Beale Street Caravan

This week on Beale Street Caravan, we visit Growlers in midtown Memphis to catch an electrifying double header. Up first, blues rocker Jared James Nichols delivers his high energy brand of singing and guitar slinging. Then we have a return performance from soul blues trio and Beale Street Caravan regulars, The Dirty Streets.

Grammy nominated blues artist, Cedric Burnside, is back with us this week. Cedric is the grandson of the late, great R.L. Burnside, and he plays the Hill Country blues like nobody else. This performance was captured at The Memphis Blues Society’s Bonafide Blues Festival during Bridging the Blues.

Also on the program, BSC contributor, Preston Lauterbach, discusses the Chitlin’ Circuit and The Road to Rock n Roll.

This week on Beale Street Caravan, we bring you Alice Hasen and the Blaze, recorded live at Art on Fire at Dixon Gallery & Gardens. Alice, a violinist based in Memphis, leads the fiddle-powered group, performing original compositions that blend rock, folk, and jazz. Art on Fire is an annual event supporting the Dixon’s art and horticulture programs, featuring live music, food, drinks, and a bonfire.

This week on the program we have Mellotron Variations. An instrumental project built around one of the most unique instruments ever conceived.

We’ll also hear from rock and roll veteran, and sideman to the stars, Hunt Sales.

BSC contributor Jim Spake is back with us to continue his series, "Crazy About a Saxophone" on the legendary sidemen that played rock’s original lead instrument.

This week on Beale Street Caravan we feature rock ‘n’ rollers, Low Cut Connie. Led by front man Adam Weiner, the band has released two studio efforts since their last appearance on the program: Dirty Pictures Part 1 and Dirty Pictures Part 2. Last year, NPR dubbed them, “The Essence of Rock and Roll”. Listen to them live from the Levitt Shell here in Memphis, TN.

This week on Beale Street Caravan we have Mike Doughty of hip-hop/indie fusion band, Soul Coughing. In 1994 they released their debut record "Ruby Vroom," which was a critical success, long before it was typical to hear hip-hop blended so tightly with angsty rock and jazz. Listen to Doughty performing “Ruby Vroom” live from Bar DKDC in Cooper-Young, Memphis, TN.

This week on Beale Street Caravan, we feature singer-songwriter and musician, Lina Beach. After starting as an intern at Royal Studios with Grammy winner, Boo Mitchell, she has become a songwriter, recording artist, and session musician, performing with the legendary Hi Rhythm Section.. Join us as we capture her live set from Bar DKDC, in Midtown Memphis, TN.

The Love Light Orchestra -- Blues Music Award-winner John Nemeth on vocals, Joe Restivo on guitar, Tim Goodwin on bass, Earl Lowe on drums, Gerald Stephens on keys, and a five piece horn section that includes Marc Franklin, Scott Thompson, Art Edmaiston, Jason Yasinksy, and Kirk Smothers. William Lee Ellis continues his series, Religion and The Blues.

This week on Beale Street Caravan, we feature powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and entertainer Kesha Cook Norman, live from the Green Room at Crosstown Arts in Memphis, TN. Blending blues, soul, and R&B with an authenticity rooted in gospel tradition, Kesha delivers a performance that is both deeply personal and full of energy.

This week, we have the main event from the Hill Country Picnic. Kenny Brown, reigning King of the Hill Country, is with us with an incendiary set of gut bucket, hip-shaking blues.

BSC contributor William Lee Ellis returns to continue his series, Religion and the Blues.