Backroads of American Music

The Boss Lounge

MEMPHIS, TN - A handful of veterans entertain the Thursday-night crowd in The Boss lounge at 912 Jackson. Bass player Leroy Hodges of the vaunted Hi rhythm section, former Bar-Kays and Soul Children drummer Roy Cunningham, keyboardist Jesse Dotson, and Denise LaSalle's guitarist Kenny Lee Kight make the Memphis Connection with guest vocalists Sugarman and Preacherman. The Boss’ bossman parks his Rolls...

James Bonner

MEMPHIS, TN - MEMPHIS, TN - Guitarist James Bonner, 56, was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee and played music there since childhood. He grew up in Clayborne Homes, a housing project, at the corner of Vance Avenue and Lauderdale Street. His family moved out to the country when he was a teenager. Today he lives in South Memphis and plays in the current incarnation of the legendary Memphis juke joint band The Fieldstones, along with his bass-playing...

One Block North

MEMPHIS, TN - This joint's tag line "music & fun" provides truth in advertising. Owned and operated by Jessie "Rabbit" Hurd for 18 years (as of early 2007), One Block North is the scene for live music on Friday night in north Memphis, right off Thomas Street, the city's "real Beale." The strongest band in the city, the Memphis Connection, plays behind a parade of talented guest vocalists including Joe Simon sound-alike Isaac...

Red’s Lounge

CLARKSDALE, MS - Mississippi’s a strange place. Now, you might ask “what other obscured truths will you reveal, o swami? Summer hot? Sky blue? Hobo like ham sandwich?” Okay, our minister of the obvious here at Backroads has taken good care of you thus far, so extend him a line of credit on this one. He’ll pay you back. Anyway, Mississippi’s a state that has undergone...

New Park Cemetery

MEMPHIS, TN - Many of our heroes were laid to rest in New Park Cemetery at 4536 Horn Lake Road in South Memphis. The roster reads like a who’s who of Memphis music in the second half of the 20th century. The place is a shortcut to Soul Heaven. Secrets and tales lay beneath this dirt. Stax and Hi Records drummer Al Jackson Jr. knows who murdered him, but the crime has gone unsolved for over thirty years. Rhythm and Blues heartthrob...

Latest Albums