Mark your calendar and don't forget--only one week left until the opening of our biggest exhibit of the year, THE ART OF STAX featuring the work of legendary music photographer Joel Brodsky. This is the first major collection of Mr. Brodsky's work during the Stax era, and is absolutely not to be missed.


Please make plans to join us on the evening of Friday, June 8 for THE ART OF STAX opening celebration event, when we will be joined by members of Mr. Brodsky's family for a soulful evening of memories, music, and unforgettable images.


PS--remember that we need your help to spread the word about the Stax Museum. Forward this info to your friends!

Um, does anyone speak Japanese that can translate?

This is a video of Rabbi Micah Greenstein talking about his shofars (among other things) in Studio A of Ardent Studios.

The concept is to produce a feature length documentary, not a dramatization of the book. It's just getting started with production of a "proof of concept" trailer. The director is Danielle McCarthy from NYC.

We have lots of video footage while the documentary team was in town, so look for some clips to be posted soon showing the adventures of John Fry, tour guide and driver. According to John:

I actually got out the 16 tracks of Radio City for the first time in 33 years and played with them a little. Film at 11.

I can't remember if the 2 or 3 camera video of Big Star was at the shell or New Daisy, ask Jody. I do believe the picture was OK and the audio terrible.

From The Big Star Story's Myspace:

The band Big Star is widely regarded as one of the greatest bands in rock ‘n’ roll history. So why haven’t you heard about them? Big Star’s greatest notoriety came as their song, “In the Street” was selected as the defining song of the 1970s for the Fox sitcom, That 70s Show. Despite their claim to fame for being famous for not being famous, Big Star’s influence can be heard in the music of R.E.M., Coldplay, Wilco, Jeff Buckley, Teenage Fanclub, and The Posies, just to name a few.

The Big Star Story will explore the resurrection of the originators of the power pop sound and the band’s reforming to record their first album in over thirty years in 2005. The story of Big Star is unique in the history of rock and roll and both devoted fans and complete neophytes will be moved by this incredible story served with an achingly beautiful and generation-defining soundtrack of teenage angst and longing.

For updates, keep checking back - or be The Big Star Story's friend on Myspace!

Big Star's Namesake

Old Studio

John Fry gives his famous Stax tour

More Photos

The Shortlist Organization today announced Cat Power as the winner of the Sixth Annual Shortlist Music Prize for her album "The Greatest." Cat Power is the first woman to win the Shortlist Music Prize, and was also a Shortlist finalist in 2003 for her album "You Are Free." Cat Power was selected as this year's winner by a panel of nine Listmakers including Franz Ferdinand, Panic at the Disco, Sufjan Stevens and members of Snow Patrol, the Killer and Flaming Lips.

In a statement, Listmaker KT Tunstall said "Cat Power's album quickly got under my skin. She has one of the most beguiling voices around. 'The Greatest' is an immediate classic that will never age."

The Greatest will be featured on the iTunes Store (http://www.itunes.com or go to the cat power page on iTunes) during a weeklong promotion that includes the availablity of a digital exclusive - a track entitled "Up and Gone." Additionally, the Shortlist Organization has made iTunes the official music store of the Shortlist website at www.shortlistofmusic.com.

The Shortlist Music Prize was founded in 2001 to honor the most creative and adventurous albums of the year and shine a spotlight on emerging artists. The five previous winners are Sigur Ros, N*E*R*D, Damien Rice, TV on the Radio and Sufjan Stevens. Previous Listmakers include Beck, Perry Farrell, Trent Reznor, Aimee Mann, Mos Def, Dave Matthews, Pharrell Williams, Tom Waits, Tori Amos, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and members of U2, the Roots, Linkin Park, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Massive Attack, Dashboard Confessional, Metallica, System of a Down, the Cure, Black Eyed Peas, Chemical Brothers, and Coldplay.

This year's remaining nine finalists were Band of Horses, Beirut, Bonnie Prince Billy, Cat Power, Girl Talk, Hot Chip, Joanna Newsom, Regina Spektor, Spank Rock and Tom Waits.

Cat Power's The Greatest was recorded and mixed at Ardent Studios.

More Info

Since the hot and dusty autumn of 1915, when W.C. Handy's "Memphis Blues (Talkin' 'bout dem Boss Crump Blues)" hit the top of Circus Tent and Minstrel Show magazine's most requested list of shoutouts for the whole year, Memphis popular music has been defining and setting the course for American music history. The D.W. Griffith scopitone of Handy's hit song (most played in 1915, according to Penny Arcade) coupled with the Handy Orchestra's L&N sponsored barn-storming tour of union lodges and wedding halls catapulted the song from dance hall favorite to political campaign success, forever cementing Memphis' place at the top of the pop music world. Almost one hundred years later, Memphis continues to create and disseminate the finest pop music in the entertainment industry.

On July 28, 2007, Memphis will celebrate the continued fluoridation of indigenous pop music with the 1st Annual Memphis Pops Fest. Bands performing will be the cream of the crop of Memphis' past, present, and future pop stars. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. Saturday at the Hi Tone Cafe 1913 Poplar Ave. in Memphis with the public debut of the Ardent Records 40 Years Story documentary by musicologist Larry Nager, the bands will include Vending Machine, Antenna Shoes, the Carbonas, the Everyday Parade (featuring members of '80s stalwart pop phenoms The Crime), Viva L'American Death Ray plus the always popular special guests!

Order of Events
6:00 p.m. Ardent Records 40th Year Documentary
7:00 Very Special Guests tba
8:15 Vending Machine
9:30 Antenna Shoes
10:45 The Carbonas
12:00 The Everyday Parade
1:15 Viva L'American Death Ray

Advance tickets $10.00 available at www.memphispops.com
Shangri-la Records 1916 Madison Ave.
Goner Records 2152 Young Ave.

Burgers and Hot Dogs will be served. Come early. Stay Late. Don’t miss this summer’s biggest Pop Manifesto!

Brought to you by Ardent Studios, Goner Records, Shangri-la Projects, Shangri-la Records, & Memphis Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

From left: Chuck D. and Randy Jackson

We had the privilege of making the multi-track audio recording of the Stax 50th show on 6/22 and providing a live stereo feed to XM satellite radio. There are some stellar performances in that show.

I was in our control room under the stage with Curry Weber, Chris Jackson, Alan Burcham, Lucas Peterson, and our summer interns Barrett Kitterman and Austin Nuaert.

Everyone did a great, 100% professional job, and I can't wait to hear some studio mixes from the 48 track ProTools HD recordings.

It was a special experience to participate in recording all those artists that we originally recorded for Stax in the 60s and 70s. Out of the 22 songs played in the show, Ardent recorded 8 for sure, and probably more.

The XM feed sounded good as well, but the show ran long and the finale was not broadcast, but we will provide them the full show so they can air the part they missed at a later time. XM CH 60, Soul Street.

I hope Lucas and Alan were not too stressed out about me hollering in their ears about what was getting ready to happen in the mix for the live feed. I just had to get in on recording some artists and songs we worked on as long as 40 years ago. I'm not quite ready to graze in the pasture yet.

Hayes Talks About Stax 50th Anniversary

Stax 50 Blog

USA Today: Stax concert is a blast from the label's past