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. Last Word: Shutdown Over?, Glen Farms Plans and Billy Richmond - Wing Guru - Tuesday, January 23, 2018

The federal government shutdown for many of us outside the Beltway amounted to a message on a website saying the agency we were looking up was closed Monday. And Monday was the third and final day of the most recent shutdown. But the immigration policy known as DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – is the issue to be explored by Congress in the three weeks that the continuing resolution covers. It’s an issue that there has been plenty of local discussion about

3. Last Word: Snow Week, Liberal Arts and Their Critics and Tunica Casinos - Thursday, January 18, 2018

Snow Day 3 as this becomes a snow week for many of us. Granted one of those days was a federal holiday in which the temperature was above freezing and the sun was out. During the second consecutive snow day Wednesday for Shelby County Schools students, Candous Brown, a teacher at Raleigh Egypt High School held class anyway via Facebook.

4. R&B Singer-Songwriter Denise LaSalle Dies in Tennessee - Thursday, January 11, 2018

JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) – Singer and songwriter Denise LaSalle, whose hit "Trapped by a Thing Called Love" topped the R&B charts in 1971, has died. She was 78.

Musician and producer Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell, owner of Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, and a close family friend of LaSalle's, said Tuesday that the singer died in Jackson, Tennessee. Another family friend, Howard Rambsy, said she died Monday night at a hospital, surrounded by family.

5. Memphis Sound at 60 - Saturday, December 23, 2017

As Stax Records and Royal Studios both wrap up a year of celebrating their 60th anniversary, The Memphis News looks back at the creators and purveyors of the Memphis sound and its significance, both in its heyday and today.

6. Events - Saturday, November 18, 2017

New Ballet Ensemble will perform “Nut ReMix” with special guest Charles “Lil Buck” Riley Friday through Sunday, Nov. 17-19, at the Cannon Center, 255 N. Main St. The show is a new take on Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” set on Beale Street, with music performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Big Band.  Visit newballet.org for times and tickets.

7. Events - Friday, November 17, 2017

New Ballet Ensemble will perform “Nut ReMix” with special guest Charles “Lil Buck” Riley Friday through Sunday, Nov. 17-19, at the Cannon Center, 255 N. Main St. The show is a new take on Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” set on Beale Street, with music performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Big Band. Visit newballet.org for times and tickets.

8. Events - Thursday, November 16, 2017

Rhythmic Circus presents a new holiday experience, “Red and Green,” Thursday, Nov. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 S. Main St. “Red and Green” is packed with memorable, genre-hopping holiday melodies to set the festive mood of the season. Tickets are $15, or $20 for VIP. Visit orpheum-memphis.com.

9. Events - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Latino Memphis will host “The Future of DACA, an Analysis and Panel Discussion About the DREAM Act” Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Halloran Centre, 225 S. Main St. Jeanne Batalova, senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, will discuss different versions of the DREAM Act and the impact it could have if approved. There also will be a panel discussion and Q&A with local leaders, immigration advocates and a local DREAMer. Cost is free. RSVP at eventbrite.com.

10. Events - Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Latino Memphis will host “The Future of DACA, an Analysis and Panel Discussion About the DREAM Act” Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Halloran Centre, 225 S. Main St. Jeanne Batalova, senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, will discuss different versions of the DREAM Act and the impact it could have if approved. There also will be a panel discussion and Q&A with local leaders, immigration advocates and a local DREAMer. Cost is free. RSVP at eventbrite.com.

11. Royal Studios Celebrates 60 Years of Music-Making - Wednesday, August 2, 2017

For Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, the workday starts around 10 in the morning, when he arrives at Royal Studios to start miking up the drums. He’ll spend the next few hours getting the rest of the instruments set up and “dialing in sounds,” all the technical work that has to be done before the acts and artists show up at Royal and start running through their songs.

12. Events - Saturday, July 29, 2017

Indie Memphis’ Indie Wednesday film series kicks off with a screening of the Slamdance Film Festival’s 2017 “Anarchy” shorts program Wednesday, Aug. 2, at MicroCinema @ Crosstown Arts, 430 N. Cleveland St. The “Anarchy” program is described as “an anti-genre form of resistance to dominant cultural paradigms.” Admission is pay-what-you-can. Visit indiememphis.com for details and a series schedule.

13. Events - Friday, July 28, 2017

Tennessee’s sales tax holiday will take place Friday, July 28, at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, July 30, at 11:59 p.m. Shoppers can save nearly 10 percent on clothing, school and art supplies that cost $100 or less per item and computers that cost $1,500 or less. Visit tntaxholiday.com for details and lists of tax-exempt and taxable items.

14. Events - Thursday, July 27, 2017

Memphis Black Arts Alliance will present “Annie: The Musical” Thursday through Saturday, July 27-29, at the Kroc Center, 800 East Parkway S. Visit mbaafirehouse.org for details and tickets.

15. Last Word: ICE Raids, Who's Buying Afton Grove and Malco Powerhouse Plans - Monday, July 24, 2017

A protest Sunday evening at the Prescott Place Apartments after federal ICE agents – Immigration and Customs Enforcement – took people into custody there and at Emerald Ridge and Corner Park apartments Sunday morning. The group of organizations protesting the federal action – Memphis Coalition of Concerned Citizens, Cosecha and SURJ Memphis -- say Memphis Police assisted in the immigration operation. Memphis Police deny they were involved in any way. No estimate from ICE on how many people were detained.

16. Last Word: Corporate Musical Chairs, Another Dollar General and Ronnie Grisanti - Monday, July 3, 2017

The three-way deal by which Memphis-based Fred’s was to buy hundreds of Rite-Aid stores from Walgreens just keeps getting worse for Fred’s even though the deal happened last week without Fred’s. An analyst says Fred’s got cut out because of questions about the corporation’s viability to enter into what is an ambitious change of course for the company on a large scale.

17. Wayne Jackson of the Memphis Horns Duo Dies at 74 - Thursday, June 23, 2016

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Trumpet player Wayne Jackson, who played standout horn lines on rock 'n' roll, soul, R&B and pop mainstays along with Memphis Horns partner and tenor saxophonist Andrew Love, has died. He was 74.

18. Shelby County Budget Delay Centers on $3.5 Million for Schools - Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Most of the declarations Monday, June 20, before the Shelby County Commission delayed final votes on local schools funding to next week came from the audience.

“For too long we’ve bled, died, cried and pled for education,” former Memphis City Council and Memphis City Schools board member TaJuan Stout-Mitchell told the commission.

19. Timberlake Remarks Show Generational Change in Music Heritage - Monday, October 19, 2015

Memphis music heritage, and the remembrance of it, turned an important corner Saturday, Oct. 17, when Justin Timberlake walked on stage at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.

Timberlake, 34, is the youngest inductee into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

20. This week in Memphis history: June 19-25 - Saturday, June 20, 2015

1985: The Center City Revenue Finance Corp. takes the first step toward financing a residential development to be called South of Beale, bounded by Fourth and Third streets and Lt. George W. Lee and Linden avenues – the block where FedExForum is now.

21. Legendary Memphis Studio Has No. 1 Hit With ‘Uptown Funk’ - Friday, January 23, 2015

The Mark Ronson song “Uptown Funk” featuring Bruno Mars has spent a few weeks now in the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

It’s something Memphis producer and Royal Studios owner Boo Mitchell is especially proud to see, since the chart-topping track was recorded in Memphis at his studio.

22. This week in Memphis history: October 24-30 - Saturday, October 25, 2014

2009: Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton said he had received a “target” letter from federal prosecutors indicating he was the target of a federal investigation into an option he had on the land where the Greyhound bus terminal then stood. Ultimately the investigation went nowhere.

23. Hopson Restructures School System Management - Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Shelby County Schools superintendent Dorsey Hopson has eliminated the school system’s set of four regional superintendents and replaced them with three associate superintendents in what he said is a change to move the school system’s central office closer to the daily operation of schools.

24. Early Vote Expands as Campaigns Enter New Phase - Monday, July 21, 2014

There is a unique and persistent part of the political process that gnaws at candidates, separating them from the voters they court and sometimes stalk. You might call it the day of the ballot.

In the weeks leading up to the start of early voting, they get hit up constantly by those putting out endorsement ballots to be distributed during early voting and on election day, most often by paid poll workers. Candidates must pay to be on a ballot, which those organizing the ballots say is necessary to cover printing and distribution costs.

25. Sam Moore Records Song to Honor King - Saturday, April 5, 2014

Veteran singer Sam Moore of the soul duo Sam & Dave is releasing a song in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. to coincide with the anniversary of the civil rights leader's death.

26. Sam Moore Records Song to Honor King - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Veteran singer Sam Moore of the soul duo Sam & Dave is releasing a song in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. to coincide with the anniversary of the civil rights leader's death.

27. Events - Thursday, November 14, 2013

Poplar Pike Playhouse will present Neil Simon’s “Fools” Thursday, Nov. 14, through Nov. 23 at the theater, 7653 Old Poplar Pike. Buy tickets at ppp.org.

28. Events - Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Sales and Marketing Society of the Mid-South will meet Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Racquet Club of Memphis, 5111 Sanderlin Ave. Rebecca Janes of FedEx’s global brand management will present “The Power of the FedEx Brand: Packaging … It’s not just a touch point, it’s an experience.” Cost at the door is $30. Visit sms-midsouth.org.

29. Hopson Proposes Closing 11 Schools In 2014-2015 - Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent Dorsey Hopson is proposing the countywide school board close 11 more schools, 10 in the city of Memphis and one in Millington.

The closings which include three Memphis high schools – Northside, Carver and Westwood – would take effect in the 2014-2015 school year if approved by the school board.

30. Memphis Music Hall of Fame Names 25 Initial Inductees - Thursday, October 18, 2012

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. joined with representatives from the Smithsonian-developed Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum Tuesday, Oct. 16, in announcing the launch of a Memphis Music Hall of Fame tribute to the city’s musical legends.

31. Memphis Music Hall of Fame Names 25 Initial Inductees - Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Memphis Mayor AC Wharton joined with representatives from the Smithsonian-developed Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum Tuesday, Oct. 16, in announcing the launch of a Memphis Music Hall of Fame tribute to the city’s musical legends.

32. Memphis-Made Video Stars ‘Two Kings’ - Thursday, March 8, 2012

A new music video recently filmed in Memphis features the unlikely duo of veteran country artist Pam Tillis and Memphis native and rising rhythm and blues star Kris Thomas.

33. Honors Continue For Architect Of Memphis Sound - Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Memphis music icon Willie Mitchell was honored on what would have been his 84th birthday last week with a Tennessee state historical marker at his Royal Studios.

34. Sounds of the Season - Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The blues and folk duo Deering & Down turned their new Christmas single into a Christmas present for a Memphis-area nonprofit organization.

Lahna Deering, the Canadian-born singer backed by Rev Neil Down on guitar, sings about some of the sights, sounds and feelings of Christmas in Memphis on “Wonder What Elvis or Rufus Might Say.” And throughout the month of December, the proceeds from every download of the song on iTunes will go to the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County.

35. Clayborn-Ball Temple Plays Role In Area’s Future - Monday, August 1, 2011

A historic Downtown church is for sale after decades of attempts by the AME church leadership to bring it back.

What happens to Clayborn Ball Temple could be a bellwether for redevelopment efforts for the area just south of FedExForum. It’s an area developers and planners refer to as SoFo.

36. Newcomers Highlight BSMF Lineup - Friday, April 22, 2011

Memphis in May’s salute to Belgium will once again kick off with headline musical acts from across the country, singing on the river, in the sometimes muddy Tom Lee Park.

37. O’Conner Vying for ‘Feeding Dreams’ Honor - Friday, September 3, 2010

Donald O’Conner may not be running for office, but he wants your vote. In fact, he would like your vote every day now through Halloween.

O’Conner, director of Watoto Memphis Performing Arts Academy, is the Memphis nominee for Feeding Dreams, a contest put on by General Mills Corp. to recognize black community leaders who work to create better neighborhoods.

38. ‘Holy Grail’ of Recording Uncovered - Monday, July 26, 2010

A 52-year-old tape recorder described by some as the Holy Grail of the music industry has been discovered in the storage room of the owner of a used bus dealership in Marion, Ark.

But this isn’t just any bus dealership owner. Bob Tucker, owner of Bob Tucker Motors on Interstate 55, is a music industry veteran and one-time leader of the Memphis band that toured with the Beatles in 1964.

39. ALBA Enhances Airport Gateway - Wednesday, July 7, 2010

As Bluff City officials continue to push the aerotropolis effort, the Airways Lamar Business Association is doing its part to improve the area just north of Memphis International Airport.

Spearheading that improvement effort is Trennie Williams, who is celebrating two years as president and CEO of the association, a nonprofit alliance of business and community leaders working to strengthen, redevelop and beautify the Airways Boulevard, Lamar Avenue and Park Avenue corridors.

40. Showman’s Daughter Reflects on Former Hot Spot - Monday, June 1, 2009

A new historical marker was unveiled earlier this month on a street corner in West Memphis.

The corner is a landmark for several reasons. It’s the location of the first Pancho’s restaurant. And it’s parking lot was once the site of the Plantation Inn, a seminal nightclub in the history of Memphis music.

41. State Senate To Consider Banning Living Wage Requirements - Thursday, March 12, 2009

Local governments in Tennessee would lose the power to require private employers to pay their workers a living wage under a bill the Tennessee Senate is scheduled to vote on today.

The legislation earlier this month was passed without much discussion in the Senate’s Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee, which is chaired by state Sen. Paul Stanley, R-Germantown. Stanley also is the wage bill’s sponsor.

42. Cohen Keeps Eye On Stimulus Money - Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The $825 billion Obama administration economic stimulus bill begins its journey through Congress this week and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, estimates $167 million could be earmarked for projects in Shelby County over the next two years just through the public education allocations in the draft.

43. City Tweaks Capitol Hill Presence - Wednesday, December 3, 2008

A political changing of the guard will bring new courtiers to Nashville’s Legislative Plaza.

Some of them likely will come from the city of Memphis, which is looking into the possibility of building a new lobbying team to represent the city’s interests in the state capitol. A request for qualifications (RFQ) issued by the city Nov. 19 to individual lobbyists and lobbying firms for their services came as a result of the Nov. 4 state election results, which gave Republicans control of both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly.

44. Cash Prepares for New School Year - Thursday, August 7, 2008

In less than a month on the job, Memphis City Schools superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash has restructured the school system’s top ranks and proposed eliminating 142 management positions. He’s talked compromise with Memphis City Council members and prepared for the opening of schools later this month.

45. School Safety Rumors Addressed at Meeting - Monday, February 25, 2008

Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin is used to knocking down rumors. It's part of the job description practically. And separating fact from fiction is a basic part of what any police officer does.

46. Herenton Continues Call For Metal Detectors - Friday, February 15, 2008

All Memphis city middle, junior and senior high schools already have metal detectors. Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton's plan to put up $500,000 in city money for the immediate purchase of 65 walk-through and 210 handheld detectors is part of a plan to make daily searches of students less of an obstacle - logistically and politically.

47. Herenton Announces $500K Plan for Increased School Security - Thursday, February 14, 2008

Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton has announced the city will immediately buy 65 walkthrough and 210 handheld metal detectors to be used by every middle, junior and senior high school in the Memphis City Schools system. In addition, the Memphis police department will shift 67 officers to city school campuses. Herenton announced the moves at a Wednesday afternoon City Hall press conference.

48. Herenton Announces $500K Plan for Increased School Security - Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton has announced the city will immediately buy 65 walkthrough and 210 handheld metal detectors to be used by every middle, junior and senior high school in the Memphis City Schools system. In addition, the Memphis police department will shift 67 officers to city school campuses. Herenton announced the moves this afternoon at a City Hall press conference.

49. Events - Friday, September 7, 2007

The Memphis Regional Chamber will continue the Leadership Luncheon series today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. John Faraci, CEO of International Paper, is the featured guest. The event is $25 for chamber members and $35 for nonmembers. Call 543-3571 to register.

50. Events - Thursday, September 6, 2007

The Mid-South Area Business Travel Association will host Sherry Fisher at its monthly luncheon today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tower Room, 5100 Poplar Ave. The event is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Fisher will speak on "RBC Travel Protection: Understanding How it Works for You." Visit www.msabta.com for more information.

51. Things Go From Hot To Smoking Hot In Election Contests - Thursday, July 12, 2007

With one week to the filing deadline for the Oct. 4 Memphis city elections, 124 citizens have thought seriously enough about running for the 15 offices on the ballot to check out qualifying petitions. Nearly 40 had filed by the end of the first week.

52. One More Time - Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Memphis long has been known as the home of the blues - and it's no wonder, considering the city's rich musical history.

It's home to Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion, B.B. King's Blues Club, Isaac Hayes' restaurant in the Peabody Place mall and Beale Street, among other venues.

53. 'A First-Class Lady' - Tuesday, January 30, 2007

For Madeleine Cooper Taylor and her late husband, Dr. Harold Taylor, it surely says something about their standing in the community that both were nominated on separate occasions - and under extraordinary circumstances - to fill seats on the Memphis City Council.

54. Phillips to Become President of Optometry School - Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Dr. Richard W. Phillips has been named president-elect of Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. Phillips is a 1978 graduate of the college and the former regional executive director for Tennessee operations for TLC - Laser Eye Centers. He will be only the sixth person to hold the office in the college's 75-year history. Phillips will assume the presidency May 17. He is replacing William E. Cochran, who is retiring.

55. Remember the Main - Tuesday, January 2, 2007

In the midst of guiding the development partnership he helped assemble to create what could become the largest African-American-led project ever in Downtown Memphis, Darrell Cobbins heard from an old friend recently.

56. Mayor Herenton's Executive Assistant Moves to MLGW - Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Gale Jones Carson has been named director of corporate communications for Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division. In her new executive-level position, she will report directly to MLGW president and CEO Joseph Lee III. She previously was executive assistant to Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton.

57. Villas Development Expected to Inject Vitality Into South Memphis - Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Memphis' 6th District is undeniably Ford territory.

Along four-lane New Horn Lake Road between West Mitchell and Brooks roads, nearly every other house boasts a Harold Ford Jr. for U.S. Senate sign in the front yard, as cars with Ford stickers placed prominently on their rear windows zoom past.

58. Royalty Money Better Late Than Never, Music Heritage Group Insists - Thursday, September 21, 2006

The Stax record label could be headed for a potential rebirth, thanks to Justin Timberlake's announcement Sept. 15 that he wants to build a contemporary version of the iconic label, which started in 1959 as a small record store in South Memphis and later helped launch the careers of music legends like Isaac Hayes and Otis Redding.

59. City Council Reconsiders Stance On Property Reappraisal - Friday, August 4, 2006

Imagine you're a budget-conscious parent who gives your teenager $15 to pick up a few things from the grocery store. After returning from the errand - and, of course, through a bit of parental investigating - the errant teen admits to only using $10.

60. Former Mayor Hackett Tapped For CEO Post at Children's Museum - Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Richard C. "Dick" Hackett has been named chief executive officer (CEO) of the Children's Museum of Memphis. Hackett officially will take office July 17. Hackett served as mayor of Memphis from 1982 to 1992. He also served as senior vice president at ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, for nine years after his mayoral term.

61. Living Wage Initiative Earns Full Approval This Week - Friday, January 20, 2006

"I want to do what is right and fair," said Memphis City Council member TaJuan Stout Mitchell as the council's Personnel & Intergovernmental Committee reviewed figures this week showing about 30 city employees earn less than $10 an hour.

62. Shelby Trustee Seeks to Merge City, County Service - Friday, August 19, 2005

Memphis City Council members are still in penny-pinching mode. That was the message delivered this week when Yvonne Madlock, director of the Memphis-Shelby County Health Department, asked council members to consider approving a vector control fee, which would amount to an extra 75 cents on each month's utility bill for all Memphis Light, Gas and Water ratepayers.

63. Archived Article: Newsmakers - Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Goldsmith Honored Posthumously with Lion Heart Award

Goldsmith Honored Posthumously by Youth Villages The late Elias J. E.J. Goldsmith was honored with Youth Villages 5K Lion Heart Award. Goldsmith, who served Goldsmiths stores, his family busine...

64. Archived Article: Law Focus - Thursday, September 25, 2003
Talks begin on new Downtown plan

Downtown Tax Plan Faces Hurdles

ANDREW BELL

The Daily News

In their first official discussion on the topic, Memphis City Council members raised concerns about a Center City Commission-led proposal for a t...

65. Archived Article: Law Focus - Thursday, February 14, 2002
Shelter for animals common concern Shelter for animals common concern for city, county By MARY DANDO The Daily News The Shelby County Commission voted Monday to lease three acres of county-owned land to the Memphis Humane Society to build a new faci...

66. Archived Article: Ford (lead) - Tuesday, December 18, 2001
Education pursuit team goes into action Ford calls for an education pursuit team By MARY DANDO The Daily News At the kickoff meeting of a task force set up by U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. Monday, the congressman called on the business community to brin...

67. Archived Article: Law Focus - Thursday, December 13, 2001
Midtown East redevelopment still on course Binghampton redevelopment still on course By MARY DANDO The Daily News Anyone attempting to access Sam Cooper Boulevard via Broad Avenue lately is well aware of the headache it has become. The construction ...

68. Archived Article: Broad (lead) - Tuesday, April 17, 2001
New Sam Cooper Parkway plan comes before city council Council to hear new Sam Cooper plan By MARY DANDO The Daily News The final draft of the Midtown Corridor East Redevelopment Plan will be considered by the Memphis City Council at a public hearing...