The Arkansas highway seemed to be better for a while but the closer we got to Memphis the worse it was. Crossing the bridge into Memphis was horrible. Of course, it didn’t help when we missed the curve to continue on I-55 and went right into the city. We were still traveling at our usual 60 mph but when we recognized we were no longer on the highway and Denny hit the brakes for a railroad crossing I checked the Memphis city map in the atlas to find out how we could get to the campground we found.
The railroad crossing was terrible and we were sure that there would be a problem in the rig after going, or should I say jumping and jerking, over the tracks. It was a bad crossing. We headed south on Hwy 51 which took us back to I-55 and Elvis Presley Blvd.
We weren’t in the best part of Memphis but we made it to our destination.
We found our campground and set up. It was still early enough so we decided to head downtown toward Sun Studio. We found it and were 1/2 hour early for the last tour. We purchased our tickets and looked around the gift shop until tour time.
Here is Grandma, Hannah and Noah in front of the gift shop entrance.
Here we are again in front of the studio entrance.
They took us upstairs to show us their collection of memorabilia. There was early recording equipment, pictures and history of the recording studio and early artists on the label.
Our tour guide, Lydia, took us down to the original studio.
The wall and ceiling tiles are original. They have tape on the floor where Elvis and the first two musicians Sam Phillips arranged for him to sing with. They spoke of the “Million Dollar Quartet”.
Elvis had dropped by the studio. He was visiting his roots. Sam Phillips had sold his contract for $35,000 when he recognized what he had and that he couldn’t give Elvis the promotion he needed. He was also in debt and needed some cash to pay his bills.
Carl Perkins was there with Jerry Lee Lewis. Sam Phillips called Johnny Cash and asked him to come to the studio. The newspaper was notified and the famous picture of these four musicians was in the paper with the headline “Million Dollar Quartet.” A play has been written about this day. We were able to see it in Chicago last summer. It was terrific and we would see it again, given the chance.
The studio is still being used and young artists record at night after the tours end.
Hannah and Noah had their pictures taken with the microphone used at the studio when Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis were there.
We visited the gift shop again and purchased shirts for Denny and the kids. We took more pictures outside and then drove around downtown. We found Beale St. and saw all the people hanging around the “blues” capital of the world. It was fun to see it.
We took the kids to see the Pyramid. It is such a unique building but, sadly, is not longer used. There is a new FedEx arena and the Pyramid is vacant.
I was too tired to cook after our long day so we headed south looking for a place we felt comfortable taking the kids. I thought to myself, "we may end up in Mississippi". Well that is exactly where we ate our meal. We found a Ryan's Buffet and the kids were excited to be able to eat anything they wanted and to see the food before ordering. They ate well and we were ready for bed. It is a good thing Mississippi is just down the road from our campground.
Graceland and more Elvis adventures tomorrow.
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