Advertise on podcast: Beale Street Caravan

In early 1970, Booker T Jones was on sabbatical in California having grown disillusioned with confines of Stax Records and Memphis, when he heard the Beatles’ latest effort, Abbey Road. So moved was he by the Beatles’ genius and daring, that he sat down and drafted his own Memphis-style tribute to the group. The album, released later that same year, is titled McLemore Avenue, after the street where Stax’s studio and headquarters were located. This week on BSC, we have Memphis’ very own Booker T and The MG’s tribute band, The Maitre D’s, performing McLemore Avenue from start to finish in a performance captured on the cutting room floor of Studio A at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

This week on Beale Street Caravan, we have Memphis favorites, Lucero. The band celebrated the release of their new album, Should've Learned by Now, with a performance at the "World Famous" Hernando's Hideaway, here in Memphis, TN. Grammy nominated blues man, Guy Davis, will be with us to deliver an installment of the Blues Hall of Fame, an exploration of the lives of the pioneers and innovators enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, here in Memphis, TN, brought to you by the Blues Foundation.

This week we feature the mysterious, inscrutable, ever changing Sons of Mudboy. Also joining us will be BSC contributor, Jim Spake, exploring the legendary sidemen from the early years of rock and roll that played rock’s original lead instrument in a series called "Crazy About a Saxophone."

This week on Beale Street Caravan we feature Stax guitar heroes Harold Beane, Bobby Manuel, and Skip Pitts, in a special presentation of the Masters of the Soul Guitar, live from Studio A inside the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Grammy nominated blues man, Guy Davis, will be with us to deliver an installment of the Blues Hall of Fame, an exploration of the lives of the pioneers and innovators enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, here in Memphis, TN, brought to you by the Blues Foundation.

This week on Beale Street Caravan, we’re dipping into two years of incredible live music from the Concert to Protect Our Aquifer. We’ll hear highlights from the 2024 and 2025 benefit concerts, where an outstanding lineup of artists came together in Memphis to support Protect Our Aquifer and its work to preserve and protect the Memphis Sand Aquifer. Join us for great performances in support of one of our city’s most vital natural resources.

This week on Beale Street Caravan we have longtime Ecko Records artist and southern soul dynamo, Sheba Potts-Wright in a performance at the historic Club Paradise. Raised on the touring circuit by her father, Beale Street harp legend Dr. Robert “Feelgood” Potts, Sheba has a sound that blends some of the best elements of the blues.

Beale Street Caravan presents highlights from the Pure Memphis Happy Hour, presented by Music Export Memphis, at the 2025 AmericanaFest in Nashville. Enjoy live performances from The Stupid Reasons, Black Cream, Alexis Grace, Cyrena Wages, and John Nemeth as they bring Memphis energy to a national stage. This episode is brought to you with support from The Thomas W. Briggs Foundation and Memphis Tourism.

The boys are back in town this week on Beale Street Caravan, as Memphis' own legendary psychedelic funk rockers, Big Ass Truck, celebrate their 30th anniversary live from Minglewood Hall. Grammy nominated blues man, Guy Davis, will be with us to deliver an installment of the Blues Hall of Fame, an exploration of the lives of the pioneers and innovators enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, here in Memphis, TN, brought to you by the Blues Foundation.

This week on Beale Street Caravan, we’re joined by Memphis guitarist Joe Restivo and Friends, celebrating his album A Beautiful Friendship. Joe brings together a remarkable group of musicians for an evening rooted in Memphis jazz tradition, collaboration, and creative exploration. Grammy nominated blues man, Guy Davis, will also be with us to deliver an installment of the Blues Hall of Fame, an exploration of the lives of the pioneers and innovators enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame.

This week's episode of Beale Street Caravan brings you an electrifying performance by JD Warren & The Rudiment, recorded live at the Green Room. Led by the husband-and-wife duo Jeremy and Dermel Warren, this NYC-based jazz group with Memphis roots infuses their music with deep soul and gospel, while also drawing on hip-hop and jazz influences. Their debut album, “I Can Do All Things,” showcases their distinctive sound.

This week on Beale Street Caravan we have soul legend and Fat Possum recording artist, Don Bryant, along with Memphis’ own, The Bo-Keys. Later in the program, we sit down with Don Bryant for an in-depth interview.

This week on Beale Street Caravan, the group Cha Wa delivers the sound of New Orleans brass bands and the style and energy of Mardi Gras Indians in an electrifying set live from Railgarten. Grammy nominated blues man, Guy Davis, will be with us to deliver an installment of the Blues Hall of Fame, an exploration of the lives of the pioneers and innovators enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, here in Memphis, TN, brought to you by the Blues Foundation.

This week on Beale Street Caravan we have Grammy Award winning saxophonist and Memphis music icon, Kirk Whalum. Kirk releases a new album, Humanite, on October 11. Also this week, we mark BSC host, Pat Mitchell-Worley's 20th year hosting the show!

This week on Beale Street Caravan, we have a soul-stirring performance from gospel duo, The Sensational Barnes Brothers. As the name implies, brothers Chris and Courtney Barnes draw from their musical roots to create a sound that is as much soul music as it is gospel, with a distinct Memphis flavor. Listen in live from the 2023 Beale Street Music Festival at Tom Lee Park, in Memphis, TN. Grammy nominated blues man, Guy Davis, will be with us to deliver an installment of the Blues Hall of Fame, an exploration of the lives of the pioneers and innovators enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, here in Memphis, TN.

Leo “Bud” Welch passed away December 19, 2017 at the age of 85. Born in 1932 in Sabougla, Mississippi, Welch spent his entire life in the area where he was raised. We are rebroadcasting this episode, originally aired in 2016, in tribute to our friend, Bud.