Grizzlies and Tigers and snow, oh my! Yes, the dreaded “third winter” hit Memphis hard this week, the Grizzlies continued their reign as the hottest team in the NBA, and the Memphis Tigers earned their first NCAA Tournament berth in what feels like decades. While these stories dominated the local headlines, there were also some great stories about Memphis music that may have slipped through the cracks. Worry not though dear reader, because we’ve rounded up all of the recent highlights for your weekly edition of “The Latest.”
Local startup Connect Music Aims to Build Memphis into a Modern Music City
This week it was announced that a local startup called Connect Memphis had purchased a Downtown property for $2.5 million, the first step in an ambitious project that aims to bring the local music industry into the 21st century. Connect Music has partnered with top streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music to help artists distribute and publish their music, as well as receive owed compensation. The new building should help them continue and expand their mission. To learn more, check out this recent article in MemphisInno.
Cooper-Young Porchfest to Return for Second Year
Last April, the first annual Porchfest kicked off in the Cooper-Young neighborhood, which found yards and porches throughout the neighborhood occupied by a wide array of live music performances. This week, it was announced that Porchfest would indeed be returning on April 23 and featuring performances from Mike Hewlett & the Racket, Jeff Hulett, Trash Goblin and Rachel Maxann, among many others. If last year’s event was any indication, Porchfest may soon become one of Memphis’ most beloved annual traditions. To learn more about this year’s fest–and how the idea came about–check out this article in the Daily Memphian.
Paul Williams, Radio DJ and Former Audiomania Owner, Passes Away
Last weekend, our social media was filled with heartfelt messages of goodbye to Paul Williams, a Midtown legend and music lover who was a programmer on WEVL for decades and the owner of the record shop Audiomania on Madison. Paul will be remembered for his encyclopedic musical knowledge, generosity of spirit, and his willingness to teach others about some of his favorite obscure artists and records. “He was a true lover of music and about as Midtown as it gets,” wrote musician Steve Selvidge.
