Feel the Blues on Tennessee Music Pathways

Now a modern musical destination, B.B. King's Blues Bar is restaurant, bar, and live concert venue. Modeled to celebrate one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time, B.B. King's is a living legacy of its namesake. Opening during the Beale Street Revival of the 90's, the blues bar has been a cornerstone of Memphis nightlife ever since. Today, you can hear electrifying performances and enjoy mouth-watering Southern classics like barbecue and fried chicken.

Just off Beale is the Blues Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame Museum honors blues musicians through 10 individualized galleries with interactive touchscreen displays where you can hear music, watch videos and read stories of each inductee. Marvel at memorabilia like Stevie Ray Vaughan's performance kimono, Pee Wee Craton's Fender Stratocaster guitar and Bettye LaVette's Kennedy Center Honors performance outfit. Welcoming guests on their arrival, is a statue of Bobby "Blue" Bland seated on a bench out front.

Sun Studio, affectionately known as "The Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll," is a music buff's paradise. Before Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Johnny cash were drawn to the studio, the blues and R&B legends of B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf and Ike Turner recorded their distinctive sounds. The studio is hallmarked as a point of musical fusion for blues, country, gospel, rock 'n' roll and more. Take the guided tour, see the priceless memorabilia and listen to recording session outtakes of blues and country legends alike. 

Want to hear the best-of-the-best, modern blues? The world's largest blues competition is held annually at the epicenter of Memphis blues, historic Beale Street. Hear blues bands and solo/duo artists perform at over 20 unique live music clubs during the International Blues Challenge in January. Lasting five days, all artists go through a series of challenge rounds to determine who is the new "best-in-blues."

John Adams Estes was world-traveling, blues-recording artist with distinctive voice that carried a room. "Sleepy" was a nickname given to John for his notorious habit of falling asleep during performances. But before there was European tours and recording sessions at Sun Studios, "Sleepy" John grew up Brownsville, Tennessee. His musical career was dynamic and ever-changing, but his hometown remained the same. The last 2-room home of "Sleepy" John is now a museum that chronicles his way of life and musical repertoire. The Sleepy John Estes Home is located in the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Museum and is free to tour.

Walk through the careers of some of Tennessee’s most impactful performers. The Legends of Tennessee Music Museum displays memorabilia from "Queen of the Blues, Denise LaSalle, and legendary blues harmonica player, Sonny Boy Williamson. Located in the Carnegie Center, just a short walk from Jackson’s vibrant downtown—the museum is fitting way to discover what Tennessee is known for in the world of rockabilly, soul and blues.

Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar in Nashville’s famed Printers Alley is a good time, welcoming thousands of musicians on their stage over 25 years including legends like James Brown and B.B. King. Fill your soul with music that floats down the block and your stomach with Cajun & Creole food, signature cocktails and cold beer.

Predating Elvis's debut by 14 months, Lillie Mae Glover, was a revolutionary in the Vaudeville blues. Born in historic Downtown Columbia in 1906, she moved to Nashville soon after and joined a traveling medicine show at age 14. After marrying and settling down in Memphis around 1928, Lillie Mae continued to sing at local blues clubs and even recorded two songs for Sun Records; “Call Me Anything (But Call Me)” and “Baby, No, No!” According to Glover, she mentored up-and-coming blues artists including Bobby "Blue" Bland and B.B. King. Lillie Mae's Tennessee Music Pathways Marker is located at 130 E 8th St, Columbia, TN 38401. 

Bessie Smith, the Empress of Blues, inspired millions throughout the entirety of her life and far beyond. Born in Chattanooga, Smith grew up in poverty and used the emotional power of her songs to portray the classic blues themes of poverty, love, and oppression. Today, there is a mural in her honor near her birthplace in the MLK Neighborhood of Chattanooga, at 500 E MLK Blvd. Only steps down the street, stop in and visit the Bessie Smith Cultural Center-- which boasts a performance hall dedicated to Smith and a museum that preserves African American history and culture in Chattanooga.

Every September, a free festival of blues music, arts, crafts and food fills the banks of Cove Lake State Park-- with three stages of live music. The Louie Bluie Music & Arts Festival is an annual celebration of Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong. Louie Bluie grew up in Campbell County as a "jack of all trades." The string-band musician mastered 22 musical instruments, learned 7 languages and is a recipient of NEA’s National Heritage Fellowship and the Tennessee Governor's Folk Heritage Award. The festival remembers the legend of Louie and his art and music that inspired the mountain valley region of Caryville.