Trip Day 4

Locations: Lorraine Motel - Memphis, Tennessee; STAX Museum of American Soul Music - Memphis, Tennessee; Four-Way Restaurant - Memphis, Tennessee; Sun Studios – Memphis, Tennessee; The Peabody Hotel - Memphis, Tennessee; Beale Street – Memphis, Tennessee

Day 4 was our first full day in Memphis. My teacher kept commenting on how alive I had become ever since we’d arrived in the city. I explained to him my family’s history in the area and of course I’d already told him about my Graceland/Elvis thing. I didn’t know what an emotional morning I was in store for.

Our first stop was the National Civil Rights Museum, housed in the former Lorraine Motel. I’m sure just about any of the 3 people that read this blog know about the hotel and what happened there in 1968. Upon first arriving, it looked very much the same as it did over 40 years ago, with the exception of the entrance to the museum.

Original sign still stands

The two cars out front aren’t the cars that were actually there that day, just authentic from that time period. It’s very quiet around that part of Memphis, so when you walk up to the doors, you can almost imagine the sounds from that day. Before walking in the doors, you can obviously see the balcony where Dr. King was shot.

The spot where Dr. King was standing when he was shot

After standing and just looking a while, of course I thought about where the shot came from. When I looked across the street, the boarding house loomed in the near distance.

The smaller window on the top right was where the shooter was

Going into the museum, we started with a film called “The Witness” which told the story of the days leading up to and the day of the assassination. The film revolved around Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles’ account of those events, he was one of the men accompanying Dr. King on his trip to Memphis. I think it was on HBO, not really sure. It’s worth watching, really set the tone for the whole morning.

The museum itself is....I can't really find a word for it. It's something that everyone should see for themselves because it really does open one's eyes to the people that died for civil rights in this country. That's about all I'm going to say about it, more pics are on my Facebook page if you want to see them. Don't want to be short, but it was a chilling place and just thinking about it brings back all those feelings I felt the day I was there.

On a lighter topic, our next stop was STAX Museum of American Soul Music. It's the only soul music museum in the world. Had some really interesting exhibits in it, and I was really surprised about some of the artists that recorded at this studio. What also makes it unique is that it's in a former movie theater, so the floors are sloped, which gave all of the music recorded there a unique sound.

Sign out front

Isaac Hayes' Cadillac

After STAX, we went and ate at the Four-Way Restaurant which was recommended to us by a guy there at the museum. It's definitely one of those places that you wouldn't know about unless you asked around, which honestly in my experience has turned out to be some of the best food I've ever had. This place did NOT disappoint. I had turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, lima beans, and corn bread. I can't even begin to describe how incredibly good it all was. The place has been there for 65 years and I can definitely see how!


After lunch, our first Elvis-connected stop was next: Sun Studio. This place is probably third on my bucket list behind Graceland and the birthplace in Tupelo. Our tour guide was....quirky to say the least. The place is not that big, first we started upstairs where the little museum is with all the old artifacts. Some pretty cool stuff in there...

Elvis' high school diploma

Original sign used before it was named Sun Studio

Where Elvis would have stood when recording

While upstairs was cool and all, the actual studio itself was what I was there for. When we walked down the stairs and crossed through the front office and into the studio, I have to admit I was completely overwhelmed. Mind you, its a very small and musty studio, but to be in the place where Elvis recorded his first records was, for me, quite an experience. It kind of felt surreal to be honest. I wish I could remember more of what was going through my head at the time I was there, but I don't think I was 100% conscious when I was there. Any other Elvis fan would understand. The two videos below are just footage of the studio, I didn't think that a picture could capture the whole feeling.

 

After Sun, (and more money spent in a gift shop lol) we headed into downtown Memphis to the Peabody Hotel to see the Peabody Ducks. I'd always heard about them and couldn't wait to see them! They were absolutely adorable!! We didn't get to see the famous march, but I plan on doing that when I go back with my friends in December. The hotel, by the way, is absolutely breathtaking. At least the lobby is.

After the Peabody, we returned to the hotel to clean up and rest before Beale Street that night. We ate at BB King's Restaurant & Blues Club for supper.Another fantastic meal, with a great atmosphere. Another surreal moment for me, eating at a blues club upstairs overlooking the dance floor listening to a great blues band. For the rest of the night, we walked up and down Beale and I finished my list of souvenirs to get for my friends and family. While I had a fantastic time that night, my mind was already at the next day. The next day would be Graceland, the number one item on my bucket list. Needless to say, I would not get a whole lot of sleep that night :)