Memphis History in a Nashville Museum

We are all familiar with Memphis’ connection to music. One thing I found particularly interesting about Professor Hughes’ lecture a few weeks ago is the way Memphis had to fight to stake their claim in the industry especially when other places like Muscle Shoals were attempting to copy the “Memphis sound.”  Ironically, Memphis is facing a similar issue today when it comes to the representation of black music.

            A museum dedicated to black music will not be located in Memphis, but instead in Nashville.  It is an interesting choice if you reflect on our discussion during Professor Hughes’ lecture.  Nashville was (and still is) seen home to country music which is most often identified as white music. Memphis, however, was home to the Memphis sound that was comprised of rock n’ roll, country, and soul music. The latter of which was often associated as the black sound. Because of the tension between the two styles of music, there was a tension between the two cities.  Therefore, it is interesting that a museum dedicated to black music will find its home in Nashville. 

            However, the article about the museum quotes Al Bell, the chairman of the Memphis Music Foundation and former owner of Stax Records.  “So, this is white Nashville, Tennessee saying we want it here in Nashville and that excites me,” Bell says.  He makes an interesting point. By placing the museum in Nashville, it could diversify the city and open it up to other histories of music that it might not otherwise tell. Bell makes another comment about the practicalities of Nashville getting the museum. “Bell said Nashville leaders stepped up, raised private money and got it done. It is something he said Memphis struggles to do.”  Memphis loves to talk about its history with music, but it could draw the enthusiasm or raise enough funds to house a museum dedicated to the music it helped create. This also resonates with something we talked about in class. Yes, Memphis has a history with music, but what about its present (and future)? We love going on Beale and hearing the local musicians, but it is not something that garners national attention or a national following like it did in the past.

            Even though I’ve been a Memphian for only four years, I did feel slighted that Memphis did not get the museum, but Bell’s comments made me re-evaluate those feelings. By having the museum in Nashville, it could do something for race relations in music on a larger scale.  However, it does deny Memphis the opportunity to tell its own story. What do you think about the museum being located in Nashville? Should Memphis have fought harder to raise the appropriate funds? Do you think music is still an important part of Memphis and its culture?

http://wreg.com/2014/04/24/nashville-not-memphis-will-be-home-of-new-national-museum-of-african-american-music/