Shelby Farms Park is gearing up for the second annual Mempho Music Festival and another chance to showcase the country’s largest urban park to a diverse and wide-reaching audience.
Memphis’ newest music festival is expecting a crowd of 20,000 on Oct. 6 and 7, which is impressive for a park two years out from a $70 million renovation embarked upon in 2010 with a distant vision for such an event.
The master plan for the park was designed not only for people to recreate and relax, but as a place to build community, and a music festival can be a big part of that, said Jen Andrews, executive director of Shelby Farms Park. Andrews has always had a larger vision for the park as a place where the community could come together and take ownership and pride in the best that Memphis has to offer.
Enter another visionary, native Memphian Diego Winegardner, founder of Mempho Fest and CEO of Big River Presents, which is putting on the festival. Winegardner grew up in Memphis and now lives outside of New York City where his day job is in finance and investment management. A couple of years ago on a trip home to Memphis he met some old friends for a bike ride at Shelby Farms Park.
“I was completely blown away,” Winegardner said. “The sun was setting on Hyde Lake, and I had this lightning-bolt moment of how special it would be to bring a world-class music festival to this site.
I thought about Memphis’ place in the annals of American music as the birthplace of blues, soul and R&B and the hip hop scene that we have here.
“If you think about the labels … Sun, Stax, Royal…I was exposed to all of that growing up, and seeing B.B. King on Beale Street was just normal,” he said. “I didn’t appreciate it until I was gone. I started to get really nostalgic about my hometown.”
Winegardner is a music enthusiast who has been to most of the notable music festivals in the U.S. and many around the world. He had the resources and connections to realize his dream. Last year, the first Mempho Fest kicked off with great success with 10,000 in attendance for two days of concerts featuring a variety of bands from different music genres.
“I’ve always been a big fan of (Memphis) and its people and a big defender of the city and its history,” Winegardner said. “This music festival was born out of my passion for music and my passion for the city of Memphis.”
When Winegardner first met with Andrews two years ago to pitch his idea, she caught his vision right away.
He approached it cautiously and wanted to understand how to protect the park and still give people a good experience, she said. “We like working with Diego,” she said. “They care about the park, and like us, have a big, bold vision, and they hired a professional team who knew how to put on a safe and fun event.”
This year’s festival will feature two days of multi-genre music headlined by Grammy Award-winning artist and hip-hop superstar Post Malone as well as Beck, Phoenix, NAS and Janelle Monae. Local talent like Lucero and alternative Mac deMarco also will perform, and there will be a special tribute to Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios featuring the label’s past and present stars.
Sunday will feature performances by crowd favorites like George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic and Stones Throw, Chuck Laevell’s Rolling Stones’ backer band.
The festival will not only expand in attendance, but will add a larger culinary and craft beer presence in addition to on-site camping and VIP and super-VIP experiences.
“We’re trying to create more than just music on a stage,” said Winegardner, who also created a nonprofit arm called Mempho Matters that will partner with organizations that line-up with the vision of the festival, such as Oceanic Global Foundation, #BringYourSoul, Learn to Rock and the Memphis Area Women’s Council’s “Memphis Says NO MORE” campaign.
As part of Mempho’s partnership with the Oceanic Global Foundation, the festival has a 100 percent waste-free goal, which will start with its no straw policy.
“A best practice environmental policy is important to help make sure the park is as pristine when we leave as when we showed up,” said Winegardner.
The partnership promoting the Memphis Area Women’s Council’s “NO MORE” campaign is to make sure that Mempho Fest’s female attendees feel safe. Winegardner, who has a teenage daughter, knows stories about the lack of safety for females at other events, prompting him to take up the cause.
“In this day and age, you really have to take a stand and make it an institutional part of our way of doing things,” he said.
Money raised through Mempho Matters will also benefit the Memphis community through contributions to musical education in the form of free tickets for students and teachers to attend the festival as well as instruments and money for music education in local schools.
Last year, Mempho Matters gave away 2,000 tickets to students and teachers.
“We want to build bridges into the community and be as inclusive as possible,” Winegardner said. “We want to educate the children and the youth of tomorrow about the history of Memphis musically and create a sense of pride for its citizens while also attracting new people and adding another chapter to Memphis’ long, rich history.”
Andrews is optimistic about the growth of Mempho Fest this year, projecting double the attendance in its second year as well as adding 400 weekend camping permits. Those include primitive camping, RV hookups and glamping.
“The camping option is an important part of festival culture, and one of the great benefits of the park is its tremendous scale, which can accommodate that,” Andrews said.
But the plan is to grow Mempho Fest slowly, she said.
“We learned a lot the first year, and we’re applying the learning to this year’s festival,” she said. “We have a strong plan for safely managing the crowd. We want this to be a world-class festival.”
Big River Productions and Winegardner have an undisclosed agreement with Shelby Farms Park, and both entities hope to continue the relationship.
“I’m hoping that Mempho Fest will become a long-term asset for the city of Memphis,” Winegardner said.
Music remains a big driver of visitors to Memphis — 56 percent of leisure visitors come to the city for something related to music, said Kevin Kane, president and CEO of Memphis Tourism, formerly called the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We’re supporters of (Mempho Fest),” he said. “We believe in it and want to see it grow. Music festivals have a big impact on the economy. The more events we have based in music the better, and we think it’s great to utilize Shelby Farms in this way.”

2. FHN Names Dawn Morris to Chief Digital Banking/Marketing Post - Tuesday, September 11, 2018

First Horizon National Corp. has named Dawn Morris executive vice president, chief digital banking and marketing officer.

3. Memphis Climb - Saturday, August 25, 2018

Recently, cbssports.com put out a map showcasing the best college football programs in every state. The state of Tennessee, which forever would have been colored Big Orange, was instead shaded Memphis Tigers Blue. College football writer Barrett Sallee provided a two-part explanation for how this came to be:

4. US Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.9 Percent as Hiring Slows - Monday, August 6, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Employers pulled back on hiring in July, but the job gains were still enough to lower the U.S. unemployment rate a tick to 3.9 percent from 4 percent.

Employers added 157,000 jobs last month, a modest gain, the Labor Department said Friday. That's below the 215,000 average for the first seven months this year, but economists said the decline will likely prove temporary.

5. Last Word: Sunflowers, Poplar-Ridgeway TIF and Meet The Developer of The Bucc - Thursday, July 26, 2018

You wait for it all year but it always comes as a surprise when you see them by the side of the road beckoning with their bright colors and their solid stance on the horizon as early voters head for Agricenter in search of a bit of scenery before making their choices. The sunflowers – What did you think I was talking about? -- began blooming on Walnut Grove Tuesday, the first of two phases from more than 78,000 sunflower seeds planted at Agricenter. They last a few weeks and with the staggered plantings, the new crop should be in its full glory about a month from now. Please don’t pick the sunflowers. Agricenter has designated parking areas after you enter on Timber Creek Drive. Just follow the signs.

6. Hill Bellan Rejoins Shea, Moskovitz & McGhee - Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Attorney Hillary Hill Bellan, who originally joined Shea, Moskovitz & McGhee in 2012, says she always enjoyed working at the law firm and missed it when she moved to Florida in 2014. Now she is back in Memphis and has rejoined the firm, focusing her practice exclusively on family law matters, including divorce, custody disputes, child support modifications, parental relocation and termination of parental rights.

7. Following Merger, First Tennessee Executive Encourages Memphians to Embrace Change - Friday, July 20, 2018

Sometimes, your career chooses you. For Darin Johnson, he always knew he wanted to combine his love of numbers and people. “Since I was a kid, I’ve loved numbers,” Johnson said. “In fact, we didn’t have voicemail when I was a kid, so I would memorize everyone who would call and all of their numbers."

8. Last Word: Water Hoses and Campaigns, Taking Down Alabama and Bitcoin ATM - Wednesday, July 18, 2018

One of the candidates on the August ballot compares campaigning during the early voting period to drinking from a fire hose. That and other notes from the campaigns in a story that also includes some early voting numbers from the first three days before it went countywide Tuesday at 22 other sites. With that updated after press time, the new numbers show we are over 10,000 early voters so far.

9. First Horizon Reports Strong Q2 as Capital Bank Merger Wraps Up - Wednesday, July 18, 2018

With the Capital Bank merger and integration complete, Memphis-based First Horizon National Corp. is now the fourth-largest bank in the Southeast, boasting roughly 300 branches and $40 billion in assets.

10. Last Word: Storm and Early Voting Numbers, Frayser Revival and FCC at Baptist - Monday, July 16, 2018

That was loud and wet. After the storms moved through the city Sunday evening, about 20,000 MLGW customers were without power. That was down to 5,000 by midnight. With that let’s begin with early voting turnout, shall we. Monday being the last day of early-early voting with five of the 27 sites across the county. The others open Tuesday with early voting running through July 28 and election day Aug. 2. Here is the list of early voting sites and their hours from the Shelby County Election Commission.

11. Youth Villages' New Board Chair, Jimmy Lackie, Believes in the Process - Monday, July 16, 2018

A lot has changed since 1984 when James “Jimmy” D. Lackie first became involved with the forerunner to Youth Villages. Spence Wilson, CEO of Kemmons Wilson, Inc., had asked Lackie to assist on a capital campaign at Dogwood Villages. This was two years before Dogwood merged with Memphis Boys Town to create Youth Villages.

12. July 13-19, 2018: This week in Memphis history - Saturday, July 14, 2018

2017: Rachel Heck, a 15-year-old rising sophomore at St. Agnes Academy, makes the cut at the U.S. Women’s Golf Open, finishing the tournament at 2-over when she shot even par 72 for a second consecutive day.

13. First Horizon Promotes Johnson to Senior VP - Saturday, July 7, 2018

First Horizon National Corp., First Tennessee Bank’s parent company, has promoted Darin Johnson to senior vice president and credit risk manager for government lending programs.

14. Already Exceeding Expectations: Explore Bike Share on a Roll - Saturday, July 7, 2018

As an afternoon sun slides toward the horizon, Rajah Brown and Jon Pegg pull up in a 17-foot U-Haul truck, jump out and head for the row of 14 shiny bicycles along South Main Street.

Sweat dampens their brows, but Memphis nightlife is a couple hours from heating up. There’s time to take a few bicycles over to the empty station at Loflin Yard after some onsite upkeep.

15. First Horizon Promotes Johnson to Senior VP - Tuesday, July 3, 2018

First Horizon National Corp., First Tennessee Bank’s parent company, has promoted Darin Johnson to senior vice president and credit risk manager for government lending programs.

16. Duffy-Geiger Named CFO At Monogram Foods - Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Cheryl Duffy-Geiger has joined Monogram Foods as chief financial officer. In this role, Duffy-Geiger will be responsible for developing strategic business plans, partnering with operations and supply chain, building relationships with banking partners and overseeing accounting, among other duties. She joins Monogram from Kellogg Co., where she was chief financial officer for its largest global business unit, U.S. domestic snacks.

17. Last Word: One for Graceland, Randy Boyd in Millington and Green Eyeshades - Tuesday, June 5, 2018

From the distance of 50 years – half a century – it’s hard to relate what it was like to grow up in the 1960s – in particular the year 1968 in a city that figured prominently in the year’s turbulent trajectory.

18. First Horizon’s Flippin: $4B Initiative ‘Laser-Focused on Helping People’ - Saturday, June 2, 2018

Since joining First Horizon National Corp. as executive vice president and chief communications officer in January, Candace Steele Flippin has met with community leaders and organizations to identify areas that are prime candidates for the bank’s recently announced Community Benefit Plan. This $4 billion, five-year initiative earmarks funds for small-business loans, home loans, and community development in low- to moderate-income areas within the bank’s footprint.

19. First Tennessee Donation Aids Fogelman Y Project - Saturday, May 12, 2018

Thanks to a new partnership between First Tennessee Bank and the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South, the Fogelman Downtown YMCA will receive a $500,000 donation and matching challenge gift of $500,000 from First Tennessee to remodel significant portions of the building that opened in 1987.

20. First Tennessee Donation Aids Fogelman YMCA Project - Friday, May 11, 2018

Thanks to a new partnership between First Tennessee Bank and the YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South, the Fogelman Downtown YMCA will receive a $500,000 donation and matching challenge gift of $500,000 from First Tennessee to remodel significant portions of the building that opened in 1987.

21. First Tennessee to Lay Off 58 in Greene County - Saturday, May 5, 2018

First Tennessee Bank is laying off a few dozen employees in Greene County, Tennessee, a move that’s related to the bank’s merger with Capital Bank Financial Corp.

22. Turner Career Program Seeks To Boost Construction Manpower - Saturday, May 5, 2018

Chris Boyce is a happy man. The South Memphis resident is gainfully employed in a trade he never envisioned while he worked for years performing railroad maintenance around the area.

23. First Tennessee to Lay Off 58 in Greeneville - Thursday, May 3, 2018

First Tennessee Bank is laying off a few dozen employees in Greene County, Tennessee, a move that’s related to the bank’s merger with Capital Bank Financial Corp.

24. Last Word: Primary Results and Analysis, Bike Launch, Gibson's Bankruptcy - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

The immediate headline of Tuesday’s county primary elections is Lee Harris and David Lenoir battling in the August county general to see who becomes the next county mayor. But there were lots of other stories in the results. Here's the roundup of that and the other countywide primaries.

25. First Tennessee Laying Off 58 in Greeneville - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

First Tennessee Bank is laying off a few dozen employees in Greene County, Tennessee, a move that’s related to the bank’s merger with Capital Bank Financial Corp.

The layoffs come as First Tennessee has consolidated operations at the locations that remain in Greene County after First Tennessee and Capital Bank jointly agreed to divest two branches.

26. Last Word: Parking Distrust, Early Voting Numbers and Missile Strike Reaction - Monday, April 16, 2018

There is probably no better symbol of the distrust that has been a factor in reaching a compromise in Overton Park to end greensward parking by the Memphis Zoo. It is what happened to the idea of a walkway from the zoo plaza to the greensward with the critical juncture being where the gravel driveway is now that is used by cars to park on the greensward. We examine that and other larger points from last week’s decision by City Hall to change the design and make the amended plan the final plan.

27. The Week Ahead: April 16-20 - Monday, April 16, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! It’s time for Africa in April, which in the minds of many Memphians, is the seasonal kick-off for festivals. The annual Southern Hot Wing Festival comes this weekend on Tiger Lane, so get ready for good times to replace that winter weather. Check out what else you need to know about in The Week Ahead...

28. Downtown Office Building Sells for $1.1 Million - Saturday, April 14, 2018

National Housing Corp. of Memphis has purchased a 226,848-square-foot office building in Downtown Memphis, according to a March 30 warranty deed filed with the Shelby County Register.

29. First Tennessee to Put $4B In Community Investment - Saturday, April 14, 2018

Memphis-based First Tennessee Bank, along with its newly acquired Capital Bank, are launching a five-year, nearly $4 billion effort to expand the availability of financial resources in low- to moderate-income communities across an eight-state footprint.

30. First Horizon Starts Off 2018 With Strong Q1 Results - Monday, April 16, 2018

The first full quarter with Capital Bank integrated into the operations of Memphis-based First Horizon National Corp. saw a pickup year-over-year in several key areas like loans, deposits and growth in net income.

31. Overton Square Adds Two New Restaurants in One Week - Monday, April 16, 2018

2110 Madison Ave.

Memphis, TN 38104

Lease Amount: 3,790 square feet 

Tenant: Bogard

Tenant’s Agent: Barry Maynard, LRG

Landlord: Loeb Properties Inc.

32. First Tennessee Bank Launching $4 Billion Community Investment Effort - Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Memphis-based First Tennessee Bank, along with its newly acquired Capital Bank, are launching a five-year, nearly $4 billion effort to expand the availability of financial resources in low- to moderate-income communities across an 8-state footprint.

33. Downtown Office Building Sells for $1.1 Million - Monday, April 9, 2018

National Housing Corp. of Memphis has purchased a 226,848-square-foot office building in Downtown Memphis, according to a March 30 warranty deed filed with the Shelby County Register.

34. Perry Leading Fire Museum Forward as Executive Director - Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Shannon Perry became executive director of the Fire Museum of Memphis earlier this year, a role that brings her back to the institution she helped launch in the 1990s, when she served as its first curator. As executive director, Perry is the Fire Museum’s only full-time employee, and she handles a range of functions – including its collection, exhibits and facilities, budgets, fundraising, public relations, special events, staff and volunteers – while also working directly with the museum’s board.

35. Former FHN Communications Chief Launches New Venture - Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Back in the summer, Memphis-based First Tennessee Bank was listed as the fifth most reputable bank in the nation in a report from the industry-focused news publication “American Banker.”

36. Last Word: Waiting on Hardaway, Campaign Habits and Hasheem Thabeet's Shadow - Friday, March 16, 2018

Penny Hardaway’s formal hiring as the new Tigers basketball coach is expected next week and you can almost hear all of the resume’s hitting Hardaway’s email as he puts together a staff. Hardaway’s name first surfaced as a possible coach in the last days of Josh Pastner, pre-Tubby Smith. It's only become stronger and better developed since then.

37. First Horizon Among Top Companies for Women Executives - Friday, March 16, 2018

For the seventh straight year, the parent company of First Tennessee Bank – where women comprise more than 60 percent of the workforce – has been honored as one of the top companies in the nation for female executives.

38. Fed Numbers Show Local Lending Increase - Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Robert Shaw is among the Memphis banking executives looking forward to what the rest of 2018 will bring. He is CEO of Memphis-based Paragon Bank, which at the end of February announced record-breaking revenue and pre-tax income for the fourth quarter of 2017. The numbers were driven by solid loan growth, a healthy net interest margin and continued attention to controlling expenses.

39. Last Word: Rising River, Driving The Dream and Harwell Advances Medical Pot - Thursday, March 1, 2018

The Mississippi River at Memphis should reach flood stage at any moment. As Last Word was going up online Wednesday evening the National Weather Service at Memphis put the river level here at 33.52 feet. Flood stage at Memphis is 34 feet. The river is forecast to crest some time next week at 38 feet, four feet over flood stage. Keep in mind that in April 2011, the river at Memphis crested 10 feet higher, at 48 feet on the Memphis river gauge – which turned to be the one on the support beams of the bridge over Beale Street at Riverside Drive. That was the second highest river level at Memphis ever recorded.

40. Year of Milestones, Major News for First Horizon - Thursday, March 1, 2018

Ahead of its annual meeting of shareholders next month, First Tennessee Bank announced this week customers had given it top grades in the Phoenix-Hecht 2018 Quality Index for Middle Market Banking, an index that includes businesses with revenue between $20 million and $500 million.

41. First Horizon Announces Employee Raises - Saturday, February 24, 2018

A little more than a month after the parent company of First Tennessee Bank distributed one-time $1,000 bonuses to employees, the company is rolling out another employee perk.

42. Notebook: Memphis WR Anthony Miller Creating a Buzz - Saturday, February 24, 2018

Anthony Miller, the walk-on who became a record-setting receiver at Memphis, is listed as the seventh-best wideout available for the upcoming NFL Draft, according to walterfootball.com.

43. No. 23 Houston Major Test for Tigers; Memphis WR Miller Creating a Buzz - Thursday, February 22, 2018

Employing a zone defense, Tubby Smith’s Tigers have won two straight games to get the University of Memphis back to .500 (7-7) in the American Athletic Conference. But their defense will have to reach a new level if the Tigers are to stay with the No. 23 Houston Cougars at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, at FedExForum.

44. First Horizon National Corp. Announces Employee Raises - Tuesday, February 20, 2018

A little more than a month after the parent company of First Tennessee Bank distributed one-time $1,000 bonuses to employees, the company is rolling out another employee perk.

45. Last Word: Looking In The Lookout, Women in Business and The Race for Governor - Monday, February 19, 2018

What would bring a Memphian on his own to The Lookout – the restaurant and bar at the top of the Pyramid? The view, of course. So after the obligatory walk outside to the views south along the riverfront and west across the river, I settled in Sunday for the view from within. I lined up with both of the tree stumps in the round fish tank in the center of the Pyramid’s apex, a steampunk frog watching from above.

46. First Horizon National Corp. Announces Employee Raises - Monday, February 19, 2018

A little more than a month after the parent company of First Tennessee Bank distributed one-time $1,000 bonuses to employees, the company is rolling out another employee perk.

47. After Company-Wide Bonuses, First Tennessee Parent Co. Announces Raises - Friday, February 16, 2018

A little more than a month after the parent company of First Tennessee Bank distributed one-time $1,000 bonuses to employees, the company is rolling out another employee perk.

Memphis-based First Horizon National Corp. is bumping up the minimum pay level of employees to $15 an hour, part of the company’s continued re-investment of savings stemming from the recent federal tax legislation.

48. First Tennessee Bank Wins 23 Greenwich Awards - Saturday, February 10, 2018

First Tennessee Bank has won 23 awards for outstanding service for business banking from Greenwich Associates as part of the group’s 2017 Greenwich Excellence Awards.

49. First Tennessee Bank Wins 23 Greenwich Awards - Thursday, February 8, 2018

First Tennessee Bank has won 23 awards for outstanding service for business banking from Greenwich Associates as part of the group’s 2017 Greenwich Excellence Awards.

50. First Horizon Taps New Communications Chief - Saturday, February 3, 2018

First Horizon National Corp., the parent company of First Tennessee Bank, has hired a new chief communications officer to replace former head of corporate communications Kim Cherry, who recently left after more than three decades to launch her own firm.

51. Digest - Monday, January 29, 2018

Memphis Toys R Us

To Remain Open

A representative with Toys R Us has confirmed to The Daily News that the retailer’s Memphis location, at 7676 Polo Ground Blvd., won’t close after all.

52. Dreamers Deferred - Saturday, February 3, 2018

You never really get to the point where you can stand at a particular moment in time and forecast with any certainty how your life is going to turn out, how things are going to look or what’s going to be different over a long time horizon. That’s certainly the way it’s been, and still is, for Mauricio Calvo and Memphians like him.

53. First Horizon Taps New Communications Chief - Thursday, February 1, 2018

First Horizon National Corp., the parent company of First Tennessee Bank, has hired a new chief communications officer to replace former head of corporate communications Kim Cherry, who recently left after more than three decades to launch her own firm.

54. FHN Raises Dividend, Approves Purchase Program - Saturday, January 27, 2018

First Tennessee Bank’s parent company is getting the new year started in part by increasing its common stock dividend by 33 percent.

55. Sports Executives Enjoying ‘Glory Years’ of Memphis Sports - Monday, January 29, 2018

With sports clicking on all cylinders in Memphis and a new professional team on the horizon, these days could really be seen as the glory years of Memphis sports.

That was the observation of Jason Wexler, president of business operations for the Memphis Grizzlies, who was one of four panelist Thursday, Jan. 25, at Newmakers: Memphis Sports, part of The Daily News’ Seminar Series.

56. FHN Raises Dividend 33 Pct., Approves Purchase Program - Friday, January 26, 2018

First Tennessee Bank’s parent company is getting the new year started in part by increasing its common stock dividend by 33 percent.

57. Latest Economic Overview Shows Growth Across Sectors - Friday, January 26, 2018

The Daily News has charted big moves in these pages from some of the Memphis public companies like FedEx and First Horizon that have paid employee bonuses and hinted at major investment as a result of the recent federal tax legislation.

58. Powell Taking Over as Fed Chairman at Time of Economic Calm - Thursday, January 25, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – It would seem like a pretty good time to take over as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Jerome Powell has won Senate confirmation to head the U.S. central bank, inheriting an economy on a roll, a booming stock market and unemployment at a 17-year low.

59. First Tennessee Parent Company Raises Dividend 33 Percent - Wednesday, January 24, 2018

First Tennessee Bank’s parent company is getting the new year started in part by increasing its common stock dividend by 33 percent.

60. First Tennessee Parent Company Caps Busy Fourth Quarter and 2017 - Monday, January 22, 2018

Investors and analysts who cover the Memphis-based publicly traded parent company of First Tennessee Bank had a lot of news to digest during the bank’s fourth quarter.

61. Zealous and Growing Fan Base Heralds Soccer’s Return to Memphis - Saturday, January 20, 2018

They can be heard down the hall, or down the block. Roaring. Cheering. Chanting, often nonsensically, at the top of their lungs at whatever hour their beloved teams are playing on TV. Always in uniform – with the proper hats, jerseys – and scarves. Do not forget the scarves.

62. First Horizon Takes More Action Post-Tax Reform - Saturday, January 13, 2018

First Tennessee Bank’s parent company has announced more of the steps it’s taking in the wake of the recently enacted federal tax reform legislation.

63. First Horizon Announces More Action Post-Tax Reform - Thursday, January 11, 2018

First Tennessee Bank’s parent company has announced more of the steps it’s taking in the wake of the recently enacted federal tax reform legislation.

64. Companies Boost Wages and More Post-Tax Reform - Monday, January 8, 2018

Dozens of companies, many with ties to Memphis, have pledged a series of actions that include one-time employee bonuses, charitable spending and 401(k) contribution increases, among other steps, in response to savings they expect to see from recently enacted Republican tax cuts.

65. SunTrust Taking Actions In Wake of Tax Reform Bill - Saturday, January 6, 2018

SunTrust Banks Inc. has announced a set of actions it’s taking in the wake of the recently passed tax reform bill that include increasing its minimum wage and making grants to communities.

66. Memphis Experts See Economic Growth Building Off 2017 Into 2018 - Saturday, January 6, 2018

With resolutions made and the new year now, another annual exercise rises to the forefront – predictions on what Memphis and its economy can expect in 2018.

If 2017 taught us anything, it’s that there’s so much we won’t be able to even remotely see coming, from Memphis bidding to become the potential home for Amazon’s second headquarters to action finally being taken on the Confederate monuments in city parks and so much more.

67. Final Goodbye: Roll Call of Some Who Died in 2017 - Monday, January 1, 2018

They made music that inspired legions of fans. Rock 'n' roll founding fathers Chuck Berry and Fats Domino, rockers Tom Petty and Gregg Allman, grunge icon Chris Cornell, country superstar Glen Campbell and jazz great Al Jarreau were among the notable figures who died in 2017, leaving a void in virtually every genre of music.

68. SunTrust Announces Actions In Wake of Tax Reform Bill - Tuesday, January 2, 2018

SunTrust Banks Inc. has announced a set of actions it’s taking in the wake of the recently passed tax reform bill that include increasing its minimum wage and making grants to communities.

69. Citing US Tax Reform Bill, First Horizon Pays Bonuses - Saturday, December 30, 2017

First Tennessee Bank’s parent company has joined other major U.S. employers like AT&T and Comcast in pledging bonuses for employees in the wake of the recent tax reform legislation passed by Congress.

70. Citing US Tax Reform Bill, First Horizon Pledges Bonuses - Wednesday, December 27, 2017

First Tennessee Bank’s parent company has joined other major U.S. employers like AT&T and Comcast in pledging bonuses for employees in the wake of the recent tax reform legislation passed by Congress.

71. Citing Tax Reform Bill, First Tennessee Parent Co. Announces $1,000 Bonuses - Tuesday, December 26, 2017

First Tennessee Bank’s parent company has joined other major U.S. employers like AT&T and Comcast in pledging bonuses for employees in the wake of the recent tax reform legislation passed by Congress.

72. 2017 a Year of Expansion for Memphis Banks - Wednesday, December 20, 2017

The biggest banks in Memphis made aggressive pushes this year to raise their profiles and expand footprints, as competition in the sector heats up and the industry continues winning back the strength it enjoyed before the bust of 2008.

73. Last Word: Grizz Speculation, SCS Grade Floors and Cedar Heights - Thursday, December 14, 2017

Grizz lose to the Wizards 93-87 in Washington. And ESPN columnist Zach Lowe says the team has lost its identity as well as a lot of games. CBSSports reports Marc Gasol is open to a trade but will not request one. And if you are looking to go far afield with the theories, here’s one from a Dallas Mavericks fansight, mavsmoneyball, that includes a really good graphic on the salaries of Grizz players.

74. First Horizon Foresees Bigger Savings from Capital Bank Deal - Thursday, December 14, 2017

The parent company of First Tennessee Bank thinks it will save even more money than originally thought after its acquisition of North Carolina-based Capital Bank Financial Corp.

75. Brad Martin Retires From First Horizon Board - Saturday, December 9, 2017

R. Brad Martin, chairman of RBM Venture Co., has retired from the board of directors of First Horizon National Corp., the parent company of First Tennessee Bank.

76. Brad Martin Retires From First Horizon Board - Wednesday, December 6, 2017

R. Brad Martin, chairman of RBM Venture Co., has retired from the board of directors of Memphis-based First Horizon National Corp., the parent company of First Tennessee Bank.

77. First Horizon, Capital Complete $2.2B Merger - Tuesday, December 5, 2017

The $2.2 billion deal between Memphis-based First Horizon National Corp. and Capital Bank Financial Corp. of Charlotte, North Carolina, has been completed, creating the fourth-largest regional bank in the Southeast.

78. Last Word: Grizz Ownership Moves, Confederate Deadline and Medical Family Tree - Monday, December 4, 2017

As many of us were focused on Tigers football and the journey to Orlando last week, there was word that either both or one of the two minority owners of the Grizz had exercised a buy-sell provision in the NBA team’s unique ownership agreement. And what could be a fight for control of the team’s ownership is underway. The sports website The Athletic broke the story last Thursday. Here it is. It also talks about the timing of this coming with the controversial sacking of David Fizdale, an interim coach at the helm of a changing team and lead owner Robert Pera’s lack of visibility in all things Grizz around the city.

79. First Horizon-Capital Bank Merger Now Complete - Monday, December 4, 2017

The parent company of First Tennessee Bank will end 2017 as a significantly larger institution, with billions more in assets, deposits and loans, thanks to the completion Nov. 30 of its merger with Charlotte, North Carolina-based Capital Bank Financial Corp.

80. First Horizon, Capital Bank Divest Two Branches - Saturday, December 2, 2017

The parent company of First Tennessee Bank and Charlotte, North Carolina-based Capital Bank Financial Corp. have jointly agreed to sell two Capital Bank branches in East Tennessee to Apex Bank.

81. First Horizon, Capital Bank Divest Two Branches - Tuesday, November 28, 2017

The parent company of First Tennessee Bank and Charlotte, North Carolina-based Capital Bank Financial Corp. have jointly agreed to sell two Capital Bank branches in East Tennessee to Apex Bank.

82. Collins Leaving as City's Chief Financial Officer - Friday, November 17, 2017

City of Memphis chief financial officer Brian Collins is leaving the post he’s held for the last five years across two mayoral administrations to become executive director of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, Collins announced Friday, Nov. 17. He is leaving City Hall in January and starts his new job Jan. 8.

83. Fed Official: Memphis Area Banks ‘Performed Well’ in Third Quarter - Friday, November 17, 2017

News is more positive that not these days for Memphis-based banks, according to a newly released report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

84. First Tennessee’s Walker Leading Push To Infuse Diversity Throughout Bank - Saturday, November 11, 2017

Memphis-based First Tennessee Bank is already the biggest bank in the state and award-winning for its work atmosphere. But the company isn’t resting on its laurels, instead forging ahead with unique strategies to better reflect the communities it is serving through a top-down, baked-in approach to ensuring diversity at every level of the organization.

85. FHN Board Approves $5.5M Bonus for CEO - Saturday, November 4, 2017

The board of directors of First Tennessee Bank’s parent company has approved a $5.5 million bonus for CEO Bryan Jordan.

86. Univ. of Memphis’ Lambuth Campus Thriving, With More Growth Expected - Saturday, November 4, 2017

The university, and the history, might have been lost. Six years ago, with the after-effects of a slowed economy still making an impact, Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee, was forced to shut down.

87. FHN Board Awards CEO Bryan Jordan $5.5M Bonus - Tuesday, October 31, 2017

The board of directors of First Tennessee Bank’s parent company has approved a $5.5 million bonus for CEO Bryan Jordan.

88. Last Word: Beyond Amazon, Marking The RiverLine and Whimsy Grows - Monday, October 30, 2017

Grizz and Hornets Monday at the Forum. And Tigers football is on the road for a Friday game at Tulsa. On Tuesday, though there will be much attention to the first of six weekly rankings of college football teams by the new College Football Playoff committee. And the Tigers expect to make the rankings. The players are saying that. That will be followed closely, of course, by another series of interviews about how the team is focused only on the next game as they keep hitting refresh on the playoff committee rankings site. The rankings also promise to be interesting for the SEC teams that are part of the local and regional sports mix here.

89. CEO of First Tennessee Parent Co. Gets $5.5M Bonus - Saturday, October 28, 2017

The board of directors of First Tennessee Bank’s parent company has approved a $5.5 million bonus for CEO Bryan Jordan.

90. Pinnacle Sees Major Growth in 2017 - Tuesday, October 24, 2017

There’s not usually much in the way of big change reflected in the bank deposit market share report that comes out once a year from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. This year for the Memphis metropolitan statistical area, though, there was.

91. First Tennessee Parent Company Reports Positive “Stress Test” Results - Monday, October 23, 2017

First Horizon National Corp. has submitted the results of its annual Dodd-Frank Act Stress Test to regulators, which show that the company’s management and board believes it “would maintain capital well in excess of regulatory adequate levels under severely adverse economic and financial conditions.”

92. Shelby County Mortgage Market Up 6 Percent in September - Friday, October 20, 2017

For the average person, the end of the year means schedules get busier as the holidays approach. That’s less true, though, for mortgage lenders – it can be more of the opposite scenario, in fact.

93. Last Word: Tigers Make Top 25, Pfizer's Next Tax Break and Shepherds Creek - Monday, October 16, 2017

The Tigers make the top 25 ESPN Power Rankings for college football with the Liberty Bowl victory Saturday over Navy 30 – 27. And Tigers coach Mike Norvell responds to the pre-game arrest of a player on a rape charge.

94. First Tennessee Bank Parent Wraps Solid Third Quarter - Monday, October 16, 2017

The Memphis-based parent company of First Tennessee Bank is starting to wind down 2017 optimistic about its business and the direction of the economy, which helped the company grow its net income 7 percent during the quarter.

95. Turning The Page - Saturday, October 14, 2017

The Memphis Grizzlies still cling to their old grit-and-grind identity – at least for marketing purposes and perhaps a subconscious need for comfort and security. But they also decided now was the time they had to initiate transformative change.

96. Retired FedEx Exec Rodriguez Becomes City of Memphis CIO - Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Mike Rodriguez recently became the city of Memphis’ director of information services and chief information officer, a role he took on after retiring from a 27-year career at FedEx Corp. Rodriguez, who most recently served as FedEx’s director of information security, was nominated as city CIO by Mayor Jim Strickland and confirmed by the Memphis City Council Sept. 23.

97. Last Word: Pantographs & Catenaries, Grizz Uncertainty and Tuesdays Without Morrie - Monday, September 25, 2017

After three years off the rails, the first significant indications that the trolleys are about to return. It was just a two-block ride that includes the Memphis Area Transit Authority trolley barn on North Main and one very new trolley. But it is a start through what is a very technical and bureaucratic process involving lots of safety vests, clipboards and video cameras.

98. First Horizon CEO: Banking Industry Needs Consolidation - Monday, September 25, 2017

The CEO of First Tennessee Bank’s parent company told attendees of a financial conference in New York City in recent days that the banking industry could benefit from more consolidation.

99. Bandele Crafts Cultural Hub for Black Artists - Friday, September 22, 2017

Early one clear September morning, Overton Square is still half-asleep, the parking lot next to Hattiloo Theatre empty save a few cars. In 12 hours, Hattiloo’s lobby will pulse with a throng of guests at the opening night of “Fetch Clay, Make Man,” the theater’s current production. But for now, Ekundayo Bandele, Hattiloo’s founder and CEO, is leaning back in a desk chair, dreaming aloud about the year 2022.

100. Create an Investment Policy Statement - Friday, September 15, 2017

Ray’s Take: Financial professionals have long used an investment policy statement for their clients. It’s a guiding set of principles, of sorts, to help make decisions along the way. It’s an excellent tool for anyone to use to keep themselves on track when it comes to financial planning.