Tag Archives: Rufus Thomas

“I was looking for what was coming from a man’s soul and a man’s conviction.” — Sam Phillips

Posted on January 5, 2025 by sheila

The myth. The legend. There’s a lot of bull shit with the legend, and saying that does not mean throwing out the whole thing. But Sam did have a way of placing him at the center of every story in … Continue reading →

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“Sometimes I can sing it when I can’t say it.” — Carl Perkins

Posted on April 9, 2024 by sheila

“The music was new, the kids were just eatin’ it up. They were claiming it as their own music. But I really think when the kids were comin’ to the sock hops and to the rock and roll shows, I … Continue reading →

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“Memphis amateurs are the world’s professionals.” — Rufus Thomas

Posted on March 26, 2024 by sheila

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis movie was filled with deep cuts, so appreciated if you care about this story, and not just Elvis’ story, but the environment from which he came. Memphis. Beale Street. Thomas was a singer, yes, and he recorded … Continue reading →

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“Uh-uh Honey Stay OFF of Them Shoes …”

Posted on November 30, 2015 by sheila

Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes” had been recorded on the Sun label in January of 1956, and had climbed all three of the national charts (on a very steep curve): country & western, pop, and r&b. It was that r&b … Continue reading →

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Tick-Tock Shuffle

Posted on March 5, 2014 by sheila

The clock winding down on the two new babies arriving in my family this month. Very exciting. I am juggling three jobs right now, and doing pretty well with it. My sleep is good, my moods are good, and I’m … Continue reading →

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Past/Present/Future: The Hotel Chisca

Posted on January 5, 2013 by sheila

“That building you were just takin’ pictures of … that was the Hotel Chisca. Ol’ Dewey Phillips used to broadcast from there.” The man, who walked with a cane, came up beside me on Main Street and offered this information. … Continue reading →

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