

An Elvis New Year's Greeting

While clearing up a few first-of-the-year things and pulling together my next post, here's an interesting little ditty for you. It's the New Year's greeting from a website in the Netherlands titled "ElvisMatters." It's very professional and has a large fan base. It's the group that co-sponsored the European tour Mike was a part of with James Burton a couple of years ago. But I digress. After reading this, I wondered if Elvis didn't actually die back in the '70s, but just moved overseas. Hmmmm



HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR FRIENDS ALL OVER THE WORLD - LONG LIVE THE KING! MAY 2011 BRING YOU PROSPERITY, LOVE, FRIENDSHIP AND JOY - BUT ABOVE ALL: A GOOD HEALTH. KEEP ON TCB'ING IN 2011, AND KNOW THAT THE ELVISMATTERS TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE KING AND HIS LOYAL FANS. SOME THINGS JUST DON'T CHANGE, NOT TODAY, NOT TOMORROW, NOT EVER. LONG MAY HE REIGN!

WHER: 1000 Beautiful Watts

Mike and I were reminded on a recent episode of Memphis Beat (our vote’s still out on that show) of the way-back Memphis radio station WHER, the first “all girl” radio station in the nation.

The station was born in 1955, the brainchild of legendary Sam Phillips who discovered Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others. Phillips, always the innovator, had long wanted his own radio station – and wanted one with a twist. Women were nowhere to be seen in ‘50s broadcasting. Women weren’t visible anywhere in corporate America. Phillips created the groundbreaking format with money he raised from selling Elvis Presley’s Sun Studio contract to RCA. The balance of funding came from another Memphis entrepreneur Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inns. Wilson also gave the radio station its first home in one of the early Holiday Inns in Memphis.

The story goes that, as Phillips hired personnel, he told none of the women it was to be an all-female endeavor. Each had thought that one woman on-air was a momentous breakthrough. When they learned the truth, they thought Phillips was crazy. He wasn’t. Women almost exclusively ran the station. They read the news, interviewed local celebrities and spun popular records. They sold and produced commercials, directed and engineered programming and sat at the station’s control boards.
Staffers included broadcast pioneer Vida Jane Butler.

Over its 17-year run, WHER generated a series of imitators, but ironically it was the women’s movement that brought the station down. Whereas the radio station had been created to give female broadcasters on-air opportunities, the women’s movement was about inclusion. That’s when pressure was exerted to include men in the format, and the station evolved and was re-named WWEE.

In 1999, 14 of the original WHER “girls” attended a reunion in Memphis with Sam Phillips. (see second photo)

From a later radio interview Sam Phillips said: “It was not, I'm gonna tell you, it was not a novelty. WHER was an embryo because there wasn't anything else like it in the world.”

An Elvis Moment

Elvis is pictured with the very beautiful Natalie Wood and the not-so-beautiful -- but significant -- Dewey Phillips.

Phillips was a leading DJ in Memphis for many years at WHBQ. He broke barriers by playing a mix of music including country, pop and rhythm & blues -- by both black and white artists. It was Phillips who first aired Elvis' initial record "That's All Right Mama/Blue Moon of Kentucky." Sam Phillips (not related to Dewey) walked an acetate of the brand new record down to Dewey who was on the air at the time. He played the record; listeners started calling in and, as they say, the rest is history.

Sam Phillips, Sun Records, had in his pre-Elvis days produced a number of black artists including Ike Turner, but Sam's real goal was to find a white singer who could successfully carry off black music. That was the way he knew he could carry the wonderful R&B feel and tunes to a white audience. When Elvis' records first gained air time, the audience presumed he was black. No one had ever heard a white performer sing like that.

In an early interview with the 19-year-old Elvis, Dewey "outed" his race by asking a simple question in segregated Memphis. "What high school did you attend?" Clever. You couldn't just ask a guest "Are you black or white?" When Elvis said he'd graduated from Humes High, the wow factor was huge.

Discovery and Resolution

Yesterday Mike and I made a discovery and closed a loop in my family history. Last year, through his genealogy pursuits, we found the grave of my great-grandmother Mary Elizabeth Galvin (orig. Gallivan) Manley. She’s buried in the old section of Memphis’ Calvary Cemetery, not far from her youngest daughter, my grandmother Mary Michael Manley Thomas. Mary Michael lies alongside her husband and next to her only son, my father, and her older sister.

We were unable last year to locate Mary Elizabeth’s husband, Michael James, or any of their children who we knew died young. But, with Mike’s additional research and confirmations from Calvary’s old records, we were able yesterday to prove that the whole family is buried there.

Mary Elizabeth and Michael James were both Irish immigrants who lived in the Pinch District, an area near North Main Street which was primarily occupied by working class Irish, Italian and German immigrants. (See more about Irish immigrants in Memphis at - http://plunkchronicles.blogspot.com/2009/09/irish-branch-of-tree.html.)

Before marriage, Mary Elizabeth had been a domestic servant for one of the city’s wealthy families. Michael James was employed as a tinsmith. Mike’s research showed that, as the young couple started their family, it seemed that every time they had a baby, an older child died. They lived in the Pinch during the great yellow fever epidemic and lost a little girl to that disease.

The recitation of family deaths paints a tragic picture.
1878 – Margaret, age 5, died of yellow fever.
1880 – Ella, 2, died of pneumonia.
1883 – John James died two weeks before his third birthday.
1886 – Michael James died of liver disease at the age of 39. Mary Elizabeth was eight months pregnant with my grandmother and now was a widow.
1895 – Kate, 13, died on Christmas Day from consumption.

Of the children, only my grandmother and her sister Edna, who never married, lived into adulthood and their golden years.

Mary Elizabeth, who never remarried, died in 1925 at the age of 70. Hers was the only grave that had been marked. The little Manley family could probably barely afford the burials and certainly not headstones. We recently learned that the family plot had been a gift from an uncle of Michael James.

Lost, Now Found

As the administrator at Calvary Cemetery explained, little Margaret would be the only family member not in the plot. During the yellow fever epidemic, there were large numbers of deaths every day, and the victims needed to be buried quickly for sanitation reasons. He also explained that what appears to be two open fields near the cemetery’s old section are actually sites of yellow fever victims’ graves. Five-year-old Margaret would lie there.

Mike and I left the cemetery office and went to Mary Elizabeth’s crumbling gravestone. We stood there in the open area which we now knew was the family plot. Touching the grass, knowing that it covered Mary Elizabeth, Michael James and their little ones, I just stood there and cried.

Mike and I made arrangements to place a monument in the center of the plot that would bear the names and dates of birth and death for the six Manleys. No longer lost and forgotten, they will receive the honor and respect they deserve.

Driving away from Calvary, I wiped my eyes again and announced to Mike that I thought I was finally through crying. He responded with “It’s been a long time since anyone has cried for them.” And, of course, I started crying again – as I am doing as I write this.

Mary Elizabeth

With the many tragedies of the Manley family, it would be easy to picture an angry embittered Mary Elizabeth who had seen most of her children die and who became a young widow with daughters to raise alone. My grandmother, however, described her mother as a saint.

Despite the family’s meager financial status and the loss of children and husband, Mary Elizabeth was a woman of compasion and great faith. My grandmother Mary Michael told me that her mother consistently tended to the needs of her friends and neighbors in the Pinch.

In my favorite story, Mary Elizabeth was doing regular visitation with a family whose young son had been badly burned. The boy’s condition worsened, and the family was devastated at the child's impending death. Mary Elizabeth did her best to comfort them, but she had another concern. Because the family was Jewish, Mary Elizabeth knew that the child had not been baptized. A devout Catholic, my great-grandmother was distressed over the plight of the youngster’s soul.

She would not interfere with another’s religion, so she chose a secret course of action. Before her next visit, Mary Elizabeth slipped a vial of holy water into her apron pocket. As soon as she was alone with the boy, she performed her own baptism ritual and left that day confident that the child’s soul would rest with her Heavenly Father. That strength of faith is surely what carried her through the deaths of her own little ones.

Dead Elvis Week 2010

Today is the kick-off of what we in the Memphis area refer to as Dead Elvis Week. You see, there are two separate weeks of Elvis celebrations in Memphis. One is in January celebrating El’s birthday. There are a number of activities, but it’s pretty cold then and it’s not vacation time, so fewer thousands flock to Memphis for that event. This week, however, commemorates Elvis’ death in 1977. Fans from around the world pack up and head to Memphis to participate in the many and varied activities and to stand at the gates of Graceland.

Today’s kick-off events include a reception and a concert at the Overton Park Shell recreating one of the early concerts by the King.

There will be meet ‘n greets with former Memphis Mafia (Elvis’ guy pals) members, back-up singers, musicians, actors from those movies, and pretty much anyone who had an association with him and who wants to be here.

Also on the agenda are a 5k run, fan club presidents’ meeting, screenings of his films, Elvis tribute artist contest, monster parties, and a gospel breakfast on Sunday morning.

The big event, the candlelight vigil, will be on Sunday night. It is a free event and open to all. Visitors meet at Graceland’s gate and, at the proper time, will form an escorted line to walk up the driveway, around back to the gravesites of Elvis and his mother, then around the house and back to the gate. Each guest carries a lighted candle and walks in respectul silence. The gates stay open and guests may pay their respects as long as people are lined up. It generally takes most of the night.

I like to think that Elvis watches the procession from an upstairs window.

Here’s a link to the full schedule of events:
http://www.elvisweek.com/schedule/

And here’e Elvis live singing Polk Salad Annie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk1LmX6noGY

Texas Trip, Third & Final Part

I’d never heard of Memphis, Texas until I heard the line in a Rodney Crowell song: “Memphis, Texas; Houston, Tennessee; I’m just so turned around, I don’t know where I want to be.”

But then, there we were driving from Austin to Amarillo when Mike spotted the city limits sign – Memphis, TX! We just had to stop and memorialize it with a couple of photos.

For extra measure, here’s a link to that song. Mike and I really enjoy Rodney Crowell who, although not a country singer/songwriter, was Johnny Cash’s son-in-law. Try it. We think you’ll like it.

“I Wish It Would Rain”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzGqxw_X0Yo

Austin, The Kids, and Some Music

Mike and I just returned from a great trip to Texas where we had a super visit with four of his five Austin kids – Shannon, Chris, Wendall and Jennifer. Hopefully we’ll get to see Paula on the next trip.

Among the fun stuff with the kids was a Sunday evening outing to the Saxon Pub where Mike’s former bandmate Bobby Whitlock and his wife CoCo Carmel were performing. It was a great show. Bobby’s distinctive voice with a bluesy rasp mixed with CoCo’s honeyed tones, all framed by their musical skills on guitars, sax and keyboard. If you’re in Austin on a Sunday evening, you should really catch the show.

Mike first met Bobby back in 1967 when the two of them played with The Memphis Counts, house band at The Cabaret, a club that was on Memphis’ Highland Strip close to Memphis State University. It was just a couple of blocks from the first apartment for newlywed Mike and me.

That was when Delaney & Bonnie came into the club, heard Bobby’s vocals and B-3 talents, snapped up a young Bobby and added him to their band. He later joined Derek and the Dominos, played with Eric Clapton and George Harrison, and became a notable songwriter. He wrote material for the famous Layla album, and his other material has been recorded by many artists including Sheryl Crow, Ray Charles, Tom Jones and George Jones.

The fascinating story of his life and career will come out this fall in his book, Bobby Whitlock: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Autobiography.

In the meantime, check out Bobby’s website and the two song links posted below.
Bobby Whitlock’s website:
http://www.bobbywhitlockandcococarmel.com:80/

Bobby Whitlock & Eric Clapton – Bell Bottom Blues - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZNL0wvIj78&feature=PlayList&p=A8D8B381ABD37E99&playnext=1&index=61

Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel – Layla -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crJ1JK4yk0s&feature=PlayList&p=0F77935ECAF2B02F&playnext=1&index=7

More trip stuff in upcoming posts.

Trolley Tour Night on South Main

Memphis’ South Main historic district is the place to be on the last Friday of each month. That’s the trolley tour night when the trolley is free and the fun is everywhere.

You can visit shops for clothing and jewelry, check out the galleries (including that of our artist friend John Robinette) and, of course, the restaurants. We enjoyed a great meal at Pearl’s Oyster House and noticed a couple of Robinette’s paintings on the walls. In chatting with John that night, we learned that actor Samuel L. Jackson also owns some of John’s work.

Although we liked Pearl’s a lot, if you’re new to downtown we also recommend the Arcade which is the oldest restaurant in Memphis and once was one of Elvis’ favorites. Besides the historic interest, the Arcade has an interesting Southern menu selection and an ample supply of yummy food. More about the Arcade is in this previous post – http://plunkchronicles.blogspot.com/2008/07/moroccans-tour-memphis.html

Ernestine & Hazel’s is another stop on South Main to check out. It is a popular spot for burgers and brew and has a salty history. Many, many years ago, the site was a bordello, and the word around town is that the building is haunted. We don’t know if the ghosts are those of working girls, their clients or both, but it’s certainly interesting.

On our evening downtown, the street was bustling with people, and bands were playing on the street and inside some restaurants. Mike and I enjoyed our trolley tour evening and will definitely return. Mark your calendars now for the last Friday of July, 6-9 p.m.

Read more about trolley tours at this site.
http://southmainmemphis.net/trolley-nights/

'Memphis Beat' Mis-Step

Last night I watched the premiere of Memphis Beat on TNT. The reviews I’ve read this morning were quite positive. I have a slightly different view.

There were some strong positives about the show: good visuals of Memphis, excellent use of Memphis music, and a great PSA about music from Memphis that you thought came from Detroit. My personal highlight was Alfre Woodard who played the new precinct lieutenant in this cop show. The core plot was interesting as well.

On the minus side, I groaned at a few over-the-top, melodramatic speeches like the one from the detective star of the show exhorting a group of uniformed officers before a neighborhood search: “Aren’t we all here because we love Memphis?” It was almost “Win one for the Gipper.”

Here’s my really big gripe about Memphis Beat. The show’s writers and producers apparently suffer from the delusion that all Southerners are hicks. I can’t recall a single character last night who spoke proper English. I blame the hick factor partially on the use of Jason Lee in the starring role who formerly played the title character in My Name is Earl, a program that would be listed under the definition of “redneck.”

It’s a sad commentary on the prejudice that still exists about Southerners and the South. May I point out that many great writers came from the South: William Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, John Grisham. FedEx originated in Memphis. Holiday Inns was born here. The South produces literate, talented people. Perhaps the Memphis Beat writers should break through the negative stereotype while still portraying the charm of the region.

If that can happen, Memphis Beat might even become popular in Memphis.