Memphis, TN
Music connected to Memphis
Ready to soak up some soulful vibes? Then point your RoadyGoat towards Memphis, Tennessee, a city practically synonymous with the blues. This Mississippi River city is more than just a dot on the map; it's a musical landmark, name-dropped in countless songs like Kacey Musgraves' "Velvet Elvis" and Zach Bryan's "Memphis; The Blues." You'll find the spirit of Memphis woven into the sounds of artists like Al Green, 2Pac, and even pop icon Justin Timberlake, who calls this resilient city home.
Beyond the iconic music scene, Memphis boasts a rich history, from its founding in 1819 to its pivotal role in the cotton trade, all shaped by the mighty Mississippi. You can feel the city's unique character in every corner, from the historic Orpheum Theatre (rumored to be haunted!) to the famous Peabody Hotel ducks. So, crank up some Johnny Winter, explore the Chickasaw Bluffs, and let the soulful atmosphere of Memphis wash over you – it's an experience you won't soon forget.
About Memphis
- • Justin Timberlake, a pop icon, hails from Memphis, Tennessee.
- • Kwik Chek convenience stores originated in Memphis in 1957.
- • Its strategic location on the Mississippi River boosted cotton trade and growth.
- • The Peabody Hotel ducks have marched daily since the 1930s.
- • The Great Fire of 1844 destroyed much of downtown Memphis.
- • Named after the ancient Egyptian city, it was founded in 1819.
- • With over 620,000 residents, it's Tennessee's second-largest city.
- • Sitting at 331 feet above sea level, its higher than Miami.
- • Logistics and transportation are major employers in the Memphis area.
- • The atmosphere is soulful, resilient, and deeply rooted in blues music.
- • Loess soil, deposited by wind, blankets the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.
- • The Chickasaw Bluffs rise dramatically above the Mississippi River floodplain.
- • The Mississippi River, vital for commerce and transportation, borders the city.
- • The Mississippi Kite, a slender raptor, is commonly seen soaring over Memphis.
- • Bald cypress trees thrive in the swampy bottomlands near the Wolf River.
- • The Mississippian culture built mounds in the Memphis area, predating European arrival.
- • Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968.
- • The Orpheum Theatre, a lavish movie palace, opened in 1928.
- • The Orpheum Theatre is rumored to be haunted by a young girl named Mary.
- • Interstate 40 crosses the Mississippi River via the Hernando DeSoto Bridge.