WHY MEMPHIS? THE MUSIC

David Levy, Co-Producer, "Cookie's Fortune", had only to walk to Beale Street to discover the music for the soundtrack of this Robert Altman picture. Invited by The Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission to one of Beale Street's famous parties, Levy there heard live performances by modern-day music legends, the late Rufus Thomas and Ruby Wilson. Fast forward to the finished film: the singers not only belt out the blues on "Cookie's Fortune's" soundtrack, but also appear in prominent roles on-camera! You won't have to look long to find Memphis performers and songwriters in the music credits of many other films.  Recently, at SUNDANCE 2005, Memphis music highlighted the soundtracks of the festival's big winners: "Forty Shades of Blue"(winner, The Grand Jury prize) and "Hustle & Flow" (winner,The Audience Award) and both films were shot entirely on location in Memphis!

The songs of Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, David Porter, and Charlie Rich continue to add magic to film and television soundtracks around the world.

And don't forget the hits of Memphis music legends Al Green, B.B. King, The Memphis Horns, Booker T. & The MG's, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carla Thomas, and Wendy Moten. All still perform in Memphis! You can even catch (The Reverend) Al Green -- singing the service at his Memphis church, The Full Gospel Tabernacle. Jon Hornyak, Executive Director of The Recording Academy - Memphis Chapter, and Ray Fleming, President & CEO of The Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission, are eager to talk Memphis music to music supervisors and film producers.

Jon Hornyak can be reached at The Recording Academy at 901-525-1340.
Click here for the Recording Academy Memphis Chapter.

Ray Fleming can be reached at The Music Commission at 901- 543-5334.
Click here for the Memphis & Shelby Co. Music Commission Website.